Stronger Together
By Capt. Jason Ambrosi, ALPA President
ALPA has experienced unprecedented growth in the two and a half years since I took office. Through mergers, organizing efforts, and airline growth, we’ve added approximately 13,000 members. And last month, we took another step forward when the Canada Industrial Relations Board certified the Association as the bargaining representative for the 800-plus pilots at Porter Airlines. We’re now a union of more than 80,000 strong with 43 pilot groups.
As our membership numbers—and our strength—grow, we remain committed to budgeting responsibly. As a result, ALPA is once again able to offer to return a portion of 2024 dues dollars to our members while still maintaining the Association’s vast resources that advance your careers and keep flying safe. Last year was the first time in our union’s 94-year history that we offered a return of dues. Over the last two years, we’ve offered to return nearly $100 million to our members.
The Association is growing because we’re getting things done, and ALPA is successful because we’re united. Every day, pilot volunteers step up to move our Association forward to advance safety, security, and our profession. We excel as a union because we don’t let forces divide us or put personal interest above those of our membership. We stand strong and always put safety and our members first.
As you know, our victories aren’t always instantaneous. But with each step, we build the foundation for meaningful change. We keep fighting; and as our members at Air Transport International, Breeze, FedEx Express, Kalitta, Spirit, and Western Global—who’ve been in negotiations for several years—continue to work toward an agreement, they have our full support.
Growing ALPA’s connections within the labor movement was a priority when our administration took office. And with aviation and workers’ rights under rising pressure, we continue to strengthen these bonds. In the past few months, I joined our union brothers and sisters at the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, National Air Traffic Controllers Association, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and European Cockpit Association (ECA) for their annual meetings. By forging solid bonds across labor organizations, we can speak with an even stronger voice as workers.
Across the Atlantic, we’ve partnered with the ECA to oppose the implementation of single-pilot and reduced-crew operations (RCO) and have succeeded in getting the European Union Aviation Safety Agency to back down from its efforts to fast-track rulemaking that would allow Airbus and other manufacturers to implement plans to replace humans with automation in commercial aviation. As this fight continues, ALPA will take part in the International Civil Aviation Organization Assembly meeting later this month to ensure that unsafe proposals like removing pilots from the flight deck don’t gain any ground on the international stage.
We’re still facing some economic and regulatory uncertainty as the new U.S. administration continues to take shape, and we’re developing relationships and networks to stay connected and keep the priorities of pilots front and center in decision-making processes. While attending EAA AirVenture, I had the opportunity to talk with U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford to continue the work we’ve already done to build strong relationships with them and the teams they lead. We know through our decades of work in Washington, D.C., and Ottawa that building bridges with decision-makers is foundational to the work we do to advance safety and security, our profession, and our industry.
As I reflect on the strengths of our union, I’m also reminded that one of our greatest assets is how we step up for members who are facing career uncertainty. Last month, Spirit Airlines announced an additional round of furloughs and is predicting additional financial headwinds. While I’m hopeful that a path forward can be found to stabilize this proud airline, I know that Spirit pilots must prepare for the worst-case scenario—and we must be there to support them. They’ve shown incredible resolve and professionalism, and we must all stand in solidarity with them at this difficult time.
We must also continue to provide help to any of our colleagues facing furlough or other hardships, including those at Air Wisconsin and Ravn Alaska/New Pacific Airlines. I’m proud of the work our Membership Committee is doing to support furloughed members, and we’re committed to expanding our furlough-support resources as new needs and opportunities become apparent.
At the end of the day, our union’s success is due to the work of our volunteers. At times, that work is difficult, stressful, and tiring—but it’s indispensable to achieving our goals.
Thank you for all you do to keep our union moving forward, together.