TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association (CALDA) and Porter Airlines jointly announce that flight dispatchers have ratified their first collective agreement.

In a significant showing of engagement, 97% of eligible members participated in the process, with 97% of those members voting in favour of the agreement.

Both parties are pleased with the result and look forward to working with each other over the course of the agreement, as Porter continues growing its network across North America.

About Porter
Since 2006, Porter Airlines has been elevating the experience of economy air travel for every passenger, providing genuine hospitality with style, care and charm. Porter’s fleet of Embraer E195-E2 and De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft serves North America, including a coast-to-coast domestic Canadian network, the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. Headquartered in Toronto, Porter is an Official 4 Star Airline® in the World Airline Star Rating®. Visit www.flyporter.com or follow @porterairlines on Instagram, Facebook and X.

About CALDA
The Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association (CALDA) is a professional organization representing certified Flight Dispatchers who share co-authority with the Pilot-In-Command at seven major Canadian airlines: Air Canada, Air Transat, WestJet, Porter Airlines, Jazz Aviation, PAL Airlines, and Canadian North. We are the national voice for operational control professionals across Canada's commercial aviation industry.

Contacts

Media contacts:

Porter Airlines
media@flyporter.com

CALDA
mark.yezovich@calda.ca

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Porter Airlines and its flight dispatchers, represented by the Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association (CALDA), jointly announce that the parties have reached a tentative collective agreement. This agreement reflects constructive and productive discussions at the bargaining table.

The union will schedule a ratification vote for its members in the coming days.

“We’re very pleased to have come to a resolution with CALDA,” said Kent Woodside, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Porter Airlines. “Flight dispatchers are an important part of our team. They perform crucial duties and we want them to continue doing so with a contract in place. Coming to terms on a first collective agreement often takes perseverance. We appreciate the commitment of everyone involved in doing so.”

“The Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association (CALDA) is pleased to confirm that a tentative agreement has been reached with Porter Airlines following negotiations at the bargaining table. This agreement reflects meaningful progress and a shared commitment to moving forward in a productive and respectful manner. CALDA looks forward to continuing to work with Porter Airlines in the years ahead,” said Mark Yezovich, national president of CALDA.

This tentative agreement was finalized with assistance from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

About Porter
Since 2006, Porter Airlines has been elevating the experience of economy air travel for every passenger, providing genuine hospitality with style, care and charm. Porter’s fleet of Embraer E195-E2 and De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft serves North America, including a coast-to-coast domestic Canadian network, the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. Headquartered in Toronto, Porter is an Official 4 Star Airline® in the World Airline Star Rating®. Visit www.flyporter.com or follow @porterairlines on Instagram, Facebook and X.

About CALDA
The Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association (CALDA) is a professional organization representing certified Flight Dispatchers who share co-authority with the Pilot-In-Command at seven major Canadian airlines: Air Canada, Air Transat, WestJet, Porter Airlines, Jazz Aviation, PAL Airlines, and Canadian North. We are the national voice for operational control professionals across Canada's commercial aviation industry.

Contacts

Media contacts:
Porter Airlines
media@flyporter.com

CALDA
mark.yezovich@calda.ca

www.calda.ca

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TORONTO, Dec. 10, 2025 /CNW/ - The Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association (CALDA) today announced that Flight Dispatchers at Porter Airlines have voted overwhelmingly (100%) in favour of strike action, following more than 14 months of negotiations that have failed to produce a fair first collective agreement.

Porter Airlines' Flight Dispatchers joined CALDA in August 2024 with the goal of securing a first contract that recognizes their critical role in aviation operations. Despite continued efforts and negotiations by CALDA, Porter has repeatedly shown a lack of respect for the professional, certified, and highly trained Dispatchers who support their growing Domestic, Transborder and International operations.

CALDA is deeply concerned that, in preparation for potential labour disruptions, Porter has begun training a small number of non-unionized personnel as potential substitutes for 35 certified Dispatchers, a move CALDA calls unsafe, irresponsible, and disrespectful to both employees and the traveling public. "These are certified aviation professionals whose expertise directly impacts the safety of every flight. They deserve a contract that reflects the value of their work," said Rob King, National President of CALDA.

Negotiations are currently in the final stages of Conciliation with the support of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service - to date, Porter has continued to refuse to engage on key issues necessary to secure a fair contract for its Dispatchers.

"This strike vote reflects the deep frustration and disappointment felt by members," CALDA added. "Porter's actions leave us no choice but to stand together to protect our profession and ensure the airline meets its obligations to these skilled aviation workers."

CALDA remains dedicated to negotiations and urges Porter Airlines to take immediate steps to resolve the outstanding issues and avoid service disruptions in the new year.

About CALDA

The Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association (CALDA) is a professional organization representing certified Flight Dispatchers who share co-authority with the Pilot-In-Command at seven major Canadian airlines: Air Canada, Air Transat, WestJet, Porter Airlines, Jazz Aviation, PAL Airlines, and Canadian North. We are the national voice for operational control professionals across Canada's commercial aviation industry.

www.calda.ca

Follow us at:

 Instagram @officialcalda

 X (Twitter) @officialcalda

 LinkedIn @officialcalda

SOURCE CALDA (Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association)

Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association (CALDA) contact: Rob King, National President, CALDA, Rob.king@calda.ca; Mark Yezovich, Incoming National President, CALDA (Jan 1st, 2026), Mark.yezovich@calda.ca

TORONTO, July 29, 2024 /CNW/ - Flight Dispatchers at Porter Airlines have formally requested to join the ranks of the Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association (CALDA).

A filing with the Canadian Industrial Relation Board was made on July 24^th, 2024 – with this filing Dispatchers at Porter Airlines are now a part of the union representing Flight Dispatchers at the majority of Canadian Airlines within Canada.

Porter Airlines Flight Dispatchers will now join the union which represents seven other Canadian airlines, including Air Canada, Jazz, Canadian North (formerly First Air), Air Transat, Sunwing, WestJet, and Provincial Airlines.

"CALDA welcomes Porter into the fold as their newest member and looks forward to representing their best interests, as they fight for the fair and equitable treatment their members deserve" says Rob King, President of CALDA.

About Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association (CALDA)

As Transport Canada certified Flight Dispatchers, our primary responsibility is to ensure that airline flight operations are conducted to standards that meet or exceed government regulations. Priority is always given to safety above all else.

SOURCE CALDA (Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association)

National President Rob King can be reached at rob.king@calda.ca

MONTRÉAL, April 30, 2024 /CNW/ - Airline Dispatchers at Air Transat represented by the Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association (CALDA) have given their association a resounding 100% strike mandate in their negotiations with Air Transat. The result of the Strike Vote was delivered to Air Transat on April 15^th after Conciliation talks with the assistance of the Federal Government failed and Conciliation ended on April 2^nd, 2024. The 21 day mandatory cooling off period ended April 23^rd, 2024. . The 28 Montreal based Air Transat Flight Dispatchers are very disappointed at the progress of talks. Air Transat Flight Dispatchers Collective Agreement ended on October 31^st, 2022.

"We have been very patient in trying to negotiate a new Collective Agreement with Air Transat", said Rob King, National President, Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association. "Our Flight Dispatchers are highly trained professionals who certain deserve a contract that reflects their position of responsibility, accountability and liability as it pertains to their work," said King. The Flight Dispatchers are now in a position to strike.

Flights Dispatchers are licensed by Transport Canada and prepare the Flight Plan, board fuel, monitor aircraft systems, monitor weather, deal with in-flight emergencies along with other very important functions. The Flight Dispatcher at Air Transat shares responsibility with the Pilot-In-Command for Flight Watch and Operational Control. Both the Flight Dispatcher and the Pilot-In-Command share pertinent information with each other to ensure the Flight is operated in the safest manner possible. No Air Transat aircraft can depart without the approval of the Flight Plan by the Flight Dispatcher.

SOURCE CALDA (Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association)

Rob King, National President, Canadian Airline Dispatcher's Association at rob.king@calda.ca

TORONTO, Aug. 6, 2018 /CNW/ - On Friday, August 3, 2018, the Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association (CALDA) filed an application with the Canada Industrial Relations Board to represent flight dispatchers at WestJet.

As WestJet continues to grow and evolve, WestJet flight dispatchers believed it was essential to evaluate which employee representation model was best suited to represent flight dispatchers.  Through this process, the dispatch group felt that now was the time to make a change and a decision was made to become members of CALDA, said National President Russ Williams.

WestJet flight dispatchers are licensed by Transport Canada and share co-authority dispatch responsibilities with the pilot in command to ensure the safe and efficient operation of nearly 500 daily WestJet Flights.  WestJet flight dispatchers are excited to embark on the next chapter of the WestJet story and look forward to working with leadership to establish their first collective agreement, while continuing to contribute to the success of the airline as proud WestJet owners.

CALDA was established in 1946 and also represents the Flight Dispatchers of Air Canada, Jazz Airlines, First Air, Sunwing and Air Transat.

With the addition of the WestJet flight dispatchers, CALDA's membership has grown to almost 300 members.

SOURCE CALDA (Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association)

Media inquiries contact - Russ Williams, CALDA National President