Rockcliffe Flying Club Unionization Drive Stalls Amid Safety Complaints
Canada's largest union has revealed that efforts to unionize workers at the Rockcliffe Flying Club are facing significant delays, now stretching into their fourth month, while flight instructors continue to raise serious technical and cultural safety concerns in the workplace.
Extended Certification Process
William Chalupiak, CUPE regional communications officer, explained that while union certification typically takes about three weeks, the organizing campaign that began at the flying club in December has now dragged on for months. "We're still waiting on certification to come through," Chalupiak stated, noting that aviation represents a federally regulated industry where such processes can become complicated.
The delay stems partly from weeks of back-and-forth discussions about whether the method for gauging worker interest—through signed union cards—was valid under current regulations. During this extended period, workers allege the employer has used the delay to target union supporters and employees who spoke up about safety issues.
Safety Concerns and Operational Pause
CUPE has highlighted three broad safety concerns at the flying club:
- Aircraft serviceability issues
- Safety culture problems
- Compliance with procedures and manuals
In February 2026, the flying club paused operations for several weeks "to listen, understand and investigate" the safety concerns raised by employees, according to Andrew Loschmann, president of the board of directors. During this operational pause, all flight instructors were temporarily laid off.
When operations resumed in March, the club sent recall notices to employees, stating that the safety concerns had been addressed. However, Chalupiak reports that workers continue to express concerns about the safety culture at the facility.
Allegations of Retaliation
CUPE's news release alleges that the certification delays represent a form of "pressure and retaliation" against workers who previously raised safety concerns. According to the union, flight instructors received cease-and-desist letters from the employer that would prevent them from speaking negatively about the ongoing issues.
"The biggest problem, I would say, aside from the fact that it should not have taken this long is that ... when the certification came in, there had also been some serious issues raised with the safety of some of the aircraft," Chalupiak emphasized.
Safety Management System
Loschmann explained that the operational pause came in response to reports filed in their Safety Management System portal, where anyone—including the general public, pilots, or employees—can submit online reports about unsafe or potentially hazardous conditions.
While Chalupiak acknowledged that the February shutdown to address safety concerns represented a positive step, he noted a lack of transparency once operations resumed a month later. Workers continue to report that cultural safety concerns remain unresolved despite the club's assurances.
The situation at Rockcliffe Flying Club continues to develop as both sides await a decision from the Canadian Industrial Relations Board while workplace safety concerns persist among flight instructors and other employees.
