TORONTO — Low pay compared to other jurisdictions has driven wildfire pilots away from the region, leaving a number of MNR waterbombers, helicopters and bush planes grounded without anyone to fly them, says the union representing the pilots.
According to statistics provided to Newswatch by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, the pool of pilots involved in wildfire operations across the province is understaffed by 23 per cent, with vacancies for pilots qualified to fly the CL-415 waterbomber, the Twin Otter waterbomber, helicopters and turbo Beaver aircraft.
Three of a total 13 waterbombers are grounded (one CL-415 and two Twin Otters), the union said, while three of eight helicopters are also not in use due to staffing shortages, and two of five turbo Beavers.
Additionally, according to OPSEU, the chief helicopter pilot position remains unfilled after the previous one resigned two years ago.
The shortage also causes problems when assigning overtime or needing backup if pilots are sick, said OPSEU.
The province and the union remain at an impasse over the aircraft operators’ compensation.
Earlier this month, the union issued a statement essentially charging the provincial government with lowballing pilots on a new offer, which would make them the second-lowest paid in Canada, according to OPSEU. The province says it has offered an “immediate increase” with an avenue to pursue further pay raises.
“The skilled pilots we need are not coming to work in Ontario or they are leaving to work in neighbouring provinces who offer fair compensation for this specialized and often dangerous work,” Chris Eckert, the union’s chair of the committee representing waterbomber pilots, was quoted as saying in a media release.
The province said it is taking the situation seriously. In an email to Newswatch, Maria Votsis, the spokesperson for Natural Resources Minister Mike Harris said that “in recent weeks, the province proactively began discussions with OPSEU to immediately increase the salary for MNR pilots as a first step towards a long-term solution.”
“In addition to an immediate increase, the government also expressly offered to allow OPSEU the ability to seek a binding decision from an arbitrator for additional increases as part of pre-established wage enhancement process.”
Both parties said the union rejected that offer.
The union “stands strongly with the pilots who rejected this insulting lowball offer from the Ford government,” OPSEU president JP Hornick was quoted as saying in the union’s media release.
“By rejecting this offer, pilots are telling the Ford government that they refuse to settle for a deal that fails to recruit and retain the skilled workforce needed to keep Ontarians safe and respond to the climate crisis.”
The opposition NDP echoed the union's call. Lise Vaugeois, the MPP for Thunder Bay-Superior North, told Newswatch the government needs to step up.
“It's dangerous work, highly-skilled work, Vaugeois said. “There is some romance, I gather, to flying the water bombers but … that's neither here nor there, because they're obviously not willing to do it (here).
“If they can get paid better somewhere else, then they're going somewhere else.”
