Negotiations have begun with Search and Rescue cabin crew (SAR CC) and pilots represented by OPEIU at Cougar Helicopter Inc. (CHI), located in St. John’s Newfoundland Labrador Canada.

Pictured are the negotiating committee members on August 14, left to right, GHPA/OPEIU Local 103 President Luke Yosca, OPEIU DAG 110 SAR Pilot Scott Ferguson, OPEIU DAG 110s SAR CC President Cody Neal, OPEIU DAG 110s SAR CC Negotiator Steve Pettie, and OPEIU DAG 110s SAR CC Vice President Sean Matthews.

These members with Cougar work in some of the world’s worst weather conditions. The SAR pilots and cabin crew are currently negotiating for their second collective labor agreement. Dispatchers, weather observers and radio operators are now bargaining for their first union agreement. All three groups have negotiators selected from their different units, and are assisted by OPEIU Senior International Representative Patt A. Gibbs.

The three OPEIU local unions/DAGs – Local 103 and DAG 110 and 110s – perform as a team in supporting Canada’s first offshore oil production and in operating special equipment for marine search and rescue to save lives and transport workers to the various rigs operating off the most Eastern point of North America.

“These OPEIU members are committed to obtaining rates of pay, work rules and working conditions to improve the lives of their members by securing a fair contract that rewards and recognizes the stress and risk factors associated with this unique type of offshore flying,” said Gibbs.