AFTER nine ,months of negotiation and a threatened strike, Copa Airlines pilots have achieved a large proportion of their demands in a collective agrement with the company lasting until 2021.
While the main points of the agreement have been signed off, some of the details are still being finalized with the Ministry of Labor.
The 1000 pilots who had complained of being the lowest paid in the region will get a pay and benefits raise of 23% and will in future be paid overtime.
The accord was reached at dawn on Thursday, hours before a strike was set to start.
Jaime Cohen, representative of the union representing the pilots, said that
the agreement will also cover payments for flights that pilots have to make at night.
In a brief statement, Copa Airlines reported that the agreement "provides fair compensation" to its pilots, while allowing it to continue working focused on maintaining itself as a solid and stable company for all employees.
Among other points that will be included in the collective agreement is the creation of a compensation system for seniority, as well as a private retirement plan.