Welcome, the purpose of this web site is to provide helicopter and EMS fixed-winged pilots with information about the union organizing process and the benefits of collective bargaining.
After the pilots at Air Logistics (OPEIU local 107) and PHI (OPEIU local 108) unionized in 1999 and 2001 they negotiated a multitude of benefit enhancements and protections in their union contracts, including the elimination of at will employment and a resolution process that is fair for both pilots and management. They also negotiated significant wages increases.
The pilots at Ft. Rucker (OPEIU local 102) also negotiated several contracts with considerable wage and benefit increases. And most recently the EMS pilots at Air Methods (OPEIU Local 109) and Canadian Helicopter Limited negotiated excellent union contracts.

Despite the recent gains amongst the GOM, EMS and Ft. Rucker pilots they are where airline pilots were 50 years ago when the airline industry unions were getting established.
There are substantial gaps between the wages and benefits of airline pilots and helicopter pilots. Over 80% of airline pilots are unionized. Therefore, no legitimate argument can be made that the airline pilot's superior wages and benefits are not the direct cause of several years of collective bargaining.
The large GOM and EMS operators continue to buy the latest equipment to the tune of millions of dollars per unit. And they spend lots of money maintaining them to FAA rules. When one needs to flown to their destination they deserve to have the best aircraft available to do it. However, they also want a very capable person flying the aircraft.

There are not many people in the world who have the skill and qualities it takes to do the job of a helicopter pilot day in and day out. The cost of obtaining a helicopter pilot rating is comparable to medical school. Then there are the several years of practice after school, or serving in the military, to obtain the necessary ratings and experience to be employable in the field.
All helicopter and EMS fixed-winged pilots deserve more. The only way to secure the best benefits and wages is through unionization and the collective bargaining process.