WASHINGTON — Porter Airlines pilots have officially filed membership cards with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), marking a major step toward unionizing under the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA).

If certified — a process expected to take three to four weeks — Porter pilots would become ALPA’s 43rd pilot group and further strengthen the union’s presence in Canada.

“Welcoming the Porter pilots into ALPA will further advance the interests of commercial airline pilots and strengthen aviation safety and security,” said Capt. Jason Ambrosi, ALPA president. “If certified for ALPA representation, the Porter pilots will make our ranks more than 80,000 strong, continuing the significant growth of unionized pilots in North America.”

Porter is currently the fourth-largest pilot group in Canada and the country’s largest non-unionized carrier. The airline’s pilots would join a growing number of Canadian flight crews represented by ALPA, which currently advocates for 95% of airline pilots in the country. Recent additions to the union’s Canadian ranks include pilots from Air Canada, PAL Airlines, Air Borealis, Perimeter Aviation, Morningstar Air Express, PAL Aerospace, Cargojet and Flair.

“The Porter pilots joining ALPA alongside our 21 current Canadian pilot groups adds to our strength and unified voice for professional pilots in Canada,” said Capt. Tim Perry, ALPA Canada president. “Together we can build an unbreakable coalition that will transform working conditions and safety standards across the Canadian industry.”

ALPA is the world’s largest airline pilot union, representing more than 79,000 pilots at 42 airlines in Canada and the United States.