The Irish Airline Pilots Association (IALPA), a branch of Fórsa, has successfully reached agreement with CHC to ensure all pilots transferring to Bristow will have their pension contributions protected. This brings clarity to a number of members who have joined CHC within the last two years regarding their pension contributions. 

Bristow Ireland is the new contractor for the Irish Search and Rescue (SAR) coast guard service, and CHC is the outgoing contractor. 

The normal rules of CHC’s pension scheme state that staff who leave employment within two years of starting will not receive their employer pension contributions. 

However, IALPA has reached an agreement with CHC management that this rule will be waived, and pilots with less than two years of service will not lose their pension contributions upon transfer to Bristow. All pension contributions, regardless of length of service, will now be paid, which is a very positive step taken by CHC management. 

Several staff with less than two years of service have already transferred over to Bristow, while another group is set to transfer in the coming months. 

IALPA CHC representative Captain Mark O’Callaghan said: 

“We welcome this decision by management which reflects positively on the good working relationship IALPA has held with CHC over the last 20 years.” 

“Protecting pilots' pension entitlements was a key priority for IALPA, and this agreement ensures that those transferring to Bristow are not unfairly penalised for circumstances beyond their control. We appreciate CHC’s cooperation in reaching this fair and equitable solution." 

Captain O’Callaghan added: “IALPA will continue to protect and advance our members’ terms and conditions throughout the ongoing transfer of the Search and Rescue Service. IALPA also has representatives in place in Bristow to ensure terms and conditions of employment are maintained”. 

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