Agreement Improves Pay, Retirement And Scheduling Flexibility

Hawaiian Airlines pilots represented by ALPA have ratified a tentative contract agreement, the latest sign that the airline industry and the piloting profession are recovering from the bankruptcy doldrums of the past decade.

Ninety percent of the HAL pilots eligible to vote cast ballots, with 83 percent of the group voting in favor of the agreement – a more than four-to-one margin.

“This contract is a win-win for our members as well as the airline,” said Capt. Eric Sampson, chairman of ALPA’s HAL Master Executive Council. “It rewards our pilots for their repeated sacrifices over the years on behalf of Hawaiian, and positions our company for future success well into this new decade. We’re looking forward to working with management to upgrade our fleet and expand our aloha spirit across the Pacific, and we would like to thank the people of Hawaii for their strong support during our lengthy negotiations.”

The 68-month agreement will give pilots pay increases of between four and six percent immediately, and total increases of between 15 and 22 percent over the term of the contract.

The agreement also increases the company contribution to the pilots’ retirement plans, provides HAL management more flexibility in pilot training and scheduling, and allows Hawaiian to acquire or code share with a turboprop feeder airline, provided the feeder carrier does not compete with HAL’s existing inter-island turbojet operation.

ALPA’s previous contract with Hawaiian was ratified in 2005 to help the airline emerge from bankruptcy. It became amendable on June 30, 2007 and the pilots have been in negotiations for almost three years.

“The substantial gains in this contract confirm the favorable patterns for pay, benefits and work rules that are long overdue for pilots,” said ALPA President Capt. John Prater. “The Hawaiian agreement is a success story that proves a strong and unified pilot group working together can take charge of their destiny and move both themselves and their airline forward. ALPA sincerely appreciates the valuable assistance provided by the National Mediation Board in reaching a settlement.”

FMI: www.alpa.org