Pilots Elect New Union Leaders By Acclamation

The newly merged Alaska Airlines pilot group, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), has elected four new officers by acclamation to lead the pilots as they approach contract negotiations in 2020. The following officers were elected to fourteen-month terms on the Master Executive Council (MEC): chairman Capt. Will McQuillen, vice chairman Capt. Keith Louis, treasurer Capt. Scott Mokos, and secretary Capt. Jonathan Wrigley.

Capt. McQuillen is a Seattle-based 737 pilot and previously served as the Alaska MEC vice chairman and before that as MEC secretary-treasurer. In 2009, McQuillen became the Membership Committee chairman and served in that position until being elected to the MEC. He was hired by Alaska in 2006, having previously flown for Horizon and United Airlines. After being furloughed from United following 9/11, he flew for regional carrier SkyWest. He lives in Maple Valley, WA with his wife, who is also an Alaska pilot, and their two children.

“It has been exciting to watch these two groups come together and work through their differences to become a single and stronger unified pilot group. This final step in the merger process is complete, and now we are all not only part of the same seniority list, but also focused and prepared to overcome the challenges ahead,” said McQuillen.

Airbus A320-series Capt. Keith Louis served as the Virgin America MEC vice chairman for the past three and a half years. He is based in San Francisco and joined Virgin America in 2008. Prior to Virgin America, Louis worked for American Eagle/Business Express Airlines for more than 10 years. He was an original member of the organizing committee for the union drive at Virgin America that brought the pilots to ALPA. He lives in Portland, OR with his wife, son, and daughter.

“In an era where mergers have become intensely contentious between groups, I am extremely proud of how our pilots have rallied together, remained professional, and demonstrated that we stand together as one unified group and are ready for contract 2020. The airline industry is changing, and the pilots are changing with it. We are no longer willing to provide our services to Alaska Airlines at a discount. We expect our management to bring us into parity with our peers today and agree to improve our contract in the future,” said Louis.

Seattle-based Capt. Jon Wrigley served as the Alaska MEC chairman during the merger transition period. Prior to that role, Wrigley was the Block 4 rep for the Seattle base and the Council 67 chairman. He also served on the Alaska MEC Merger Committee from 1997–2003. Wrigley was hired at Alaska in 1995. Prior to his commercial airline career, the father of three flew F/A-18s in the United States Navy. He resides in Federal Way, WA with his wife.

Capt. Scott Mokos, also based in Seattle, previously served as the MEC’s secretary-treasurer. He joined the airline in 2006 and two years later began his union volunteer work with the Alaska MEC. He served in various roles, including Family Awareness block leader and Pilot-to-Pilot Committee chairman. Mokos lives with his a wife and two children.

The new officers’ terms began immediately following the election.

(Source: ALPA news release. Image from file)

FMI: www.alpa.org