Aircraft Technicians, Fleet Service Agents Covered Under The Pact

Horizon Air's aircraft technicians and fleet service agents have ratified a new six-year contract, according to an announcement from the airline and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT).

"We're pleased that our technicians recognized the benefits of this contract and voted to ratify," says Yvonne Daverin, Horizon Air vice president of maintenance and engineering. "This contract provides both our technicians and our company with a strong, stable foundation as we continue to work together to build an even stronger airline."

About 94 percent of members participated, and 53 percent of those voted in favor of the agreement.

The contract, ratified well ahead of the amendable date of Dec. 16, 2014, includes a ratification bonus, annual wage increases and contract language enhancements. Horizon Air and IBT reached tentative agreement on the new contract in May 2014.

Under the Railway Labor Act, which governs collective bargaining agreements in the airline industry, contracts do not expire. Instead they become amendable. The ratified agreement for Horizon's technicians becomes amendable in 2020.

The FAA has awarded Horizon its highest honor, the Diamond Certificate of Excellence, 13 times since 1999 in recognition of the airline's safety training efforts.

Horizon Air is a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group and flies to 44 cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

FMI: www.alaskaair.com