yUncompetitive Contract and Stalled Negotiations Leave Workers Frustrated

The Air Line Pilots Association recognized the efforts of the Alaska Airlines employees and supporters after they held a "historic, systemwide informational picketing event." 

The pickets were held in a few high profile locations in the Alaska network, like Anchorage, Alaska; Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, California. The goal was to "send a clear message to Alaska Airlines management that pilots are frustrated over stalled negotiations," said ALPA. 

Captain Will McQuillen of the Alaska ALPA master executive council weighed in on the lack of headway in the negotiations. “Alaska Airlines pilots have been crucial in the overwhelming success of this airline and have earned a new contract that recognizes our contributions. The contract improvements we seek are reasonable, and affordable, and will allow our airline to remain successful and competitive," he said in reference to the longstanding work that Alaska's faithful crew have done. Alaska's pilots point to their hard work and longsuffering attitudes during the pandemic, bearing leaves of absence, time off, and early retirement in order to safeguard the jobs of younger aviators.

Alaska saw early retirement of 137 of its most senior, experienced pilots who willingly gave up some of the highest-earning parts of their careers for the success of the company during a difficult time, a sentiment that they now feel is not reciprocated. "Now, as the company recovers from the pandemic, Alaska Airlines management fails to do the right thing by its pilots. They fail to address concerns about quality of life and job security in any meaningful way." said the picketing pilots. 

McQuillen says that the biggest issues that remain worrisome for employees are job security, stronger work rules, and better quality of life through flexibility and reasonable schedules. The majority of the worker base says the current pilot contract, now nearly 10 years from its last negotiation, is painfully inadequate compared to those given to comparable airlines of the same size and stature as Alaska.

“The provisions we want to improve exist at other carriers and have proven their viability without harming those companies. It is time for Alaska Airlines to do the right thing and bring our contract in line with our industry peers. Three years is too long to be negotiating a contract without reaching agreement,” added McQuillen.

ALPA head Joe DePete participated in the local Seattle (informational) picket, joining his fellow aviators in their efforts. “Alaska pilots made significant sacrifices to help Alaska Airlines weather the pandemic and position the company for a strong recovery, ' said DePete. “They’re bargaining in good faith to secure a market-based contract and the company should make clear that they value Alaska pilots. Their fight is a fight for all union labor.”

FMI: www.alpa.org, www.alaskapilots.org