Alaska Airlines Pilot Leadership To Send Strike-Authorization Vote To Pilots

The Air Line Pilots Association International (ALPA) issued a press release on 22nd April 2022 in which it stated that after three very slow years of negotiations, Alaska Airlines’ pilot union leadership unanimously voted (11-0) to conduct a strike-authorization ballot among their membership. 

This first step will give them the authority to go on strike when legally permitted to do so.  By so doing, the union leadership hoped to gain some leverage for their members if the outcome of the ongoing negotiations proved unfavorable.  To further legitimize a strike, the federal government must authorize a walkout if the procedures of the Railway Labor Act are exhausted.

Airline strikes are prohibited by federal law, so there are a few things that must occur before a group can go on strike. Balloting will open on 9th May 2022 and close on 25th May 2022.  Provided the strike authorization vote is passed by the Alaska Airlines pilot body, their leadership would be authorized to declare a strike if permitted to do so by the National Mediation Board (NMB). 

Should negotiations fail, the NMB must release both parties from mediation for a 30-day cooling off period, following which each may seek self-help, strike, or lockout. 

While the Alaska Airline pilots are not looking to strike, Captain Will McQuillen, chairman of the Alaska Airlines ALPA Master Executive Council (MEC) stated that they are seeking to take any/all lawful steps necessary to achieve a desirable contract proffering improvements that are in line with the current market, while permitting growth and competition for the long term.  The position of the Alaska Airlines pilots is that an 'ideal' agreement is one that is competitive in providing job security, stronger work rules, improved quality of life, and flexible/reasonable schedules.

FMI: https://www.alpa.org/news-and-events/news-room/2022-04-22-alaska-airlines-pilots-
strike-authorization-vote, https://skyvector.com