Deal Is Three Years In The Making

After nearly three years in negotiations, cockpit crewmembers at Capital Cargo International Airlines (CCIA) will soon have the opportunity to vote on a tentative agreement that, if ratified by members, will result in a 36-month contract. The terms of the deal include pay increases and a new contract bonus, as well as improved work rules and quality of life enhancements for cockpit crewmembers.

Negotiators for ALPA, which represents CCIA crewmembers, and Capital Cargo International Airlines met during the week of May 10 under the supervision of the National Mediation Board (NMB). The crewmembers and management worked out the deal during the late hours of May 15, after intense bargaining that extended over the weekend. Final language was completed this week.

“The leaders of the Capital Cargo crewmembers believe that this is a fair and affordable contract under the circumstances of the current financial market,” said First Officer Chuck Hill, chairman of the Capital Cargo Master Executive Council. “It includes improvements in pay, and the short term of this contract allows the economy time to recover and the possibility of beginning negotiations in July 2012.”

In June, the pilot leaders and negotiating committee team will begin a series of "road shows" in Cincinnati, Toledo and Miami ... the crew hubs ... to provide details of the agreement to the membership. After the education campaign is completed, Capital Cargo’s 122 cockpit crewmembers will have the opportunity to vote on whether to ratify the agreement.

“The Capital Cargo crewmembers have earned these long-awaited improvements to their contract. This contract, if ratified, will be a stepping stone to achieve more in the future as contract negotiations will begin again in 2012,” said ALPA President Capt. John Prater.

Capital Cargo crewmembers merged their independent union with ALPA in 2007. At that time, they began negotiating as an ALPA pilot group after voting down two tentative contract agreements achieved by their independent union.

FMI: www.alpa.org, www.capitalcargo.com