Agreement Comprises $48-million in Added Value

Air Wisconsin pilots represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), have overwhelmingly ratified a new contract worth nearly $48-million in added value over its three-year period of validity.

Of the 83-percent of eligible Air Wisconsin pilots who cast ballots, 93-percent voted in favor of the agreement, which includes 38- and 54-percent pay-increases for captains and first-officers respectively, scheduling and reserve improvements, as well as the creation of a new ALPA-Company Fatigue Review Panel, which provides pay protection for fatigue events determined to arise from workplace rigors.

Air Wisconsin ALPA Master Executive Council (MEC) chair Captain Jack Roback stated: “With this agreement, Air Wisconsin pilot compensation finally reflects the pilot market for fee-for-departure pilots. It immediately makes us competitive with our peer carriers and will improve our quality of life.”

Captain Roback added: “The training section of the agreement will also enable the pilot group to be ready to fly newer, larger CRJ700 aircraft should Air Wisconsin acquire them in the future.”

Prior to the late 2022 signing of a new capacity purchase agreement with American Airlines, Air Wisconsin operated as a United Express partner. Air Wisconsin pilots opened negotiations with the company’s management in August 2022 and commenced flying for American in March 2023.

Captain Roback concluded: “Thanks to the commitment and unity of our pilot group and the financial and professional resources supplied by our national union, we now have an agreement that recognizes the importance of Air Wisconsin pilots to the airline. We look forward to working with management to strengthen our new partnership with American Airlines.”

FMI: www.alpa.org