Four-Year Agreement Will Go To Membership For Vote

Alaska Airlines announced this week it has reached a tentative agreement with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) on a new, four-year contract for the carrier's 1,455 pilots. The proposed contract will now be presented to Alaska's pilots for review and a ratification vote, which is expected to be completed by the third week in May.

"We appreciate the effort and dedication of negotiators on both sides of the table in achieving this agreement, which we believe provides the right foundation for our pilots and airline to succeed long term," Alaska Airlines President Brad Tilden said.

"The agreement we've reached meets our goals of improving or protecting our work rules—which includes pay—our job security, our retirement security and our health benefits while allowing our company to continue to succeed," added Alaska MEC Chairman Capt. Bill Shivers

The current contract became amendable on May 1, 2007. ALPA and Alaska Airlines began contract negotiations in January 2007... and after several months of contentious talks, reached an agreement in concept last month. Negotiators have been finalizing the language of that agreement during the past several weeks.http://www.aero-news.net/news/commair.cfm?ContentBlockID=1b64b70c-2988-4949-b2fb-6bd1a6fb3d8b&Dynamic=1

No details about the contract terms will be released until the conclusion of the voting process.

FMI: www.alaskaair.com/