Alaska Airways pilots ratify new contract — and so they’ll get important pay raises

The three,300 pilots of Alaska Airways are about to get a giant elevate.

The pilots, represented by their union, the Air Line Pilots Affiliation, voted to ratify a tentative settlement that may give some members as a lot as a 23% wage improve, relying on years of service. The airline’s most senior captains will earn $306 per hour, which can improve to $330 per hour in two years.

As well as, the settlement will implement ALPA-designed schedules and provides pilots extra schedule flexibility, in addition to give pilots elevated job safety. Pilots will even see a rise in retirement plan contributions.

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The vote was overwhelming, with 82% voting in favor of ratification. Ninety-six % of Alaska’s pilots voted, ALPA mentioned.

“Our objective was to barter an settlement the place our pilots might make Alaska Airways a lifelong profession and never only a stepping stone to a different airline,” Capt. Will McQuillen, the pinnacle of Alaska’s pilot union, mentioned in an announcement. “This contract is nice for our pilots and their households and in addition good for our airline.”

Alaska Airways CEO Ben Minicucci additionally hailed the settlement.

“Our pilots are leaders in our operation,” Minicucci mentioned within the assertion. “Whereas it took a while, I’m glad to have them working below a brand new contract that values their contributions to Alaska. I’m grateful to our colleagues at ALPA who bargained with willpower and a fierce dedication to our pilots. This new contract reiterates what many people have identified for many years: Alaska is a good place to spend a pilot profession.”

The outcomes, introduced Monday, carry to an finish a contentious few years of negotiations because the contract turned amendable in 2020. Each side turned to a federal mediator, and, in Could, the pilots voted to authorize a strike.

Earlier: Alaska Airways pilots vote to authorize a strike, setting stage for a showdown with the airline

Alaska’s new collective bargaining settlement is the primary of a mainline service to be ratified within the COVID period. Negotiations are ongoing in any respect different main airways and, at some, have taken a contentious flip. Pilots at Delta Air Traces are voting this month to authorize a strike similarly to Alaska’s pilots. Alaska’s pilots by no means did strike — and a strike at Delta would even be unlikely.

Alaska’s pay will increase come amid a backdrop of hovering inflation, but in addition hovering income for airways as journey rebounds following the worst of the pandemic.

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