Alaska Pilots Contract
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ALASKA PILOTS OVERWHELMINGLY

APPROVE STRIKE AUTHORIZATION BALLOT

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Alaska Airlines April 1 All-Base Picket

On April 1, Alaska Airlines pilots conducted a historic event in support of what has become a three-year campaign to bargain for a market-based collective bargaining agreement. A record-breaking 1,500 pilots from Alaska, and supporters engaged in a systemwide informational picket.

Are the Alaska Pilots on Strike?

No, the Alaska Airlines pilots are not on strike. Pilots have been conducting informational pickets to make a statement to management: Do the right thing! The provisions the pilots seek to improve in their contract exist at other competitor carriers and have proven to be successful without harming those companies.

Alaska Airlines, What Is Your Plan?

  • Last year’s record-setting pilot-resignations were surpassed in March. Alaska Airlines is on track to lose 180 pilots this year, not including retirements.  
  • In exit interviews, pilots overwhelmingly report the lack of a market-based contract as their motivation to move to other airlines.  
  • Industry analysts and financial experts have openly challenged senior managers' explanations on pilot training capacity.
  • Existing and prospective pilots are choosing other airlines over Alaska for contracts that contain industry-standard scope clauses, job security, better work rules, and quality of life.  
  • The bulk of new-hire pilots come from just two regional airlines and those available pilot sources are almost exhausted. Alaska just hired the last Horizon Pathways pilot.  
  • Alaska pilots deserve the job security and quality of life enjoyed by their peers.

Pilots are leaving Alaska Airlines
at record numbers. See why pilots are leaving.

Alaska Airlines pilots have been in contract negotiations for three years and in all that time management hasn’t meaningfully addressed the pilot group’s concerns.

Schedule Flexibility

Improve the work-life balance for Alaska pilots.

Job Security

Alaska Pilots are working to modernize scope protections. Watch >

Why Management Should Make These Improvements Now

  • Other airlines’ management teams have negotiated these contract improvements over the last 10 years with their pilots.
  • Alaska pilots have been working to negotiate these improvements over several prior negotiation cycles since 2013.
  • These contract provisions have been shown to work for both pilots and the respective companies at other carriers.
  • These improvements will not cause major cost increases to the company.
  • Because the Alaska pilots’ contract is below the industry, pilots are leaving at record numbers. This should concern all stakeholders because Alaska’s growth plans require hiring and retaining highly qualified and motivated pilots.

Alaska Pilots Do Their Jobs. Alaska Airlines: Do Yours.


Contract Negotiations History

Throughout these negotiations, that started in the spring of 2019, management has not shown a willingness to bring the contract fully in line with the pilots’ industry peers. The Alaska pilots seek the same quality-of-life and job security improvements achieved throughout the airline industry—but not at Alaska Airlines.

In September 2021, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) negotiating team suggested private mediation with a nationally known airline labor relations expert. After three days of talks, it became clear that management remained unwilling to recognize the serious deficiencies in much of the pilots’ contract, and no further sessions were scheduled. Alaska Airlines management formally filed for mediation with the National Mediation Board (NMB) as the month closed. The first negotiating session with the assistance of the mediator from the NMB took place on December 15, 2021.

Alaska Airlines Pilot Meeting

How the Alaska Pilots’ Contract Compares to Others in the Industry.

  • Other airlines’ pilot contracts place strong restrictions on who does the flying while limiting outsourcing.
  • Alaska’s monthly schedules take more days on average to complete than those at comparable airlines—meaning Alaska pilots are kept away from home more days each month.
  • Alaska pilots are not guaranteed a full day’s pay for each day they must be away from home.

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