Alaska Pilots Contract

PILOT LOGIN

Alaska Airlines:

DO THE RIGHT THING

VALUE YOUR PILOTS

 
Read letter to Alaska Airlines CEO

The Consequences of Not Doing the Right Thing: Pilot Attrition

Pilots are leaving Alaska Airlines for better schedules and job protections—simply put, for better careers. Watch who left for better opportunities.

The Pilots Helped Alaska Airlines Stay Afloat During the Pandemic

Flight crews were essential during the pandemic. They transported critical goods to rural areas and flew essential workers to many parts of the United States.

Early in the pandemic, the pilots’ union offered solutions to save Alaska pilot jobs and keep the company competitive. The plan included innovative voluntary leaves of absence in lieu of forced furloughs. This saved the company significant expenses and—most importantly—allowed it to quickly return to full capacity. Additionally, many senior pilots chose to retire early as their final contribution to Alaska Airlines’ success and to ensure junior pilots kept their jobs.

Now, as the company recovers from the pandemic, Alaska Airlines management fails to do the right thing by its pilots. They fail to address concerns about quality of life and job security in any meaningful way.

Alaska Airlines Pilots Haven’t Negotiated a Full Contract Since 2013 and Need Critical Contract Improvements.

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. 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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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 as the month closed. No negotiations talks are scheduled at this time.