About the Air Line Pilots Association, International

Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) represents and advocates for more than 78,000 pilots at 41 U.S. and Canadian airlines, making it the world’s largest airline pilot union. Our mission is to promote and champion all aspects of aviation safety throughout all segments of the aviation community; to represent, in both specific and general respects, the collective interests of all pilots in commercial aviation. Learn more about ALPA. 

Alaska Master Executive Council

Who We Are

The Alaska Airlines Master Executive Council (ALA MEC) of the Air Line Pilots Association, International is the governing body that represents approximately 3,400 Alaska Airlines pilots. The MEC and its committees work with ALPA’s professional staff work to protect and advance the careers of Alaska pilots.

Our Mission

The MEC’s mission is to improve and protect the wages, benefits, work rules, and job security of all Alaska Airlines pilots.

What We Do

As the formal collective bargaining agent for Alaska Airlines pilots, the MEC is charged with negotiating pilot contracts and promoting airline safety and security. With the support of the MEC’s pilot volunteers who help run the union’s day to day operations, they work to uphold the pilots’ contract, maintain safety, and position our pilot group for the upcoming growth of our airline and continued career success.

Organizational Structure

Every two years, the Alaska Airlines MEC elects a slate of four officers—chair, vice chair, secretary, and treasurer—to serve their fellow pilots. Additionally, an executive administrator is appointed by the MEC chair. The MEC officers, who are Alaska Airlines pilots, follow the direction of the MEC to oversee MEC funds, establish MEC committees, appoint committee chairs, and give direction to the Negotiating Committee regarding bargaining.

The MEC is composed of Local Executive Councils (LECs), located at the company’s bases (Anchorage, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles). Each LEC is led by three elected officers (chair, vice chair, and secretary-treasurer) who are pilot volunteers. These LEC officers assist pilots in processing grievances, represent their members in the chief pilot’s office, oversee the local council budget, maintain local council records, and conduct local council meetings.