Release #: 22.04
April 01, 2022
Hundreds of Alaska Airlines Pilots Picket Over Stalled Negotiations
SEATTLE—Hundreds of Alaska Airlines pilots, fellow crewmembers, and supporters held a historic, systemwide informational picketing event today in Anchorage, Los Angeles, Portland, San Francisco, and Seattle to send a clear message to Alaska Airlines management that pilots are frustrated over stalled negotiations. Alaska pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), have been negotiating for a new contract for three years with several significant outstanding issues yet to be resolved.
“Alaska Airlines pilots have been crucial in the overwhelming success of this airline and have earned a new contract that recognizes our contributions. The contract improvements we seek are reasonable, and affordable, and will allow our airline to remain successful and competitive,” said Capt. Will McQuillen, chairman of the Alaska ALPA Master Executive Council.
Armed with picket signs telling management to “Do the Right Thing—Value Your Pilots,” hundreds of Alaska pilots participated in the systemwide picket. Outstanding issues that need to be resolved during negotiations include job security, stronger work rules, and enhanced quality-of-life provisions that provide flexibility and reasonable schedules. The current pilot contract falls well behind those at comparable airlines in several key sections, and improvements are long overdue.
“The provisions we want to improve exist at other carriers and have proven their viability without harming those companies. It is time for Alaska Airlines to do the right thing and bring our contract in line with our industry peers. Three years is too long to be negotiating a contract without reaching agreement,” added McQuillen.
ALPA president Capt. Joe DePete, as well as fellow ALPA national officers, participated in the Seattle informational picket, joining Alaska pilots on the line.
“Alaska pilots made significant sacrifices to help Alaska Airlines weather the pandemic and position the company for a strong recovery, said DePete. “They’re bargaining in good faith to secure a market-based contract and the company should make clear that they value Alaska pilots. Their fight is a fight for all union labor.”
For photos and videos of today’s record-breaking event, visit the Alaska Pilots Facebook page or alaskapilots.org for more information.
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 62,000 pilots at 38 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit the ALPA website at alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @ALPAPilots.
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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org