Alaska Pilots to Management: Success Generated by Alaska-Delta Alliance Must Be Shared With Alaska's Employees

SEATTLE, Nov. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In response to the announced expansion of the Alaska/Horizon-Delta Airlines marketing alliance, Alaska's pilots called upon their management to negotiate a contract that includes the pilots in the success this alliance likely will generate.

"This expanded relationship with Delta Airlines shows our management is aware of the benefits that can be reaped from a collaborative relationship. It's too bad management is not relating with its own employees, particularly its pilots, in the same way," said Capt. Bill Shivers, chairman of the Alaska Master Executive Council of the Air Line Pilots Association, Intl.

"Alaska is using the synergies of this alliance to draw upon the strengths of both our own carrier and the combined Delta-Northwest's international network to strengthen our airlines' future prospects. As Alaska Airlines continues to develop and expand its relationship with Delta, it is time to stop excluding this pilot group from that success," Shivers said.

Alaska Airlines' pilots have been in direct negotiations for a new contract for nearly two years. In July, the pilots requested the assistance of a federal mediator. If mediated negotiations fail to produce an agreement, and if either party rejects a proffer of binding arbitration, the next step would be a 30-day cooling off period followed by the possibility of a pilot strike. The pilots, who currently are working under an arbitrated contract that cut pay by as much as 35%, are seeking a contract that improves and protects their work rules, including pay, job security, retirement security and health benefits.

Shivers added: "Alaska's pilots, as well as the newly-merged Delta and Northwest pilots, all are members of ALPA, and we look forward to working productively with them to continue representing the interests of the members of our respective pilot groups."

ALPA represents 53,000 pilots at 37 airlines in the U.S. and Canada, including the 1,500 pilots of Alaska Airlines. Visit the Alaska MEC Web site at www.alapilots.com.