Improvements to work rules and quality of life provisions were the main focus of a tentative agreement between American Eagle management and the 2,800 Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) members in the final amendment round of their 16-year contract. The agreement also avoided contractual concessions to any part of the contract. These goals were attained with minimal increase to American Eagle's operating cost.
"Our negotiators were asked to bring us an agreement that increases quality of life wherever possible but includes no concessions,” said Herb Mark, chair of the American Eagle pilots' unit of ALPA. “This tentative agreement accomplishes that mission, while providing many improvements in ways that add real dollars to pilots' pockets."
The agreement will be presented for ratification to the American Eagle Master Executive Council, the governing body of the American Eagle pilot unit within ALPA. When ratified, the agreement will complete the final amendment round in the pilots' contract. When the contract expires at the end of 2012, the pilots will return to the traditional method of contract negotiations, which is governed by Section 6 of the Railway Labor Act.