Summary
- Seattle-based Alaska Airlines pilots will soon receive a rise in wages to compete with other airlines.
- The pay increase follows last yr’s announcement that the pilots ratified a brand new contract and a historic informational picket organized by the pilots’ union.
- The pilots are satisfied with the consequence, which reflects the airline’s commitment to draw and retain pilots.
Pilots at Seattle-based Alaska Airlines will receive a rise of their wages starting next month. To maintain up with pay at other competing airlines, the pilots will see a pay bump of greater than 10%.
The move comes amid an ongoing pilot shortage, which has motivated pilot unions to strengthen and demand higher wages. The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) representing the pilots reportedly said the pilots are satisfied with the consequence.
11.2% increase
In response to The Seattle Times, 3,600 Alaska pilots will receive a rise of 11.2% to their wages starting September 1st. Last fall, the minimum increase was set at 4%, but due to a no-one-left-behind clause within the contract, the airline bumped the pay increase above 11%, staying aligned with the pay of pilots at rival carriers.
In an internal memo obtained by The Seattle Times, Dave Mets, Alaska’s Vice President of Flight Operations, said the news is nice for the pilots and the airline.
“This improbable news combined with our aircraft order book, future growth plans and industry leading financial strength and stability further solidifies your careers and your loved ones’s long-term security,”
ALPA Chair Will McQuillan reportedly said the brand new deal is McQuillan also said the union’s members are pleased with the consequence, in accordance with The Seattle Times.
Greater than a yr within the making
Nearly a yr ago, greater than 80% of Alaska pilots approved an industry-leading contract that addressed critical issues that the pilots faced, including pay. It followed a historic informational picket organized at every Alaska Airlines base on April 1, 2022. ALPA said the event was pivotal in allowing the contract negotiations to proceed.
“The picket was the most important of its kind in ALPA history, with greater than 1,500 off-duty pilots, including those from other airlines and employees from other work groups, coming out to face shoulder to shoulder in unity to demand that management recognize the crucial role Alaska pilots play within the airline’s success.”
Photo: Alaska Airlines
The contract reportedly increased wages by over 20%, with the top-of-the-scale captain pay set at $306 per flying hour. Based on the previous deal, the hourly rate would have been boosted to $318, but now, with the brand new increase, it’s jumping to $340 per hour. Because of this, pay at other carriers for first officers and Captains might be increased upward, in accordance with The Seattle Times.
Achieving pilot’s priorities
On Friday, the pilots thanked those that attended its recent coffee sit at Seattle Tacoma International Airport.
the union explained.
Alaska has joined several airlines which have recently bumped pilot’s pay. Dallas-bases Southwest Airlines is now reportedly considered one of the one major US carriers that has yet to ratify a brand new contract for its pilots.