Alaska Airlines' philosophy is to provide employees market-based compensation. More than 80 percent of Alaska's workforce is covered by collective bargaining agreements.
Contract negotiations in the commercial airline industry are governed by the Railway Labor Act (RLA), which Congress passed in 1926. The RLA seeks to avoid interruptions in interstate commerce by setting clear guidelines for labor negotiations at railroads and airlines. The act also established the National Mediation Board as the federal body charged with oversight of labor negotiations.
Under the RLA, airline labor contracts never expire. Instead, each contract has an amendable date when the union and the company have the option to amend the contract.
To respect the bargaining process, the airline provides limited information on the status of ongoing labor negotiations.
Clerical, office and passenger service employees (COPS)
Alaska Airlines' 3,130 customer service agents, reservations agents and accounting specialists are represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW). These employees ratified a new four-year contract July 17, 2006. The contract went into effect July 20, 2006, and will become amendable July 20, 2010.
Flight attendants
Alaska Airlines' 2,710 flight attendants are represented by the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA). These employees ratified a new four-year contract April 27, 2006. The contract went into effect May 1, 2006, and will become amendable May 2, 2010.
Pilots
Alaska Airlines' 1,480 pilots are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA). The current two-year contract between the airline and ALPA went into effect May 1, 2005, and became amendable May 1, 2007. The terms of the current contract were established by an arbitrator after the two parties failed to reach an agreement through negotiations. Alaska Airlines and ALPA began formal contract negotiations Jan. 8, 2007. Under the RLA, airline labor contracts don't expire. The current pilot contract will remain in full force until a new contract is implemented.
Aircraft technicians, cleaners and fleet service employees
Alaska Airlines' 670 aircraft technicians, cleaners and fleet-service employees are represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA). These employees ratified a new four-year contract Oct. 14, 2005. The contract went into effect Oct. 17, 2005, and will become amendable Oct. 18, 2009.
Ramp service and stores agents
Alaska Airlines' 670 ramp-service and stores agents are represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW). These employees ratified a new four-year contract July 17, 2006. The contract went into effect July 20, 2006, and will become amendable July 1, 2010.
Dispatchers
Alaska Airlines' 35 dispatchers are represented by the Transport Workers Union (TWU). These employees ratified a contract extension Nov. 3, 2005.The amended contract went into effect immediately upon ratification and will become amendable July 1, 2010.
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