Fri, Mar 07, 2003
Pilots Ratify Concessionary Agreement Worth $8M
The pilots of Hawaiian Airlines, represented by
the Air Line Pilots Association, International, have voted to
accept contract modifications giving the company productivity
enhancements that will allow it to funnel labor cost savings into
expansion and re- organization for survival. While it was difficult
for Hawaiian pilots -- who make significantly less and already have
stricter work rules than many other pilot groups -- to accept yet
another round of concessions, pilots believed that it was the right
thing to do to help the company through this tough economic time.
Of the 386 crewmembers eligible to vote, 279 (72.3%) participated,
with 226 (81%) casting ballots in favor of the agreement.
"By voting to accept the tentative agreement
reached between our negotiating committee and Hawaiian management,
our pilots have once again demonstrated their loyalty to our
airline, our passengers and our communities that rely on the air
service provided by Hawaiian Airlines," said Captain Ron Hoopai,
chairman of ALPA's Hawaiian unit. "Hawaiian management came to us
asking for $8 million in concessions, or 53 percent of the total
relief package that they were seeking from all the labor groups. As
pilots account for only 28 percent of the airline's labor payroll,
it was difficult for us to come to terms with the fairness issue.
While management would not budge on this figure, our negotiators
were able to work out creative solutions that minimized the pilots'
pain to the degree possible. Unfortunately, pilots are still being
furloughed, vacation days have been cut, and pilots will be working
a lot more to earn their livelihood," said Hoopai. The contract
modifications will go into effect April 1, 2003 and the amendable
date will remain unchanged as June 30, 2004.
The pilots' Negotiating Committee faced extreme pressure from
the company to negotiate an agreement over a very restricted
timeline. The issues discussed were complex and technical. Pilot
leaders then undertook a massive communications effort to educate
pilots on all issues of the concessionary package prior to
expedited balloting of the membership, held March 2-6.
"All
Hawaiian pilots are indebted to our negotiators for their steadfast
perseverance and dedication in obtaining the best possible
agreement for all involved considering the bleak state of the
global aviation industry," said Hoopai. "I am extremely gratified
by the high voter turnout and strong response from our membership
who took their vote very seriously and participated in our union's
democratic process. We now challenge Hawaiian management to make
good use of employee sacrifices and improve the airline's operation
to better position it for future growth and financial
stability."
Headquartered in Honolulu, HI, Hawaiian Airlines is the nation's
12th largest carrier with 135 daily flights flown by 420 pilots who
operate a fleet of B-717 and B-767 aircraft.
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