The Alaska Pilots Podcast

On Labor Day, the Alaska-Hawaiian Joint Negotiating Committee met for the latest round of bargaining with Alaska management. While some progress was made, there are still critical items unresolved. To discuss the current state of negotiations after 18 months of bargaining, this episode features our elected pilot leaders, Alaska MEC Chair Captain Drew Coyle and Hawaiian MEC Chair Captain Larry Payne, offering their perspective.

In this discussion, the MEC Chairs go over the recent negotiating developments, why the MECs are drawing public attention to the ongoing negotiations, and what pilots can do to help in the near future.

In this conversation:

0:00 – Introduction

1:04 – Recent Negotiations Progress

2:59 – Remaining JCBA Items

4:40 – Public Engagement Events

11:31 – Labor Day and Unity

13:30 – The Value of Pattern Bargaining

14:53 – Patience vs. Speed in Negotiations

16:37 – Final Thoughts

One of the core functions of a labor organization is ensuring the contract is appropriately enforced. In this episode, ALA Grievance Chair Larry Freer and HAL Grievance Chair Iam Bouret discuss how our Grievance Committees operate behind the scenes to defend our contracts. The two Chairs and their respective committees monitor contract violations and advocate on pilots’ behalf for remedies whenever violations occur. Their work requires comprehensive contract knowledge, historical research and analysis, strategic problem solving, dedication, and resolve. 

In this episode, we discuss the recommended steps pilots should take if they are affected by a potential contract violation, then provide an overview of the process from the perspective of the Grievance Committee, including ways a grievance could be resolved and the potential timeline to get that resolution. 

If you have a potential contract violation to report, click the links below or visit our respective MEC websites for more details. 

Alaska Pilots: Click here to file a pre-grievance. 

Hawaiian Pilots: Click here to file a CCR. 

18 months into JCBA negotiations, talks have slowed with key sticking points around pay banding for larger narrowbodies, vacation and sick leave provisions, and other cost and control items. The Transition and Process Agreement (TPA) is guiding how new and growth aircraft are assigned—recently assigning 737 freighters to Alaska pilots and an A330 freighter to Hawaiian pilots until seniority list integration (SLI).

The TPA protects minimum fleet and block-hour levels for each pilot group until SLI, complicating plans to replace Hawaiian 717s with 737-800s in Honolulu. If the JCBA is ratified, SLI could take up to about 13 months to complete; next negotiation meetings are scheduled for August 18–19. Pilots are encouraged to stay engaged through updates and local events.

ALPA Pilot Webpage

ala.alpa.org

In this episode of the Alaska Pilots Podcast, hear about a general overview of the state of the union, updates on the JCBA/merger, and associated timelines. Some other included topics will cover a recap of the previous months' work, updates from your newly elected officer group, and also touch on some points of progress and contention we are seeing overall.  

This episode is broken down into two distinct portions. In the first portion, you will hear MEC Chair Drew Coyle talk about the state of the union and where we stand, not only with the company on merger issues, but also with some day-to-day challenges the pilot group is facing. In the second portion, you will hear from MEC Vice Chair Scott Rubin as he breaks down the grievance process and provides a small update from the Hotel and Security committees. Secretary Will Swoveland discusses the importance of calling your rep, and Treasurer Dan Richards will give some insights into the budget as we start the new year.  

Alaska Pilots Webpage

Joint Alaska-Hawaiian Webpage

DART

This episode goes into details about the San Diego base, how it came to be, and the contractual language that is associated with vacancy and displacement bids. Joining the discussion is the Alaska Chair – Will McQuillen, Membership Chair – Tom Samson, and Membership Committee Member – Will Swoveland. Not only will you hear about contractual language and concepts that will help you decide how to bid, but the committee will also share news about a new seniority tool coming out soon to assist pilots in planning and prepare for such changes. 

Ala.Alpa.Org

AlaHal.Alpa.Org

With Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines attaining Single Operating Certificate (SOC) status at the end of October, the two airlines are now a single carrier from the FAA’s perspective. To discuss how this marks an important transition for our pilot groups, Alaska MEC Chair Will McQuillen and Hawaiian MEC Chair Larry Payne sit down to offer their perspective on the state of the merger and what comes next with respect to our joint contract negotiations and the evolution of the airline. They also discuss recent hiring trends, route announcements, and important changes to our contract language that will come into effect later this year.

Ala.Alpa.Org

Alahal.Alpa.Org

In this episode, Communication Chair Kyle Johnson sits down with MEC Chair Will McQuillen and Executive Admin Drew Coyle. This is a summer update highlighting important issues such as block in times, September ALV, hiring/growth, and jumpseat priority. Other merger related issues are also discussed; a brief negotiations update and a reiteration of the SLI process and timeline.

Alahal.alpa.org  

Ala.alpa.org 

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SFV hotline number: 833-303-5667 

In this episode, our Alaska and Hawaiian MEC Chairs, Will McQuillen and Larry Payne, sat down to provide their thoughts on the recent announcements about the Seattle 787 base and the future aircraft orders. The discussion also touched on the status of JCBA negotiations and what pilots can expect moving forward. 

https://ala.alpa.org/