Join host Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell as he discusses the recent increase in pace of contract negotiations with Negotiating Committee Chairman Chris Gruner and MEC Chairman Will McQuillen. Also in this episode, Strategic Planning Chairman Ronan O’Donoghue and McQuillen discuss how the MEC’s strategic plan has brought us to where we are now and how the MEC will continue to leverage it to bring these negotiations to a successful conclusion in the form of a ratifiable Tentative Agreement.

On May 25, a strike authorization ballot sent to the Alaska Airlines pilots closed. With nearly 96 percent of members participating, an overwhelming 99 percent of Alaska pilots authorized union leaders to call a strike if necessary and after the parties are permitted by the National Mediation Board (NMB) to take that action.

Following the initial announcement of this ballot, Alaska management requested to meet with ALPA. That request was honored and on May 24 – 26 the two parties sat at the negotiating table in direct talks. In today’s episode, MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, Strategic Planning Chairman Ronan O’Donoghue, and Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell discuss the significance of this historic vote and the outcome of this week’s negotiations.

On April 21, the Alaska Airlines Pilots Master Executive Council (MEC) unanimously voted to approve a strike authorization ballot. While the pilot group is not on strike now a “yes” vote will authorize the MEC to call a strike if mediation is unsuccessful, all the procedures of the Railway Labor Act have been exhausted, and the National Mediation Board allows the Alaska Airlines pilots and management to exercise self-help at the end of a cooling off period.

In this episode, host Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell speaks with MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, Negotiating Chairman Chris Gruner, and Strategic Planning Chairman Ronan O’Donoghue about what this ballot means and why the MEC felt management’s actions at the bargaining table make this step necessary.

Listeners may find this flow chart of the Railway Labor Act’s negotiations process helpful.

Family members of pilots are encouraged to learn more through a committee designed for them. Please go to AlaskaPilots.org and follow the FONE link found on the top right margin.

On March 10, the Alaska Pilots’ Negotiating Committee released a comprehensive term sheet covering the union’s solutions to the issues concerning pilots. In this episode host Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell, MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, Negotiating Chairman Chris Gruner, and Scheduling Chairman Scott Rubin discuss that term sheet.

The most impactful and immediate way to show support for these efforts is to join us for the all-base rallies and informational picket on April 1. Follow the link for more information.

April 1 Informational Picket

RSVP to the All-Pilot-All-Base picket. 

On April 1, 2022, the Alaska Airlines pilots will conduct informational picketing in each of the five bases which include: Anchorage, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. In this episode host Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell discusses the importance of physical displays of unity and resolve with MEC Chairman Will McQuillen and Strategic Planning Chairman Ronan O’Donoghue.

Learn more at AlaskaPilots.org.

On February 3, the Alaska pilots conducted an informational picket at an event in New York City where the COO and EVP Constance Von Muehlen of Alaska Airlines was speaking. In this episode host Communications Chairman David Campbell is joined by MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, MEC Secretary Garin Tentschert, and Strategic Preparedness and Strike Committee (SPSC) Chairman Ronan O’Donoghue. They discuss their experiences at that event as well as upcoming mediated negotiations sessions, the next picketing event coming up on April 1, and other SPSC events.

Links of interest:

Video of Constance Von Muehlen Walking the Picket Line

The Railway Labor Act Flow Chart

Informational Picketing Leaflet, New York City

Family Outreach and Negotiations Education Committee (FONE)

In this episode Podcast Host, Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell discusses the Railway Labor Act (RLA), including what it means to be in mediated negotiations and the process of being released before engaging in a legal strike. ALPA’s Senior Advisor and Chief Negotiator Bruce York, along with Senior Labor Relations Counsel Zach Henige join this episode to discuss what to expect during RLA mediation and what tactics are available to us to advance the pilots’ goals. Bruce York has been negotiating airline contracts for more than 40 years and shares his experience regarding ways management teams have in the past attempted to stymie the work of ALPA. Also on this episode are MEC Chairman Will McQuillen and Negotiating Chairman Chris Gruner.

This week the pilots’ Negotiating Committee, including Chris Gruner, began negotiations in the presence of a mediator, Mike Tosi, assigned by the National Mediation Board. Pilots may recall, the company stated it was filing for mediation with the intention of moving negotiations to a conclusion. Alaska pilots may read the committee’s update detailing the results of these three days of mediated negotiations.

The Alaska Airlines pilots have been negotiating with their company for nearly three years in attempts to bring the contract more in line with their industry peers. On January 19, 2022 the parties met to conduct the first mediated session with the assistance of a national mediator assigned by the National Mediation Board (NMB).

RLA Flow Chart

This episode discusses how management’s failure to address recurring weather issues affect pilots, the eroding culture at Alaska Airlines, and the Company’s inconsistent COVID-19 policies that are outside of industry best-practices. Additionally, the history and details of Severe Irregular Operations (SIO) is explained. For Alaska Pilots, references to contractual and LOA language addressing SIO may be found in the MEC Update of December 26. In addition to MEC Chairman Will McQuillen and MEC Vice Chairman Joe Youngerman, Communications Chairman David Campbell welcomes Contract Compliance Chairman Mike (Rino) Reinmuth and Scheduling Committee Chairman Scott Rubin.

For Alaska Pilots:

Contract Compliance Phone Number: (888) 767-2228

This episode discusses how management’s failure to address recurring weather issues affect pilots, the eroding culture at Alaska Airlines, and the Company’s inconsistent COVID-19 policies that are outside of industry best-practices. Additionally, the history and details of Severe Irregular Operations (SIO) is explained. For Alaska Pilots, references to contractual and LOA language addressing SIO may be found in the MEC Update of December 26. In addition to MEC Chairman Will McQuillen and MEC Vice Chairman Joe Youngerman, Communications Chairman David Campbell welcomes Contract Compliance Chairman Mike (Rino) Reinmuth and Scheduling Committee Chairman Scott Rubin.

For Alaska Pilots:

Contract Compliance Phone Number: (888) 767-2228

This episode reflects on some of the accomplishments of the Alaska Airlines pilot group, which include efforts on trying to secure a market-based contract and comments from MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, MEC Vice Chairman Joe Youngerman, SPSC Chairman Ronan O'Donoghue and SPSC Vice Chairman Drew Coyle on the state of the industry and the path the MEC is taking to safeguard the pilot group's future.