Alaska Airlines and Dispatchers Reach Tentative Agreement on New Four-year Contract

SEATTLE, March 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Airlines and the Transport Workers Union today jointly announced tentative agreement on a new four-year contract for the carrier's 36 dispatchers. The proposed contract includes wage increases and provisions to improve quality of life issues, among other changes.

Union members will now review the proposed contract and conduct a ratification vote, with results expected in late April.

"Transport Workers Union Local 542 is pleased to have reached a tentative agreement with Alaska Airlines on a new collective bargaining agreement that provides increased compensation for our members, who work tirelessly to ensure that each flight operates safely, compliantly and efficiently," said Joe Demory, Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 542 section chairman and an Alaska Airlines dispatcher.

"This proposed contract recognizes the professionalism, dedication and skills of our dispatchers, who play a key role in making sure Alaska's passengers arrive at their destination safely and on time," said Kelley Dobbs, Alaska Airlines' vice president of human resources and labor relations. "In addition to continuing to provide a competitive compensation package, the agreement incorporates guiding principles we have with other labor groups to help us further improve our relationship with the TWU."

Alaska Airlines and the TWU have been negotiating on a new contract since May 2010. Collective bargaining agreements in the airline industry do not expire. Instead, they remain in force after the amendable date until a new contract is ratified. Alaska's current contract with its dispatchers became amendable on June 30, 2010.

The TWU represents more than 200,000 employees in the airline, railroad, transit, gaming, utility and university service industries. More information about the TWU is available at www.twu.org.

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together serve more than 90 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Network Carriers" in the J.D. Power and Associates 2008, 2009 and 2010 North America Airline Satisfaction Studies(SM). For reservations, visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom.

SOURCE Alaska Airlines