SEATTLE, April 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Horizon Air and the Transport Workers Union today jointly announced that the carrier's 17 dispatchers have ratified a new four-year contract by a ratio of 82 percent.

"I very much appreciate the hard work of both negotiating teams, and am pleased the agreement was ratified by such a large majority of the members," said Gene Hahn, Horizon Air's senior vice president of operations. "I remain grateful for the services our licensed dispatchers perform everyday — always keeping safety and compliance at the forefront — and for the leadership that John and the TWU have shown over the years in representing this critical group of Horizon employees."

Horizon Air and TWU reached tentative agreement on a new contract on March 19.

"This new collective bargaining agreement recognizes the value and professionalism of Horizon's dispatchers, and was achieved after honest and direct discussions of the issues," said John Plowman, TWU Local 542 president. "That level of dialogue can only be achieved when the parties involved value and respect each side's ideas and positions. This agreement provides a level of stability for Horizon dispatchers, given this current period of uncertainty in the regional airline industry."

Under the Railway Labor Act, which governs collective bargaining agreements in the airline industry, contracts do not expire. Instead they become amendable. The ratified agreement for Horizon's dispatchers becomes amendable on Aug. 26, 2018.

Horizon Air is a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group and flies to 39 cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Alaska Airlines, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together with its partner regional airlines, serves nearly 100 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. For reservations, visit www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines Newsroom at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.

SOURCE Alaska Air Group