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Alaska Airlines, technicians reach tentative pact
BY OUR BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT
19 September, 2005: A second tentative deal has been reached between Alaska
Airlines and Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA). The airline and the association jointly announced the agreement on a new four-year contract for the airline’s 700 aircraft techies.
But the airline as well as the Association did not divulge the details of the pact. The pact has to now go to the association members for endorsement. This why the details are being withheld.
The process of ratification will start within the next two weeks, it is reliably learnt.
AMFA Regional Director Louie Key said, “We are presenting, for our membership's consideration, a contract that provides job security language and wage increases that are unique in the current industry environment".
Alaska's CEO Bill Ayer lauded the “patience of the aircraft technicians” during the negotiations.
He also expressed happiness on the outcome of the talks which he described as a “long-term, market-based agreement which includes job security".
AMFA's craft union represents aircraft maintenance technicians and other personnel at Alaska Airlines, ATA, Horizon Air, Independence Airlines, Mesaba
Airlines Northwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines.
The technicians had rejected another pact reached in July this year, as they were dissatisfied with size of pay increases and higher health-insurance premiums.
After December 2002, there have been no pay hikes for them.
Alaska and sister concern Horizon Air have services in more than 80 cities.
BY OUR BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT
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