Alaska Airlines pilots puts strike authorization up for vote in May
The Alaska Airlines pilots union has called for a strike authorization in May as contract negotiations with the SeaTac-based carrier drag on.
The move follows an April 1 demonstration by pilots at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to protest the lack of movement on an agreement.
Alaska pilots are not looking to strike. We are looking for improvements to our contract in line with the market but that will also allow our company to grow and remain successful and competitive, Will McQuillen, chairman of the Master Executive Council for the pilots union, said in a news release. However, we are willing to take any lawful steps necessary, including a legal strike, to achieve the contract every Alaska pilot has earned.
The Air Line Pilots Association represents nearly 3,000 Alaska Air Group Inc. (NYSE: ALK) pilots. If the vote to authorize a strike passes, a strike would not occur until at least 30 days after a federal mediator releases the two parties from mediation, which has been ongoing since 2021.
https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2022/04/25/alaska-pilots-union-puts-strike-up-for-vote-in-may.html