Horizon Air and its Pilots Tentatively Agree on Six-Year Contract Extension

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Nov 02, 2012, 08:00 ET

SEATTLE, Nov. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Horizon Air and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters announced today they have reached tentative agreement to extend the current contract for the carrier's 610 pilots for six years.

"I'm very proud of both negotiating teams for crafting additional improvements to an already excellent existing agreement," said Gene Hahn, Horizon Air's senior vice president of operations. "This tentative agreement provides greater certainty to our airline and our pilots on a wage structure for the next six years. The proposed contract also recognizes our pilots' contribution to Horizon's success and better positions us for growth through productivity enhancements."

A ratification vote by union members is expected to be completed by mid-December. If ratified, the new contract would become amendable on Dec. 14, 2018. The current contract was ratified in November 2010 and becomes amendable in December 2015.

"The new provisions and pay rate increases will provide our pilots with greater job security, scheduling enhancements and a higher earnings potential," said Captain Dan Johnston, Horizon Air Executive Council chairman. "Our first-ever negotiated letter of agreement between our pilot group and Alaska Air Group is management's acknowledgment of their commitment in our careers. I look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts in securing a bright and successful future at Horizon."

Alaska Airlines, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together with its partner regional airlines, serves 95 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines has ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Network Carriers" in the J.D. Power and Associates North America Airline Satisfaction Study^SM for five consecutive years from 2008 to 2012. 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