Horizon Air Mechanics Ratify New Contract

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Dec 15, 2010, 06:59 ET

SEATTLE, Dec. 15, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Horizon Air's technicians have ratified a new four-year contract, successfully concluding all of the airline's active labor negotiations.

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About 72 percent of Horizon's mechanics voted, and more than 65 percent of those did so in favor of the agreement, according to the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT). Voting took place from early November through early December, and the results were received this afternoon.

The new contract will take effect once it's signed on Dec. 16. As part of the agreement, Horizon's 337 mechanics will gain participation in the airline's performance-based incentive plan.

"I'm very grateful our top-notch mechanics ratified this new contract," said Horizon President Glenn Johnson. "With everyone at Horizon Air under a single incentive plan, we can now harness the power that comes from having all of our workgroups focused on achieving the same goals."

The contract became amendable in November 2008. In April 2009, Horizon's technicians, who had previously been represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, voted to make the IBT their new representative. Negotiations between Horizon and the IBT began in October 2009, and a tentative agreement was reached on Nov. 3, 2010.

Per federal law, airline contracts don't expire. An existing contract remains in effect after the amendable date until a new contract is agreed to by the negotiating teams and ratified by represented members.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded Horizon its highest honor, the Diamond Certificate of Excellence, 10 times since 1999 in recognition of the airline mechanics' commitment to ensuring safety through technical training.

Horizon serves 45 cities throughout California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Baja California Sur (Mexico), and British Columbia and Alberta (Canada). Together, Horizon Air and Alaska Airlines serve more than 90 cities and are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE: ALK).

SOURCE Horizon Air