IAM, Alaska Airlines Open Negotiations

WASHINGTON, March 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 143 today announced it has opened collective bargaining for an amended contract covering 2,800 Alaska Airlines employees in the clerical, office and passenger service (COPS) group. The current agreement becomes amendable on July 19, 2010.

"In these negotiations, just as in the rest of the country, job security is a major issue," said IAM District 143 President Stephen Gordon.  "Improving our members' job security and ensuring a successful Alaska Airlines are not mutually exclusive."

Direct bargaining began March 2, 2010 after members rejected an Alaska Airlines offer to extend the current agreement until 2012. The extension was rejected over job security issues.

"Our first sessions were productive, and the IAM's negotiating committee is prepared for intensive bargaining to reach an expedited agreement," said Gordon. "We hope Alaska Airlines shares our commitment."

More information about the IAM at Alaska Airlines is available at www.iam143.org.

SOURCE International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers