Episodes
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With the merger transaction between Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines now final, the separate pilot groups from each carrier will continue the process of combining into one. A significant part of that includes negotiating a Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA) under which the new combined pilot group will work. The Master Executive Councils (MECs) of each pilot group, as part of the Air Line Pilots Association International (ALPA), have elected six pilots (three from each airline) to negotiate with Alaska Airlines on their behalf. This episode introduces the Negotiating Committee Chairs from each MECâAlaska MEC Negotiating Chair David Wilhelm and Hawaiian MEC Negotiating Chair Doug Grant. The hosts, Alaska MEC Communications Chair David Campbell and Hawaiian MEC Communications Chair Mike Davis, discuss with Captains Wilhelm and Grant the process of negotiating a JCBA, the importance of working together as a new single unified pilot group, and what the pilots may expect in the next few months, including contract education and pilot input via survey and polling.
ALA HAL JOINT MERGER WEBSITE
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In this episode, Co-hosts Alaska Communications Chair David Campbell and Hawaiian Communications Chair Mike Davis interview Alaska MEC Chair Will McQuillen and Hawaiian MEC Chair Larry Payne. Captains McQuillen and Payne discuss the vision they share for the collective future of a combined pilot group and the critical importance of pilot unity, engagement, and feedback in upcoming contract negotiations.
In addition to the episodeâs audio content, please watch the video linked below to hear more from the two Union Chairs and other pilots from each carrier.
VIDEO
JOINT MEC WEBSITE
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Episodes manquant?
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A Tentative Agreement (TA) has been reached between the Alaska Master Executive Council and Alaska Airlines which will soon be up for a ratification vote by the Alaska Airlines pilots. This TA would extend the current contractâs amendable date by 16 months while providing two additional annual pay increases. In this episode Strategic Communications Chair David Campbell discusses the details of this TA with MEC Chair Will McQuillen and Negotiating Chair David Wilhelm.
Full Language Tentative Agreement
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On July 25, a negotiated Transition Process Agreement (TPA) was unanimously ratified by the Master Executive Councils of Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines. In this episode, Host Strategic Communications Chair David Campbell discusses the details of that agreement with MEC Chair Will McQuillen, ALA Negotiating Chair David Wilhelm, and Executive Administrator Drew Coyle. Also discussed is the recent agreement made between Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines management and the Department of Justice (DOJ) on a 10-day extension to the timeline for antitrust review. This agreement extends the deadline to August 15, 2024.
Full Language TPA
MEC Chair's Message
123.45: TPA Reached
Order an ALPA Pin
Order a Blue ALPA Lanyard by sending an email to the ALA office administrator.
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In this episode, Host Strategic Communications Chair David Campbell speaks with Chair Will McQuillen, Vice Chair Garin Tentschert, Secretary Scott Rubin and Executive Administrator Drew Coyle about the MECâs work over the last several weeks including scheduling, merger progress, rumor control, and other ongoing projects.
IFALPA Global Pilot Survey
Please complete the survey using login password: vffd24
Reserve Preferencing Instructions
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In this episode, Host Strategic Communications Chair David Campbell speaks with MEC Chair Will McQuillen, Scheduling Chair Chandler Blair, and Negotiating Chair David Wilhelm about the recent Letter of Agreement 24-04 which will create the option to bid for a reduced bid credit value. These bid options will be awarded based on seniority. Also discussed, are data and trends on the first two cycles of bidding using PBS.
LOA 24-04 VRBO
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March has marked several significant transitions for the Alaska pilots and their elected leaders. This episode covers some of those important changes. The implementation of Contract 2022 will be complete in May when pilots begin working under the first monthly schedules built using preferential bidding. MEC officer terms started on March 1. Perhaps the biggest transition facing pilots is the merger between Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines. In this episode, each of these topics will be discussed.
Included in these show notes are a table and flowchart of the monthly PBS bidding timeline. If they donât show on the device you are using, scroll down and select âEpisode Websiteâ to view.
PBS BIDDING TIMELINEAll Times Seattle Local
1st 0900 - 7th 1200
NavBlue Bidding Open
7th 1200 - 11th 1600
Trading closed for Last 10 Days of Month
11th by 1600
Awards Published in Crew Access
11th 1700 - 13th 1500
Secondary Reserve Bidding Open
13th by 2100
Secondary Reserve Bid Award
14th at 0900
Trading for BBH Open
16 at 0900
Trading for Reserves Open
Letter to CEO Mr. Minicucci
Request to Negotiate Transition and Process Agreement
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This episode includes conversations among Host Strategic Communications Chair David Campbell, MEC Chair Will McQuillen, Negotiating Chair David Wilhelm, Scheduling Chair and MEC Secretary-Elect Scott Rubin, and Strategic Planning Chair Brad Beachler. McQuillen gives some details of the recent MEC and Joint MEC meetings that occurred in January. Wilhelm explains the Incentive Line (IL) LOA (24-01) including the provision suspending reservesâ ability to pick up flying on their days off while the LOA is in use as well the replacement of LOA 22-06 with LOA 24-02 which enhances reservesâ ability to pick up work on days off when the IL LOA is not in effect. Rubin discusses preferential bidding which will start on April 1 for the May bid period and explains where to find training materials. Finally, Beachler discusses upcoming unity events.
For answers to questions about the new reserve system, please listen to episode 61, TA 6: Reserves.
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Preferential bidding will go live on April 1 for the May bid period. Now is the time for Alaska pilots to become familiar with the new system so that they may achieve the best possible outcome in the bid award. A great number of resources have been created to facilitate this learning including three rounds of mock-bidding beginning on Monday, February 12. In this episode, Scheduling Committee Chair Captain Scott Rubin and other members of the Joint Preferential Bidding System Working Group (JPWG) including Captains Ben Brooks, John Owens, and Jake Woods explain how and where to find these training materials and discuss the details of the final implementation timeline. Pilots may find additional support by using one of the contact methods below.
Send a DART â Use the PBS topicCall the PBS Hotline 833-252-7271 â Rings all ALPA members of the PWG. If no answer leave a message for a callback.For company support, e-mail [email protected] (search PBS and it will pop up)Additional information on PBS is available on prior Podcast Episode #58 PBS and Trip Construction.
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On December 3, Alaska Airlines announced an agreement with Hawaiian Airlines to merge. Pending regulatory approval, this announcement begins a long process that will conclude with a merged pilot group working under a single Collective Bargaining Agreement. In this episode, Host Strategic Communications Chair Capt. David Campbell discusses the steps required before a merger will be complete as it relates to pilots. Broadly, these steps include negotiating a Transition Process Agreement and a Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement, merging the pilot Seniority Lists, and finally merging the respective Master Executive Councils into what will become the new governing body of the merged pilot group. Campbell is joined by MEC Chair Capt. Will McQuillen, MEC Executive Administrator Drew Coyle, and Alaska Merger Committee Chair Capt. Greg Wertz.
Pilots of either carrier may submit questions via the DART system.
DART.alpa.org
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Following the third Quarter MEC Meeting, Host Strategic Communications Chair David Campbell speaks with MEC Chair Will McQuillen, MEC Executive Administrator Drew Coyle, and Scheduling Committee Chair Scott Rubin about the state of the union. Some topics discussed are basing, contract implementation progress, and staffing.
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The Alaska Master Executive Council oversees more than 40 pilot support committees, which are run by dedicated pilot volunteers (overseen by elected leaders) working daily for their peer union members, who are Alaska pilots. Much of their work goes unnoticed, but today we are shining some light to show what these committees do. Our ongoing goal is to periodically spotlight the incredible work our dedicated volunteers do on behalf of our pilots, as we've done in the past. Join host Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell as he speaks with MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, Professional Standards Committee Chairman Scott Hathaway, Diversity, Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion (DEBI) Committee Chairman Mario James, and DEBI Vice Chair Jenn Taylor as they speak more on these committeesâ work.
For an earlier episode highlighting other committees working within the umbrella of Pilot Assistance, including HIMS, Aeromedical, CIRP, and Professional Standards, click on the link below.
CALL ALPA FIRST
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In the recently negotiated contract, higher pay rates and additional employer contributions to defined contribution (DC) plans were secured. As a result, these benefits will cause more pilots to exceed annual IRS limits on amounts that may be contributed to the PISP 401(k). Company contributions to 401(k) exceeding these limits spills into pilotsâ paychecks, thereby limiting potential tax-deferred and dues free retirement savings. The Alaska Pilotsâ Retirement and Insurance (R&I) Committee, professional ALPA staff and other subject matter experts have researched multiple tax-advantaged avenues to address the spill issue. Join host Strategic Communications Chair David Campbell as he discusses this issue and the solutions being worked on with MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, R&I Committee Chairman Shane Wrobel, R&I Committee member Jerry Traphagen, and ALPA Benefits Specialist Phil Borgman.
Alaska pilots may find additional information, including an animated video, FAQs, dates for upcoming coffee sits, and more by clicking here.
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Attraction and retention of Alaska Airlines pilots remains a key focus for the Alaska Master Executive Council. In this episode, Strategic Communications Chair David Campbell discusses why the San Fransisco base has not seen a meaningful increase in lines, issues surrounding vacation in 2024, why attraction and retention is an issue that should concern all pilots and how solutions require proactive involvement with the MEC. Campbell is joined by MEC Chair Will McQuillen, Scheduling Committee Chair Scott Rubin, and Negotiating Committee Chair David Wilhelm.
Vacation Podcast Episode
Vacation Bidding for 2024
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The Alaska Pilots have secured a market rate adjustment keeping them in line with the industry and providing for additional wage increases above those previously scheduled on September 1, 2023. In this episode Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell, MEC Chairman Will McQuillen and Negotiating Chairman David Wilhelm discus how this Market Rate Adjustment was derived. Also discussed are other elements to address the issue of attracting and retaining pilots.
Captain Will McQuillenâs Chairman Letter
Negotiating Committee Update
LOA 23-08 [One-Time MRA Exception]
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The Market Rate Adjustment (Section 3.A.4) to Alaska Airlines pilotsâ salaries is effective September 1. In this episode, Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell discusses this time frame and the current market conditions that should affect the compensation of Alaska Airline Pilots. He is joined by MEC Chairman Will McQuillen and Membership Committee Chairman Brad Beachler. Other topics briefly discussed are how to handle a trade request denial, the Pilot Mentorship Program, and volunteerism.
Most pilot contracts have traditionally included provisions for an annual raise. The current Alaska Airlines pilot contract includes, for the first time, additional language requiring a comparison between the contractually guaranteed pay increase and the current market-rate pilot salaries. This potential difference may cause the annual pay rate increase to be adjusted upwards.
Alaska Airlines Pilots may read MEC Chairman Capt. Will McQuillenâs latest Update and his letter to CEO Ben Minicucci and CFO Shane Tackett here.
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In this episode, Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell discusses the state of the Union with MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, MEC Vice Chairman Joe Youngerman, Scheduling Committee Chairman Scott Rubin, and the new Negotiating Committee Chairman David Wilhelm. Topics include recent work by the Negotiating Committee including uniforms, pay increases scheduled for September, scheduling, and CBA 2022 implementation progress.
July Scheduling Summary
Washing State Cares Fund Tax Communication
Jump Seat Communication including links to FOM language and the revised CSA Bulletin
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In this episode host Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell discusses progress on implementation of CBA 2022 and the state of the union including, MOU 23-02, Third Step trading, Jumpseat listing, and other topics. Joining Campbell are MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, Negotiating Committee Chairman Chris Gruner, Strategic Planning Chairman Drew Coyle, and Scheduling Chairman Scott Rubin.
MOU 23-02 [Premium Trip and Reserve Amendments]
Third Step Instructions
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This episode describes the state of the union, including progress made over the last year, areas of current focus, and how Alaska pilots move the profession forward. Three new Letters of Agreement (LOA) have been signed, which collectively represent improvements to the collective bargaining agreement and benefits to the Alaska pilots.
Join Host Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell, MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, Negotiating Chairman Chris Gruner, and Strategic Planning Chairman Drew Coyle as they discuss these issues.
If you are interested in volunteering with your MEC, please send an email to [email protected].
LOA 23-01 Unused Sick Leave at Retirement
LOA 23-02 SIO Amendment
LOA 23-03 Airbus Retention Program
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In this episode MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, Negotiating Chairman Chris Gruner, and Scheduling Chairman Scott Rubin discuss and clarify differences between a reassignment, a cancelation, and a delay. There are pay implications to each of these categories. The recent ice storm in Seattle and Portland created examples of each of these categories. The most recent Negotiating Committee Update is a useful companion communication and is linked below.
Negotiating Committee Update
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