The Alaska Pilots Podcast

Voluntary Leave and Incentive Line Letters of Agreement

Three new LOAs were approved on June 17 by the Alaska Master Executive Council (MEC) and Alaska Airlines executive management. These agreements create a number of voluntary extended leaves and incentive lines which, depending on the level of participation, could minimize—or possibly eliminate—the need to furlough. In this episode, MEC Chairman, Will McQuillen, Negotiating Chairman, Chris Gruner, and Strategic Communications Chairman David Campbell discuss the details of those agreements, what has transpired since management’s Virtual Town Hall webcast on June 4, and the road ahead.

LOA 20-03 Military Leave Extension

LOA 20-04 Extend Leaves of Absence

LOA 20-05 Extend Incentive Lines

Two Minute Episode

This breaking podcast update covers what occurred at the Special MEC meeting on Sunday, June 14. We will release a more detailed episode in the days to come covering the new LOAs that were approved by your MEC today having to do with new leave and staffing options for our pilots.

Management Predicts Cancelation of Position Bid, Exits COVID-19 Protections MOU

In this episode, MEC Chairman Captain Will McQuillen and MEC Vice Chairman Captain Joe Youngerman discuss management’s conflicting messaging regarding the recent position bid award, their unilateral decision to exit the COVID-19 Protections MOU, and questions raised about furloughs.

The MEC and ALPA National have a number of resources to help pilots deal with this potentially stressful time. If you are an Alaska pilot, please call the Pilot Peer Support number with any concerns—large or small—day or night at (309) PPS-ALPA or (309) 777-2572.

Position Bid Concerns, Update on Pandemic Response, Negotiations, Aeromedical Resources and More

 

Join host Strategic Communications Chairman, Captain David Campbell, MEC Chairman, Captain Will McQuillen, Strategic Planning Chairman Captain Ronan O’Donoghue, and Aeromedical Chairman First Officer Steve Savidge. 

In this episode, they reflect on where we are as we navigate through this pandemic, recent work of the Negotiating Committee, pilots’ concerns about furlough, and concerns regarding the recent position bid. Later in the episode, Campbell talks to Aeromedical Committee Chairman Steve Savidge about the resources available to pilots during this stressful time for many. 

Linked here is the supporting document Captain O’Donoghue references while discussing the recent position bid.

These are uncertain times which may cause anxiety and stress. If you would like to know more about resources available to pilots and family members, or if you feel like you could use a helping hand or a shoulder to lean on, please call your block rep. You may also call a pilot volunteer from the Pilot Peer Support program at (309) PPS-ALPA (309-777-2572). All calls are confidential.

Scheduling Issues, Status of CARES Act Grant, and Other Issues Discussed

Strategic Communications Chairman, David Campbell speaks with MEC Chairman, Will McQuillen and Scheduling Committee Chairman, Scott Rubin.

An important Call-to-Action is underway to demand the safety of our workplace. Add your voice by following the link below.

https://alpa.quorum.us/campaign/25675/

Continuing Work in the Midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Your MEC’s work continues as the world deals with the effects of the Coronavirus. Host Strategic Communications Chairman, Capt. David Campbell, MEC Chairman, Capt. Will McQuillen, and MEC Secretary, Capt. Garin Tentschert discuss a number of topics:

• What we know so far about how the stimulus bill, known as the CARES act, will affect Alaska Airlines
• Ongoing negotiations related to early-out retirement options
• MOU 20-04—COVID-19 Contract Protections
• Cancelation of System Bid 20-05

Remember, if you feel like you could use a helping hand or a shoulder to lean on, your MEC has several resources available. Please call your block rep or the Pilot Peer Support number at (309) PPS-ALPA (309-777-2572).

MEC Recap of the Week of March 23rd

MEC Communications Chairman David Campbell, MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, and Negotiating Committee Chairman Chris Gruner discuss events of the week including announced flying reductions, the May System Bid cancelation, the recently passed stimulus bill, new MOUs, and other topics. This episode was recorded on Friday, March 27, 2020. Referenced in this episode are two recently signed MOUs. For your convenience, links to them are below as well as a Q&A, and a Leave Matrix.

MOU 20-02  

MOU 20-04   

Q&A  

Leave Matrix

Job Protection During the Time of COVID-19

As we continue to adapt to the effects of COVID-19 and hear of reduced flying throughout the industry, pilots are naturally concerned about their immediate futures. Host Strategic Communications Chairman, Capt. David Campbell and MEC Chairman, Capt. Will McQuillen discuss steps the MEC is taking to protect flying jobs, work toward creating voluntary reduced flying and/or leaves of absence, and how all this differs from the furlough mitigation steps outline in Section 23 [Furlough and Recall] of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. 

 

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Your MEC’s Response to the Coronavirus: MOU 20-01 COVID-19 Protections

Listen to host, Strategic Communications Chairman Capt. David Campbell, discuss the COVID-19 pandemic as it relates to the airline industry and specifically to our pilots. MEC officers, Capt. Will McQuillen, Capt. Garin Tentschert, and Capt. Scott Mokos, provide some perspective and thoughts on other major events that have affected our industry and discuss some of the steps union leadership is taking on behalf of the pilots of Alaska Airlines. Finally, Negotiating Chairman, F/O Chris Gruner describes the protections to pilots contained in MOU 20-01which was signed on Friday, March 13. Our pilots may read that document by clicking the link below.

We understand that these times are stressful, if you are an ALPA pilot and would like to avail yourself to some of the MEC resources discussed in this episode, please call Pilot Peer Support (PPS) at 309-777-2572 (309-PPS-ALPA).

MOU 20-01 COVID-19 Protections

State of the Union, January

In this episode, MEC officers and other committee chairs discuss current events and issues affecting the pilot group. Among other topics, Executive Vice President Joe Youngerman provides an update on ALPA’s work to improve the KCM experience for pilots. Membership Chairman Will Swoveland discusses attrition numbers and what those who chose to leave Alaska Airlines have to say about their decision.