The Alaska Pilots Podcast

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.

State of the Union

In this episode, MEC officers and other committee chairs discuss current events and issues affecting the pilot group. Pilots who are junior in their seat/base may be particularly interested in the discussion of the latest position bid which will close on December 5, 2019 at 17:00 pacific time.

Negotiations Continue into Significant Contract Cornerstone Issues

Pilots at Alaska Airlines began negotiating improvements to their collective bargaining agreement with management in June 2019. Now the pilots’ Negotiating Committee is shifting its focus to the significant aspects of the contract known as the four cornerstones—work rules, job security, benefits, and pay.

In this episode, MEC Chairman Will McQuillen, Negotiating Committee Chairman Chris Gruner, and ALPA’s chief negotiator Bruce York discuss negotiating the more significant aspects of the pilots’ contract.

 

Uniform Litigation Update

On September 6, 2019, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) filed a lawsuit in federal court addressing Alaska Airlines’ unilateral change and bad faith bargaining practices. The issue related to the company directing pilots to order a new uniform despite clear contract language requiring the MEC’s “mutual agreement” on certain changes. That mutual agreement was never obtained. Subsequent to ALPA’s filing, the company rescinded its requirement and consequently, ALPA withdrew its lawsuit.

This episode discusses the litigation, the Union’s commitment to defend its pilots and the contract, and what to expect moving forward.

What Uniform and HIMS Negotiations Reveal About Alaska Airlines: Part II

Host Capt. David Campbell continues his conversation with captains Will McQuillen, Joe Youngerman, and Jon Wrigley about what recent negotiations surrounding uniforms and HIMS reveal about Alaska Airlines. In part two, these elected pilot leaders talk about what the MEC is doing in the face of these frustrating times with management, share why they are still hopeful about our future, and explain what the pilots can do to help their MEC and negotiating committee be successful in executing the strategic plan. 

Listeners may also be interested to read the MEC’s proposed letter of agreement (LOA) on the uniforms and the accompanying letter to the Company sent by MEC Chairman, Capt. Will McQuillen. Click on the link below and find each of those documents on your MEC's Communications page.

Uniform LOA      Letter to Ladner

What Uniform and HIMS Negotiations Reveal About Alaska Airlines; Part I

Three former and current MEC chairman sit down with host Captain David Campbell to discuss what the recent interactions with management surrounding HIMS and uniforms reveal to us about Alaska Airlines management and what we might expect in the future.

We know pilots have concerns about management’s unilateral decision on the uniform and we will discuss whether getting fitted for and ordering is required at this time.

Alaska MEC’s Strategic Planning Document Discussed

The Alaska MEC has shared an executive summary of its strategic planning document with its pilots. In this podcast, host Capt. David Campbell, Strategic Communications chairman, discusses that document in more detail with MEC chairman Capt. Will McQuillen, MEC vice chairman Capt. Keith Louis, and MEC Strategic Planning chairman Capt. Ronan O’Donoghue.

In a video released in August 2018, the Alaska MEC first reported that strategic planning efforts led them to conclude that it would be up to the Alaska pilot group to safeguard its future. That meant, among other things, to take control of its destiny and forge a path to a reliable future. Pilots may view that video here. 

Negotiating the next contract provides a significant opportunity to make improvements that will help Safeguard Our Future. The information presented in the executive summary and this podcast will help familiarize Alaska pilots and their families with their MEC’s strategic plans.

To read the document, go to alaskapilots.org and click on the “executive summary” icon.