5,300 Machinists Union Members at Alaska Airlines Vote Overwhelmingly to Ratify Industry-Leading Labor Contract

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6, 2022 – Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) at Alaska Airlines are moving to the top of the airline industry’s pay scale for the first time in the carrier’s history.

Approximately 5,300 IAM members at Alaska Airlines who work in Ramp, Stores, Clerical, Office and Passenger Service have voted overwhelmingly to ratify a historic, industry-leading four-year contract.

The newly ratified contract at Alaska Airlines, which runs until Sept. 27, 2026, includes the following highlights:

• Raises base wage rates for all classifications to between 8.9% and 17.4% on Aug. 10, 2022.
• Further raises all base wages rates for all classifications by 2.5% on Aug. 10, 2023
• Base wage rate increases by a minimum of 2.5% on Aug. 10, 2024 and Aug. 10 2025, subject to an industry review.
• In 2024 and 2025, the agreement calls for an industry review, which will give employees a minimum 2.5% base wage rate or the percentage required to match the top of the scale as the No. 4 airline, whichever is greater.
• No changes to strong existing medical and other benefits.
• Longevity pay increases starting after year 6 at 5 cents per hour, and topping out after year 12 and beyond at 35 cents per hour.
• Strong existing job security language extended until Sept. 27, 2028

WATCH: Air Transport Leadership Visits Alaska Airlines IAM Members Ahead of Historic Contract Vote

Alaska Airlines hubs include Anchorage, Alaska; Seattle-Tacoma; Portland, Ore.; San Francisco; and Los Angeles.

“This newly ratified IAM agreement at Alaska Airlines has raised the bar for the entire airline industry,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “After keeping our world moving during the pandemic, our members at Alaska Airlines deserve the absolute best agreement possible. Today, the IAM has made that a reality.”

“Our IAM negotiating committee and the entire support staff around them had one goal in mind—obtain a contract that fairly compensates some of the best air transport workers in the world,” said IAM District 142 President and Directing General Chair John Coveny. “We have succeeded for our membership at Alaska Airlines, and we look forward to building on this contract for all airline workers.”

“The strength and solidarity of the IAM has again delivered an industry-leading contract for our membership,” said IAM Air Transport Territory Chief of Staff Edison Fraser. “This contract is going to help our members and their families live better lives and achieve their goals on and off the job.”

“IAM members at Alaska Airlines have set a new standard for airline negotiations for years to come,” said IAM Air Transport Territory Airline Coordinator Tom Regan. “We are grateful to our negotiating committee and Alaska Airlines management for joining together to do what’s best for the men and women who make this carrier a world-leader in the airline industry.”

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