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7:23 PM HST Monday
Aloha Air settles with pilots
AlohaAirlines and its 338 pilots have reached agreement on a new 28-monthcontract. It takes effect Feb. 1 and runs through Apr. 30, 2007.
"I applaud our pilot workforce for their willingness to work with thecompany to improve our competitive positioning during these challengingtimes for our industry," said Aloha CEO David Banmiller. "Their actionexemplifies the can-do spirit that continues to prevail throughout thiscompany's 58-year history."
The privately-held carrier and the Air Line Pilots Association Council80 jointly announced the agreement Monday but said they had agreed notto release details of the tentative contract agreement at this time.
"The Aloha pilots have the best interests of Aloha and the people ofHawaii at heart," said ALPA Council 80 Master Executive Chairman DavidBird.
The agreement came just a few weeks in Aloha's Chapter 11 bankruptcy,in sharp contract to Hawaiian Airlines, which has been in receivershipfor a year and is still negotiating terms with its own pilots, alsomembers of ALPA. Hawaiian's situation is complicated by the pilotshaving already agreed to concessions a year ago, promised at the timethat no further concessions would be sought.
"We're motivated to do our part in helping promote growth andprofitability for our members and our company," said Richard Bockhaus,lead negotiator for the union side in the Aloha negotiations.
Like Hawaiian, and indeed like all mainland carriers, Aloha has reeledfrom soaring jet fuel prices. Banmiller, who has been CEO for only ashort time, has sought to cut costs by pulling out of Pacificinternational markets, and this week announced plans to stop flying toVancouver and Burbank in favor of adding service to San Diego andOrange County.