Island Air today announced it has extended agreements with three unions that represent its pilots, dispatchers, mechanics, flight attendants, customer service and ramp agents, and other employees.
“We are extremely pleased that we have reached agreements to extend contracts with the three unions that represent the majority of Island Air’s employees,” said David Uchiyama, president and chief executive officer of Island Air.
“Each of these agreements recognizes the outstanding contributions our employees make to the success of Island Air. In negotiating with the unions, we had a shared goal of ensuring that our employees are treated fairly and rewarded for their professionalism and hard work, while also allowing Island Air to grow our business and continue to provide safe, reliable interisland flight service.”
Island Air reached a letter of agreement (LOA) with the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), which represents Island Air’s 42 pilots.
“We are pleased to announce the Island Air pilot group has come to a tentative agreement on a mutually beneficial contract extension between the pilots and the company,” said Capt. Jim Morris, representative and chairman of the ALPA Master Executive Council for Island Air.
“This new agreement resolves any open contractual issues and lays the groundwork for ALPA to assist the company in its efforts to recruit and retain pilots. We would like to thank the management team for their professional approach to the negotiations and are confident that Island Air will now have the pilot resources it needs to continue its growth, both for our current passengers and future customers as well.”
Island Air also reached an agreement on an extended contract with the Transport Workers Union (TWU), Local 540, which represents the airline’s five flight dispatchers.
“The Transport Workers Union, Local 540, is pleased to have reached a new collective bargaining agreement with Island Air,” said Alex Giarrocco, president, Transport Workers Union, Local 540.
“The agreement recognizes the key role our professional aircraft dispatchers play in the operational control of each and every Island Air flight. We are proud to share in the success of Island Air today and for many years to come.”
The third agreement is an LOA with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), Local 996, which provides collective bargaining for 216 Island Air employees, including aircraft mechanics and inspectors, aircraft cleaners, ground service equipment mechanics, fuelers, flight attendants, stock clerks, and customer and ramp service agents.
“The agreement reached between the Hawaii Teamsters and Island Air gives the company labor stability to focus its energy on growing the business,” said Ronan Kozuma, president, Hawaii Teamsters, Local 996. “We want to thank the Union’s representatives and Island Air management in addressing the employees’ concerns and reaching an agreement that both sides will benefit from.”