Machinists Union Reaches Historic, Industry-Leading Tentative Agreement Extension for 5,300 Members at Alaska Airlines

WASHINGTON, June 22, 2022 – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) has reached a tentative agreement with Alaska Airlines that, for the first time in the carrier’s history, will put approximately 5,300 Alaska Airlines workers at the top of the airline industry’s pay scale.

The tentative agreement extension covers IAM members who work in ramp, stores, clerical, office and passenger service at the carrier. Alaska Airlines hubs include Anchorage, Alaska; Seattle-Tacoma; Portland, Ore.; San Francisco; and Los Angeles. 

If ratified by IAM members at Alaska Airlines, the four-year contract would:

• Raise base wage rates for all classifications to between 8.9% and 17.4% on Aug. 10, 2022.
• Further raise all base wages rates for all classifications by 2.5% on Aug. 10, 2023
• Base wage rate will also increase 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.

IAM members at Alaska Airlines will vote on the tentative agreements in the coming weeks. IAM representatives will also hold contract educational meetings at locations across the country.

“The IAM’s tentative agreement with Alaska Airlines is historic for our union, the carrier, and the entire airline industry,” said IAM Air Transport Territory general vice president Richard Johnsen. “IAM members have built Alaska Airlines into a perennial top-performing airline, and now, they have an industry-leading contract to vote on that rewards their dedication, skill, and sacrifice.”

“The IAM’s negotiating committee at Alaska Airlines has put in countless hours of hard work obtaining this tentative agreement,” said IAM District 142 president and directing general chair John Coveny. “From our leadership to our membership and everyone in between, this tentative agreement is the result of our union’s strength and solidarity.”

“As the largest air transport labor union in North America, our membership knows that they have the strength of the entire IAM at the bargaining table,” said IAM Air Transport Territory chief of staff Edison Fraser. “We are proud to present this industry-leading tentative agreement to our hard-working IAM membership at Alaska Airlines.”

“I could not be more proud of the IAM negotiating committee and our membership,” said IAM Air Transport Territory airline coordinator Tom Regan. “We look forward to speaking to IAM members at Alaska Airlines from coast to coast about this industry-leading, historic contract.”