Hawaiian Pilots Picket Company at NYC Investor Meeting

As the holiday travel season gains momentum, Hawaiian Airlines pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l, met with investors and warned the flying public of a potential strike after the recent breakdown in negotiations regarding a new contract.

The notification came today at the company’s annual investor meeting in New York City.

The airline’s pilots have been in negotiations for months and are seeking what they call market-rate wages.

The National Mediation Board has also advised both parties that they will not schedule additional mediation sessions.  Once a formal impasse is declared, a lawful strike could begin after the completion of a 30-day cooling off period under the Railway Labor Act.

“Hawaiian pilots have offered a contract that will keep the airline competitive, profitable and that it can afford to pay – and that will pay pilots market-rate wages. However, despite months of negotiations, Hawaiian pilots still don’t have a contract. With negotiations having broken off, and the National Mediation Board scheduling no more meetings, Hawaiian pilots have no choice but to prepare for a strike,” said Capt. Hoon Lee, chairman of ALPA’s Hawaiian Master Executive Council.

In addition to warning investors, Hawaiian pilots launched an informational campaign to keep passengers informed on the current strike status and potential travel disruptions. Updates will be regularly posted to http://halpilotcontract.com/.

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing more than 54,000 pilots at 31 airlines in the United States and Canada.