Release 05.HAL4
March 26, 2005

Hawaiian Airlines Pilots Reject Tentative Agreement

Contract Doesn't Protect Pay, Pension, Work Rule Issues

HONOLULU -- Hawaiian Airlines pilots rejected a proposed tentative agreement for a new contract with the company, it was announced today by Master Executive Committee Chairman Captain Kirk McBride of the Air Line Pilots Association International (ALPA). The tentative agreement--which was reached on February 23, 2005--was subject to ratification by ALPA's members.

Of the 264 pilots who voted, 120 voted in favor of the agreement, and 144 voted against it. Ninety-three percent of all pilots voted--a very large turnout.

"The membership made its decision, and we expect to move forward to argue our case aggressively in court," said McBride. Because the pilots rejected the tentative agreement, the issue now goes to what's called an 1113 hearing in Bankruptcy Court; that hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, March 29th.

"The union leadership will be meeting with company management to report the ratification results, and to discuss the reasons the tentative agreement was rejected. Pilots were unwilling to ratify the contract due to several reasons including excessive management bonuses, concerns over retirement and disability benefits, excessive medical premium increases, and their concern that management does not have a genuine interest in constructive problem-solving and smooth employee relations," McBride explained.

"We are confident that our arguments are compelling, and we hope for a fair and equitable ruling," McBride said.

Headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaiian Airlines is the nation's 12th-largest carrier, with 135 daily flights flown by 300 pilots who operate a fleet of B-717 and B-767 aircraft.

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world's oldest and largest pilot union and represents 64,000 airline pilots at 41 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org.

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ALPA CONTACT: Capt. Kirk McBride, (808) 836-2572 
Tammy Sumida, Joan Bennet and Associates, Inc., (808) 228-2996