Release #04.039
September 22, 2004

ALPA’s American Eagle Pilot Leaders Announce Tentative Agreement in Negotiations

DALLAS, Tex.— The elected union leaders of the American Eagle pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), met on Sept. 21-22 to discuss a comprehensive management proposal to modify their current labor agreement. After extensive discussion and scrutiny, the Eagle pilots’ Master Executive Council (MEC) voted to accept the proposal as a Tentative Agreement.

The Tentative Agreement improves upon the Eagle pilots’ current contract with a fixed wage increase in the first year, enhanced 401(k) provisions and overall quality-of-life improvements.

With a TA negotiated, both parties have already begun to meet to finalize contract language. Upon completion, the pilots’ MEC will reconvene to review the document and determine whether or not to ratify the agreement.

“We are encouraged by the terms and conditions of this TA,” said Capt. Herb Mark, Eagle ALPA MEC chairman. “The outline of this proposal provides positive changes for our members, while addressing management concerns that focus on the company’s need to remain competitive. We look forward to reviewing formalized language and concluding this negotiation to our mutual satisfaction.”

The current contract talks are part of several amendment rounds built into the Eagle pilots’ 16-year agreement to ensure that its terms and conditions are adjusted every four years to keep pace with pilot contracts at peer carriers and to reflect the growth and success of American Eagle Airlines. The Eagle pilots and their management have been engaged in negotiations for the last five months.

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing 64,000 pilots at 43 airlines in the United States and Canada, including more than 2,700 American Eagle pilots based in Dallas, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, New York, Miami, and San Juan. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org.

###

ALPA Contact: James Magee, 817-685-7474 or John Perkinson, 703-481-4440.