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To:
Date:
Re:
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AMFA Locals and Members
December 3, 2023
Alaska Airlines Purchase of Hawaiian Airlines
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Dear Members:
On Sunday, December 3, 2023, Alaska Airlines announced it had reached an agreement to purchase Hawaiian Airlines in a cash transaction valued at $1.9 billion. According to news reports, Alaska will continue to operate Hawaiian as an independent brand and airline within the Alaska Air Group. News reports further indicate current Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci will lead the combined carrier.
AMFA’s priority in this corporate transaction is to protect the AMFA-Alaska members and their contract and to ensure that all interested parties follow federal law regarding seniority integration. Federal law, known as the McCaskill-Bond Statute, provides a process that must be followed for the integration of seniority lists in a fair and equitable manner when transactions such as these occur. AMFA leadership will work closely with Legal Counsel at each step of this process to ensure your seniority is protected.
AMFA would like to impress upon the Alaska membership that the current Section 6 negotiations will not take a back seat to the announcement of this corporate transaction or the process that follows. As noted in our recent negotiation update, the parties are scheduled to meet for two separate weeks in January to continue negotiations toward a successor CBA, and it remains AMFA’s first and foremost focus to negotiate and deliver a tentative agreement for your prompt consideration.
We understand there are many questions and emotions that come with corporate transactions such as the one announced today. Therefore, do not hesitate to contact your Airline Representative, Local Officers, or National Officers with any questions related to this process. In addition, AMFA will maintain frequent communication with Alaska members at every step of this process.
As with our current contract negotiation, we will stand in steadfast solidarity to protect you, your contract, and your seniority.
On Behalf of the NEC,
Earl Clark
Region I Director
