ASTAR Air Cargo pilots reach contract agreement

A tentative contract agreement between ASTAR Air Cargo and its pilots has been announced. The agreement, which is subject to ratification by the pilots, was the culmination of several years of negotiations between the freight carrier and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), the union representing the pilots.

Contract negotiations, which began in 2005, have at times been contentious. Since April of 2006, negotiations between the pilots and ASTAR management have been conducted with the assistance of the National Mediation Board. ASTAR pilots have not had a pay raise since 2002.

A media release about the ASTAR contract issued by ALPA describes the new contract terms this way:

Under the terms of the agreement, the ASTAR crewmembers will receive retro pay and more than 20% in pay increases over the course of the 4-year agreement. In addition, the pilots will receive furlough protections and a commitment by the company to secure new aircraft. The same minimum credit per day was retained.

Regarding the new agreement, Captain Earl Smith, chairman of the ASTAR crewmembers, said, "I am pleased that we have reached a tentative agreement that offers ASTAR Air Cargo crewmembers improvements in job security, growth, pay increases, and retro compensation. Most of all, this tentative agreement, if approved by the pilot membership, will give ASTAR crewmembers a new and well deserved combination of job security and economic advancement."

ASTAR Air Cargo operates 44 aircraft from its hub in Wilmington, OH. It provides scheduled and charter services on a contract basis to DHL Worldwide Express, the U.S. military and the United States Postal Service.

UPDATE March 6, 2008: ASTAR pilots have ratified the new labor contract. According to a news release issued by ALPA, nearly 89 percent of the 427 eligible crewmembers voted, with 93 percent voting in favor of the agreement.

ASTAR Air Cargo pilots authorize strike

Pilots at ASTAR Air Cargo have authorized their union to call a strike, with 97% of members voting. The ASTAR pilots are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).

The freight carrier's management and the pilots' union have been in contract negotiations since early 2005. More recently the parties have been working through the National Mediation Board (NMB) to try to reach an agreement, but ALPA says the parties still remain far apart on wage and compensation issues.

ASTAR pilots have not had a pay raise since 2002. A recent ALPA news release says, "ASTAR pilots want pay raises similar to what ASTAR management has provided itself. Pilots are also seeking job protection and retroactive pay."

Terms of the pilots' strike authorization would allow a strike or other work action whenever the NMB releases both sides from the talks.

Management at ASTAR Air Cargo disagrees with the pilots' view that contract talks have reached an impasse. A press release issued by ASTAR quotes Doug McKeen, Senior Vice President of Employee Relations and Communications, who called the strike authorization a "standard tactic in airline labor negotiations."

McKeen said "Negotiations between ASTAR and its pilots are currently ongoing under the exclusive control of the National Mediation Board and the mediator assigned by the National Mediation Board." He went on to say:

"Under the Railway Labor Act, the law that governs airline labor negotiations, the pilots may not initiate a strike and management may not pursue a lockout without first obtaining a release from the National Mediation Board. To date, the mediator has not advised the parties that they are at impasse, a step required before a release may occur, nor have the parties received any indication that a release is imminent in the near or distant future. Given these circumstances, the pilots have no authority to strike at this time. To be clear: if the pilots were to initiate a strike or other illegal activity outside this process, the Company would pursue all legal remedies."

ASTAR Air Cargo operates 44 aircraft from its hub in Wilmington, OH. It provides scheduled and charter services on a contract basis to DHL Worldwide Express, the U.S. military and the United States Postal Service.

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