Teamster Pilots Reach Tentative Agreement
 

Monday April 18, 5:28 pm ET
- Cargo Pilots to Vote on New Collective Bargaining Agreement

HOUSTON, April 18 /PRNewswire/ -- After two and a half years of hard fought negotiations, a tentative agreement was reached between Teamsters Local 747 and Kalitta Air on Friday, April 15, 2005.

The new agreement calls for a 15 percent pay increase over the three-year span of the contract, with an additional signing bonus of 4 percent for the previous two years. The agreement also provides enhanced retirement benefits and improved work rules.

"The crewmembers of Kalitta Air deserve a fair and equitable contract, which this agreement provides. We're proud of the fact that we were able to make positive gains for these hardworking Teamsters in a concessionary airline environment," said E.E. Sowell, Teamsters Local 747 President.

The agreement is subject to ratification by the membership and the ballots are expected to go out within the next two weeks.

Kalitta Air, an air cargo service airline based in Ypsilanti, MI, operates a fleet of B747s and B727s. Kalitta employs approximately 179 flight deck crewmembers.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States and Canada.

Congrats guys! I'm guessing this thing will pass (?)

Its doubtful. Negotiations have been going on for almost three years with no raises and a previously skipped pay raise to help the company restart. 15% over six years isn't much for a company that's making money.
Quality of life issues have not been adequately addressed either.

The word is that Kalitta's T/A did not pass about 2/3 against.