Source: ALPA
Air Transport Services Group, Inc. (ATSG), parent company of Air Transport International (ATI), reported record profits once again. After nearly 1,000 days in negotiations, ATI pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), called on management to invest these profits in the professional pilots who make their success possible.
“ATI pilots have earned the position as the largest Amazon carrier in the world by delivering superior reliability and service, often despite the lack of support by the Company. Through our efforts and professionalism, ATI and ATSG continue to record revenue and growth. It is imperative that we secure a new contract that reflects the contributions pilots make to the success of our company each day,” commented Capt. Mike Sterling, chair of the ATI unit of ALPA.
Negotiations for a new pilot contract that reflect the current economic environment began in June 2020. However, more than two years later, negotiations have stalled over key sections including compensation and retirement. As a result, ATI is experiencing higher than normal pilot attrition with 126 pilots leaving ATI last year for better professional opportunities. To compensate, the company hired 176 new pilots in 2022 which has added additional cost to the airline and continues to over stress our training programs.
“It’s not surprising that ATI is having trouble attracting and retaining pilots. Poor crew planning, poor treatment of pilots, poor working conditions, an outdated contract, and an inability to support flight operations due to overworked and underpaid ATI staff across the board have all contributed to a significant number of pilots leaving. The Company has been unable to resolve the deteriorating conditions because they continually fail to recognize that a next level contract is the only solution. ALPA remains committed to achieving a contract that will attract and retain pilots and restore our ability to provide superior service to ATI’s customers,” added Sterling.
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 67,000 pilots at 39 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit ALPA.org or follow us on Twitter @ALPAPilots.