The union representing Hawaiian Airlines pilots has petitioned the federal government to release it from mediation and offer arbitration instead, a process that could start the clock for a potential pilot strike 30 days later. In a letter submitted to
The union representing Hawaiian Airlines pilots has petitioned the federal government to release it from mediation and offer arbitration instead, a process that could start the clock for a potential pilot strike 30 days later.
In a letter submitted to the National Mediation Board on Wednesday, the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l said it believes further mediation would be futile and requested that the NMB make a proffer of arbitration.
If either the union or the company declines, the two sides would enter a 30-day cooling-off period, after which time the parties would be free to enter self-help — such as a strike by the pilots or a lockout by the company.
The sides remain apart on pay and other financial issues.
In a strike-authorization vote taken in May, 99 percent of participating Hawaiian pilots gave their leadership the go-ahead to declare a strike if the NMB releases ALPA to self-help.
The two sides have been in negotiations for more than a year and in federal mediation since January.
There are currently no further mediation sessions scheduled after the week of June 27.
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The Garden Island
