Alaska Airlines pilots are picketing in cities across the country on over contract disputes The negotiations has created a shortage of pilots that has forced the airlines to cancel some flights. Passengers flying with Alaska Airlines in and out of Portland International Airport were stranded at the airport last Friday as dozens of flights were halted.
According to the release representing the pilots, the airline is “trying to distract the public from their mismanagement and blame the pilots who helped save their company. Pilot leaders have been warning for years that pilots will choose to fly for other airlines due to an inadequate contract that will only exacerbate existing staffing challenges.”
The media has been to that employees will be picketing in five cities across the country. Alaska Airlines warns passengers that they should be prepared for more cancellations over the weekend. It was rough going for weekend travelers. Thirteen flights were canceled out of PDX, while another 11 flights headed to the PDX were also cancelled. In addition, more than 120 flights have reportedly been canceled at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport leaving 15,300 guests without a flight to catch.
Pilots feel that their interest were not being regarded or respected by the airline. They stated that Alaska Airlines allege the company did not plan for increased travel demand, nor did the airline try to attract new pilots and keep its current workforce. The pilots say Alaska Airlines received $2.3 billion during the pandemic to help retain its employees.
The spokesperson said that around 250 pilots and other personnel from Alaska Airlines and others are participating in pickets at PDX. An advertisement truck outside PDX is displaying the phrases “break the stall, contract now” and “we do our job, now do yours” is driving outside the airport.
