Horizon Air Pilots Secure Industry-Leading Agreement
9-16-2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2022
CONTACT: Amanda Bledsoe
937-382-0201 ext. 8790
abledsoe@apa1224.org
Best Captain Pay Rates for a Regional Airline
(WILMINGTON, OH) – The Horizon Air pilots today ratified an amendment to their contract that includes life-changing pay and retirement benefits. Ninety-nine percent of the voting pilots, represented by the Airline Professionals Association, Teamsters Local 1224 (APA 1224) voted in favor of the agreement.
“We knew that significant improvements were necessary for Horizon Air to attract and retain the best pilots,” said APA 1224 Executive Council Chairman Henry Simkins, who is also a Horizon Air pilot. “This agreement not only makes Horizon a great place to build flight time, but for some, a great place to build a career.”
Under the newly signed agreement, pilots will see their pay rates increase by an average of 74% for Captains and 85% for First Officers. Captain rates are now the highest for a regional airline, while First Officer pay matches rates that are only a temporary “premium” at Envoy/Piedmont/PSA.
In addition to wage rates, the agreement includes the best retirement program for pilots in the regional industry. Horizon will match the contributions pilots make to their retirement accounts up to 8% of income, with more senior pilots receiving an extra 2% or 4% in direct employer contributions. A senior pilot who fully-funds his or her 401k account can now expect Horizon to contribute an additional 12% of the pilot’s income toward retirement.
Other achievements in the agreement include increased per diem, a minimum daily rig, holiday pay, improvements to instructor and check pilot compensation, major commuting enhancements and additional refinements. And unlike recent deals reached at other regional airlines, the improvements in this agreement are permanent and the Horizon pilots did not have to make concessions or extend the duration of their current contract.
“These new pay rates and benefits represent the true value of our regional pilots’ skills, dedication, and responsibilities,” said APA 1224 President Joe Muckle. “Now a new hire Horizon pilot can finally make a living, afford to raise a family and save for retirement. Contract by contract, the Teamsters are fighting for agreements our members deserve, marking a new era for the industry in which highly-experienced aviators can choose to stay in the regionals for a fulfilling career.”
In June, the Horizon pilots voted down a tentative agreement that would have amended their contract but not addressed pay, with 91% of participating pilots voting against the amendment. The agreement ratified today was reached after three months of additional negotiations and effort.
The Airline Professionals Association, Teamsters Local 1224 represents the flight deck crewmembers of ABX Air, Cape Air, Horizon Air, Omni Air, and Silver Airways.
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