Skywest approves deal for $2 million increase in pay and benefits.
SKW Getting Raises
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$2M in Raises
SkyWest Airlines Pilot Association
January 08, 2014
Dear SkyWest Pilots,
Your SAPA representatives have unanimously voted to approve sending this pay package to you for your ratification vote. We hope that you will carefully consider this package and share with us any questions you may have.
The attached pay agreement is amendable in one year and represents a $2 million+ increase per year in pay and other benefits. While not as lucrative as the previous three-year agreement voted on in 2010, it is a shorter term agreement and it represents an important step forward while the rest of the industry is taking concessions.
We all know that the industry has changed significantly since the last package was voted on. It is worth noting that SkyWest pilots continue to be at or near the top of the pay spectrum in the regional industry and this pay agreement continues that trend.
We want to be clear that this pay package was absolutely NOT the first offer presented to SAPA or that we presented to management. The negotiating team actually endorsed an offer earlier that failed to pass among the SAPA representatives as well as rejected numerous versions and offers from the company over the last 6 months. The pay package before you is a raise... pure and simple. In light of the industry realities we are all facing we feel it's a very good offer.
We established a "hard" rate for the E175 that is comparable with our CRJ900 compensation and is at or near the top of the industry for that aircraft. We achieved small increases in MDG, per diem, and uniform allotment. We achieved raises for the E120 pilots in exchange for more restrictive training freezes. We were not successful in eliminating the BHO type model for the CRJ fleet, but we were able to update it to make it easier for pilots to understand and track pay. We secured a new $70 partial reimbursement benefit for pilot medicals and a couple of extra golden days. Finally, we were able maintain our current holiday pay, deadhead pay, cancelation pay, and our current (20 yr CA/ 8 yr FO) longevity scales in spite of significant industry pressure the Company is under to remain competitive.
The summary below outlines the main points of the agreement. The actual proposed policy language will be available soon on
www.sapapilot.org. The negotiating committee and other SAPA Reps will be available online, via phone, and in the crew rooms during the days ahead to answer questions. We expect a vote to be complete by the end of the month, so please watch for further communication on voting details.
Thank you,
SAPA Negotiating Committee
SkyWest Airlines Pilot Association
Pay Rates
• CRJ Rates
▫CRJ Base Rate (CBR) = current 2013 CRJ 200 Base Rates
• Applies to CRJ 200 credit and all other "soft" credit for CRJ pilots (user, vacation, premium pay, holiday pay, bereavement, cancelation, deadhead etc.)
▫CRJ 700 Rate (C7R) = CBR x 106% , CRJ 900 Rate (C9R) = CBR X 108%
• These rates apply to credit associated with a flight (higher of historical credit or actual) on CRJ 700/900. ("Soft" time is always paid at CBR)
• EMB 120 Rates
▫CA = EMB120 2013 Rates +1%
▫FO = 1st year remains same at $22.00. 2nd-8th year = $37.15 for all years (equivalent of CRJ FO 2nd year rate.)
• E175 Rates
▫NEW RATES for E175
▫E175 Rate (EJR) equivalent of 106.4% of CRJ Base Rate (CBR)
Work Rules and Other
• Term = One year agreement (The Company and SAPA agree to meet and discuss rates for 2015 and beyond)
• Minimum Daily Guarantee (MDG) increased to 4:00 hours
▫Reserve monthly guarantee increased to 76 hours (19 duty days)
▫Line holder and composite guarantee remains unchanged (75 for Jet fleets, 80 for EMB)
• Per diem = $1.80 (5 cent increase)
• Uniform allotment increased
▫from $75 (current) to $100 every six months
• $400 max bank can be accrued at any time.
• Golden Days increased to 5 per year per pilot
• Training Freezes
▫2 Year transition training freeze for Jet to Jet transition
▫2 Year transition training freeze for EMB120 FOs (does not apply to upgrades)
▫18 month transition training freeze for EMB120 CAs
▫All other training freezes remain at 12 months (current policy)
• Company contribution toward pilot medicals
▫Company will pay $70 toward each required medical.
▫Money will be paid automatically in pilot paycheck following the submission of the required medical.
▫Must be submitted by the 25th of the month in which the medical is due to qualify.
