The machinists' union has reached a deal with Alaska Airlines management for a two-year contract extension that provides substantial raises for 5,300 gate agents, stores personnel and office staff, as well as for ramp workers who load cargo.
The deal does not cover a separate group of about 2,000 ramp workers, also represented by the International Association of Machinists, who work for the McGee Air Services subsidiary and handle baggage on passenger flights.
Richard Johnsen, the IAM General Vice President responsible for airline workers, said in an interview the deal will make this group of Alaska Airlines employees "the highest-paid employees in all of those classifications for the entire airline industry."
