ALPA President Chides American Pilots For Contract Deal And Merger Rejection

ALPA President Jason Ambrosi says the union that represents American Airlines pilots should have gotten a better contract for its members and should have agreed to look seriously at a merger with ALPA.

In a memo sent Saturday to the Air Line Pilots Association executive board, Ambrosi complimented ALPA for its recent successes in negotiating contracts with several airlines. But he noted, “Unfortunately, the American Airlines agreement negotiated by the Allied Pilots Association failed to raise the bar for our industry.

“Through pattern bargaining, ALPA pilot groups will continue to push the upper limits in negotiating to improve our profession,” Ambrosi wrote, noting “Our strength and unity have been on exceptional display recently. We’ve shown once again that ALPA pilots are stronger together—and that we achieve results like no one else.”

ALPA is the world’s largest pilots’ union. It represents 74,000 pilots at 40 U.S and Canadian airlines. APA represents 15,000 pilots at American Airlines. In May, the Air Canada Pilots Association’s 4,500 members voted to merge with ALPA.

APA spokesman Dennis Tajer said Sunday, “We certainly respect the leader of 74,000 pilots, but the 15,000 pilots of American Airlines will make the final call on the contract.”

American and APA negotiators reached an agreement in principle on a new contract on May 19. The next steps are for the APA board to review it and then to put it out for a vote.

“The real authority on a deal is the membership, which will vote,” Tajer said. He credited ALPA for reaching “an industry leading pilot contract at Delta,” but said, “Our pilots will have to decide if this deal works for them and their families, it’s a very personal thing” For some narrowbody aircraft, which represent the vast majority of the American fleet, the American rate is higher than the Delta rate. The contracts also have differences in work rules, which pilots must evaluate.

Ambrosi also criticized the APA board’s decision Thursday not to advance to a second step in evaluating a merger with ALPA. The board voted 10-10 on a motion to form a merger negotiations committee. “A decision to pursue or investigate an affiliation or merger pursuant to a representation vote” requires a two thirds majority, according to APA’s constitution and bylaws.

Ambrosi wrote, “American pilot leaders this week disregarded the will of two-thirds of their pilots and elected not to pursue negotiations over a possible merger with ALPA. This split decision by the APA board came in spite of a unanimous recommendation from their own merger exploratory committee to proceed. As many of you have heard me say, we’re stronger together; however, we’re not in the business of a hard sell. The many benefits of ALPA representation speak for themselves.”

In a 2022 poll, responses came in from 53% of American’s pilots. About 67% said they strongly favored or mostly favored exploring a merger, while 33% said they were neutral, mostly opposed or strongly opposed to the pursuit. A question is how to interpret the wishes of the 47% of pilots who did not vote.

In addition to overseeing recent successes in gaining contracts, Ambrosi, who took office as ALPA president in January, has been a strong advocate for pilots. He has avidly opposed any move to single pilot cockpits in jet aircraft, which threatens the long-standard practice of two pilot-cockpits, a linchpin of aviation safety.

“Because of the expansive work of our union in all areas of aviation, it’s not just at the bargaining table where ALPA is leading the way,” Ambrosi wrote in the memo, noting that as Congress works to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration, he has testified three times, participated in two safety summits with the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board, and delivered a keynote speech at the Aero Club, an important aviation venue.

As for contracts, Ambrosi noted, “ALPA pilot groups have led the charge to restore our profession, thanks largely to their grit and resolve.” At United, the master executive committee voted unanimously Thursday in favor of a strike authorization vote. Ambrosi said that vote represents an “excellent example of work that continues.”