Release #: XJT 18.02
September 27, 2018

ExpressJet Pilots Vote to Ratify New Collective Bargaining Agreement


WASHINGTON, D.C.—The pilots of ExpressJet Airlines, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) have ratified a new three-year contract that includes the market-rate wages, stronger job security, and enhanced work rules sought by the pilots. Of the 87 percent of ExpressJet pilots who voted, 90 percent voted in favor of the deal.

“Going into negotiations for Contract 2018, we used input from pilots, survey data and pilot representatives to identify our primary objectives and strategy,” said First Officer Joe Mauro, chairman of the ExpressJet ALPA Master Executive Council. “Our overriding objectives therefore were to improve quality of life by enhancing our already industry-leading work rules, maintain our current robust benefit structure, and increase our compensation to levels that are more in line with the industry and commensurate with our level of operational performance.”

The combined effect of the increased pay rates and an earned quarterly override payment is approximately $14,000 to $15,000 of additional annual compensation for every pilot, placing ExpressJet pilots near the top of the regional industry.

“This contract recognizes the continued dedication and professionalism of ExpressJet pilots and provides management with the financial foundation to support future growth with the addition of dual-class aircraft,” said Mauro. “Everything in this contract was negotiated with a written contingency that guarantees that we will immediately return to negotiations if United Airlines does not award at least 20 70-seat EMB175s to ExpressJet by January 2019. That contingency also mandates that we continue working under the gains we achieved in contract.”

Flying as United Express, ExpressJet is based in College Park, Ga., and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SkyWest, Inc.

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing more than 60,000 pilots at 34 airlines in the United States and Canada, including the nearly 1,100 pilots at ExpressJet. Visit the ALPA website at alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @WeAreALPA.

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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org