Aloha Air, Northern Air cargo pilots ratify labor pact

Agreement provides for wage increases, benefit improvements and increased job protection.

   Teamster pilots with Aloha Air Cargo and Northern Air Cargo on Tuesday voted to ratify an agreement providing for wage increases, benefit improvements and increased job protections. 
   The 104 pilots are members of Teamsters Local 986 in South El Monte, Calif., and Local 959 in Anchorage, Alaska. They operate Boeing 737 and 767 cargo planes for the two carriers.
   Negotiations for separate agreements at Aloha Air Cargo and Northern Air Cargo were already in progress in 2017 when the carriers announced a merger of the pilot groups. A tentative agreement with the company was reached in June, but required ratification by the rank-and-file union members.