Deal would give some Hawaiian Air pilots 40% raise

Hawaiian Airlines has reached a tentative agreement with its pilots union on a six-year contract that will increase wages for some of its pilots by as much as 40% the first year. Wages for the remaining five years would go up between 2 percent and 3 percent, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Wednesday. That means the airline's most experienced captains flying the largest planes would see their pay jump to $313,000, up from $223,000. "It definitely will be a significant gain year over year for the pilots," said union leader Hoon Lee with the Air Line Pilots Association. The union, which had been threatening to strike if no deal was reached, is still reviewing the agreement before it gets sent to its 674 members for a vote. "Both parties are currently confirming specific changes and completing remaining contract language," the ALPA said. "Once that is completed, pilot leaders will review and vote on whether to send the tentative agreement to Hawaiian Airlines pilots for possible member ratification." The deal comes after nearly two years of negotiations and about a year in federal mediation. The union leaders voted 3-1 to approve the agreement, with Lee casting the sole dissenting vote. Lee said he did not choose to support the agreement because he did not think it reached a market-rate contract with full retroactive value.<br/>