Release #: MXY 24.02
May 07, 2024
Breeze Airways Pilots Hold First Informational Picket at ORF Airport
NORFOLK, VA—Today, the Breeze Airways pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), held their first-ever informational picket at Norfolk International Airport to send a clear message to Breeze management that it’s time to stop putting its profits over its pilots and deliver an industry-standard contract.
“The airline is on track for a profitable quarter while our pilots are experiencing unilateral pay cuts and worsening work rules without protections,” said Capt. Alexander Kluge, Breeze Airways ALPA Master Executive Council chair. “The airline has become profitable on the backs of all labor and especially the pilots through cutting our pay, work rules, and schedules,” he continued.
The Breeze pilots have been working under an outdated employee handbook for three years and have been in active negotiations for their first collective bargaining agreement with Breeze Airways management for more than a year and half.
“Breeze pilots are committed to the long-term success of our airline, but it’s time for senior management to recognize the contributions we make and invest in its pilots,” said Kluge. “We fly the same people on the same routes and on the same equipment as our competitors yet our pilots earn considerably less than other pilots do. Senior management repeatedly says they want Breeze to be the best place for pilots, but continue to undermine pilots by changing rules and schedules on a whim. We are tired of the repeated broken promises.”
Additionally, Breeze pilots applaud the Breeze flight attendants in their successful election to certify the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO as their bargaining representative. “Breeze pilots and flight attendants share similar quality-of-life issues and can relate to the repeated broken promises from management. We fully support the more than 600 Breeze Airways flight attendants in their next steps in securing the working protections they deserve through the representation of a well-established union,” said Kluge.
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 77,000 pilots at 41 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit ALPA.org or follow us on Twitter @ALPAPilots.
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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org