#United States #Seattle #Horizon Air #Teamsters Local 1224 #Fair Contracts

Horizon Air Pilots Demand Fair Contracts

On October 14, 2026, nearly 650 pilots from Horizon Air organized informational pickets in Seattle and Boise. These pilots, represented by Teamsters Local 1224, are advocating for a fair contract after enduring almost four years of stalled negotiations. The key issues on the table include wages, staffing shortages, training inadequacies, and operational challenges that directly affect both the pilots and the future of the airline.

Horizon Air, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group, operates with similar flight responsibilities as Alaska Airlines. However, Horizon pilots have found their compensation significantly lagging behind industry standards, primarily due to the company's reluctance to negotiate an equitable agreement. Henry Simkins, the Chair of Local 1224's Horizon Executive Council, emphasized the importance of the pilots' contributions, stating, "Our pilots are the backbone of Horizon's operation. They continue to deliver safe and reliable service every day while management drags its feet on a contract that reflects their contribution and value."

The impasse has resulted in considerable operational challenges for Horizon, showcasing an evident mismanagement within the airline. As Simkins pointed out, this dysfunction is not just problematic in negotiations but affects the overall operations of the airline.

In conjunction with the pickets, Horizon pilots are also preparing to vote of no confidence in Carlos Zendejas, the Senior Vice President of Operations at Horizon. Pilots cite chronic staffing shortages, inconsistent application of policies, and an over-dependence on pilots as reasons for the vote of no confidence. These issues have persisted throughout the contract discussions and have significantly eroded trust in the airline's leadership.

One pilot, Jason Welch, voiced the frustrations of his colleagues, stating, "Every day, Horizon pilots are expected to do more with less. We've watched these challenges persist for years, yet management refuses to address the issues that matter most to us. Enough is enough — it's time for the company to start delivering real solutions."

The Teamsters Local 1224 represents aviation professionals across the United States, encompassing flight crew members from various airlines, including ABX Air, Cape Air, and Omni Air International, among others. The ongoing struggle of Horizon Air pilots serves as a larger reflection of labor issues within the aviation industry.

With their voices unified during this critical moment, Horizon pilots are shedding light on the dire need for fair compensation and working conditions. While the airline management continues to delay negotiations, the time has come for decisive action to address the employees' legitimate concerns.

For more information regarding the ongoing situation or insights into the Teamsters Local 1224, please visit apa1224.org.