Air Wisconsin, an Appleton-based company that provides regional jet service for American Airlines, was facing a potential strike around the busy Memorial Day holiday travel period before a tentative agreement was announced last month by the TWU. The new contract, in addition to raises, includes double time pay for overtime worked, significant improvements in retirement security and improved health insurance. 

“This contract was hard-fought and very important to get right for our Dispatchers,” said TWU Local 592, Air Wisconsin, Air Carrier Representative Michael Vogt. “The result of this vote shows that we achieved that goal for the membership and our contract is now on par with American Airlines’ wholly-owned subsidiaries.”  

The four-year contract gives an additional 2 percent wage increase each August for the duration of the contract, in addition to the 22 percent average raise upon ratification. A Dispatcher at the top of the wage scale will receive a 25 percent wage increase upon ratification while a new hire would receive a 16.5 percent wage increase. Top-of-Scale Dispatchers will also receive a $15,000 bonus, with others receiving a formula-based bonus determined by their years. Any portion of the bonus that members contribute to their 401k will also receive a negotiated company match contribution. 

Air Wisconsin dispatchers are responsible for flights carrying almost six million passengers per year out of Chicago O’Hare and Philadelphia International hubs to destinations throughout the East Coast and Midwest. Air Wisconsin dispatchers handle between 125 and 160 flights per day. In April of 2022, 95 percent of TWU members in the unit voted to authorize a strike and the union requested in July of 2022 to be released from mediation.  

The contract also includes improved pay rates for overtime and special duty assignments, additional pay for overnight shifts worked, one additional personal day off per year and a 50 percent cashout of accrued sick leave hours at retirement. 

For more on the contract, see this report from Spectrum News.