Alaska Airlines Cancels Dozens Of Portland Flights As Pilots Picket

PORTLAND, OR — At least two dozens Alaska Airlines flights in and out of Portland International Airport were canceled on Friday; the airline cited a pilot shortage.

The Air Line Pilots Association, the union representing pilots, said it conducted informational picket lines in Portland; Seattle; Anchorage, Alaska; San Francisco; and Los Angeles.

Picket lines went up at noon and were to continue for two hours.

Union officials stressed that the action was not a strike but rather was intended as informational.

Alaska Airlines canceled around 150 flights nationwide, nearly 10 percent of it scheduled flights for the day. More than 15,000 passengers were affected.

The union has negotiated with the airline for three years and is nowhere close to a agreeing on a new contract, the union said.

Pilots called the airline's latest contract proposal "not competitive" and added that they want better pay and schedules that allow them to spend more time with their families.

The airline disagreed, saying in a statement that it has "put a package on the table that's competitive and addresses the issues most important to our pilots."

The airline added: "We are eager to conclude negotiations quickly so our pilots can enjoy these benefits as soon as possible."

Cancellations could stretch through the weekend, the airline said.