Hawaiian Airlines began notifying its 1,400 non-union employees Friday about their futures now that its merger with Alaska Alaska is a done deal.
Hawaiian has a total of 7,400 employees. The vast majority of them are unionized, including the jobs that passengers see the most.
“The union employees are in great shape because the jobs of mechanic and pilots and flight attendants and agents and so on -- those are needed,” said aviation expert Peter Forman.
“The non-union people very often fall into categories, for example, supporting the front office, things like that. And you end up with unnecessary repetition of the employees,” said Forman.
“Here in Hawaii both airlines have employee groups that are here. Well, when you put them all together, with less gates, you’re going to need less gate attendants,” said former United Airlines pilot Pat McNamee. He was with United when it merged with Continental Airlines.
McNamee estimates that 30% of the non-union group will be looking for new jobs.
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2024/09/21/hawaiian-airlines-employees-begin-receiving-notices-post-merge-future/