Aloha Air Cargo's new owners agree with machinists union

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.kpua.net/news.php?id=14740

Posted: Monday, May 5th, 2008 5:15 AM HST

HONOLULU (AP) _ The machinists union has reached a tentative agreement with the buyer of Aloha Air Cargo.

The agreement reached Saturday night between the International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Union and Aeko Kula, a newly formed subsidiary of Seattle-based Saltchuk Resources, calls for a four-year contract.

It also provides wage protection for former Aloha Airlines employees selected by the new company and salary guidelines.

Specific terms of the contract have not been released.

Randy Kauhane, the machinists union's lead negotiator is on his way to Seattle to meet with Saltchuk today.

Aeko Kula arranged to buy Aloha Air Cargo last week after the business shut down on Monday and went into liquidation at bankruptcy court.

Saltchuk is also the parent company of Hawaii's biggest ocean shipper, Young Brothers