Sun Country pilots agree to new contract

Sun Country Airlines and its pilots announced a tentative agreement Thursday on a new contract after 5 years of negotiations, including the intervention of a federal mediator in 2012. In a joint statement, the airline and pilots said the new contract includes “significant pay raises” and other improvements.

Ratification voting will begin next month and could finish by Oct. 31.

“This tentative agreement represents a major leap forward in bringing pilot wages into line with their peers,” said Capt. Brian Roseen, chairman of the Sun Country pilots union. “We are gratified that management has recognized our contributions to Sun Country’s success and look forward to helping our hometown airline grow and prosper.”

“While the arduous process of two parties coalescing to agreement surrounding labor contracts is emotionally charged and sometimes turbulent, we appreciate the professionalism that our pilots exhibited throughout,” Sun Country chairman Marty Davis said.