Morningstar Air Express

Morningstar Pilots Prepare for Negotiations

With contract negotiations set to begin in 2026, the Morningstar Air Express Master Executive Council (MEC) leaders focused much of their efforts in 2025 on further building their volunteer structure, enacting the pilot group’s strategic plan, and educating the pilots on ALPA’s structure, benefits, and services, and the negotiating process.

To implement both short- and long-term strategic goals, including increasing pilot group education and building pilot unity, the MEC undertook an extensive update to the pilot group’s website; worked with ALPA staff to develop a full pilot education program; and, for the first time in several years, created and delivered several pilot-unity building items, including lanyards, luggage tags, and handle wraps.

In 2025, the pilots worked with the company to amend their collective agreement in preparation for the addition of Cessna 408 Skycouriers to the airline’s fleet.

Before formal contract negotiations begin this year, the MEC and the company will continue their discussions regarding development of updated scheduling rules and implementation of a new preferential bidding system.

Once contract negotiations formally begin, pilot leaders are optimistic that the group’s preparation, enhanced unity, and steady relationship with management will result in collaborative negotiations.