Aloha Airlines reaches
deal with union

Aloha Airlines has reached a labor agreement with a union that represents 2,250 workers at the bankrupt carrier, which now has reached new contracts covering nearly 70 percent of its approximately 3,700 employees, Aloha and the union said late last night.

The 52-month pact with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District Lodge 141 covers ticket agents, ramp and cargo workers, reservations agents and other employees.

No details were released. The contract is retroactive to Jan. 1 and runs through April 30, 2009.

Earlier this week, the union representing 338 pilots at Aloha agreed to a new 28-month contract that will go into effect Tuesday.

Aloha filed for Chapter 11 protection from creditors nearly a month ago.