Contract Breakthrough for Sun Country, Pilots

MENDOTA HEIGHTS (AP) - Sun Country Airlines and its pilots say they've finally reached a tentative agreement on a new contract.

The Mendota Heights-based airline and the Air Line Pilots Association have been negotiating for five years and began working with a federal mediator in 2012.

The two sides say the proposed agreement includes pay raises and other improvements. Union chairman Brian Roseen says he expects a ratification vote will begin next month and wrap up by Oct. 31.

Both the company and union say the National Mediation Board helped them break through to an agreement during a session at the board's headquarters in Washington last week.

Sun Country chairman Marty Davis says the airline appreciates the professionalism of the union during negotiations which can be emotionally charged and sometimes turbulent.