ALPA: Management Must Reassess Plans for Airline's Future
Mesaba Airline pilots,
represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International, tell
ANN that they feel gratified by the bankruptcy court's decision
(Thursday) denying Mesaba management's 1113(c) motion to reject
their contract. Pilots say that during the 15 days of lengthy
testimony in this case, Mesaba failed to substantiate the need for
the drastic cuts it was seeking from employees.
"I'm sure that every Mesaba pilot is breathing a sigh of relief
over today's announcement," said Captain Tom Wychor, chairman of
the ALPA unit at Mesaba. "All along ALPA has said that the company
does not need such drastic pay and benefit cuts, and today we have
been vindicated. However, the bankruptcy court's decision does not
address the root of the problem -- that our company is facing a
serious crisis if it does not rebuild and plan appropriately for
the future."
Pilots have been looking for ways to give the company financial
relief since October 2005. To date, these discussions have not
yielded any tangible results, largely because management has been
insistent on enormous wage cuts and refused to consider other
money-saving avenues proposed by pilots.
"The only way that this company, our airline, is going to
survive and prosper is through consensual agreement between
management and its labor groups. Pilots will not work for the kind
of substandard wages management was trying to impose," said
Wychor.
Mesaba pilot wages are
at industry average, and as such the airline has been able to
retain quality professionals that have provided passengers with
impeccable safety, on-time reliability and overall high quality
service as a Northwest Airlink carrier. Pilots are willing to do
their share to ensure that this record of excellence continues.
Starting salaries for Mesaba pilots, who operate both jet and
turboprop aircraft, is just $21,000 per year. An average Mesaba
pilot makes approximately $45,000. Management's term sheet slashed
wages and benefits to the lowest levels in the industry.
Mesaba Airlines operates as a Northwest Airlink partner under a
service agreement with Northwest Airlines. Mesaba currently flies
over 460 flights into Minneapolis, Detroit and Memphis to 112
cities throughout the United States and Canada. Several airports
throughout Northern Minnesota and Northern Michigan will be
completely without service if the Mesaba pilots were forced to
strike.