Next Goes To Rank-And-File For Ratification Vote
Mesa Air Group has reached a
Tentative Agreement (TA) with its pilots after only 10 months of
negotiations, according to a joint release from the airline and the
Air Line Pilots Association.
This agreement, if ratified, will resolve many of the
scheduling-related issues between Mesa and the pilot group, as well
as provide tangible benefits to both parties and their codeshare
partners, investors and passengers.
"Our employees are the cornerstone of our business," said
Jonathan Ornstein, Mesa Air Group Chairman and CEO. "The pilots of
Mesa are consummate professionals; they continue to go above and
beyond to ensure that our operations run as smoothly as possible
seven days a week, 365 days a year. We are proud to have come to a
mutually-beneficial agreement with the pilot leadership that will
help retain and attract the highest caliber of professional airline
pilots for years to come. This tentative agreement represents a
commitment by the company and the pilot group to work together and
continue to get the job done for our partners, investors and
passengers."
The Mesa pilots' contract became amendable in September 2007.
Facing an industry in crisis due to a slowing economy and
skyrocketing fuel prices, company management and the pilot
leadership decided to commence an expedited negotiation process.
This unconventional bargaining method resulted in a short-term
agreement with scheduling and quality of life improvements,
including more days off, a true definition of scheduled or actual,
and implementation of a Preferential Bidding System (PBS) that will
allow the pilots to have more control over their schedules.
"This contract represents a new beginning for our pilots and our
company," said Captain Kevin Wilson, chairman of the ALPA unit at
Mesa. "To be a successful, viable company in today's challenging
marketplace, we recognized that we must put aside our differences
and develop real-world solutions benefiting both the pilots and the
company. We are pleased with management's willingness to engage
with us in earnest discussions throughout the negotiations process,
and we hope that this spirit of cooperation continues so that we
can focus on building a better airline together."
The pilot leadership and the Negotiating Committee will soon
begin a series of "roadshows" to inform the pilot group of the
contents of the tentative Agreement and address any pilot
questions. It's then up to the rank-and-file pilots to vote on
whether or not this TA becomes the next collective bargaining
agreement.
The vote is expected to open in mid-November. Results of the
pilot vote are expected to be announced in late November.
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