Merger Created A Single Carrier With Mesaba And Colgan

A strong majority of Pinnacle and Colgan Flight Attendants recently joined Mesaba Flight Attendants in requesting that the National Mediation Board (NMB) hold an election for representation with the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), a request that has been granted by the NMB, though no firm date for the vote has been set.

On April 18, the NMB declared the Pinnacle/Colgan/Mesaba merger had created a single carrier for representation of over 1,800 Flight Attendants, approximately 600 of whom are already represented by AFA.

"Flight Attendants at the new Pinnacle Airlines are engaged in their careers and their future.  In less than two weeks time, our Flight Attendant union received an overwhelming number of cards asking for an election to gain AFA representation," said Veda Shook, AFA International President. "As the world's largest Flight Attendant union with over 60 years of experience, these Flight Attendants recognize the advantage of electing AFA to navigate even the most difficult issues in bankruptcy in order to create opportunities for their future at Pinnacle.

"The expertise of our union has resulted in industry-leading contracts and daily representation that is unmatched.  With AFA, Flight Attendants get the most experienced negotiators for Flight Attendant contracts in the industry and unparalleled resources in legal representation, EAP services, and safety, health and security standards.  The Flight Attendant profession is unique - no one knows our job like other Flight Attendants. For over 60 years, AFA has represented Flight Attendants on the job, on Capitol Hill, before federal agencies and at the bargaining table. AFA is the leading voice for Flight Attendants – 60,000 strong – a union of, by and for Flight Attendants."

Voting dates will be announced by the NMB soon. If a majority of votes cast from the combined Pinnacle/Colgan/Mesaba group are in favor of the union, AFA will become the exclusive bargaining agent for Flight Attendants at the new Pinnacle.

FMI: www.afacwa.org