Great Lakes Pilots Unanimously Decide to Strike if Necessary

Strike Ballot Authorization votes were validated and counted at the offices of Teamsters Local 747 on Monday, February 24, 2003. The pilots of Great Lakes Aviation, represented by Local 747, made their stance clear by unanimously voting in favor of an operational strike if future contract negotiations do not produce positive results. The National Mediation Board, which has been involved with negotiations since Summer 2001, has the final jurisdiction to release the pilots to strike.

Great Lakes pilots and the company have been involved in negotiations for two years, with little movement made at the negotiations table. The pilots would like to gain industry standard wages, improved medical benefits and fair scheduling practices.

Negotiations are set to take place March 17-20, 2003 in Denver, CO. Unless an acceptable contract is reached, the strike will take place if and when released by the National Mediation Board in conformity with the Railway Labor Act procedures.

Great Lakes Aviation, based in Cheyenne, WY, operates BE 1900 aircraft in the Rocky Mountain and Upper Midwest Regions of the country and employs approximately 250 airline pilots. The airline provides both corporate and passenger charters, along with cargo services to those areas. Great Lakes Aviation maintains hubs in Cheyenne, WY; Denver, CO; Minneapolis, MN; Chicago, IL and Phoenix, AZ. The company also provides regional air service to United and Frontier Airlines.

FMI: www.teamster.org,  www.greatlakesav.com