Two FOs Take The Top Spots In The MEC
Pilot leaders at Mesa Air Group unanimously elected a slate of
officers to spearhead the union’s efforts on Wednesday. First
Officer Marcin Kolodziejczyk was re-elected as the chairman, First
Officer Jez Ingram-Clay was re-elected as the vice chairman, and
Captain Darrell Cox was elected as the secretary-treasurer. The
officers’ new two-year terms will begin in March 2012.
“Protecting and advancing the careers of all Mesa pilots
remains our top priority,” said First Officer Kolodziejczyk
of his re-election to MEC chairman. “The regional industry is
extremely volatile and can change in the blink of an eye. As
companies continue to compete for business, they will also be
competing for qualified professionals due to the looming pilot
shortage.
“Mesa is at a crossroads. Our pilots are some of the best
in the industry and are sought after by other airlines. If senior
management expects Mesa to become a viable airline after having
recently emerged from a painful bankruptcy process in which
hundreds of our pilots were downgraded, displaced, and/or
furloughed they need to recognize pilots for the sacrifices and
contributions they have made to this airline. This starts at the
bargaining table. We entered contract negotiations last year to
improve pilots’ working conditions and will continue to work
proactively to address their needs, as well as those of the
company.
“We are also monitoring the industry closely, and are
fully prepared to tackle any challenges or take advantage of any
opportunities that may arise.”
First Officer Kolodziejczyk has served as the MEC chairman since
October 2010. A CRJ pilot, he has been an active ALPA volunteer
since joining Mesa in July 2006. Among other leadership roles,
First Officer Kolodziejczyk has served as a status representative
for pilots based in Phoenix and Hawaii; he will begin a new term in
that capacity, as well, in March 2012.
A downgraded captain, First Officer Ingram-Clay flies the CRJ
out of Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). He has served
as the MEC vice chairman since November 2011, and is also chairman
of the pilots’ Negotiating Committee. Prior to joining Mesa
in July 2005, he was part of the management team at the
McDonald’s Corporation in London for 15 years.
A CRJ pilot, Captain Cox joined Mesa in May 1999 and is based at
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). He is a longtime
ALPA volunteer, who has served on various committees at the
national and local levels. An expert on pilot scheduling and work
rules, Captain Cox was an ALPA-appointed member on the Federal
Aviation Administration’s Aviation Rulemaking Committee that
recommended changes to flight time/duty time regulations.