Cites 'Management Misconduct' As Reason For The Move

The union representing pilots for three regional airlines owned by Indianapolis-based Republic Airways Holdings has pulled volunteers for safety and other critical programs due to what the union says is "management misconduct."

Officials for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local No. 357 assert that Republic Airlines management recently violated training rules and the recommendations of its Federal Aviation Administration-approved check airmen by firing Local 357 President Craig Moffatt. Pilots who volunteer with the union will no longer interact with the company in joint safety programs, crew scheduling, training and other functions.

"Our pilot volunteers have been critical to the smooth operations of three airlines," said Local 357 Vice President Gary Czachowski. “The company not only violated our training program, it abused the trust of our check airmen and other pilots.”

Republic’s check airmen are pilots who fly regularly for Republic but have also been approved by the FAA to train other pilots. The check airmen review pilots’ progress in training during flight simulator sessions and actual flights designed to test a pilot’s proficiency in flying. “The company’s action in manipulating the work of our check airmen raises serious questions about the integrity of the company,” Czachowski said. “Our pilots cannot trust the company to comply with the contract and long-established rules governing the work of our volunteers."

This is the company’s second direct target of a Union volunteer. Last year, the company attempted to improperly discipline a pilot after he worked on a union-sponsored website which criticized the company. "We look forward to resuming our pilot volunteer participation with the airlines," said Czachowski, “after the company can prove compliance with the purpose and spirit of joint programs with our Union.”

Republic Airways Holdings does business as Chautauqua Airlines, flying for American, United, Delta and US Airways; Shuttle America, flying for United and Delta; and Republic Airlines, flying for US Airways, Frontier and United.

FMI: www.local357.org