Unions Working Together To Fight Concessions Across Airline Industry

The head of one of the largest Teamster pilot unions joined other union leaders across the industry in spearheading an agreement to set new standards for regional pilot contracts and to stand together during negotiations.  

Craig Moffatt, Teamsters Local Union 357 Executive Board President, joined leaders for 12 other regional pilot unions in signing a joint agreement to work together against concessionary contracts and to stand up against ploys by corporate airline managements to play one group against another, a tactic commonly called 'whipsawing'.

Earlier this month, Local 357 pilots who work for Indianapolis-based Republic Airways Holdings overwhelmingly rejected a four-year contract, with 85 percent of those who voted casting votes against.   Republic Airways Holdings owns and operates three regional carriers—Chautauqua Airlines, Republic Airlines and Shuttle America Airlines which, in turn, fly for American, United, US Airways and Delta.

Pilots at two other carriers — Envoy and ExpressJet — also rejected new contracts earlier this year. 

"Even after being in negotiations for six years and federal mediation for over two of those years, Local 357 pilots are more resolved than ever to get a contract that will advance their careers," Moffatt said. "By standing together, we can stop this race-to-the-bottom game that managements play and give regional pilots across the industry the decent pay, quality benefits and work-rules that they, as professionals, deserve."

FMI: www.teamsterair.org