Sun, Dec 28, 2003
Pilots Open Strike Operations Centers in Detroit and
Memphis
As their January 10 strike deadline approaches, Mesaba Airlines
pilots announced today they will open additional strike operations
centers in Detroit and Memphis. Earlier this month, Mesaba pilots
opened a strike operations center in Minneapolis. A strike would
impact 600 daily departures for Northwest Airlines.
"We deserve and have earned a fair contract," said Capt. Tom
Wychor, Chairman of the Mesaba ALPA Unit. "Mesaba pilots don't want
a strike, we want a contract. But we are prepared to strike if
management forces us to."
Mesaba pilots are legally entitled to strike at 12:01 a.m. EST
January 10 if a new contract hasn't been reached. In October, the
pilots overwhelmingly (98%) voted to authorize a strike should
union leaders call for a work stoppage. Key unresolved issues
include job security, compensation, retirement and work rules. A
Mesaba first officer's annual starting salary is $17,000, while
more than 400 of the 844 Mesaba pilots earn less than $32,500 a
year.
"Mesaba continues to be profitable
and is very capable in meeting our fair contract demands," Wychor
said. "Our concessions in 1996 have saved Mesaba over $12 million
to date." Negotiations began in June 2001 and the pilot contract
became amendable in June 2002. It was negotiated in 1996 and was
extended for two years by concessionary amendments that enabled
Mesaba to efficiently expand its fleet.
Mesaba Airlines operates as a Northwest Jet Airlink and
Northwest Airlink partner for Northwest Airlines. Mesaba serves 114
cities in 30 states and Canada from Northwest's three major hubs:
Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Memphis. Mesaba employs 844
professional airline pilots who operate an advanced fleet of 103
regional jet and jet-prop aircraft.
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