NMB Election Results Show 'Overwhelming Support' for Union

The Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA), welcomed an announcement this week by the National Mediation Board (NMB) that the pilots of Colgan Air, Inc., have selected the union as their collective bargaining representative.

According to the NMB, 313 of 449 eligible voters cast a ballot in support of representation, well above the threshold required for certification. Prior to the election, the Colgan pilots were unrepresented.

"We are pleased that the pilots of Colgan Air have elected to join the 53,000 members of ALPA and secure the benefits of representation by a powerful international union," said Capt. John Prater, president of ALPA. "We look forward to working with them to improve their careers and to the Colgan pilots' active participation in the Association's ongoing work to enhance the professional futures of all ALPA pilots."

Capt. Mark Segaloff, one of the leaders of the Colgan Air Pilots ALPA Organizing Committee, added, "We thank all of our pilots who took the time to find out more about ALPA and to cast their vote in the election. Thanks as well to the many ALPA pilot volunteers who gave their efforts to the campaign. It is now our duty as Colgan pilots to take the unity we have built, along with ALPA's vast resources, and transfer that into negotiating a contract that we deserve."

Colgan Air operates as Continental Connection, United Express, and US Airways Express from numerous bases in the Northeast and Texas. Approximately 450 pilots fly the Bombardier Q400, Saab 340, and Beech 1900 for Colgan.

FMI: www.alpa.org, www.colganair.com