Unions Agree To 15 Percent Cuts In Pay, Benefits
A big victory for Mesaba Airlines... as the airline confirmed
Tuesday the unions representing its pilots, flight attendants, and
mechanics have agreed to new contracts with the carrier. The
contracts represent across-the-board cuts of about 15 percent in
labor costs.
"Reaching this point has been difficult and complex; yet
throughout this process, Mesaba employees have exemplified the true
commitment and professionalism that makes Mesaba the exceptional
airline it is," said John Spanjers, Mesaba Airlines president and
COO. "The pilots, flight attendants, and mechanics along with every
single Mesaba employee, are making a considerable sacrifice to
ensure the survival of this company and I am confident we will see
brighter days ahead."
"We look forward to working together with all of Mesaba’s
employees to make certain Mesaba emerges from bankruptcy positioned
for growth and success," Spanjers added.
The ratified union contracts -- including an earlier agreement
for Mesaba's dispatchers, as well as changes to wages and benefits
for management at the bankrupt regional carrier -- will go into
effect December 1, 2006.
The unions involved -- the Air Line Pilots Association, the
Association of Flight Attendants, and Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal
Association -- banded together to protest the airline's original
intent to cut nearly 20 percent in wages and benefits. A proposed
job action against the carrier by the unions -- in response to the
breakdown of earlier talks -- was shot down by the Bankruptcy Court in
October.
"Management's insistence that all employees take 19.4% cuts in
wages and benefits over six years was so drastic that our unions
naturally came together to protect our members' interests," said
Mesaba MEC Chairman Capt. Tom Wychor. "I'm proud that we were able
to work so well together across employee lines, and I expect this
collaboration to continue far into the future. Our success stemmed
directly from the unity demonstrated by the Mesaba Labor
Coalition."
The company's restructuring plan
centers on securing its core business of 49 Saabs with Northwest
Airlines, and achieving a cost structure that positions Mesaba to
be very competitive for new opportunities.
Mesaba operates as a Northwest Jet Airlink and Airlink partner
under a service agreement with Northwest Airlines. The airline
serves 88 cities in the United States and Canada from Northwest's
and Mesaba's three major hubs: Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul and
Memphis. Mesaba currently operates a varied fleet of regional jet
and turboprop aircraft, including Avro RJ85s, Saab SF340s and
50-passenger Canadair Regional Jets.
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