MEC Leadership, Pilot Unity Credited As Keys To Success
The pilots of Jazz Air LP,
represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA),
today announced they have ratified a tentative agreement with
management. Of the 90 percent of Jazz pilots who voted, 86 percent
cast ballots in favor of the agreement.
"We are really pleased with the results,” said Capt. Brian
Shury, chairman of the pilots’ Master Executive Council
(MEC). “With these strong numbers, our pilots have once again
demonstrated their unity of purpose as they have done throughout
the entire collective bargaining process.”
The agreement was ratified by the pilots following an intense
60-day period of conciliation and a subsequent 21-day cooling-off
period in which the Jazz MEC and Negotiating Committee were able to
avert a strike or lockout and reach an agreement with Jazz Air LP
management. The achievements made in the TA reflect advances in
nearly all areas, including improvements in pension, pay rate, and
lifestyle considerations that take into account fatigue mitigation
factors.
“I want to congratulate the
Jazz bargaining team and the pilot group’s leadership for
achieving much-needed improvements in the cornerstone areas of
their contract,” said Capt. John Prater, ALPA president.
“Their unwavering dedication to accomplishing their contract
goals, combined with the solidarity of the Jazz membership with
their MEC and Negotiating teams, provided the strength and
discipline to get the job done.”
Jazz Air pilots and management now begin the process of
implementing the new collective agreement. “This is rarely a
smooth process, and there are bound to be issues in the next couple
of months. However, Jazz pilots have spoken with a unified voice,
and we expect management to deal responsibly and expeditiously with
the implementation of the new agreement,” Capt. Shury said.
“We will also ensure that our management develops a new
approach that respects the pilot group’s contribution to the
enterprise.”
"I sincerely thank our employees and representatives from ALPA
for their hard work and professionalism to reach this new
collective agreement," said Joseph D. Randell, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Jazz, in a statement on the company website.
"The term of the agreement provides the stability we require to
continue to grow and diversify our business."