United Steel Workers Had Represented Pre-Merger Pinnacle And Colgan Flight Attendants

Flight attendants at the new Pinnacle Airlines have elected the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) as their union following the merger of Pinnacle, Mesaba and Colgan. AFA will represent the nearly 1,800 flight attendants at the merged carrier.

"We are unified. In voting for AFA, flight attendants recognize that AFA's vast experience is the best choice for protecting the jobs and contracts of our sisters and brothers at the new Pinnacle Airlines," said Veda Shook, AFA International President. "We welcome our flying partners from pre-merger Pinnacle and Colgan, whose experience and contributions to our profession will further strengthen our flight attendant union. Together we will meet the challenges in the Pinnacle bankruptcy and set a strong foundation for a better future. Together we are better."

While election results are certified by the NMB, AFA has initiated its transition procedure for representing Pinnacle/Colgan flight attendants. AFA already represents the approximately 500 flight attendants at pre-merger Mesaba.

The United Steel Workers Airline Division had also been competing to represent the Pinnacle FAs. USW International Vice President at Large Carol Landry, who heads the union's Airline Division, commended the airline employees for participating in the democratic process and thanked those who supported the USW and fought to retain its representation.

Landry said that Pinnacle workers cannot be expected to continue paying the price for management's failure to implement a business plan or develop a realistic strategy to adapt to changes in the industry. "Workers are rightfully frustrated about the conditions at Pinnacle," Landry said. "After months of announcing fleet reductions and its relationships with major carriers eroding, workers deserve to know that their jobs are secure for more than from one day to the next."

Landry said the USW hopes to see Pinnacle emerge from bankruptcy as a more stable employer built with a strategic vision for long term viability so that the workers who remain after restructuring completes can participate in the company's success.

FMI: www.afacwa.org, www.usw.org