Unions Commit to Transparency as the Merger Proposal Moves Forward

As merger plans between Mesa Airlines and Republic Airways develop, the pilots at both carriers are taking a proactive step to get on the same page early. Leaders from the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), representing Mesa’s roughly 600 pilots, and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 357 (IBT), representing Republic’s much larger staff, ratified a unity agreement designed to ease the merger transition process in the cockpit.

The agreement lays the groundwork for joint efforts in negotiating a single collective bargaining agreement, coordinating communications, and, most importantly, presenting a united front during the integration.

“This agreement marks a pivotal step toward a unified future for our two pilot groups,” said Capt. Anthony Campo, president of the IBT Local 357 Executive Board. “By committing to transparency, mutual respect, and joint negotiation, we’re laying the foundation for a stronger, unified pilot group.”

Capt. Scott Norton, chair of the Mesa Airlines ALPA Master Executive Council, echoed these sentiments, stating: “We’re excited to work collaboratively with our Republic colleagues to ensure a fair and transparent process as we move toward a single, comprehensive contract that benefits all pilots.”

The pact includes plans to form a joint negotiating committee and share best practices as the two pilot groups move toward a comprehensive joint contract. It will remain in effect until that agreement is finalized and ratified. For now, the message is clear: both unions want to avoid the chaos that often accompanies dueling contracts, clashing cultures, and conflicting priorities.

The unity move comes less than four months after the two regional carriers announced their surprise all-stock merger deal in April. The transaction, expected to close in late 2025, would combine Mesa and Republic into a 310-aircraft Embraer 170/175 operation. Republic contributes over 240 of those jets.

This imbalance, plus the differing union representation, had pilots eyeing the situation warily. However, with this unity agreement in place, both groups are trying to set the tone and avoid becoming another case study in how NOT to merge flight crews.

FMI: www.alpa.org