Teamsters Fly
The Teamsters filed a petition with the National Mediation Board to represent Atlas Air and Polar Air flight crewmembers. The union also filed for single-carrier status with the operating subsidiaries of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings.
If successful, the Teamsters would displace the Air Line Pilots Association, which currently represent pilots at both carriers.
"I'm confident the Atlas Air flight crew members will vote to join our union as we gain strength in the aviation community," said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. The union recently won an organizing victory with United Airlines mechanics.
AWAC management seemed unconcerned about the development. "We respect our crewmembers rights to select their collective bargaining agent," said Atlas Spokesman Dan Loh. "We fully expect to continue the same relationship with our flight crew members."
Loh doubted if the change in representation would affect management's current contract with the ALPA-led flight crewmembers.
The Atlas unit includes around 630 flight crewmembers.
Dave Allen, chairman of the organizing drive said 90 percent of the Atlas flight crewmembers submitted cards.