NMB accepts AirTran pilots mediation request
 

LATEST NEWS
Atlanta Business Chronicle - 1:14 PM EDT Friday

NMB accepts mediation request from AirTran pilots

The National Pilots Association, which represents AirTran Airways' 1,100 pilots, reported the National Mediation Board has accepted its application for mediation in its negotiations with AirTran management.

The union and AirTran (NYSE: AAI) have been in contract negotiations since December 2004. The current NPA/AirTran pilot labor contract became amendable in April and the union asked for mediation on July 25.

"Late yesterday afternoon we received a fax from the NMB, which was jointly addressed to AirTran and the NPA, informing us that our request for mediation services had been accepted, docketed and assigned a mediator," said Capt. Allen Philpot, president of the National Pilots Association.. "While no dates have been set by the NMB the NPA is ready to go and looks forward to sitting down at the bargaining table with AirTran management anytime and place the mediator chooses."

Orlando, Fla.-based AirTran hubs at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Earlier this week, the carrier reported its second-quarter profit dropped to $11.4 million.