ALPA Press Release on the MESA Contract Ratification
 

Press Release Source: Air Line Pilots Association, International


Mesa Pilots Ratify New Contract with Significant Gains

Wednesday December 10, 5:20 pm ET

Pilots express need for company to build trust, follow contract to be successful

PHOENIX, Dec. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- After years of working under a substandard contract, the Mesa Air Group (Nasdaq: MESA - News) pilots, who are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA), today ratified a new agreement that contains numerous industry-standard and industry-leading provisions. However, the pilot group was split nearly even on their support for this agreement, indicating that much work still needs to be done by the company to provide the necessary benefits and stability for Mesa and its codeshare partners, investors, and passengers.

"This new agreement represents a step forward for all Mesa pilots," said Capt. Kevin Wilson, chairman of the ALPA unit at Mesa. "No concessions were made for this contract, which is no small feat, given the state of our company and the industry. Thanks to our negotiators and the support of ALPA, we were able to achieve significant quality of life and other improvements at or above industry average."

The Mesa pilots' contract became amendable in September 2007. Facing an industry in crisis due to a slowing economy and skyrocketing fuel prices, the Mesa Master Executive Council (MEC), which is the governing body of the Mesa pilot group, pursued an expedited process for a short-term agreement that would significantly improve the lives of their pilots, attract and retain professional pilots, and place the Mesa pilots at the forefront of the next bargaining cycle. After just 10 months of negotiations, the Negotiating Committee reached a Tentative Agreement (TA) with the company. On October 2, the MEC approved this TA to go to the membership for ratification, and the vote closed today with nearly 77 percent of eligible pilots voting on this agreement. Of the votes cast, 51 percent of pilots voted in favor of the agreement.

"Many pilots voiced their distrust in the company during the road shows and expressed their lack of faith in the company's desire to abide by any agreement," added Capt. Wilson. "Trust is an integral part of any agreement, and we have communicated our pilots' concerns to the company. While changes are taking place, the outcome of this vote is a clear indication that there is still much work to be done."

This new collective bargaining agreement will provide Mesa pilots with immediate scheduling and quality-of-life improvements, including a true definition of scheduled or actual flying time and the implementation of a Preferential Bidding System (PBS) that will allow the pilots to have more control over their schedules. Additionally, the pilots can expect to be back at the bargaining table in 21 months to work toward more improvements with what they hope will be a healthier company in a more stable industry.

ALPA is the bargaining agent for the nearly 1,200 pilots at Mesa Air Group, which includes Mesa and Freedom Airlines. ALPA represents 53,000 pilots at 37 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. Visit ALPA's website at ALPA - Home.

51%? Management did well.

X

If it was 51% of 100% of the eligible voters it would still be hard to swallow, but 51% of the 77% who actually voted???? Less than 40% decided the contract for everyone. Pretty pathetic given that pilots actually have to live with this thing every day. Maybe people thought not voting = a NO vote.

PBS = well see, but doubtfull its not a concession
Electronic check in= concession
-2hr/year min pay = concession
no pay raise = concession with the current inflation rate
Liar

Tell me that a professional airline pilot union didn't send this. I know a union has to make it seem like they're doing good but this is pathetic and disturbing that they view this as an improvement. It's actually very insulting to publish this to grown college educated individuals. We KNOW what is going on, they don't have to tell us that there are "quality of life improvements". We'll be the judge of that.

"Significant Gains"

Mesa CA's, How much of a pay raise did you get? Is it less than the percentage the TA passed by?

Let me guess...it passed by less than 20 votes.

Is this the same MEC that made a video supporting the company keeping you guys on an airplane for sleep/rest... and then said... after sleeping on the plane all night, try and make your uniform presentable?

18 votes, good guess. Seriously, impressive.

Mason-

I have never seen such a video, nor have I slept on an airplane during my time at Mesa.

ALPA puts a smile on when ever our dues checks cash. It is a completely worthless entity, one that I am fed up with.

not to be negative on this but i am curious if the big things that mesa has going against it as far as QOL issues were changed (pay obviously wasnt and i feel bad for you guys about that)

Do you now get block or better?
Hotel rooms on stand ups?
What about your reassignment rules?
Trip extensions rules?
Junior manning--from what i have heard thats how they ran the airline last winter.
What about your min days off both reserve and line holders?

Here ya go. If you have any other questions, ask. I know the TA better than most.