Having served as a past Chairman of ALPA’s Master Executive Council for the airline I flew for, it was interesting to see that Union leaders in that same position, representing almost 3,000 pilots flying for the newest version of Pinnacle Airlines, have recommended a provisional agreement that would unite pilots from three Pinnacle-owned airlines under a single working agreement. This new contract, if approved by the pilots, will smooth the way for the integration of one of the world's largest regional carriers and improve pay and work-rules for the pilots at all three if the Pinnacle carriers.
The Master Executive Councils (MECs) from Pinnacle Airlines, Mesaba Airlines and Colgan Air approved a joint collective bargaining agreement (JCBA) that has been in negotiations for just over three months. Pilots flying for the three airlines will now cast votes to either approve or reject the new five-year agreement.
"The proposed JCBA is a remarkable achievement that will yield concrete gains for every Pinnacle Airlines Corp. pilot. It meets the Pinnacle, Mesaba and Colgan leadership's stated goals of providing immediate improvements to the pilot group and advancing individual careers, while also positioning our merged airline for continued growth and prosperity," said Captain Scott Erickson, Pinnacle MEC chairman.
ALPA leaders began the process of merging the three groups after Pinnacle Airlines Corp. bought Mesaba last summer. The airline holding company purchased Colgan in early 2006 and has stated it plans to phase out Colgan, make Pinnacle an all-jet airline and Mesaba an all-turboprop operation serving passengers of Delta, United/Continental and US Airways.
Mesaba MEC Chairman Captain Mark Nagel said, "We resolved to cooperate as a team to craft one contract and one seniority list, and we have achieved an agreement that will improve work rules, pay, benefits, and job security for every pilot at Pinnacle, Mesaba and Colgan. We look forward to working together as one airline to enhance the careers of all the pilots in our system." If the agreement is ratified, the next step in merging the three groups will be to create a joint seniority list. The Pinnacle, Mesaba and Colgan pilot merger committees have begun working on a joint list, with a target completion date of May 1.
Captain Nagel added, “We resolved to cooperate as a team to craft one contract and one seniority list, and we have achieved an agreement that will improve work rules, pay, benefits, and job security for every pilot at Pinnacle, Mesaba, and Colgan.”
Colgan Air MEC Chairman Captain Mark Segaloff said, "This is a unique moment in the history of the Association and our pilot groups. To rapidly negotiate a joint collective bargaining agreement and then secure the support of three MECs speaks volumes about the hard work that was put forth in the joint negotiations by our Joint Negotiating Committee. We all have a lot to be proud of in this agreement, and we urge every Pinnacle Airlines Corp. pilot to vote 'yes' when it comes to them for a vote."
Pinnacle MEC Chairman Captain Scott Erickson said, “The proposed JCBA is a remarkable achievement that will yield concrete gains for every Pinnacle Airlines Corp. pilot. “It meets the Pinnacle, Mesaba and Colgan leadership’s stated goals of providing immediate improvements for the pilot group and advancing individual careers, while also positioning our merged airline for continued growth and prosperity.”
