Sunday, December 21, 2008

Colgan Air pilots choose the Air Line Pilots Association as their union

Colgan Air pilotsPilots at Colgan Air, Inc. have voted overwhelmingly to become members of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA). The U.S. National Mediation Board (NMB), which oversees union representation elections, announced earlier this week that 313 of 449 eligible voters cast a ballot in support of representation by ALPA, well above the threshold required for certification. Prior to the election, the Colgan pilots were unrepresented by a union.

Capt. Mark Segaloff, one of the leaders of the Colgan Air Pilots ALPA Organizing Committee, said, "We thank all of our pilots who took the time to find out more about ALPA and to cast their vote in the election. Thanks as well to the many ALPA pilot volunteers who gave their efforts to the campaign. It is now our duty as Colgan pilots to take the unity we have built, along with ALPA’s vast resources, and transfer that into negotiating a contract that we deserve."

ALPA president, Capt. John Prater, said that ALPA looks forward to working with the Colgan pilots to improve their careers.

Colgan Air operates as Continental Connection, United Express, and US Airways Express from numerous bases in the Northeast and Texas. Approximately 450 pilots fly the Bombardier Q400, Saab 340, and Beech 1900 for Colgan.

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