Thursday, September 24, 2009

Pinnacle Airlines pilots reject new collective bargaining agreement

by B.N. Sullivan

Pinnacle Airlines logoPinnacle Airlines pilots have rejected a new collective bargaining agreement with management. The leadership of the pilots' union, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), approved the tentative contract agreement in August and sent it to the membership for ratification. But, according to ALPA, "Pinnacle pilots concluded that the job security enhancements, work rule improvements, pay increases, and signing bonus just weren’t substantial enough to warrant a yes vote."

The pilots' contract became amendable on May 1, 2005, and contract negotiations began in February of 2005. Negotiations between Pinnacle's pilots and management have been mediated by the National Mediation Board since September of 2006.

“Pinnacle pilots believe there are sections of the tentative agreement that should be modified to better reflect their current needs,” said Capt. Scott Erickson, chairman of the Pinnacle arm of ALPA. “We look forward to working with the company to address these problem areas to achieve a successful ratification.”

The pilots are the only employee group at Pinnacle that has not had a raise in more than five years.