ATLANTA, Dec. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The pilots of Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA), represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), will conduct informational picketing at the Los Angeles International Airport. Based in Atlanta, ASA operates solely as a "Delta Connection" carrier and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SkyWest, Inc. , which is based in St. George, Utah.
Why:
As Atlantic Southeast Airlines opens a pilot base at the Los Angeles Airport, the ASA pilots want the local community to be aware that they have been in labor contract negotiations for more than four years, despite the substantive profits both ASA and parent company SkyWest continue to post. The extended duration of these negotiations by management is unnecessary and a manipulation of the intent of the Railway Labor Act (RLA), which governs the collective bargaining talks.
Where:
Los Angeles International Airport, Terminal 5, (Outside the Delta Check-In Area)
When:
Friday, December 15, 2006 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., PST
Background:
The ASA pilots began negotiations with management in September 2002, when their most current contract became amendable under the terms of the RLA. Negotiations have been conducted under the auspices of the National Mediation Board (NMB) since May 2004. Unfortunately, ASA management has used periodic stalling tactics and the talks have taken many turns.
However, the fact remains that after more than four years of talks, the pilots and management have yet to complete an agreement. Although Section 6 of the RLA, which outlines the negotiations process, does not specify a time limitation, these negotiations should have been completed years ago.
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world's largest pilot union, representing more than 60,000 pilots at 39 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at http://www.alpa.org/.
