PITTSBURGH, June 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United Steelworkers (USW) said today that it is prepared to respond to an application filed this week with the National Mediation Board (NMB) which, if granted, would interfere with its status as the bargaining representative of approximately 400 flight attendants employed by Colgan Air.
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The USW vowed to fight to defend the rights of Colgan flight attendants to remain USW members and to enjoy the protections of their collective bargaining agreement. Colgan Air is owned by Pinnacle Airlines Corporation.
According to paperwork filed this week with the National MediationBoard (NMB), the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) has asked that Colgan and another Pinnacle subsidiary, Mesaba Aviation, Inc., be declared a single carrier and force a union representation election between the USW and AFA.
Pinnacle purchased the stock of Mesaba in July 2010, but today, nearly one year later, Colgan, Mesaba and another affiliated air carrier, Pinnacle Airlines, Inc., operate separately. The company has announced plans to restructure its operations, but those plans have not been implemented and Colgan and Mesaba are still operating distinctly today.
USW International Vice-President Carol Landry, who leads the union's Airline Division, said that the union will continue to vigorously defend the rights of its members at Colgan.
"There is no basis whatsoever for AFA's application and it should be dismissed. We believe that AFA's portrayal of the current relationship between Colgan and Mesaba is simply inaccurate," Landry said. "What's more, we believe that AFA's description does not reflect the likely outcome once management completes its operational restructuring."
"The USW stands ready to present its case to the NMB to make sure the integrity of our contract is not questioned or interrupted," Landry added, "and that our members remain proud Steelworkers."
"Finally," Landry said, "the USW will welcome any employees who will become USW members following the restructuring. We think that they will find the USW to be a vibrant, diverse union."
The USW represents about 850,000 men and women in North America, including growing numbers of service workers and professionals from many walks of life.
CONTACT: Maria Somma (USW) - 412-478-5090
SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)
