Miami Air Crewmembers Prepare to Strike

Strike Ballot Overwhelmingly Approved

HOUSTON, March 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Strike ballots were tallied and certified for Miami Air International crewmembers on Thursday. Eighty-four percent approved a strike job action against Miami Air, if and when released by the National Mediation Board.

“For eight years these crewmembers have been denied a fair wage increase,� said Gene Sowell, president of International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) Local 747. “After over 18 months of negotiations and eight years of stagnant wages, IBT Local 747 and the flight deck crewmembers at Miami Air are poised to strike in order to achieve an equitable contract.�

Miami Air International employs approximately 100 pilots, flying Boeing 737s throughout the world. Miami Air conducts charter flights for South Florida professional sports teams such as the Miami Heat, the Florida Marlins, Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning, along with other National Hockey League, Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association and college teams throughout the country. Additionally, Miami Air charters flights for cruise and travel organizations such as Club Med and Royal Caribbean International, Fortune 500 companies, and governmental agencies including the U.S. Air Force Mobility Command (USAF AMC) by providing transportation for troops and cargo.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.