Miami Air Strike Ballot Authorized

Teamsters Local 747 Approve Strike Ballot Petition from Pilot Group

HOUSTON, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Tuesday, January 29, 2008, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) Local 747 Executive Board approved the petition submitted by Miami Air International crewmembers for strike authorization.

Miami Air pilots have been in negotiations with the Company since June 2006 and have not had a wage increase in 8 years. A Tentative Agreement was overwhelmingly rejected by the pilot group in April 2007, and the former Miami Air Pilots Association (MAPA) merged with Teamsters Local 747 in August 2007. Negotiations have been conducted under the auspice of the National Mediation Board since October 2007 with virtually no progress.

“The pilots of Miami Air deserve no less than their peers in the industry -- a guarantee of annual wage increases. The Company needs to recognize the hard working men and women who make the Company profitable. The IBT is committed to doing whatever it takes to achieve a fair and equitable contract for our Miami Air members,” said President of IBT Local 747 Gene Sowell.

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 Marlines, Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightening, along with other NHL, MLB, NBA and college teams through 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 United States Air 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 and Canada.