After three years of negotiations, Pinnacle Airlines pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), is opening of a Strike Operations Center in Bloomington, where Pinnacle pilot volunteers can coordinate strike preparedness activities. Pilots are not only exercised about the protracted negotiations but about the acquisition of Colgan Airways a year ago. However, CEO Phil Trenary told investors recently that negotiations are troubled because as soon as management thinks it has reached agreement, the goal posts in the negotiations move. Related Story
Capt. Erik Addy, chairman of the Pinnacle pilots' Strike Preparedness Committee, which oversees all the functions of the strike center, said pilots are fully prepared to conduct a strike if management refuses to negotiate a reasonable agreement. The Pinnacle pilots began collective bargaining with management February 2005, and the agreement their pilots currently work under became amendable in May 2005. Negotiations have been conducted with the assistance of the National Mediation Board since September 2006. Pilots would have to be released by the NMB before a strike could occur. The strike center will provide a centralized location for Pinnacle pilots to coordinate picketing and other related activities, plan contingencies in preparation for a possible strike, and track all pilots' schedules to locate and coordinate travel for any Pinnacle pilot stranded in the event a strike is called.
"We want to send a clear message to Pinnacle management: Pinnacle pilots are serious about doing whatever it takes to negotiate a contract that recognizes the sacrifices the pilots have made to the financial success of this airlines," said Capt. Scott Erickson, chairman of the ALPA unit at Pinnacle.
"Our airline is prospering, yet management continues to demand a below-industry average contract from us. First-year Pinnacle pilots earn less than $18,000 a year, while nearly half of our pilots earn less than $30,000 a year.”
Pinnacle pilots have not had a raise in pay for more than three years, while the hours they are away from home continue to increase, said Addy, who said this is eroded pilot morale to an all-time low. “Pilots are leaving en masse to work for airlines that value a pilot's contribution to the bottom line and provide professional pilot wages,” he concluded