Release #01.36

May 2, 2001

CHICAGO – The pilots of American Trans Air (ATA), represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), will conduct informational picketing at Chicago's Midway Airport on Friday, May 4, between 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to show their support for the pilot group’s Negotiating Committee during its current round of contract negotiations with company management.

Capt. Steve Smith, chairman of the ALPA ATA unit, said: "The purpose of this informational picketing session is to show support for our Negotiating Committee at a time when we have grave concerns whether ATA can retain or attract pilots in today’s economy. We began contract negotiations more than one year ago to achieve an industry-standard contract. I am not only disappointed but very perplexed that management is unable to see the benefit of paying an average wage to their pilots."

Negotiations between the ATA pilots and management began on May 1, 2000, and the ATA pilots’ collective bargaining agreement became amendable on Sept. 23, 2000.

Formed in 1931 and affiliated with the AFL-CIO, ALPA is the world’s oldest and largest pilots union. As of June 1, ALPA will represent 65,000 pilots at 49 airlines in the United States and Canada. ALPA’s Web site is http://cf.alpa.org.

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ALPA Contact: Steven Smith, (206) 390-8474