ALPA's Communications Department provides information and support for news media inquiries. An ALPA communications representative can be reached in the Herndon, Va. office at (703) 481-4440.

News Release

Release #02.104
November 27, 2002

PHOENIX --- Uniformed pilots of Mesa Air will conduct informational picketing and leafleting December 2 at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to demonstrate their dissatisfaction with the slow pace of contract negotiations and show support for their Negotiating Committee, which continues to try to engage Mesa management in meaningful contract negotiations.

"We fully support our Negotiating Committee in its efforts to achieve an equitable, affordable contract that recognizes the contributions Mesa pilots have made to our airline," said Captain Andrew Hughes, chairman of the Mesa Air ALPA unit.

The Mesa pilots’ negotiations have been conducted under the auspices of the National Mediation Board since July. With negotiations scheduled in December, the pilots are hopeful that management is prepared to make some real progress at the bargaining table. However, the pilots also recognize that they must be fully prepared if management forces them to strike to achieve a contract that provides them with much-needed job security, compensation, and quality-of-life improvements.

In September, ALPA granted Mesa Air pilots $2 million to fund their strike preparation activities. The Mesa Air pilots recently opened their strike center in Phoenix.

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s oldest and largest pilot union, representing 66,000 pilots at 43 airlines in the U.S. and Canada, including approximately 1,200 Mesa Airlines pilots. Visit the ALPA Website at http://www.alpa.org.

Picketing will be conducted as follows:

Monday, Dec. 2, 2002
8:30 a.m.- 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, Outside Terminal 4, South Side, Level 2, East End

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