Release #02.080
September 3, 2002

PHOENIX --- Uniformed pilots of Mesa Airlines will conduct informational picketing Sept. 4 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 Airlines ALPA unit.

The Mesa pilots’ negotiations have been conducted under the auspices of the National Mediation Board since July. That same month, ALPA filed a lawsuit to compel Mesa Airlines management to bargain in good faith as required by the Railway Labor Act (RLA). The suit also requests that the court enjoin Mesa Airlines, Mesa Air Group and Jonathan Ornstein from operating Freedom Airlines, which the union believes the Mesa defendants will use to divert work from the Mesa Airlines pilots.

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

Picketing will be conducted as follows:

Wednesday, Sept. 4, 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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ALPA Contact: Teresa Mattick (703) 481-4440

Robert Henry (On-Site Contact)