Release #09.024
May 22, 2009

ALPA Welcomes the National Mediation Board’s Newest Member
Pilots Support Puchala’s Confirmation

WASHINGTON – Capt. John Prater, the president of the world’s largest pilots union, today issued the following statement on the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Linda Puchala as a member of the National Mediation Board (NMB).

“ALPA applauds President Obama’s selection, and the U.S. Senate’s confirmation, of Linda Puchala to serve as the newest member of the three-member National Mediation Board. Ms. Puchala has tremendous experience under, expertise with, and respect for the Railway Labor Act (RLA). Her commitment to the collective bargaining process and resolving labor-management disputes has been demonstrated time and again by her work in other positions at the NMB and throughout her career.

“Ms. Puchala’s respect for the proper operation of the RLA and a balanced approach cannot help but improve labor relations in the airline and rail industries. We expect this change and her presence to have a positive influence over a short period of time.”

Ms. Puchala joined staff of the Board in May 1999, working on both airline and railroad mediation cases. Prior to her confirmation, she served as a senior mediator and the associate director of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Services at the NMB, where she conducted facilitation and grievance mediations. Ms. Puchala previously had over 30 years of experience in labor relations, including work as the president of the Association of Flight Attendants–CWA, and as staff director of the Michigan State Employees Association, AFSCME. Ms. Puchala holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Cleary University in Howell, Mich.

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilots union, representing nearly 54,000 pilots at 36 airlines in the United States and Canada.

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Contact: Molly Martin, 703/481-4440 or media@alpa.org