Attn: CHQ'ers-The time has come.

[low-key]

PRESS RELEASE: Chautauqua Pilots Vote On Option To Strike

05/28/2003
Dow Jones News Services
(Copyright © 2003 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.)

Pilot Group to Receive Strike Authorization Ballots

Chautauqua Pilots Vote on Option to Strike

HOUSTON, May 28 /PRNewswire/ -- In a special session of the Teamsters Local 747 Executive Board, the board unanimously voted in favor of sending a Strike Ballot Authorization to the pilots at Chautauqua Airlines. The ballots will be sent to the 700-plus pilot group on Friday, May 30, 2003, and will be counted on Friday, June 20, 2003.

Postponed negotiations and conflicting statements from both management and the company's negotiating team regarding additional US Airways code sharing flying have prompted the union to exercise the strike vote. The union believes that the company's actions and lack of good faith bargaining are proof that Chautauqua management has abandoned any attempt at presenting an acceptable contract agreement to their pilots or keeping additional US Airways code sharing flying at Chautauqua.

In a prior gesture to ensure Chautauqua's growth and the company's fulfillment of the US Airways/Jets for Jobs Agreement, the pilots overwhelmingly voted in favor of the additional US Airways code sharing flying and expected the company to move forward with their end of the bargain. However, at the recent Regional Airline Association Annual Convention, Chautauqua CEO Bryan Bedford stated that the pilots' vote was "a day late and a dollar short. The door is closed and it's beyond our ability to reopen it." This statement is inconsistent with information provided to union officials and in direct conflict with proposals the company's negotiating team has put on the table.

Chautauqua Airlines' parent company, Republic Airways Holdings, Inc., has also attempted to expedite the formation of alter-ego Republic Airlines, with the transfer of senior management personnel from Chautauqua Airlines. The union is currently fighting the formation of Republic Airlines, as it is in direct competition for Chautauqua business. Additionally, the pilot group is upset that Wexford Capital, LLC, the major investment group behind Republic Airways Holdings, Inc., Chautauqua Airlines and Shuttle America, is now trying to negotiate a deal with the Shuttle America pilots at substandard pay rates to fly regional jets for US Airways under a Jets for Jobs Agreement. The Chautauqua pilots have been negotiating in good faith to keep all US Airways code sharing flying at Chautauqua.

Chautauqua currently flies for US Airways, Delta, America West and American Airlines.


Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States and Canada.


SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters

 

[328dude]

Just a word to all the great guys and girls at CHQ from the other end of the USair fence, Wexford is setting you guys up for a major arse kicking.

 

[tindriver72]

"Additionally, the pilot group is upset that Wexford Capital, LLC, the major investment group behind Republic Airways Holdings, Inc., Chautauqua Airlines and Shuttle America, is now trying to negotiate a deal with the Shuttle America pilots at substandard pay rates to fly regional jets for US Airways under a Jets for Jobs Agreement."


Well, I don't think it's a JFJ matter here. (SA). It's my understanding that that ship has sailed.

 

[EagleRJ]

The union is currently fighting the formation of Republic Airlines, as it is in direct competition for Chautauqua business.

Chautauqua currently flies for .......... and American Airlines.

I feel your pain.

 

[I.P. Freley]

>>>The Chautauqua pilots have been negotiating in good faith to keep all US Airways code sharing flying at Chautauqua.<<<

Not "keep the flying out of the hands of Republic", but "keep all the flying at Chautauqua."

In other words, don't let Shuttle America have any of that flying, either.

So much for "brotherhood".

 

[Brother Francis]

I.P. Freley >>>The Chautauqua pilots have been negotiating in good faith to keep all US Airways code sharing flying at Chautauqua.<<<

Not "keep the flying out of the hands of Republic", but "keep all the flying at Chautauqua."

In other words, don't let Shuttle America have any of that flying, either.

No. With all due respect your conclusion is 180 degress out. The reference is specific to Republic Airlines and Republic Airlines only.

So much for "brotherhood".

Sir,

The divisive context of your post plays directly into the hands of our common enemy. I implore you to reassess your position in this regard.

"We must all hang together or we will all hang separately"

--Benjamin Franklin

 

[I.P. Freley]

"Divisive"??

Oh, please.

It's called an observation. I merely pointed out what it said, and the not-a-big-stretch-of-the-imagination next logical step.

Don't go wagging your finger at me just because your local put out a press release that chose such unfortunate wording. Perhaps by "keep all the USAir J4J flying at CHQ" they didn't mean "ALL," but that is exactly what it says. You will also note that it doesn't deplore what Wex is trying to pull on SA for its' own sake, but for precisely how it affects CHQ and their efforts to keep "ALL" the J4J flying down in Indy.

If Local 747 feels otherwise, they should say so. Your opinion doesn't hold much water if your (our?) union doesn't agree.

 

[I.P. Freley]

Check your PM's, Francis.

 

[ifly4food]

I hope you Chautauqua pilots strike.

It's time to show the world that you won't settle for a POS contract and accelerate the "race to the bottom" like a certain company based in the Southwest. Your negotiations will directly affect our negotiations (ASA).

Good luck. We're all counting on you.

 

[~~~^~~~]

I second IFLY4OOD's post. Good luck guys! Hang tough.

 

[Brother Francis]

It is important that our counterparts at SA understand that the issues with SA are integral and that CHQ Teamsters are working the whole problem.

CHQ and SA need to work together on this or we will all be either out of work or Republic slave labor.

Mr. Freley, I apologize, sir, for popping off and have deleted the post. Your adversary is not CHQ. The common adversary is Wexford.

We're all counting on you.

And we you.

 

[Wats]

I hope you guys do toe the line. Don't settle for less than you deserve. "We have created over 1000 positions" of sh*t wage jobs is not an excuse. They have created several over paid positions on your backs, and that is all they care about!