Jimmy Hoffa Jr Speaks Out!!!

[flythere]

I wonder if this will help??

July 26, 2004

Letter from Teamsters President James Hoffa to Legislators







The letter below was sent to senators and representatives of Colorado and Wyoming on July 19, 2004. Subsequent letters will be sent to city councils in Essential Air Service locations served by Great Lakes.









Letter from President Hoffa



I am writing to request your assistance in resolving a labor dispute that could interrupt passenger service to your area. Great Lakes Airlines, Inc., is headquartered in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and provides passenger service throughout the Rocky Mountain area.



This company and the Teamsters Airline Division, who represents the Great Lakes pilots, have been in negotiations since October 2000. The pilots have worked for the past five years without a wage increase. Their wage scale is at the very bottom of the industry. It is so low, in fact, that it qualifies some Great Lakes First Officers for the food stamp program.



The National Mediation Board (NMB) directs the bargaining conducted under the Railway Labor Act (RLA). The company and Union have reached an impasse. Should this impasse result in self-help, air service to the communities served by the carrier could be interrupted. This is not an outcome desired by the Union.



We request that you urge the Great Lakes management, Doug Voss, President and Chairman, and Chuck Howell, Chief Executive Officer, to reach an equitable and fair settlement with its pilot group. In the coming weeks, if there is not an agreement, the Union will be publicizing the issues involved. This action alone will be of concern to many travelers, but this is the only step by which the Union can try to resolve the matter. Your expression of concern to senior management officials is in the best interests of the traveling public, the company shareholders, the communities, and the employees.





Sincerely,







James P. Hoffa

General President

 

[flythere]

OOoops, didn't notice the other post,,,

let's hear it!?!