Mesaba Update/Negotiation Progress

[DenverDude2002]

I cant find anything updated on what exactly is happening. I know the strike is delayed, but for how long? Also, I guess I havent been paying attention, but what exactly are pilots shooting for out of this contract as far as pay/hours go? Any details would be appreciated.

 

[fly4ever]

The negotiations are still going. We made a proposal trying to wrap up the few remaining issues a couple of hours ago and will probably be hearing something in the very near future since our flight schedule is about to pick up this morning. We have to trust our MEC on this one. They felt progress warranted the extension.

 

[Simon Says]

Still wheelin and dealin at 6:00am EST. And Mesaba 2425 can burn in he!!

 

[jetset]

Almost hourly updates available at strike hotline #
800-223-8001

 

[mesaba2425]

Still wheelin and dealin at 6:00am EST. And Mesaba 2425 can burn in he!!

Ouch. That hurt Simon!!!

 

[jarhead]

Reuters
Mesaba Pilots Appear Close to Contract
Saturday January 10, 3:40 pm ET
By Deborah Cohen


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Pilots for Northwest Airlines Corp.'s (NasdaqNM:NWAC - News) regional partner, Mesaba Airlines, and the airline's management appeared close to agreeing to a labor contract Saturday after averting a strike deadline Friday night following more than two years of negotiations.

Mesaba, a unit of MAIR Holdings Inc. (NasdaqNM:MAIR - News), operates as a Northwest Airlink partner, providing more than 600 daily flights to 112 cities for Northwest from its three major hubs in Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Memphis.

A recorded telephone message on the hotline for Mesaba's pilots union updated at 12:30 p.m. CST on Saturday said that labor talks were advancing.

"We have made progress since last night but we still have not secured all of the issues that will satisfy your ratification requirements," said the message, directed at the airline's 844 pilots.

The two sides have been at odds over job security, compensation, retirement and work rules since June 2001 when contract talks began. The contract became amendable in 2002, and a strike deadline was triggered after negotiations reached an impasse and federal mediation failed.

In October, the pilots voted to strike at 11:01 p.m. CST Jan. 9/12:01 a.m. EST Jan. 10 if a new contract could not be reached.

In a prepared statement released at 11:30 p.m. CST Friday night, the company said that talks were extending beyond the strike deadline.

"We are continuing our negotiations with our pilots' union and remain committed to the goals of reaching agreement on a new contract and continuing operations," the company said.

Earlier Friday evening Mesaba said it canceled some evening flights ahead of final contract negotiations.

A company representative did not respond to a request for comment Saturday morning. However, an earlier prerecorded union message to the pilots suggested that some Saturday flights had been canceled as well.

The union, which said that its regional strike centers remain prepared for a work stoppage if final discussions break down, encouraged its pilots to continue to show up for work.

A representative for Mesaba's union declined to be interviewed, saying only that the two sides had agreed not to comment at this stage of the negotiations.

Eagan, Minnesota-based Northwest, the No. 4 U.S. airline, said it would allow passengers with tickets for certain Mesaba flights to rebook travel without penalties due to a strike.

Stock in MAIR Holdings Inc. closed down nearly 7 percent to $7.60 a share on the Nasdaq on Friday.