November 21, 2005
Dear Fellow Employees:
Today, I sent letters to our union leadership at AFA, ALPA, AMFA and TWU proposing expedited negotiations on new collective bargaining agreements for each group. The negotiations are scheduled to begin November 29
Dear Fellow Employees:
Today, I sent letters to our union leadership at AFA, ALPA, AMFA and TWU proposing expedited negotiations on new collective bargaining agreements for each group. The negotiations are scheduled to begin November 29
th and conclude by December 19th. I wanted you to be aware of this development and the reasons we believe these sessions are necessary.
Since Northwest Airlines entered into Chapter 11 in September, our financial condition has dramatically deteriorated as our business plans have been disrupted. Northwest’s bankruptcy – and its subsequent actions – was responsible for our Chapter 11 filing in October.
In response to this situation, we entered into discussions with each of our unions regarding changes to their existing collective bargaining agreements. Those discussions led to exchanges of information, several negotiating sessions and an agreement with one union on a limited group of issues.
Since then, however, the extent to which our financial condition has deteriorated has become clearer. As a result, the Company’s new business plan now compels us to seek further modifications to each of our collective bargaining agreements in order to ensure a successful reorganization of the Company. Thus, our call today for expedited negotiations which, if successful, would allow us to avoid using the bankruptcy courts to
achieve these restructurings (in legal terms, a “Section 1113(c) filing”).
At our meetings on November 29, we will present comprehensive proposals for
modifications to each collective bargaining agreement. These proposals will be based on the most complete and reliable financial and business planning information available, information that we will freely share with our union negotiators. We believe that expedited agreements to the terms of the proposals, or to other negotiated terms providing similar cost savings, are essential to the successful reorganization of the Company and to assure that all of the affected parties are treated fairly and equitably.
I want to underscore that last point – all of us, whether we are subject to a collective bargaining agreement or not, will fairly and equitably bear our share of the challenges we face. We will not put before the unions any proposals which ask their members to carry a disproportionate share of this burden.
As I’ve said on many occasions over the last several months, these are difficult times for our company and our industry. I have been proud – but not surprised – by the professionalism each of you has demonstrated during this period by keeping our airline operating at the highest levels of service and reliability. As we face this next set of challenges, I believe that we will continue to be successful. Thank you for your efforts in achieving that goal.
Very truly yours,
Mesaba Aviation, Inc.
Since Northwest Airlines entered into Chapter 11 in September, our financial condition has dramatically deteriorated as our business plans have been disrupted. Northwest’s bankruptcy – and its subsequent actions – was responsible for our Chapter 11 filing in October.
In response to this situation, we entered into discussions with each of our unions regarding changes to their existing collective bargaining agreements. Those discussions led to exchanges of information, several negotiating sessions and an agreement with one union on a limited group of issues.
Since then, however, the extent to which our financial condition has deteriorated has become clearer. As a result, the Company’s new business plan now compels us to seek further modifications to each of our collective bargaining agreements in order to ensure a successful reorganization of the Company. Thus, our call today for expedited negotiations which, if successful, would allow us to avoid using the bankruptcy courts to
achieve these restructurings (in legal terms, a “Section 1113(c) filing”).
At our meetings on November 29, we will present comprehensive proposals for
modifications to each collective bargaining agreement. These proposals will be based on the most complete and reliable financial and business planning information available, information that we will freely share with our union negotiators. We believe that expedited agreements to the terms of the proposals, or to other negotiated terms providing similar cost savings, are essential to the successful reorganization of the Company and to assure that all of the affected parties are treated fairly and equitably.
I want to underscore that last point – all of us, whether we are subject to a collective bargaining agreement or not, will fairly and equitably bear our share of the challenges we face. We will not put before the unions any proposals which ask their members to carry a disproportionate share of this burden.
As I’ve said on many occasions over the last several months, these are difficult times for our company and our industry. I have been proud – but not surprised – by the professionalism each of you has demonstrated during this period by keeping our airline operating at the highest levels of service and reliability. As we face this next set of challenges, I believe that we will continue to be successful. Thank you for your efforts in achieving that goal.
Very truly yours,
Mesaba Aviation, Inc.
