Release #04.ATA
December 29, 2004

ATA Pilots' Union Leadership Ratifies Tentative Agreement on Cost Savings; Forwards to Membership for Approval

CHICAGO -- The ATA Master Executive Council (MEC), a unit of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), has approved a tentative agreement that could provide ATA with up to $6 million in immediate cost savings, including across-the-board wage reductions for flight crew members. The tentative agreement now goes to ATA’s flight crew membership for ratification.

"This tentative agreement is intended to help the new ATA begin its restructuring process and assist it in developing a viable plan to emerge from bankruptcy," said Capt. Erik Engdahl, ATA MEC Chairman. "Reaching an agreement outside of bankruptcy court would allow us to retain some control over any changes to our contract.”

If ratified by the membership, the temporary agreement would reduce flight crew pay, cut company contributions to a flight crew retirement plan by 50 percent, and make other work rule changes. The pay cuts and all other changes would be in effect for 120 days, and would give ATA and the Association time to negotiate contractual changes that may be deemed necessary after the post-bankruptcy routes and structure of ATA are determined.

The ballot for membership ratification is expected to open on or about December 30, 2004, and close on January 9, 2005.

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Contacts: Rusty Ayers, 773-284-4910 or rusty.ayers@alpa.org