Release #05.034
August 29, 2005

MEDIA ADVISORY

United Express ALPA Pilots Informational Picket to Protest Anti-Labor Tactics

ST. LOUIS -- The Trans States Airlines (TSA) pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), on August 31 will conduct informational picketing at the St. Louis Airport to protest their management’s decision to defy the pilot labor contract by operating an alter-ego carrier - GoJet - without the use of TSA pilots. Picketing also will be conducted at Washington Dulles International Airport, one of TSA’s larger markets. Based in St. Louis, TSA operates as a United Express carrier as part of a marketing agreement with UAL, Inc., the parent company of United Airlines.

Why: Trans States Airlines is obligated by the scope clause of its pilot collective bargaining agreement to ensure that ALPA-represented, TSA pilots operate all TSA aircraft. GoJet is clearly an extension of the TSA operation. 

When and Where: Wednesday, August 31, 2005 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., CDT; 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., CDT at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport - curbside between entrances MT2 & MT3.

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 9:00 a.m.  - 11:00 a.m., EDT; 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., EDT at Washington Dulles International Airport - curbside at the entrances in front of the United/United Express ticket counters.

Background: Trans States management applied for certification in December 2004 with the U.S. Department of Transportation to operate GoJet as a separate airline. ALPA contends that Trans States pilots can and should perform GoJet flying. In April 2005, TSA reached an agreement with UAL to provide GoJet service with its Canadair 70-seat aircraft. Recently, the TSA pilots met with their management to discuss the issue of who would operate this aircraft. However, management broke off these talks and refuses to meet.

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing 64,000 pilots at 41 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org.

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ALPA CONTACT: Capt. Paul Hopkins, (314) 452-9699 
Doug Baj, (703) 481-4456