Release #07.PCL2
December 3, 2007

ALPA’s Northwest Airlink and Delta Connection PCL Pilots Vote Overwhelmingly to Authorize Strike

WASHINGTON – Pinnacle Airlines pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), and flying for Northwest Airlink and Delta Connection, showed their unity and resolve by voting to authorize their elected union representatives to conduct a lawful withdrawal of service if contract talks with management do not result in an agreement and both sides are released to economic self-help by the National Mediation Board.

The 1,200-plus Pinnacle pilots were loud and clear with their message to management, with more than 99 percent of responding pilots voting to support their union leaders should they call a strike “at such time as they deem it prudent and advisable.”

“After nearly three years of negotiations, during which Pinnacle Airlines has continued to post a profit and increase its flying with the new Delta Connection Air Services Agreement, our pilots have had enough,” said Capt. Scott Erickson, chairman of the Pinnacle pilots unit of ALPA. “Pinnacle pilots haven’t had a raise in several years, and we’ve seen very little progress from management in negotiating a contract that recognizes our role in the success of this airline.”

“Pinnacle pilots love their jobs,” Erickson added, “but many are leaving the airline because the company’s pay, benefits and work rule proposals are unacceptable and substandard, and our current contract does not adequately compensate the pilots for the amount of work they currently undertake.”

“Pinnacle management needs to understand there is an extremely high level of frustration among this pilot group that can be easily rectified with a fair contract,” he said.

Pinnacle pilots and management have been negotiating for a new contract since February 2005. Pilots and management remain apart on issues such as retirement, job security and compensation. Both sides entered mediated negotiations in late September 2006.

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing more than 60,000 pilots at 42 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org.

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ALPA CONTACT: Capt. Scott Erickson, (651) 226-3797
Kimberly Seitz, (703) 481-4440