Release #04.003
January 10, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Mesaba Pilots Agree to Negotiate Beyond Deadline Without Declaring a Strike

MINNEAPOLIS --- Captain Tom Wychor, chairman of the Mesaba pilots' unit of the Air Line Pilots Association, International, made the following announcement tonight shortly after 11:01 p.m. CST, the strike deadline in the Mesaba pilots' contract negotiations.  

"Our negotiators have informed the Mesaba pilots' Master Executive Council that they are making progress toward an agreement. They have requested additional bargaining time, and our elected leaders have authorized this extension in bargaining.

"In a show of good faith, we will suspend a strike for a limited amount of time in hopes that the negotiating teams can bridge the remaining gaps in the table positions.

"If we are unable to reconcile remaining differences with management within a limited amount of time, we will declare a strike.

"We will provide further updates as they become available."

# # #

SOURCE: Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA)

ALPA CONTACT: Kris Pierson – 612-839-0789