Mesaba Negotiations update for August 28, 2006

While the progress of negotiations has come to a stand still, the Mesaba Labor Coalition has been focusing their efforts on a legislative campaign. On Monday August 21, the Coalition met with Governor Pawlenty’s Chief of Staff, David Gaither and the Department of Finance Commissioner, Peggy Ingison. The purpose of the meeting was to inform the Governor and his staff of the current situation at Mesaba. The Coalition stressed our willingness to give the company what was necessary for the survival of the airline, but not if it meant putting employees at or below the federal poverty guidelines. The Coalition also discussed the real possibility of a strike and the ramifications that would have on the entire state. The goal in meeting with the Governor was to ask for his support in getting all parties back to the negotiating table. We all know the only way for Mesaba Airlines to succeed is through a consensual agreement. That agreement has to take into account livable wages and sustainable health care. The Coalition representatives thought the meeting was very productive and looks forward to discussing ways the governor might be able to assist.


On Thursday, the Labor Coalition continued its efforts on the legislative campaign. We met with Attorney General and Gubernatorial candidate, Mike Hatch and his staff. The Attorney General spoke at the rally in March and was interested in hearing about the current status at Mesaba Airlines. The message remained focused: The Labor coalition and the employees it represents care about their airline and their communities. We are willing to do our fair share to secure the future of our Northwest Airlink carrier, but management is asking for too much. Wages that put employees below the federal poverty guidelines and insurance that is not only the worst in the industry but also unsustainable, equals a job that is just not worth having. If the company imposes their terms, the airline will not survive. The impact that this will have on the entire state was discussed and it was emphasized that all of our groups want to continue to provide safe and reliable service to our communities throughout the entire Northwest Airlink system. There is only so far we can go.

Management needs to get back to the table to do some real bargaining. And in getting this message to the Attorney General and other local legislators, we hope that some pressure will be felt.

This past Saturday, the group drove to Sandstone Minnesota to meet with Representative Jim Oberstar and his staff. The message remained the same. The only way for Mesaba to survive is to reach consensual agreements with all of it's labor groups. This was again a very productive meeting.

The Mesaba Labor Coalition will have a booth in the AFL-CIO area of the MN State Fair from August 24th - September 4th. We need AMFA members to volunteer for a 4-hour shift at the booth. Both ALPA and AFA will have volunteers at both as well. All volunteers will receive 2 admission tickets, a parking pass and one meal. The shifts are 9am-1pm and 1pm-5pm. If you would like to volunteer and get into the fair for free, please email either Scott Sykes or myself with the date and time you would like to volunteer. More details about the event will be emailed to you after you sign up.

Judge Marrero has not yet ruled regarding AFA's right to strike. Contrary to what you may read in some news accounts, Judge Marrero's decision is not a final decision on the merits; it is merely a five day injunction of CHAOS activity. The temporary injunction prevents AFA from engaging in any CHAOS activity for five days. After issuing the temporary injunction, the Judge asked parties if they want more time to negotiate a consensual agreement and directed NWA and AFA to return to court next Wednesday to inform him whether they want the Court to issue a decision.

The joint appeal of the Mesaba 1113c decision will be held in Minneapolis at the Federal Court building on Thursday, August 31, at 10am. I will be attending this and will update you on the days events.

Nate