NAA Pilots Ratify Revised TA The pilots of North American Airlines
ratified a revised tentative agreement (RTA) on Monday, September 24. Of the 96
percent of pilots who cast ballots, 76 percent voted in favor of the agreement.
“The results of this vote underscore the North American pilots’ unity,
resolve, and commitment to our goal of preserving our jobs and our carrier,”
said Capt. Rob Lewis, NAA MEC chairman.
NAA’s parent company, Global Aviation Holdings, filed protection under
Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy code in February. Under threat of Section 1113
filing, the pilots engaged in bankruptcy concessionary negotiations, but
rejected the initial tentative agreement two weeks ago. As a result, NAA’s
management signaled its intent to file a motion this week to reject the pilots’
contract unless a new consensual TA was reached before then.
The Negotiating Committee went back to the bargaining
table September 17 and 18, with the goal of achieving a new agreement that
responded to some of the concerns pilots voiced about the initial TA. After an
intense bargaining session over a 36-hour period, the NAA pilot Negotiating
Committee, assisted by ALPA’s Representation and Economic & Financial Analysis
Departments, successfully negotiated several improvements over the initial
failed TA.
“North American pilots understand that this is a critical and fragile time
for our company, and we stand ready to work closely with our management to help
our company regain its financial viability and advance our mutual goals for the
future,” Lewis said. “To achieve success, however, our management must fulfill
the commitments it made to our pilots in this agreement. With ALPA’s support and
assistance, we will work to ensure our management meets its obligations to our
pilots.” |