Pilots at Colgan Air have rejected a bid to unionize by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA). The representation results were tallied by the National Mediation Board in Washington, D.C.In a news release issued by the Colgan Air, airline president Mike Colgan said "We greatly respect our pilots and the choice they have made. Now, we turn our entire focus to taking advantage of the growth and opportunities we have planned, creating more jobs and prosperity for all of us here at Colgan."
Colgan Air, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Pinnacle Airlines, is currently recruiting first officers for its fleet of Beech 1900 and Saab 340 turboprop aircraft. Colgan Air operates as Continental Connection, United Express and US Airways Express.
Colgan pilots didn't "reject" the union bid, they simply didn't care enough about their future to vote one way or another. The votes were 151 for ALPA and 4 against. If they would've had four more votes for ALPA it would've had a majority of the pilot group (approx 300) and the union would be on property.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the clarification.
ReplyDeleteThat comment is a bit misleading. In an NMB vote, the easiest way to vote "no" is to not vote at all. So while the recorded votes were 151-4, there is no telling how many voted no simply by not voting at all. I do not think that means these pilots did not care about their future.
ReplyDeleteAre you kidding, the best example of not caring is not voting. What do you think it means. It can only mean one of two things 1 they dont care or 2 they are just lazy! They will soon pay for being stupid!
ReplyDeleteLook not voting does mean they dont care. Not voting means 1 they dont care or 2 they are just to lazy to mail in a card, either way it makes that pilot group look stupid!
ReplyDeleteColgan Airways management is laughing all the way to the bank. Colgan has taken many routes away from Unionized carriers in the USAirways system. The Colgan pilots are flying routes in similar aircraft for less pay and benifits, than other regional carriers pilots were enjoying just a few years ago! Pay rates for the SAAB 340 are similar to turboprop pay of 17 years ago! Most Union carriers have pilot protections such as "Minimum" day pay and Trip cancellation pay. Without these protections a pilot is forced to make a decision to fly an airplane with a maintence problem or not get paid at all!
ReplyDeleteIt seems as though some of the Colgan pilots are politically aligned with Republican Right wing idea that any union is a bad union even if it means taking money out of my own pocket.
Another probable cause of pilot apathy is the attitude that many pilots have "I'm just here to get 1000 hours of PIC time then I'm going to get hired by a "Major" and make the big bucks!" The problem with this idea is the Majors have discoverd that pilots will gladly fly a JET for $25.00 per flight hour! (starting pay rate USAirways 737) Just to say "I fly a jet". In this way the lowest paying regional airlines are pulling all professional pilots pay and benifits down.
The oldest ploy in the commuter airline business, just hang on boys we will be buying you bigger planes to fly! (for nothing)