AirTran pilots to picket at Mitchell

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AirTran pilots to picket at Mitchell

Written by Administrator

Thursday, 17 December 2009 17:52

{mosimage}The Business Journal of Milwaukee

AirTran Airways pilots will conduct an informational picket at Milwaukee’s General Mitchell International Airport at 1 p.m. Wednesday regarding their concerns over the airline's outsourcing deal with SkyWest Inc.

The demonstration follows a similar picket by pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, at AirTran's main hub in Atlanta last week.

“The AirTran pilots are concerned that management’s outsourcing of work to SkyWest will compromise the brand that they have worked so long to build, and that the integrity of AirTran and the loyalty of its customers could be at risk at a time when the company is trying to establish a positive presence in that market,” the union said in a statement.

The union said AirTran pilots have been in contract negotiations with management for five years and oppose the company’s new outsourcing agreement with SkyWest Airlines. AirTran pilots want better job protection, fair wages, work rules and retirement benefits, the union said.

AirTran’s parent company announced last month a new marketing partnership with SkyWest, a subsidiary of St. George, Utah-based SkyWest Inc. (NASDAQ: SKYW). The deal includes plans to have SkyWest offer regional jet service between Milwaukee and six destinations. Seats on these flights will be sold in conjunction with AirTran Airways flights with revenue shared on a pro-rated basis.

Orlando, Fla.-based AirTran (NYSE: AAI) is the second-busiest carrier at Milwaukee’s General Mitchell International Airport. The airline has been expanding its service at Mitchell and now flies to 24 destinations from Milwaukee, including the six cities served by SkyWest.

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