They hope they can reach an agreement before any action is taken by the union, but there are certain steps that need to be taken before we'll see picket signs go up. Air Logistics and professional pilots have been in mediation for months, according to the pilots' union. The pilots want more money, better benefits, and union security.
"We have been notoriously underpaid for a long time," says union president Ken Bruner. "We feel now is a good time to establish a decent pay for professional pilots and set the bar."
Bruner says the mediation isn't working, so they're asking to be let out. After that they must go through a 30 day cooling off period. In that time neither the union nor Air Llogistics can take any action against the other. After the 30 days, anything is fair game, including a strike.
"They're just pretty firm in what they think we should be paid," says Bruner.
In a prepared statement representatives from Air Logistics say calls to strike and letters to the media are a common negotiating practice by unions. The union sent out more than 300 ballots to members asking for permission to strike if necessary. The union president says it shouldn't be a problem getting enough votes.
"We've only been a union for four years, but that's been the case so far," says Bruner.
The company says they're scheduled for another negotiation meeting in Dallas next month. If the pilots do strike, however, Air Logistics has a contingency plan and will continue to operate.
source (this report went online about 2 hours ago, though the report itself has no date attached)