Pinnacle pilots picket over plodding pace of contract talks

Based in Memphis, Pinnacle operates as a Northwest Airlink and Delta Connection carrier, employs 1,244 pilots and flies to more than 120 destinations including Duluth. Pilots say management is refusing to recognize their contribution to the success of the airline.

"Pinnacle management is expanding the company without recognizing the sacrifice and dedication of their pilots, who have contributed to Pinnacle\’s bottom line, which gives Pinnacle an opportunity to continue to grow and move into new Air Services Agreements with other carriers," ALPA said in a statement. "Pinnacle pilots entered their third year of negotiations and just want a fair contract."

Negotiations have dragged on since February 2005. In December 2005, management made what was characterized as a "last and best offer" and since then "has refused to earnestly participate in negotiations," the union said. In September 2006, a mediator got involved, and in November 2007 ALPA members voted to authorize a strike if necessary.

The extended talks are not unusual under the Railway Labor Act, the federal labor law that covers the airline industry. Pilots and management remain far apart on issues such as retirement, job security, and compensation, the union said.

The Air Line Pilots Association is the world\’s largest pilot union representing more than 61,000 airline pilots at 43 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Founded in 1931, it is chartered by the AFL- CIO. Organizationally, ALPA is divided into "pilot groups," with each pilot group, including Pinnacle, exercising considerable autonomy in governing their own internal affairs, such as negotiating contracts.

Founded in Memphis, Tennessee in June 1985, Pinnacle has grown into an airline that flies under Northwest Airlink and Delta Connection and carries more than 800,000 customers every month.

ALPA members picket outside the main terminal at Duluth International Airport. Photo by Larry Sillanpa, Duluth Labor World