Tag Archives: 19000255

Teamsters file a lawsuit against Republic Airways, Republic responds

Teamsters Local 357 has filed a lawsuit against Republic Airways Holidays (Indianapolis) charging the company has unilaterally changed the working conditions for its pilots regarding “open time” flying. Here is the full statement:

On July 9, Teamsters Local 357 in Plainfield, Indiana, filed a lawsuit against Republic Airways for unilaterally changing pilots’ working conditions regarding “open time” flying without first agreeing with the union about those changes. More than 2,200 Republic pilots are members of Local 357 and have been seeking a fair contract from the company since 2007.

The lawsuit asserts that the company’s changes are unlawful alterations in the status quo and that they took place even while the items changed were the subject of ongoing bargaining between Local 357 and Republic. The purpose of the lawsuit is to compel Republic’s compliance with its lawful duties under the Railway Labor Act (RLA), the federal law which governs labor relations in the airline industry.

To uphold the principle that Republic can only make changes to the pilots’ agreement through the bargaining process, Local 357 filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Indianapolis (case number: 1:15-cv-01066-WTL-MJD) seeking injunctive relief, declaratory judgment and other appropriate relief against the company’s unlawful changes in the status quo of pilot contractual rates of pay, rules and working conditions.

“Republic has had eight years to come to an agreement. The pilots are seeking a fair contract that spells out pay, benefits and working conditions, so that the company can’t give something and take it back at their whim. That’s what these hardworking, skilled pilots deserve now—plain and simple,” said Jim Clark, President of Local 357.

Pending the outcome of this lawsuit, the pilots will maintain their normal practice with regard to flying.

Republic Airways Holdings (Indianapolis) has responded to the lawsuit:

On Thursday, July 9, 2015, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) Local 357, representing Republic’s pilots, filed suit against the Company alleging that the Company unilaterally increased compensation for pilots and new hires in violation of the Railway Labor Act. We believe the suit is completely without merit, and the Company will take appropriate steps to respond. The specific allegations made by IBT Local 357 are incomplete and factually incorrect.

The IBT and the Company are currently in the middle of negotiations supervised by the National Mediation Board for an amended collective bargaining agreement.

The Company stands ready with its current proposal to make a significant investment in our pilots, which is not only fair and equitable, but would place our pilots ahead of their peers in the regional airline industry. This lawsuit is nothing more than an improper tactic by IBT Local 357 to distract our employees and pressure the Company with respect to the negotiations process.

Top Copyright Photo: Formerly operated for Frontier Airlines (2nd), Embraer ERJ 190-100 IGW N163HQ (msn 19000255) is painted in the Republic Airways house livery, but it is operated by Republic Airlines (2nd). The regional jet lines up for the runway at Baltimore/Washington (BWI).

Republic Airways aircraft slide show:

Republic Airways Holdings’ pilots reject the proposed tentative contract

Republic Airways Holdings‘ (Indianapolis) over 2,200 pilots of subsidiaries Chautauqua Airlines, Republic Airlines (2nd) and Shuttle America have rejected by a 85-15 percent vote the tentative agreement with management.

According to ALPA, “While their Tentative Agreement contained some substantial contract improvements, including pay increases, it did not meet their pilots’ demands. After 7 years of negotiations, the pilots clearly felt that they deserved pay and benefits commensurate with their positions as professional air line pilots and the value they bring to the company. Also of note is that the negotiated TA only touched four areas of the contract and did not address many areas of pilot interest.”

In addition, Teamsters Local 357 Executive Board issued this statement to the pilots: “In rejecting the TA, the pilot group has stated clearly its demand that Republic must do better in establishing acceptable terms for a new agreement. The Company cannot ignore the pilots’ demands without risking the continued deterioration of its operation which drove it back to the bargaining table last year.”

In return, the company, Republic Airways Holdings issued this statement:

Republic Airways Holdings announced on April 4 that members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) Local 357 failed to ratify a proposed four-year pilot labor agreement.

IBT Local 357 represents more than 2,200 pilots for Republic’s sister companies Chautauqua Airlines, Republic Airlines and Shuttle America.

“We are extremely disappointed that the union’s membership failed to ratify the tentative agreement that was reached in mid-February. At a time when other regional airlines have been negotiating concessionary agreements for their pilots, we were able to reach an industry-leading contract that significantly improved pay and work rules for our pilots to vote upon,” said Republic Airways Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Wayne Heller. “Despite the outcome of this vote, Republic remains committed to providing the safest, most reliable flight service for our legacy airline partners.”

The proposed contract included increases in pay that would have placed Republic pilots at or near the top of its regional airline peers. It also included improvements in quality of life enhancements and more flexibility in scheduling, as well as a significant signing bonus if it had been ratified.

Republic Airways Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Bryan Bedford said, “I am disappointed with the results of the IBT Pilot vote as I believe that the Tentative Agreement we reached with the IBT was in the best interest of our Pilots and an important step forward for our Company. We will work with the IBT to determine our next steps.”

Republic Airways Holdings, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is an airline holding company that owns Chautauqua Airlines, Republic Airlines and Shuttle America, collectively “the airlines.” The airlines operate a combined fleet of about 250 aircraft and offer scheduled passenger service on over 1,350 flights daily to about 110 cities in the U.S., Canada and the Bahamas through fixed-fee flights operated under our major airline partner brands, including American Eagle, Delta Connection, United Express, and US Airways Express. The airlines currently employ about 6,300 aviation professionals.

As a result, Republic has delayed a decision on its order for 40 Bombardier CSeries aircraft. The order is not cancelled but it is pending according to Bedford after this vote.

Copyright Photo: Tony Storck/AirlinersGallery.com. Formerly operated in Frontier Airlines colors, Embraer ERJ 190-100 IGW N163HQ (msn 19000255) is now painted in the Republic Airways house colors and operated by Republic Airlines (2nd).

Republic Airways-Republic Airlines:

The combined route map of Chautauqua Airlines, Republic Airlines (2nd) and Shuttle America:

Frontier Airlines to drop Wichita on November 15

Frontier Airlines (2nd) (Denver) will drop Wichita and the Wichita-Denver route on November 15 due to underperforming results. The route is operated by Republic Airlines (2nd) (Indianapolis).

Read the full report by Channel 12: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Tony Storck. Embraer ERJ 190-100 IGW N163HQ (msn 19000255) with a Red Fox image on the tail arrives at Washington (Reagan National).

Frontier Airlines-Republic Airlines: