National Mediation Board Announces Dates for Union Election

WASHINGTON, May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Mediation Board (NMB) today announced the voting schedule for Pinnacle/Colgan/Mesaba Flight Attendants to determine union representation. Voting instructions will be sent to over 1,800 Flight Attendants on June 18, 2012 and voting will close July 16, 2012. The election was called after the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) achieved more than a majority showing of interest to conduct an election with AFA as a choice on the ballot. AFA already represents approximately 600 Flight Attendants at pre-merger Mesaba.

"Flight Attendants at the new Pinnacle Airlines are ready to defend their rights and set a positive direction for their future. As the world's largest Flight Attendant union, run by Flight Attendants, AFA has been at the forefront of every important Flight Attendant issue over 60 years, building the Flight Attendant career and promoting our work as first responders.

"By joining with Flight Attendants throughout the industry, Pinnacle and Colgan Flight Attendants will join their flying partners from pre-merger Mesaba in the union that understands better than any other how to negotiate Flight Attendant contracts, enforce them on a daily basis and provide Flight Attendants the kind of support we need daily in our unique work lives," said Veda Shook, AFA International President.

The representation election is not a vote for one contract or another: All contracts remain in effect after the election. AFA negotiates based on the priorities set by Flight Attendants through surveys, meetings and direct member feedback to elected Flight Attendant leaders.

The Association of Flight Attendants is the world's largest Flight Attendant union. Focused 100 percent on Flight Attendant issues, AFA has been the leader in advancing the Flight Attendant profession for over 65 years. Serving as the voice for Flight Attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill, AFA has transformed the Flight Attendant profession by raising wages, benefits and working conditions.  Nearly 60,000 Flight Attendants at 21 airlines come together to form AFA, part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afacwa.org.

SOURCE Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA)