AirTran Airways Pilots Ratify New Four-Year Agreement; Contract Provides for Wage Increases, New Retirement Benefits.Business, Travel & Lifestyle Editors ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 6, 2001 AirTran Airways AirTran Airways is a low-cost airline that is a Delaware corporation with headquarters in Orlando, Florida, USA and is a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings. AirTran operates over 750 daily flights throughout the eastern USA and the Midwest, including over 270 daily departures from (AMEX AMEX See: American Stock Exchange :AAI AAI American Association of Immunologists. ) and the National Pilots Association today announced that its work force of 650 pilots have ratified a new collective bargaining agreement The contractual agreement between an employer and a Labor Union that governs wages, hours, and working conditions for employees and which can be enforced against both the employer and the union for failure to comply with its terms. . The four-year contract replaces the existing collective bargaining agreement, which became amendable in April. The new contract includes provisions for increased wages, benefits and job security for AirTran Airways pilots. The contract was approved by an 88%-12% margin. "This new agreement once again shows that AirTran Airways management is serious about providing good wages and benefits for our Employee-Crew Members and keeping pilot compensation competitive," said Joe Leonard, chairman and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of AirTran Airways. "In contrast to so many other airlines, we once again came to an agreement without the need for a federal mediator and without the threat of any labor job action." "The overwhelming vote for this collective bargaining agreement demonstrates our professional pilots full support for AirTran Airways and its continued success," said Captain Bob Wittenberg, President of the NPA (1) (Numbering Plan Area) The Bellcore/Telcordia telephone area code system in use in the U.S., Canada, Alaska, Hawaii and islands in the Caribbean. See NPA code. (2) (Network Professional Association, San Diego, CA, www.npanet. . "This new agreement will significantly improve our quality of life for the next few years and will keep the AirTran business model strong." Systemwide, AirTran Airways operates 336 daily departures to 34 cities. Offering the convenience of easy, same concourse connections in Atlanta, AirTran Airways operates 150 daily departures from Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest airport World's busiest airport is a claim that is fiercely fought over by the owners of the world's largest airports. The definition of "busiest" is debated as well, with claims being staked on the basis of aircraft operations, cargo traffic or total passengers. . In the past 10 months, AirTran Airways has successfully reached four new long-term collective bargaining agreements with its NPA-represented pilots, as well as its mechanics, ground instructors and stores clerks, all represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Teamsters large, powerful union of U. S. truckers. [Am. Hist.: NCE, 2703] See : Labor . All four agreements were reached in direct negotiations, without the involvement of federal mediators and without the threat of job actions. Named "Best Low-Fare Airline" for 2001 by Entrepreneur magazine, AirTran Airways provides everyday, affordable air travel throughout the eastern United States and, unlike other airlines, never requires a roundtrip purchase or Saturday night stay. Recipient of six consecutive annual "Diamond Awards" from the Federal Aviation Administration Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), component of the U.S. Department of Transportation that sets standards for the air-worthiness of all civilian aircraft, inspects and licenses them, and regulates civilian and military air traffic through its air traffic control for excellence in maintenance training, AirTran Airways is the launch customer for the Boeing 717, one of today's newest, most innovative and most environmentally friendly commercial aircraft. AirTran Airways is a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (AMEX:AAI). For more information and reservations, visit AirTran Airways' Web site at http://www.airtran.com (America Online keyword: AirTran), call your travel agent or call AirTran Airways at 800-AIRTRAN (800-247-8726) or 770-994-8258 (in Atlanta). Note to Atlanta-based Editors/Producers: AirTran Airways executives and NPA officials will be available for comment in the area of Gate 20 on the C Concourse at Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport from approximately 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Monday morning. Please page AirTran Airways Director of Corporate Communications Jim Brown at 877-829-8476 to arrange interviews. |
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