The tentative agreement is subject to ratification by more than 400 pilots represented by Teamsters Local 986 in El Monte, California. It would provide improvements in job security, retirement benefits, life insurance, wages and other benefits.
"We are very happy that the company finally came back to the table to actually negotiate so that we could reach this agreement," said Captain Luis Carmona, Executive Council Chairman of the World Airways pilots' union. "We look forward to putting the details of this tentative agreement out to our pilot group for approval so that we can go back to flying for the premier ACMI (provides aircraft, crew, maintenance, insurance) carrier in the industry."
The pilots of World Airways began a nine-day strike with an initial, limited spot strike on January 28 after talks broke down between the pilot's Negotiating Committee and World Airways' management under the auspices of the National Mediation Board (NMB).
"Our intention throughout these negotiations was to protect the jobs and futures of World Airways pilots and their families. We believe this tentative agreement accomplishes that objective," said Captain Mark Ohlau, World Airways Pilots Executive Council Member and Negotiating Committee Chairman.
"Throughout this process, our strength has been the resolve of our pilot group and their determination to make management understand that this contract fight wasn't about compensation -- it was about our crew members wanting long careers as World Airways pilots," Ohlau said.
Plans are under way between the union and the company to resume all commercial operations that were shut down by the company during the strike.
A subsidiary of World Air Holdings Inc., World Airways is the largest commercial carrier of U.S. military personnel. The airline also provides cargo services for several international carriers.
The pilots, who became Teamsters in 1967, are among the 40,000 members of the Teamsters Airline Division.Yahoo! News
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