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Mesa Air Group
Pilots Elect New Leaders By Mike Mitchell |
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January 27, 2012 - Pilot leaders at Mesa Air Group,
which is represented by the Air Line Pilots Association,
Int’l (ALPA), unanimously elected officers to spearhead
the union’s efforts. First Officer Marcin Kolodziejczyk
was re-elected as the chairman, First Officer Jez
Ingram-Clay was re-elected as the vice chairman, and
Captain Darrell Cox was elected as the
secretary-treasurer. The officers’ new two-year terms
will begin in March 2012. “Protecting and advancing the careers of all Mesa pilots remains our top priority,” said First Officer Kolodziejczyk of his re-election to MEC chairman. “The regional industry is extremely volatile and can change in the blink of an eye. As companies continue to compete for business, they will also be competing for qualified professionals due to the looming pilot shortage. |
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“Mesa is
at a crossroads. Our pilots are some of the best in the industry
and are sought after by other airlines. If senior management
expects Mesa to become a viable airline after having recently
emerged from a painful bankruptcy process in which hundreds of
our pilots were downgraded, displaced, and/or furloughed they
need to recognize pilots for the sacrifices and contributions
they have made to this airline.
This
starts at the bargaining table. We entered contract negotiations
last year to improve pilots’ working conditions and will
continue to work proactively to address their needs, as well as
those of the company.
“We are
also monitoring the industry closely, and are fully prepared to
tackle any challenges or take advantage of any opportunities
that may arise.”
Following
is a brief bio on each of the Master Executive Council (MEC)
officers.
• First
Officer Marcin Kolodziejczyk, MEC Chairman
First
Officer Kolodziejczyk has served as the MEC chairman since
October 2010. A CRJ pilot, he has been an active ALPA volunteer
since joining Mesa in July 2006. Among other leadership roles,
First Officer Kolodziejczyk has served as a status
representative for pilots based in Phoenix and Hawaii; he will
begin a new term in that capacity, as well, in March 2012.
• First
Officer Jez Ingram-Clay, MEC Vice Chairman
A
downgraded captain, First Officer Ingram-Clay flies the CRJ out
of Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). He has served
as the MEC vice chairman since November 2011, and is also
chairman of the pilots’ Negotiating Committee. Prior to joining
Mesa in July 2005, he was part of the management team at the
McDonald’s Corporation in London for 15 years. |