Pinnacle Files Lawsuit Against Union

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/5437259.html

By ADAM SCHRECK AP Business Writer
© 2008 The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Regional carrier Pinnacle Airlines Corp. said Tuesday it filed a lawsuit against its pilots union, citing "bad-faith bargaining" in contract talks that have dragged on for three years.

In a statement, the carrier accused the Air Line Pilots Association International of "continuing to move the goalposts" by making additional demands. The lack of an agreement between the two sides has led to lost business opportunities on more than one occasion, the carrier said.

"We regret having to file this lawsuit, but the union left us with no choice," Clive Seal, Pinnacle vice president and general manager, said in a statement.

The suit comes a day after the union rquested a "proffer of arbitration" from federal mediators.

If accepted by the National Mediation Board but rejected by Memphis-based Pinnacle, the request would allow the airline's pilots to strike after a 30-day waiting period. A spokesman for the union said the lawsuit was "clearly in response" to that request.

"ALPA has engaged in nothing but good-faith bargaining," spokesman Pete Janhunen said. "The suit is without merit, baseless and makes accusations that are false."

FULL story at link.