Republic Airways teamsters rally for new contracts
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Republic Airways pilots and their families rallied outside the company’s shareholders meeting in Indianapolis on Tuesday.
The slow progress of contract negotiations between employees and one airline has caused several to voice their frustrations. Members of the Teamsters local 357 and employees of Republic Airways attended the rally.
The rally was held to encourage shareholders to push CEO Bryan Bedford to complete an updated contract with the union. The new agreement includes an increase in pay and benefits for airline employees.
Bedford says he is committed to getting a new agreement with the pilots in place.
“We have fantastic pilots at Republic. We really respect what they do, their contribution to the company. They deserve an industry-leading agreement and that’s what we believe we’ve put on the table. So we look forward to getting it done at the bargaining table,” said Bedford.
The last agreed upon contract was signed in 2003. Republic employs more than 2,000 teamster pilots.