Teamsters Airline Division To Launch Organizing Campaign At Florida West

Teamsters Locals 1224, 769 to Lead Campaign to Unionize Pilots

News provided by

International Brotherhood of Teamsters

May 29, 2014, 03:54 ET

WASHINGTON, May 29, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the Teamsters Airline Division announced the start of a new initiative to organize pilots at Florida West International Airways (FWIA), a cargo airline based out of Miami International Airport. The pilots fly routes throughout the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean.

"No other labor union can offer these pilots the expertise, resources and support that the Teamsters bring to the table," said Teamsters Airline Division Director Capt. David Bourne. "With members throughout the entire supply chain – from the cockpit to the driver's seat – we understand the operational issues that pilots at Florida West must deal with every day on the job."

Teamsters Local Union 1224, an airline-specific chapter based in Wilmington, Ohio, will provide organizers and personnel with knowledge of the international air cargo industry to assist Local Union 769 in Miami, Fla. with the campaign.

"Our members and staff know this industry inside and out and understand the challenges these pilots face," said Daniel C. Wells, President of Local 1224. "We are proud to support the airline division in this effort."

If unionized, the FWIA pilots will be represented by Teamsters Local Union 769 in Miami.

"I look forward to working with the airline division and Teamsters Local 1224 to help the pilots get a voice on the job," said Mike Scott, President of Local 769. "With our union's strong representation, we will fight to bring Florida West pilots industry-leading wages and working conditions."

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico including more than 80,000 workers throughout the airline industry in every craft and class. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100127/IBTLOGO

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters