INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 22, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- ATA Airlines, Inc. (Pink Sheets:ATAHQ) announces that its flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), have voted to ratify a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The new agreement will extend wage, benefit and work rule concessions earlier ratified on Oct. 15, 2004, and will become effective Jan. 1, 2006. The collective bargaining agreement will be amendable on Oct. 31, 2008.
"Reaching this consensual agreement marks yet another significant accomplishment in strengthening the airline's financial position as we edge ever closer to successful emergence from Chapter 11," said ATA CEO and President John Denison. "By ratifying this agreement, our flight attendants are demonstrating a faith in this Company that has been displayed by so many of our employees during this difficult restructuring period."
Senior Vice President of Employee Relations Richard Meyer agreed with Denison. "Today's announcement is a true testament to the outstanding cooperative efforts made by everyone involved in the negotiations," added Meyer. "We appreciate our flight attendants choosing to play a role in reducing the Company's operating costs. With this decision, they are helping to create a more robust and financially stable airline that can support a better long-term future for all employees."
Concessions were already in effect through Oct. 15, 2006 under an agreement between ATA and AFA signed in October of 2004. In early August of 2005, negotiations resumed with the primary goal of extending those concessions. On Nov. 7, 2005, ATA AFA Master Executive Council (MEC) members forwarded a tentative agreement to flight attendants for voting on ratification. Today's announcement confirms their approval of that agreement.
ATA Airlines, headquartered in Indianapolis, now in its 33rd year of operation, offers "easy" and affordable travel to major business centers and popular vacation destinations like New York, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Hawaii, Florida and Mexico. Through direct and connecting codeshare flights, ATA now serves customers in more than 60 markets. For more information, visit ata.com.
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) is the world's largest labor union organized by flight attendants for flight attendants. AFA represents over 46,000 flight attendants at 22 airlines, serving as a voice for flight attendants at their workplace, in the industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill.
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements: This communication contains certain "forward-looking statements." These statements are based on ATA Holdings Corp.'s management's current expectations and are naturally subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Except to the extent required under the federal securities laws, ATA Holdings Corp. is not under any obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.