Union Drive Under Way for Pilots at TMC

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 1108 is holding a vote this month for representation of pilots at Elkhart, Ind., charter operator Travel Management Company (TMC). Fifty percent plus one of the pilots would need to vote for union representation. “Over the years we’ve had them approach us on several occasions,” said Mat Slinghoff, outgoing president of IBT 1108, “and this last time we felt they wanted to vote. We had enough pilots so we went ahead with it.”

A key issue for TMC pilots, according to Slinghoff, is a schedule of 15 days on and 13 days off. (TMC was not able to comment before deadline.) “I think that has really worn them down,” he said. “Just like any pilot group, they’re probably going to want to address their scheduling issues and ultimately wage issues.”

IBT 1108 is also preparing to file a single-carrier petition that asks the National Mediation Board to rule that Flight Options and Flexjet, both owned by Directional Aviation Capital, are operating as a single carrier. “To file a petition, it’s based on where we think the Flexjet pilots are,” Slinghoff said. “We want to be sure we’re in a position to win an election.”