Former employees sue Big Sky Airlines

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.jamestownsun.com/articles/index.cfm?id=67514§ion=news

The Jamestown Sun
Published Monday, June 09, 2008

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Big Sky Airlines executives failed to honor a key labor contract as they liquidated the company, according to a lawsuit filed by former employees who allege wrongful termination and breech of contract.

Officials for United Transportation Union Local 15 are suing the airline and its parent company, Minneapolis-based MAIR Holdings Inc., in U.S. District Court in Billings.

Phoenix Acquisitions, a company that employees formed in hopes of buying Big Sky, has joined the union’s lawsuit and is seeking back wages and punitive damages.

MAIR Holdings and Big Sky President Fred de-Leeuw did not immediately return calls for comment.

Bruce Tall, a former Big Sky pilot who heads Local 15, said the company broke its contract to immediately notify and negotiate with the union about any corporate change that would affect jobs. The company also ignored the union’s certified letter asking for an immediate meeting, according to the lawsuit.

FULL story at link.