The chairman of regional carrier Sun Country Airlines has upped the ante in the long-running labor dispute with pilots by threatening to close down the company.
In an email to unions chairman Marty Davis said the company is ‘downsizing the airline, for what will need to be its ultimate shut down.’
It is the latest salvo in what has been a long drawn-out dispute lasting years.
Davis’ email said the family owned airline has made its ‘best and final offer ‘ to the 245 pilots based at its Minneapolis-St. Paul hub.
Union negotiator Capt. Brian Roseen defended the union’s stance, saying Sun Country has the lowest paid B-737 pilots in the country.
"We are disappointed Mr. Davis has chosen to respond to us with the threat of a shutdown even as the Association is prepared to present its counter-proposal. "Sun Country pilots intend to show up for work tomorrow and continue to do our jobs the way we always have — safely, professionally and courteously," Roseen said in a statement.
The pilots’ union and Sun Country entered federal mediation back in May 2012 and in February pilots voted for strike action if the latest round of talks failed to reach an agreement.
