Great Lakes pilots plan to picket airports

CHEYENNE — Pilots for Cheyenne-based Great Lakes Aviation plan to picket at Denver International and Cheyenne airports during the Thanksgiving holiday.

According to a statement released by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents the pilots, the picket line will be protesting two years of unsuccessful negotiations between the union and the company.

Pilots have not seen pay increases in more than three years, according the union. But Chuck Howell, chief operating officer, disputes that claim, and said that pilots get a pay raise each year. “I’m sure they would like to increase the amount,” he said. “But airlines everywhere are losing money. I don’t understand how anyone can overlook the fact that you can’t give out money that you don’t have,” Howell said.

In August, the financially troubled airline was removed from the Nasdaq SmallCap Market, but still trades via the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board under the ticker symbol GLUX.

Great Lakes employs approximately 250 pilots, flying passengers and cargo throughout the Rocky Mountain and upper Midwest regions of the country, as well as providing regional air service to United and Frontier airlines.

Howell said the picketing, planned for Nov. 26 and 27, will not have an effect on the airline’s operations.

“Great Lakes will continue to fly as normal,” he said.

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