Washington, D.C., partner Joseph Manson was quoted in the June 9, 2009, Law360 article, "Flight Attendants Revive Contract Row With Mesa Air."
According to the article, in an attempt to revive a fight with Mesa Airlines Inc. over flight limitations and rest requirements, the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) has filed a new suit against the company just a week after a federal appeals court struck down a preliminary injunction granted to the union. The new complaint seeks an injunction barring Mesa from communicating directly with flight attendants on issues related to contract negotiations and directing Mesa to "treat exclusively with AFA over any proposed changes to the rates of pay, rules and working conditions of its flight attendants, including duty time and rest limitations." The proposed changes to rates of pay and working conditions were the subject of an opinion handed down by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on June 1, according to the article.
When the appeals court ruling was issued, Manson, who is representing Mesa in the case, said the ruling means Mesa can change between the regulations without being sued in federal court, though the union can take up its grievance before an arbitrator if they desire. The Ninth Circuit had merely followed existing legal precedent, Manson said, adding that he was pleased with the decision.