For More Information Contact:
Kelly Kennedy
608/266-7876
MADISON – Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager announced today that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has reached a settlement with Mesaba Aviation, Inc., over a mass layoff claim related to the closure of its aircraft heavy maintenance operations at its Mosinee, Wisconsin outstation in October of 2003.
“I am very pleased these workers will be compensated and their rights under the law upheld,” Lautenschlager said. “Wisconsin workers are our state’s most vital economic resource, and protecting workers’ rights helps Wisconsin families — and helps create a better future for all our citizens.”
The claim, originally filed in November, 2003 with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), and referred to the Attorney General in January, 2005, alleged that Mesaba failed to provide 25 employees 60 days advance notice of their furloughs in violation of Wisconsin’s Business Closing and Mass Layoff law, Wis. Stat. s. 109.07.
The agreement calls for the payment of $100,000, which will be distributed to the employees, pro-rata, after deductions for back wages paid as the result of an arbitration award to certain of the employees represented by the Aircraft Machinists Fraternal Association and severance payments made to certain employees.
Workers will be notified directly by DWD.
