Contract discussions between Sun Country Airlines and its pilots union have turned tense.

In a statement Thursday night, the head of Sun Country's Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) said airline Chairman Marty Davis is warning of a "downsizing" if a labor agreement is not reached.

"Mr. Davis' e-mail [on Wednesday] asserts that after five years of negotiations, the first comprehensive economic proposal presented by the company is also its 'last, best and final' proposal. In essence, it's a take-it-or-leave-it offer. He claims that he has begun the process of downsizing the airline, although we have seen no evidence of this," said Brian Roseen, chairman of the pilots' Master Executive Council, in a statement.

The 250-member pilots union voted to authorize a strike in February, but no date was set.

Davis had no comment when contacted by the Star Tribune and referred inquiries to Sun Country CEO John Fredericksen.

Fredericksen said, "We've been in negotiations with our pilots for five years and our policy always has been to conduct those negotiations in private and that's the way it's going to remain. We don't negotiate in the media and we are not going to start now."

Fredericksen said he is aware of recent communications between the company of the head of ALPA but said "there is nothing going on that is going to impact any current customers of the company."

Fredericksen described contract talks as "ongoing."

"Both parties look forward to concluding this in the near future," he said.

The ALPA statement said the next round of mediation before the National Mediation Board is tentatively scheduled for May 27-29.

David Phelps • 612-673-7269