buscap
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2005
- Posts
- 999
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Date:
[/FONT]September 21, 2006
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To:
[/FONT]All ASA Pilots
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From:
[/FONT]Bryan LaBrecque
With all of the discussion about the status of negotiations and the latest meetings, I thought it was important to step back from the immediate timeframe and understand what the company has done to try to reach an agreement. The negotiations haven’t been a simple process, but despite
claims to the contrary, we really do want to reach an agreement and an agreement that works for both of us. That’s a balance that is anything but easy to achieve but it is a balance we must find together if we are to be competitive going forward and provide a quality career for our pilots.
To be able to grow and effectively compete we must have predictable costs, something we don’t have today without an agreement. Conversely, we can’t be burdened with uncompetitive costs just for the sake of an agreement. Both of those conditions result in unsuccessful outcomes.
Late last year, I committed to you that the company would make every effort to push these negotiations to closure. I believe we have done just that. Since December 2005 the company has taken a number of steps, often unilaterally, to remove barriers to progress and move forward.
With all of the discussion about the status of negotiations and the latest meetings, I thought it was important to step back from the immediate timeframe and understand what the company has done to try to reach an agreement. The negotiations haven’t been a simple process, but despite
claims to the contrary, we really do want to reach an agreement and an agreement that works for both of us. That’s a balance that is anything but easy to achieve but it is a balance we must find together if we are to be competitive going forward and provide a quality career for our pilots.
To be able to grow and effectively compete we must have predictable costs, something we don’t have today without an agreement. Conversely, we can’t be burdened with uncompetitive costs just for the sake of an agreement. Both of those conditions result in unsuccessful outcomes.
Late last year, I committed to you that the company would make every effort to push these negotiations to closure. I believe we have done just that. Since December 2005 the company has taken a number of steps, often unilaterally, to remove barriers to progress and move forward.
•
In attempt to remove the time consuming negotiation method of section-by-section, the
company put forward a comprehensive contract proposal last year.
company put forward a comprehensive contract proposal last year.
•
We changed some dynamics at the negotiating table so communications could be easier and
less strained. Specifically, we changed our legal representation at the request of ALPA.
less strained. Specifically, we changed our legal representation at the request of ALPA.
•
We instituted changes in crew scheduling to improve the relationship between schedulers and
pilots – a relationship in our industry that has historically been difficult. We continue to
work towards further improvement.
pilots – a relationship in our industry that has historically been difficult. We continue to
work towards further improvement.
•
Last fall, the company backed away from its previous position requiring pre-conditions to
enacting ASAP (Aviation Safety Action Program), essentially meeting ALPA’s demands.
We are committed to providing you with an ASAP program, however, we cannot move
forward without ALPA’s participation.
enacting ASAP (Aviation Safety Action Program), essentially meeting ALPA’s demands.
We are committed to providing you with an ASAP program, however, we cannot move
forward without ALPA’s participation.
•
The company instituted CASS (Cockpit Access Security System), which gives pilots
enhanced access to the jump seat on other carriers.
Page Two
September 21, 2006
enhanced access to the jump seat on other carriers.
Page Two
September 21, 2006
•
This past spring, ASA initiated the informal talks that led to resolving Sections 13
(Scheduling) and 24 (Filling of Vacancies) which will result in significant lifestyle
improvements that we believe are important to you.
(Scheduling) and 24 (Filling of Vacancies) which will result in significant lifestyle
improvements that we believe are important to you.
•
This summer, the company unilaterally elected to distribute restricted stock grants to our
pilot workforce. We didn’t tie their inclusion to our negotiations or any other condition,
other than the basic conditions of years of service.
pilot workforce. We didn’t tie their inclusion to our negotiations or any other condition,
other than the basic conditions of years of service.
•
Twice this summer, we took the initiative to open informal discussions that we had hoped
would provide an environment that would put us on a path to an agreement.
would provide an environment that would put us on a path to an agreement.
•
ALPA has taken the position that they will not conduct further discussions without the
involvement of the mediator. As a result, the company approached the mediator and asked
him to bring the parties back together. The mediator held a status conference to assess any
changes in the parties’ positions since he had recessed negotiations in May. During this
session, the company provided a new proposal that we believe provides significant
enhancements while also meeting the industry economics. After receiving ALPA’s response,
the mediator concluded the parties were still too far apart to warrant resuming formal
negotiations.
While many of you have heard conflicting “facts” regarding our actions or proposals – and will probably continue to hear them – I felt it was important to summarize our commitment to creating an environment that would enhance our combined ability to conclude negotiations swiftly. While that solution has been elusive, we are not deterred and will continue to work with
your representation to reach a successful outcome. I believe we need an honest, positive and constructive dialogue if we are to reach an agreement. I promise to do all I can to provide a path for productive negotiations that can provide a stable future for all of us, that includes opportunity for personal growth, professional growth, stock appreciation and secures ASA a future in this dynamic industry.
In closing, I would like to take a moment to thank all of you - our professional aviators - for what you do for this company and our customers every day. I appreciate your dedication in support of our operation. It is instrumental in achieving what we all want - a safe, reliable and high quality experience for our customers.
Thank you again.
involvement of the mediator. As a result, the company approached the mediator and asked
him to bring the parties back together. The mediator held a status conference to assess any
changes in the parties’ positions since he had recessed negotiations in May. During this
session, the company provided a new proposal that we believe provides significant
enhancements while also meeting the industry economics. After receiving ALPA’s response,
the mediator concluded the parties were still too far apart to warrant resuming formal
negotiations.
While many of you have heard conflicting “facts” regarding our actions or proposals – and will probably continue to hear them – I felt it was important to summarize our commitment to creating an environment that would enhance our combined ability to conclude negotiations swiftly. While that solution has been elusive, we are not deterred and will continue to work with
your representation to reach a successful outcome. I believe we need an honest, positive and constructive dialogue if we are to reach an agreement. I promise to do all I can to provide a path for productive negotiations that can provide a stable future for all of us, that includes opportunity for personal growth, professional growth, stock appreciation and secures ASA a future in this dynamic industry.
In closing, I would like to take a moment to thank all of you - our professional aviators - for what you do for this company and our customers every day. I appreciate your dedication in support of our operation. It is instrumental in achieving what we all want - a safe, reliable and high quality experience for our customers.
Thank you again.
