Thank goodness for SL8
Thank you for calling the AirTran Airways Employee Newsline. This is Bob Jordan, AirTran Airways President, on Monday, August 22.
For those of you that normally listen to Gary’s Newsline as well, he is in Atlanta today participating in the Metro Atlanta Chamber’s “Insights on Leadership” series. I don’t want to spoil any surprises, but I think Gary might have a bit of news to share later today. I know he’s going to record a special Newsline this afternoon, probably sometime after 2 p.m. Central Daylight Time, with an update, so I encourage you to call back and listen for updates then. And I’m going to keep my Newsline short today, knowing that Gary will have some good updates for you a little later on.
Today, I want to focus primarily on the news last Thursday that the AirTran ALPA Master Executive Council (MEC), which represents our Pilots, voted to reject the Seniority List Integration Agreement. I’m very disappointed in the vote, especially since that means that neither the Southwest, nor the AirTran Pilots, will have the ability to vote and therefore have a say in the process. I do want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone that worked tirelessly to reach a proposed Agreement; especially the negotiating committees for both SWAPA and ALPA. The process was a difficult one, but one that led to a proposed Agreement that included Seniority List Integration and a generous economic offer from Southwest that facilitated the Seniority List Integration. And while some did not like it, it provided benefits for everybody which was the goal from the outset. Having failed to reach a negotiated Integrated Seniority List, the Process Agreement provides for Mediation as the next step and ultimately if needed, Binding Arbitration. The Agreement also provides that the Company will not participate in the Mediation process unless requested by either Merger Committee. And based on the economic realities we’re facing, it is Southwest’s current intent not to participate in any Mediation session until it has had time to reevaluate our current plans in light of economic realities.
As y’all know this is an extraordinarily tough business, one whose fortune’s can change very quickly. If you remember just last fall it appeared the economic recovery was taking hold and fuel prices were settling in at high but stable levels and just contrast that to today, I know you’ve all seen the just absolute parade of weak economic news the past 60 days. Fuel prices are up 40 percent, 4-0, compared to last year. And just earlier this month, Southwest reported consolidated second quarter results that included earnings down almost 50 percent compared to a year ago.
Those realities are affecting our business and our integration plans, and they just can’t be ignored. That said, we cannot let this setback destroy the positive momentum that we have all gained throughout the integration process. Or, cause us to lose our optimism for the future. I also want to remind you that we are all entitled to our own viewpoints, and even though we might disagree on certain topics at times, we must always be professional and respectful and practice the Golden Rule, which is to treat each other as you would wish to be treated. So let’s all keep our heads up, let’s focus our attention on moving forward with the best of intentions and attitudes, because I still believe we have a lot to look forward to.
