America West pilots reject TA

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Nice work guys, you deserve a lot more than 11%.


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AmWest pilots turn down new contract with 11% pay hike

By Hal Mattern
The Arizona Republic

Pilots for America West Airlines on Tuesday overwhelmingly rejected a new contract that would have given them an immediate 11 percent pay raise.
Also Tuesday, pilots for Phoenix-based Mesa Air Group Inc. ratified a new contract that provides for incremental raises and job security.
More than 70 percent of the America West pilots voted against the contract over concerns about job security, inadequate work rules and the lack of a new pension plan.
The Airline Pilots Association said the contract was rejected 1,045 to 388.
"The message we heard again and again from our pilots was the the agreement didn't meet their needs or the needs of their families," said Peter Blandino, acting union council chairman at America West.
The average pay for America west captains is $118,500; for first officers it is $74,000. The pilots' salaries are among the lowest in the industry.
Douglas Parker, chaiman and chief executive officer of Tempe-based America west, said he was disappointed by the vote, "particularly given the economic realities facing our industry and our company today."
Pilots for America West have been working under the same contract since 1995. It was up for amendment early 2000, but negotiations dragged on for nearly three years before a tentative agreement was reached in December. The rejection of that agreement means that the 1995 contract remains in effect. Negotiations are expected to resume in the summer.

 

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AmWest pilots to seek new deal

By Hal Mattern
The Arizona Republic

After three years of on-again, off-again negotiations, America West Airlines and its pilots union will be heading back to the bargaining table by summer.
Members of the Airline Pilots Association rejected a proposed new contract Tuesday by a wide margain, meaning they will continue to work under their 1995 pact.
"We will petition the National Mediation Board to bring the parties back as soon as possible," said Peter Blandino, acting chairman of the union council for America West pilots.
Blandino said he didn't expect any serious talk by pilolts about a strike or other work interruptions, given the state of the airline industry.
"I have no sense that they are going to retaliate against the company in this environment," he said.
Many pilots have complained that America West management dragged out contract negotiations and ignored their requests for a better pension plan and pay raises retroactive to 2000, when the current contract became amendable. They also say they resent the national pilots union for pushing the proposed contract that was rejected Tuesday by a 1,045-388 vote.
America West pilots are among the lowest-paid in the industry. The airline agreeed to keep costs low in return for a federal loan guarantee that allowed it to secure $429 million in private financing last year.
"Whenever we eventually restart these negotiations, the discussions will necessarily be framed by the economic realities facing America West and the industry at this time," said Douglas Parker, the airline's chairman and CEO.

CONTRACT DETAILS
Highlights of the contract America West pilots rejected.

TERM: Three years.

PAY RAISES: 11 percent immediately; 3 percent on Jan. 1, 2005.

REGIONAL JETS: Caps the number of small jets that contract airlines could fly for America West.

WORK RULES: Improves pilot scheduling.

PENSION: Establishes a committee to study the creation of a defined-contribution plan.
- Hal Mattern