AWA T/A Reached

[dispatchguy]

This is Scott Sherrin with a special MEC Hotline on Sunday, December 22.

On December 21, 2002, your MEC met in special session to receive a briefing from the Negotiating Team. In essence, the negotiators reported that since each party stood firm on several remaining open items, the Mediator offered a final closeout offer, formally known as a Mediator's Proposal, to resolve the disputed items. After carefully reviewing the details of the Mediator's Proposal and those items that had previously been agreed upon, the MEC accepted the Mediator's Proposal.

After deciding to accept the Mediator's Proposal, conditioned upon the MEC coming out in support of the Tentative Agreement, the MEC adopted the following resolution:

MEC RESOLUTION 02-10-01 21 December 2002


ACCEPTANCE OF MEDIATORS FINAL OFFER

WHEREAS the AWA MEC in special session has carefully reviewed the status of contract negotiations, including the proposal from the NMB mediator addressing the remaining open items and,

WHEREAS the MEC has considered the proposal in light of all the pertinent circumstances, including the ATSB loan covenants and the current airline industry financial environment,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the MEC hereby accepts the mediator's proposal in settlement of the remaining contract issues and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the MEC endorses, recommends and will support membership ratification of the comprehensive collective bargaining agreement resulting from the mediator's proposal and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the MEC thanks the negotiating committee for their tireless efforts on behalf of the AWA pilot group under the most difficult and challenging circumstances.

Final contract language will be drafted and approved by the MEC, followed by a complete tentative agreement being presented to the membership in early January. Those sections already TA'd are available on the MEC website and as additional sections are completed, those too will be posted. A minimum of 21 days will be allocated for pilots to review the fully completed agreement, attend road shows, and vote on the final agreement in accordance with the MEC's policies on membership ratification.

 

[jon coqtoestone]

I heard this news just coming off a trip. Excitement was quickly replaced by shoulder-shrugging "thought so's" when the rough sketch came to light.

Only 1 out of 4 essential improvements is there -- scheduling. 11% pay raise? They're joking! That still leaves me tens of thousands of dollars short of my fellow "low cost carrier" colleagues. Still no retirement or reasonable scope.

This TA will be soundly rejected. But I guess it's the only way for NMB and management to realize we're not kidding about demanding what is right. (ie, putting this TA out now, as it is, is nothing more than a fishing expedition -- they want to know how little they have to give to get a 50% + 1 approval. Me thinks they're gonna have to give a heck of a lot more to come close to that!)

We don't want to bankrupt the company. But we won't settle for a laughable contract. (Remember how much management cackled after the FA's settled on their substandard contract?) We know that Airbus will pre-pay the ATSB loans after we sign off on a new contract, so the "15% rule" will not be a player. (In fact, if this doesn't happen between now and next Christmas, I'll kiss Doug's knuckle on "Point Lima" at high noon on 12/25/03!)

But, then again, I could be wrong . . .

Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year, Happy Solstice, etc., etc., etc.

Cheers!

 

[racerX]

Those of us interviewing or new to the company sure would like to have any T/A details you would be willing to share. Pay, scheduling, scope...etc.

Thanks,

 

[jon coqtoestone]

Happy New Year, one and all!

RacerX, here's what little I know at this point (actual language on TA still being typed):

PAY -- 11% rate increase effective date of signing, with another 3% 3 years from now. (I understand the raise considers the hourly rate only. However, scheduling change will reduce the number of paychecks (2) per year, so this could very well be a bottom-line decrease in "salary.")

RETIREMENT -- company will "form a committee" to look into it.

SCHEDULING -- supposed to be some major changes here, so no bullet points -- this is where they're still typing up the language I suppose.

SCOPE -- Mesa/Freedom keep their firm orders/options; then 3 RJ's per 1 mainline addition; AWA flies everything > 90 seats.

NO RETRO -- company has wasted 35 months negotiating significant changes in only one section (scheduling) in this whole contract without consequence.

Saying that these are bad times to negotiate a contract is quite the understatement. This TA -- basically the mediator's proposal -- will be rejected. The only question is "what next?"

Don't get me wrong; I am not ungrateful for my lot in life during these crazy times. But we will not accept something this concessionary for a 6 year contract. (3 year duration, 3 years to negotiate another contract)

Ya'all take care out there, and best of luck to the interviewees!

 

[Wiskey Driver]

Thanks JC for the info. It was my understanding from my inside connections at AWA that the money you are looking for is Alaska pay rate and that is not out of line for a carrier of AWA's size. In my humble opinion a 20-25% pay raise AT THIS TIME would be more in line. AGAIN THIS IS ONLY MY OPINION FROM SOMEONE ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN... I hope you had fun at that thing!! happy 2003!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WD.

 

[jon coqtoestone]

WD, I'd gladly take that 20-25% right now, at this second, with Alaska pay kicking in the very second that the ATSB loans are paid off. Just too bad that won't be an option for another few months' worth of TA rejections.

By the way, had a blast on my 4-day vacation, thanks for mentioning. Ahhh, back to reality (whatever that is) . . .

Cheers!

 

[Wiskey Driver]

Glad to hear it JC, glad to hear it.

WD.