AWA/U Seniority Food Fight - The First Salvo

[Fly4hire]

This didn't take long.

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050519/dcth056.html?.v=9


PHOENIX, May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Captain JR Baker, chairman of the America West Airlines unit of the Air Line Pilots Association, made this statement today following America West's (NYSE: AWA - News) announcement that it will merge with US Airways.


"Protecting and defending the careers of America West pilots are our top priorities.

In 1997, we saw the potential for a transaction in our future and were determined not to be caught behind the power curve if our company was involved in an agreement. The AWA pilots started a separate merger fund to cover all outside expenses, and it has grown substantially during the past eight years.

When news of discussions between America West and US Airways first came to light, we set in motion measures enabling us to more efficiently realize our goals. Our teams are in place, and we are fully prepared to safeguard the careers of America West pilots who put their trust in this union.

In our profession, seniority is everything. To be clear our union's Merger Policy provides for a process and timeframe for events to occur, but does not dictate how two ALPA pilot groups will integrate their seniority lists. Specifics on how the two merge their seniority lists are left up to negotiations between the pilot groups involved; however, if no agreement is reached, a merged list would emerge from a mediation-arbitration process. Clearly, in such discussions with the US Airways pilots, we would view a date- of-hire type of integration as a completely unworkable solution for the America West pilots.

While details of the transaction continue to evolve, we remain focused on our priorities: protecting and defending the career expectations of America West pilots. As such, we will not allow America West management to lose focus on running an efficient airline or forget their commitment of operating in the best interests of the employees.

We are a vital part of America West, and we will not allow our pilots' career expectations to be sacrificed as a result of our airline's success." The Air Line Pilots Association is the bargaining agent for the more than 1,900 pilots at America West Airlines. Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world's largest pilot union, representing 64,000 pilots at 41 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at

 

[I.P. Freley]

GO SWINGLINE!!

(stolen from another, similar thread)

 

[TheDonger]

JOINT STATEMENT OF LABOR PRINCIPLES
The management teams at both US Airways and America West Airlines recognize the anxiety and uncertainty created among our valued employees since news of a potential merger surfaced in April, and we sincerely regret that legal constraints prevented us from providing you with more details about our discussions. Now that we have announced our planned merger, we can assure you that we have heard
your requests to be kept informed and we will be as open as possible as this transaction progresses.
.
The leading question is the obvious one: what will happen to my job if America West is ultimately merged into US Airways? We’ll try to give you our best answer, but please keep in mind that it will take a long time to complete an operational integration and, as we’ve already seen, there’s always the potential for unexpected changes in our industry.

Even once we begin the process of integrating our operations, it’s still hard to say what will happen to anyone’s particular job. For employees in work groups not represented by a collective bargaining agent at either airline, our management teams will be fair to employees at both carriers. Every employee is entitled to be evaluated individually, and there is no presumption that employees of one airline will be favored over the other.

For employees in work groups represented by unions, the question of what will happen to your jobs is even harder for us to answer because so much of what will happen is outside management’s control. Our labor contracts contain different provisions governing how seniority lists will be integrated, and depending on your specific contract, provide for integration in accordance with a particular union’s merger policy or certain “Allegheny Mohawk” seniority integration provisions. We will honor those contractual commitments, and the ultimate outcome of seniority integration will be determined by your collective bargaining representatives as dictated by your contracts.

Although the seniority integration process will be handled by your union representatives, we have every expectation that our unions will honor certain obviously fair and equitab le protocols as they implement their merger policies or Allegheny Mohawk provisions. Specifically, we would expect that no employee who already had been furloughed prior to the merger would be permitted to bump an active employee out of a job. Likewise, we expect our unions will recognize a solution that simply “staples” all employees of one airline to the bottom of the other’s seniority list as unacceptable and unconscionable. To that end, because of seniority differences in some groups, straight seniority integration could have an effect similar to that of stapling employees to the bottom of a seniority list, an outcome that is inconsistent with a fair and equitable protocol. Therefore, some type of proportional integration would seem reasonable. Given our experience working with your union representatives, we do not anticipate they would advocate an integrated seniority list that violates the basic tenets of fairness and equity, and we encourage them to help ease any uncertainty among their members as soon as possible by confirming their intention to work toward seniority integration using these basic principles.

Lastly, although it is extremely important to go through the proper process of integrating seniority lists, dragging seniority integration out for an unnecessarily long period of time is not in anyone’s best interest. It is distracting to employees, and to customers who contemplate flying with the new US Airways. A thoughtful, deliberate but timely resolution will help everyone move forward with greater certainty, even if expectations are not always met.

We will provide updates about the proposed merger as soon as we can, while continuing to be honest about what we can’t predict. We truly believe this proposed merger is in the best interests of employees at both airlines, and we will work hard to provide you with information as we move towards a combined airline that has a great future ahead.

Sincerely,

Doug Parker
Bruce R. Lakefield

 

[Flechas]

This merger is gonna get really ugly between the pilots, best of luck to you guys, stund up for your rights!!

 

[michael707767]

. Clearly, in such discussions with the US Airways pilots, we would view a date- of-hire type of integration as a completely unworkable solution for the America West pilots.

I don't think DOH should ever be a consideration. The job you hold, no matter how long you have been there, is what counts. Sorry USAir pilots, but an 18 year USAir pilot who is at the bottom of the list is still a bottom of the list pilot. No better, no worse, than the guy at the bottom of AWAs list.

 

[Juniority]

no employee who already had been furloughed prior to the merger would be permitted to bump an active employee out of a job

Just in case any furloughed USAirways folks are feeling the least bit hopeful about all of this.....

 

[FurloughedAgain]

Don't worry. The US Airways MEC gave away the section of the contract that referenced "hope" in LOA 89.

The furloughees are still waiting to see what happens with Chris Beebe's "Not one nickel, not one job" speech.

 

[viper548]

Best of luck to all pilots involved

 

[General Lee]

I don't think DOH should ever be a consideration. The job you hold, no matter how long you have been there, is what counts. Sorry USAir pilots, but an 18 year USAir pilot who is at the bottom of the list is still a bottom of the list pilot. No better, no worse, than the guy at the bottom of AWAs list.

Just with more vacation, right? How about DOH for non reving? Who will get that first class seat? Lots of things to work out here.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[BeCareful!]

no employee who already had been furloughed prior to the merger would be permitted to bump an active employee out of a job

Just in case any furloughed USAirways folks are feeling the least bit hopeful about all of this.....

Well, thank you, Juniority.....I can tell you took no pleasure in telling me that, so I thank you for stepping up to the plate and dashing any hopes I might have had.