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Cincinnati.Com » The Enquirer » Business » Comair faces new turbulence
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Last Updated: 5:25 am | Thursday, August 3, 2006
Mechanics, pilots assert their concessions void
BY ALEXANDER COOLIDGE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Comair's effort to emerge from bankruptcy faces a new setback, as two unions that ratified concessions back in January said Wednesday that the deals are off.
The regional airline's inability to cut a deal with its flight attendants union for enough concessions violates a key promise in deals with the pilots and mechanics, the unions said. Now, they both want to renegotiate.
After a protracted court battle, Comair was authorized last month by a bankruptcy judge to throw out its flight attendant contract - but it can impose only $7.9 million worth of concessions.
That falls short of the $8.9 million in cuts from the flight attendants that were specified in both the pilot and mechanic deals, which were contingent on the flight attendant deal.
J.C. Lawson, chairman of the union's executive committee, said his union's $17.3 million concession deal was "dead."
"We're looking to move that figure down to something more fair and equitable," he said.
Lawson said the pilots are willing to negotiate a new deal, but the union representing about 1,840 pilots - most of them based at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in Hebron - would seek better terms. He characterized the $17.3 million pact as "nonconsensual," noting the union put it before the membership for a vote without its endorsement.
He noted the pact was barely ratified with a plurality of 16 votes.
Ditto says the 525-member mechanics union, which agreed to $1 million in concessions early this year.
"We'll be revising the figure downward," said mechanics union spokesman Joe Tiberi. "We're allowed to adjust our sacrifice."
Comair, a Delta Air Lines subsidiary, says it needs to cut its salaries and benefits to become competitive again and successfully bid for aircraft and routes that will jump-start growth. While Comair had deals in place with pilots and mechanics for months, it hasn't realized any savings because a flight attendant deal remained elusive.
Comair officials have reached out to the pilots and mechanics unions, although talks with the flight attendants remain stalled. New talks aren't scheduled until Aug. 23 and 24.
The airline hopes to reach a deal with the flight attendants, although it can void their contract. The attendants union, however, has threatened work disruptions - including a possible strike - if Comair does impose new terms.
In the meantime, Comair said Wednesday it would sit down with the pilots on Aug. 9 and 10. It will meet with the mechanics on Aug. 10.
Spokeswoman Kate Marx said the airline is aware of the unions' desire to revisit terms, but the company needs to complete its restructuring soon. Comair and Delta entered bankruptcy last Sept. 14
"Our new restructuring is going to be a balance of opportunity and risk based on our initial targets and how quickly we can finish," she said.
E-mail [email protected]
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Cincinnati.Com » The Enquirer » Business » Comair faces new turbulence
http://news.enquirer.com/graphics/1x1.gif
Last Updated: 5:25 am | Thursday, August 3, 2006
Mechanics, pilots assert their concessions void
BY ALEXANDER COOLIDGE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Comair's effort to emerge from bankruptcy faces a new setback, as two unions that ratified concessions back in January said Wednesday that the deals are off.
The regional airline's inability to cut a deal with its flight attendants union for enough concessions violates a key promise in deals with the pilots and mechanics, the unions said. Now, they both want to renegotiate.
After a protracted court battle, Comair was authorized last month by a bankruptcy judge to throw out its flight attendant contract - but it can impose only $7.9 million worth of concessions.
That falls short of the $8.9 million in cuts from the flight attendants that were specified in both the pilot and mechanic deals, which were contingent on the flight attendant deal.
J.C. Lawson, chairman of the union's executive committee, said his union's $17.3 million concession deal was "dead."
"We're looking to move that figure down to something more fair and equitable," he said.
Lawson said the pilots are willing to negotiate a new deal, but the union representing about 1,840 pilots - most of them based at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in Hebron - would seek better terms. He characterized the $17.3 million pact as "nonconsensual," noting the union put it before the membership for a vote without its endorsement.
He noted the pact was barely ratified with a plurality of 16 votes.
Ditto says the 525-member mechanics union, which agreed to $1 million in concessions early this year.
"We'll be revising the figure downward," said mechanics union spokesman Joe Tiberi. "We're allowed to adjust our sacrifice."
Comair, a Delta Air Lines subsidiary, says it needs to cut its salaries and benefits to become competitive again and successfully bid for aircraft and routes that will jump-start growth. While Comair had deals in place with pilots and mechanics for months, it hasn't realized any savings because a flight attendant deal remained elusive.
Comair officials have reached out to the pilots and mechanics unions, although talks with the flight attendants remain stalled. New talks aren't scheduled until Aug. 23 and 24.
The airline hopes to reach a deal with the flight attendants, although it can void their contract. The attendants union, however, has threatened work disruptions - including a possible strike - if Comair does impose new terms.
In the meantime, Comair said Wednesday it would sit down with the pilots on Aug. 9 and 10. It will meet with the mechanics on Aug. 10.
Spokeswoman Kate Marx said the airline is aware of the unions' desire to revisit terms, but the company needs to complete its restructuring soon. Comair and Delta entered bankruptcy last Sept. 14
"Our new restructuring is going to be a balance of opportunity and risk based on our initial targets and how quickly we can finish," she said.
E-mail [email protected]
