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Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2001
- Posts
- 6,137
ALLEGHENY AIRLINES MEC
AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL
CAPTAIN REZA OSTADALI, MEC CHAIRMAN
2041 GARDEN DRIVE „T FOREST HILL, MARYLAND 21050 „T 410-877-7231„T FAX 410-877-7236
August 1, 2002
VIA E-MAIL AND U.S.MAIL
Captain Duane Woerth
President
Air Line Pilots Association
1625 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington D.C 20036
Re: Your letter of July 31, 2002
Dear Duane:
I appreciate you taking time to address some of the Allegheny pilots concerns regarding the recent U S Airways restructuring agreement (¡§TA¡¨). However, I believe you also did not see fit to attend the same meeting. Had you done so, you would have known what the meeting was about and who had attended.
Contrary to what you state in your letter, the informational meeting was not held exclusively for the leaderships of the wholly owned U S Airways Express ALPA groups. Also, none of the MEC Chairmen of the wholly owned carriers were able to attend. In attendance were representatives of Mesa Airlines, DHL Airlines, Midway Airlines and MEC Vice Chairman of PSA who happened to be in Herndon for the regional bargaining conference. The only reason that Allegheny did not have a representative at that meeting was our inability to get released by our company. Even if we had representatives at that meeting, we would have received the similar briefing and the 79-page document (¡¥TA¡¨) that we had received from U S Airways MEC Vice Chairman on July 16, 2002.
With all due respect, you continue your misrepresentation of facts regarding the U S Airways TA. While I sympathize with U S Airways pilot¡¦s concessionary agreement, one has to wonder as to how the company and their employees got into this situation in the first place. Let¡¦s examine some of the facts:
„« U S Airways has had the highest cost structure of any airline.
„« U S Airways has had the most restrictive Scope Clause of any major airline.
While I applaud the efforts of the U S Airways pilot¡¦s leadership in achieving such pay and work rules, I also question their judgment in securing language that has essentially choked them to death and now we are being asked to give up our oxygen masks due to smoke and fire at their property. The blame should equally be borne by U S Airways management for signing on to an agreement that they cannot live with.
Duane, a twelve year veteran at U S Airways is being asked to work for $200,000 per year while a fifteen year veteran at Allegheny is being asked to work for $50,000 almost equal to what a senior ramp worker at U S Airways is compensated, assuming he will not get down graded if we decide to sign on to the extortion program know as ¡§Jet for Jobs¡¨. A U S Airways pilots will keep his 2.5% retirement multiplier while an Allegheny pilot¡¦s current multiplier is only 1% and we are being asked to freeze his retirement. I beg your pardon, but I fail to see the parallel in fairness in this restructuring plan.
You mentioned in your letter that U S Airways pilots have eliminated their no-furlough clause. If one hundred percent of Mid Atlantic positions and at least fifty percent of the RJ positions at a wholly owned or an affiliate is to be filled by U S Airways pilots, then how could anyone suggest that the no-furlough clause has been eliminated? Granted the career expectation of a U S Airways pilot was not to fly a Regional Jet once hired at a major, but at the same time a Regional pilot never expected to give up his seniority so he could perhaps someday fly a Regional Jet.
You continue with your misrepresentation of the facts by suggesting that if the Allegheny MEC chooses to take part in the restructuring plan, then we can participate in opportunities made available through the TA. I would like to examine those opportunities.
„« Allegheny pilots will have a right to be hired at MDA in seniority order based on the ¡§existing integrated seniority list¡¨ at the wholly owned carriers behind the U S Airways pilots.
I would like to know which ¡§existing integrated seniority list¡¨ you are referring to, and whether you have an official agreement signed by the parties involved?
„« MDA pilot longevity for pay and benefit purposes will be based on longevity with the originating carrier plus MDA length of service.
How does a twenty year captain at Allegheny who transfers to MDA as a first officer get paid with only a 12 year first officer scale and what happens to his defined benefit plan and his social security bridge?
„« MDA will agree to an ALPA contract with terms no less favorable than the average of ACO, CALEX and CMR.
If any of the wholly owned carriers are going be part of the MDA, are they going to get any representatives on the negotiating committee or the governing structure?
„« Allegheny pilots will be entitled to flow through to new-hire U S Airways pilot positions, in seniority order based on the integrated wholly-owned seniority list.
Once again I have to question the proverbial ¡§integrated wholly-owned seniority list¡¨ and also ask, what happens to an Allegheny pilot¡¦s seniority and pay once at U S Airways?
„« You mention in your letter that Allegheny pilots will be entitled to flow through to new hire positions, in seniority order based on the ¡§integrated wholly-owned seniority list¡¨ and that management has agreed to.
I don¡¦t believe you have such a document in your possession since page 9 of 79 of the TA that references such agreement, also indicates that the [¡§procedure is to be discussed¡¨]
Finally, I appreciate your efforts in trying to sell the idea of all these ¡§opportunities¡¨ to us, however you conveniently left out one important part and fact. That is the price for such ¡§opportunity¡¨. Lets examine those facts:
„« Allegheny pilots must accept the extortion program known as ¡§Jets for Jobs¡¨.
„« Allegheny pilots must eliminate their current furlough protection if they decide to participate in such program.
„« Allegheny pilots only have four years for recall rights, which looking at it optimistically, all U S Airways pilots would have to be either at MDA or at U S Airways, if not Allegheny pilots on furlough loose their recall rights.
„« Allegheny pilots must wait their turn to be called to MDA list behind furloughed U S Airways pilots.
„« While furloughed U S Airways pilots are at Allegheny, they would also exercise super seniority for bidding in the RJ equipment.
„« In order to have the opportunity to flow to MDA list or U S Airways list, Allegheny pilots have to agree to give up fifty percent (50%) of their current positions to furloughed U S Airways pilots.
„« Once at MDA, Allegheny pilots would only receive a maximum of eight (8) years of credit in a first officer position and a maximum of eighteen (18) years of credit when finally in a captain position regardless of their previous years of service at Allegheny.
„« If an Allegheny pilot decides to maintain his/hers position at Allegheny while senior pilots move on, he/she would still be junior to a MDA pilot in case of a flow back.
„« Once an Allegheny pilot moves to the top of the seniority list of MDA and has an opportunity to flow to U S Airways, he would be back to new hire first officer pay at main line.
Duane, while you mention the ¡§dramatic sacrifices of the U S Airways pilots¡¨ you fail to mention even greater sacrifices that Allegheny pilots have to make in order to make a living. It is incomprehensible that you actually endorse the idea of creating yet another wholly-owned subsidiary (MDA) at the expense of the existing wholly-owned U S Airways carriers.
Hence, contrary to your un-informed accusations, the TA does limit and it does slow the career advancements of Allegheny pilots. I hope this letter clears up any misunderstandings that you may have had. My hope is that all affected parties involved, and not just the preferred group can meet and come up with a fair and equitable agreement.
In Solidarity,
Reza Ostadali
Chairman, ALG MEC
Cc: Capt. Chris Beebe, MEC Chairman, U S Airways
Capt. Paul Templeton, MEC Chairman, Piedmont
Capt. Steve Toothe, MEC Chairman, PSA
Executive Council
AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL
CAPTAIN REZA OSTADALI, MEC CHAIRMAN
2041 GARDEN DRIVE „T FOREST HILL, MARYLAND 21050 „T 410-877-7231„T FAX 410-877-7236
August 1, 2002
VIA E-MAIL AND U.S.MAIL
Captain Duane Woerth
President
Air Line Pilots Association
1625 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington D.C 20036
Re: Your letter of July 31, 2002
Dear Duane:
I appreciate you taking time to address some of the Allegheny pilots concerns regarding the recent U S Airways restructuring agreement (¡§TA¡¨). However, I believe you also did not see fit to attend the same meeting. Had you done so, you would have known what the meeting was about and who had attended.
Contrary to what you state in your letter, the informational meeting was not held exclusively for the leaderships of the wholly owned U S Airways Express ALPA groups. Also, none of the MEC Chairmen of the wholly owned carriers were able to attend. In attendance were representatives of Mesa Airlines, DHL Airlines, Midway Airlines and MEC Vice Chairman of PSA who happened to be in Herndon for the regional bargaining conference. The only reason that Allegheny did not have a representative at that meeting was our inability to get released by our company. Even if we had representatives at that meeting, we would have received the similar briefing and the 79-page document (¡¥TA¡¨) that we had received from U S Airways MEC Vice Chairman on July 16, 2002.
With all due respect, you continue your misrepresentation of facts regarding the U S Airways TA. While I sympathize with U S Airways pilot¡¦s concessionary agreement, one has to wonder as to how the company and their employees got into this situation in the first place. Let¡¦s examine some of the facts:
„« U S Airways has had the highest cost structure of any airline.
„« U S Airways has had the most restrictive Scope Clause of any major airline.
While I applaud the efforts of the U S Airways pilot¡¦s leadership in achieving such pay and work rules, I also question their judgment in securing language that has essentially choked them to death and now we are being asked to give up our oxygen masks due to smoke and fire at their property. The blame should equally be borne by U S Airways management for signing on to an agreement that they cannot live with.
Duane, a twelve year veteran at U S Airways is being asked to work for $200,000 per year while a fifteen year veteran at Allegheny is being asked to work for $50,000 almost equal to what a senior ramp worker at U S Airways is compensated, assuming he will not get down graded if we decide to sign on to the extortion program know as ¡§Jet for Jobs¡¨. A U S Airways pilots will keep his 2.5% retirement multiplier while an Allegheny pilot¡¦s current multiplier is only 1% and we are being asked to freeze his retirement. I beg your pardon, but I fail to see the parallel in fairness in this restructuring plan.
You mentioned in your letter that U S Airways pilots have eliminated their no-furlough clause. If one hundred percent of Mid Atlantic positions and at least fifty percent of the RJ positions at a wholly owned or an affiliate is to be filled by U S Airways pilots, then how could anyone suggest that the no-furlough clause has been eliminated? Granted the career expectation of a U S Airways pilot was not to fly a Regional Jet once hired at a major, but at the same time a Regional pilot never expected to give up his seniority so he could perhaps someday fly a Regional Jet.
You continue with your misrepresentation of the facts by suggesting that if the Allegheny MEC chooses to take part in the restructuring plan, then we can participate in opportunities made available through the TA. I would like to examine those opportunities.
„« Allegheny pilots will have a right to be hired at MDA in seniority order based on the ¡§existing integrated seniority list¡¨ at the wholly owned carriers behind the U S Airways pilots.
I would like to know which ¡§existing integrated seniority list¡¨ you are referring to, and whether you have an official agreement signed by the parties involved?
„« MDA pilot longevity for pay and benefit purposes will be based on longevity with the originating carrier plus MDA length of service.
How does a twenty year captain at Allegheny who transfers to MDA as a first officer get paid with only a 12 year first officer scale and what happens to his defined benefit plan and his social security bridge?
„« MDA will agree to an ALPA contract with terms no less favorable than the average of ACO, CALEX and CMR.
If any of the wholly owned carriers are going be part of the MDA, are they going to get any representatives on the negotiating committee or the governing structure?
„« Allegheny pilots will be entitled to flow through to new-hire U S Airways pilot positions, in seniority order based on the integrated wholly-owned seniority list.
Once again I have to question the proverbial ¡§integrated wholly-owned seniority list¡¨ and also ask, what happens to an Allegheny pilot¡¦s seniority and pay once at U S Airways?
„« You mention in your letter that Allegheny pilots will be entitled to flow through to new hire positions, in seniority order based on the ¡§integrated wholly-owned seniority list¡¨ and that management has agreed to.
I don¡¦t believe you have such a document in your possession since page 9 of 79 of the TA that references such agreement, also indicates that the [¡§procedure is to be discussed¡¨]
Finally, I appreciate your efforts in trying to sell the idea of all these ¡§opportunities¡¨ to us, however you conveniently left out one important part and fact. That is the price for such ¡§opportunity¡¨. Lets examine those facts:
„« Allegheny pilots must accept the extortion program known as ¡§Jets for Jobs¡¨.
„« Allegheny pilots must eliminate their current furlough protection if they decide to participate in such program.
„« Allegheny pilots only have four years for recall rights, which looking at it optimistically, all U S Airways pilots would have to be either at MDA or at U S Airways, if not Allegheny pilots on furlough loose their recall rights.
„« Allegheny pilots must wait their turn to be called to MDA list behind furloughed U S Airways pilots.
„« While furloughed U S Airways pilots are at Allegheny, they would also exercise super seniority for bidding in the RJ equipment.
„« In order to have the opportunity to flow to MDA list or U S Airways list, Allegheny pilots have to agree to give up fifty percent (50%) of their current positions to furloughed U S Airways pilots.
„« Once at MDA, Allegheny pilots would only receive a maximum of eight (8) years of credit in a first officer position and a maximum of eighteen (18) years of credit when finally in a captain position regardless of their previous years of service at Allegheny.
„« If an Allegheny pilot decides to maintain his/hers position at Allegheny while senior pilots move on, he/she would still be junior to a MDA pilot in case of a flow back.
„« Once an Allegheny pilot moves to the top of the seniority list of MDA and has an opportunity to flow to U S Airways, he would be back to new hire first officer pay at main line.
Duane, while you mention the ¡§dramatic sacrifices of the U S Airways pilots¡¨ you fail to mention even greater sacrifices that Allegheny pilots have to make in order to make a living. It is incomprehensible that you actually endorse the idea of creating yet another wholly-owned subsidiary (MDA) at the expense of the existing wholly-owned U S Airways carriers.
Hence, contrary to your un-informed accusations, the TA does limit and it does slow the career advancements of Allegheny pilots. I hope this letter clears up any misunderstandings that you may have had. My hope is that all affected parties involved, and not just the preferred group can meet and come up with a fair and equitable agreement.
In Solidarity,
Reza Ostadali
Chairman, ALG MEC
Cc: Capt. Chris Beebe, MEC Chairman, U S Airways
Capt. Paul Templeton, MEC Chairman, Piedmont
Capt. Steve Toothe, MEC Chairman, PSA
Executive Council
