Comair Pilots Drop Charges Against MEC Officers
Aviation Week & Space Technology
11/17/2003, page 72
James Ott
Cincinnati
Comair pilots drop charges against MEC officers, but contract issues loom
Revolting Developments
A move to oust the leadership of the Comair pilots' union failed last week after two lively sessions explored an allegation that the officers had not communicated important information to members related to a management proposal to reopen the labor contract.
The allegation and several side issues involving purported wrongdoing were withdrawn against J.C. Lawson, 3rd, chairman of the Master Executive Council of the Air Line Pilots Assn., and Cory Tennen, vice chairman and contract administrator. Brian Moynihan, communications officer, said the allegations were based on a misunderstanding.
A memo to Comair pilots dated Nov. 3 called for the MEC officers' resignation. It alleged the chairman had inappropriately authorized union leave for another executive and questioned possible improprieties in pay and work issues. The memo was signed by Capt. Allen Cook and First Officer William Vaughan.
The key issue in the memo dealt with communications from the MEC on the Comair management request to reopen the contract with an eye toward cutting costs (AW&ST Oct. 13, p. 13). Management had informed the union that it could acquire 45 new regional jets and 30 other aircraft from another carrier if Comair could reduce costs. The pilot group responded negatively. Lawson said the union could not meet the Nov. 1 deadline the company had set.
The memo complained: "Two weeks ago, our chairman scheduled a meeting with management in response to the current proposal . . . . Our negotiating team was put on standby for this meeting, and was prepared to meet with management within 24 hours from the time we were informed. Your elected status representatives were not informed of this meeting, its intent or its time frame."
The authors added, "We cannot risk another failed attempt at working together on the Delta property because of political posturing."
The first meeting on the recall, scheduled for Nov. 6, was canceled. A second meeting was held on Nov. 11, drawing more than 200 pilots. An MEC meeting followed the general session and the recall agenda items were withdrawn.
Comair pilots have been asked to approve a reduction in cockpit costs so the Delta Connection carrier can qualify in a competition to acquire more regional jets.Credit: GEORGE HAMLIN
In other related developments, Comair's Don Osmundson, vice president for flight operations, told the pilots that Comair will bid for the growth aircraft offered by mainline Delta. He urged their consideration of proposals to reduce costs. He said that after proposed cuts, Comair pilots would still be the highest paid in the regional industry. Management contends that cockpit costs at Comair are as much as 15-20% higher than those at some of the affiliate carriers.
As a regional operator, Comair's costs and yields are high in comparison with mainline operators. In 2002, Comair's cost per available seat mile was 19.49 cents, down 14.5% from the previous year, according to The Airline Monitor. The carrier has focused intensely on operating cost reductions, including single-engine taxiing and other kinds of efficiencies, especially in areas where surveys have indicated costs are out of line with other regional competitors.
In the cost-reduction push, salaries of management and administrative employees have been frozen for three years. Management has informed the International Assn. of Machinists, which represents mechanics, that their wage levels do not pose a problem. At the same time as it requested cuts from pilots, management also asked the Teamsters to reopen the flight attendant contract. The Teamsters turned down the request.
Comair produced more than $1 billion in annual revenue in 2000 and in 2002, but only managed half that amount in 2001 when terrorism took a toll and the pilots struck for nearly three months to obtain an industry-leading contract. The Monitor estimates Comair's 2002 operating profit at $50 million, based on total revenues of $1.15 billion and expenses of $1.1 billion.
While the pilots wrangled over the administrative issues, Fred Buttrell, president and CEO of Delta Connection, last week delivered a request for proposal to Comair and Atlantic Southeast Airlines and affiliated carriers to bid on operating 45 50-seat jet aircraft to enter the Delta Connection fleet in 2005-06. The deadline for proposals is Dec. 15.
Aviation Week & Space Technology
11/17/2003, page 72
James Ott
Cincinnati
Comair pilots drop charges against MEC officers, but contract issues loom
Revolting Developments
A move to oust the leadership of the Comair pilots' union failed last week after two lively sessions explored an allegation that the officers had not communicated important information to members related to a management proposal to reopen the labor contract.
The allegation and several side issues involving purported wrongdoing were withdrawn against J.C. Lawson, 3rd, chairman of the Master Executive Council of the Air Line Pilots Assn., and Cory Tennen, vice chairman and contract administrator. Brian Moynihan, communications officer, said the allegations were based on a misunderstanding.
A memo to Comair pilots dated Nov. 3 called for the MEC officers' resignation. It alleged the chairman had inappropriately authorized union leave for another executive and questioned possible improprieties in pay and work issues. The memo was signed by Capt. Allen Cook and First Officer William Vaughan.
The key issue in the memo dealt with communications from the MEC on the Comair management request to reopen the contract with an eye toward cutting costs (AW&ST Oct. 13, p. 13). Management had informed the union that it could acquire 45 new regional jets and 30 other aircraft from another carrier if Comair could reduce costs. The pilot group responded negatively. Lawson said the union could not meet the Nov. 1 deadline the company had set.
The memo complained: "Two weeks ago, our chairman scheduled a meeting with management in response to the current proposal . . . . Our negotiating team was put on standby for this meeting, and was prepared to meet with management within 24 hours from the time we were informed. Your elected status representatives were not informed of this meeting, its intent or its time frame."
The authors added, "We cannot risk another failed attempt at working together on the Delta property because of political posturing."
The first meeting on the recall, scheduled for Nov. 6, was canceled. A second meeting was held on Nov. 11, drawing more than 200 pilots. An MEC meeting followed the general session and the recall agenda items were withdrawn.
Comair pilots have been asked to approve a reduction in cockpit costs so the Delta Connection carrier can qualify in a competition to acquire more regional jets.Credit: GEORGE HAMLIN
In other related developments, Comair's Don Osmundson, vice president for flight operations, told the pilots that Comair will bid for the growth aircraft offered by mainline Delta. He urged their consideration of proposals to reduce costs. He said that after proposed cuts, Comair pilots would still be the highest paid in the regional industry. Management contends that cockpit costs at Comair are as much as 15-20% higher than those at some of the affiliate carriers.
As a regional operator, Comair's costs and yields are high in comparison with mainline operators. In 2002, Comair's cost per available seat mile was 19.49 cents, down 14.5% from the previous year, according to The Airline Monitor. The carrier has focused intensely on operating cost reductions, including single-engine taxiing and other kinds of efficiencies, especially in areas where surveys have indicated costs are out of line with other regional competitors.
In the cost-reduction push, salaries of management and administrative employees have been frozen for three years. Management has informed the International Assn. of Machinists, which represents mechanics, that their wage levels do not pose a problem. At the same time as it requested cuts from pilots, management also asked the Teamsters to reopen the flight attendant contract. The Teamsters turned down the request.
Comair produced more than $1 billion in annual revenue in 2000 and in 2002, but only managed half that amount in 2001 when terrorism took a toll and the pilots struck for nearly three months to obtain an industry-leading contract. The Monitor estimates Comair's 2002 operating profit at $50 million, based on total revenues of $1.15 billion and expenses of $1.1 billion.
While the pilots wrangled over the administrative issues, Fred Buttrell, president and CEO of Delta Connection, last week delivered a request for proposal to Comair and Atlantic Southeast Airlines and affiliated carriers to bid on operating 45 50-seat jet aircraft to enter the Delta Connection fleet in 2005-06. The deadline for proposals is Dec. 15.
