Did anyone else catch this juicy tidbit from the APA about the USAir Merge?

[Guppiedriver]

Why would APA want to get USAPA all over themselves when they don't have to. A pure integration proposal from APA without USAPA's controversial DOH nonsense insulates them from being dragged into the east-west food fight. If an arbitrator subsequently decides that DOH is the only fair integration methodology (fat chance), then Leonidas can take it up with them, but APA keeps it's hands clean.

The sooner USAPA is cut out of the picture, the sooner the merger can be consummated.

It's not going to happen that way. The APA's single carrier status filing will take at least 10 month's from the POR. 90 days after the POR, USAPA and APA will have already have started SL negotiations. 15 days after that, the arbitrator panel will be selected. 60 days after that, the arbitration process will begin. The arbitration process, minus the final award, will be completed months before the APA becomes the bargaining agents for both (all three) pilot groups.

The payrates in the years beyond the Transition still are part of the Joint negotiations with the company, so we'll have to see if the Pie that was sold in the MOU is what actually ends up on our plate.

That is just not true. The pay rates are done. The pay rates, starting in 2016, are +2% or parity with DAL/UAL which is equal to a 24% increase. The only reason that the parity pay rates are not nailed down, is because the average of DAL/UAL in 2016 is an unknown. Delta's pilot contract is amendable in 2015, so barring another economic downturn, our parity rates in 2016 will go up if the Delta pilots get a raise.

 

[Andy]

You're right, and don't think that US Airways management isn't excited about the premise that this merger will complete their first merger.

I would imagine this was a major selling point for US Airways to merge: American Airlines comes replete with a steamroller that could merge their seniority lists.

I agree.


I imagine that Parker's team is very happy to merge with AMR so that they can start operating a single airline. While they benefitted from low crew pay rates, I think it was more than offset by his inability to mix crews and metal.

 

[cactusboy53]

Man, there is just no easy way out of this. USAPA is not going to ever accept the nic. The west certainly isn't going to just walk away from a binding legal ruling that protects their rights and APA has officially said they support the binding arbitration process. The sad thing is none of you guys deserve this crap. Good luck to all of you.

One question, when does the new contract pay rates kick in for the USAir pilots?

The pay rates are effective 2/8/2013 (date of MOU ratification). Actual pay out of the difference between what we make now and new rates occurs sometime shortly after the POR date (Shhhh! Don't tell my wife!). The difference in pay accrues between the two dates.

Next wage step up occurs Jan. 1, 2014.

CB

 

[Bringupthebird]

That is just not true. The pay rates are done. The pay rates, starting in 2016, are +2% or parity with DAL/UAL which is equal to a 24% increase. The only reason that the parity pay rates are not nailed down, is because the average of DAL/UAL in 2016 is an unknown. Delta's pilot contract is amendable in 2015, so barring another economic downturn, our parity rates in 2016 will go up if the Delta pilots get a raise.

No, there is a JOINT NEGOTIATION (3 parties, or maybe 2 if they drag their feet) which will bind the company to whatever they negotiate. The Pay rates in the MOU after the MTA period are subject to negotiations. What makes you think that a MOU is the same as a contract? There are no self help provisions of an MOU, nor a Status Quo. It's an informal framework for transitioning to a contract.

Don't spend that money quite yet. You'll get the first step and maybe the second, but after that, it's up to the negotiators.

Tell me what the mechanism is to compel the company to abide by the MOU pay rates as their opener in joint negotiations.

The east openly scoffed at integrity, but alas sees it's value after the fact.

 

[Guppiedriver]

No, there is a JOINT NEGOTIATION (3 parties, or maybe 2 if they drag their feet) which will bind the company to whatever they negotiate. The Pay rates in the MOU after the MTA period are subject to negotiations. What makes you think that a MOU is the same as a contract? There are no self help provisions of an MOU, nor a Status Quo. It's an informal framework for transitioning to a contract.

Don't spend that money quite yet. You'll get the first step and maybe the second, but after that, it's up to the negotiators.

Tell me what the mechanism is to compel the company to abide by the MOU pay rates as their opener in joint negotiations.

The east openly scoffed at integrity, but alas sees it's value after the fact.

Oh for crying out loud, are you really that paranoid? Let me guess, you were a no voter.

You need to re-read the MOU. Better yet, contact Ken or Rocky and you will see the flaws in your interpretation of the MOU and the time line to get us to a SLI and JCBA.

 

[Bringupthebird]

Oh for crying out loud, are you really that paranoid? Let me guess, you were a no voter.

You need to re-read the MOU. Better yet, contact Ken or Rocky and you will see the flaws in your interpretation of the MOU and the time line to get us to a SLI and JCBA.

No, I voted Yes because there was no alternative thanks to USAPA. But I voted knowing that the MOU was not a contract and that the company could still negotiate whatever they want when the time comes. The company didn't dangle a carrot in front of the pilots, only a picture of a carrot. And the APA will take care of the APA and won't stick it's neck out to help the West OR USAPA.

 

[Guppiedriver]

No, I voted Yes because there was no alternative thanks to USAPA. But I voted knowing that the MOU was not a contract and that the company could still negotiate whatever they want when the time comes. The company didn't dangle a carrot in front of the pilots, only a picture of a carrot. And the APA will take care of the APA and won't stick it's neck out to help the West OR USAPA.

You're wrong...let's leave it at that.

 

[Bringupthebird]

You're wrong...let's leave it at that.

You're sweating bullets hoping I'm wrong and kicking yourself for not reading what the MOU said, as opposed to what you hoped it said.

We'll leave it at that.