I would like to bring you up to date on items affecting MDA and the
pilots.
Republic/Wexford Transaction
You should have received a letter from Bill Pollock outlining what
steps have been taken on behalf of the MDA pilots in relation to the
proposed change in control of MDA. We are still awaiting receipt of
the letter from Republic that outlines their plans for integrating
MDA pilots into their operation. ALPA has contacted the CHQ pilot
leadership and is in the process of setting up a meeting to discuss
our mutual interests. I will advise you of the progress and outcome
of this meeting.
There is the possibility that aspects of the proposed merger with
America West could change the dynamics of the MDA sale but nothing
is certain as of yet. All we can do is wait to see if things change.
Contract negotiations
The Negotiating Committee has been attempting to get the company
back to the table to finish the MDA contract. The company is
reluctant to continue due to the Republic deal. We have stated our
case that the MDA pilots need a document in hand since the day-to-
day operation continues and there is also the possibility that
aspects of the deal may change that would necessitate the need for a
stand alone MDA contract. We have accomplished a lot on the contract
and it wouldn't take long to get it finished. We did meet with them
for one day earlier this month in DCA. We discussed some clean-up
items and also set up a follow up meeting to discuss the contract.
This meeting will take place in PIT on 2 June.
The following items were discussed during our meeting and also on a
follow up conference call. Some of these items are from an earlier
grievance settlement and others from a list of corporate culture
items that we have presented to the company on numerous occasions.
· 401K True up
The MDA 401K was not available to pilots until March 2004. The
company has agreed that it should have been available from day one
of employment. The company has agreed to contribute their company
match portion of the 401K for those pilots who were employed prior
to March 2004 if you participated in the 401K when it was offered in
March 2004. They are compiling a list of affected pilots and
researching how to go about crediting the accounts. We will provide
more information when it is available.
· Optional Life Insurance Premiums
Optional life insurance premiums have been approximately 20% higher
than what they should have been. After telling us numerous times
that the premiums were the same as mainline, the company finally
agreed that they were wrong. They said the problem was fixed and
they would either credit or refund the extra amount to the affected
pilots. We pointed out to them last week that the premiums were
still not fixed and they need to get on the ball about this. They
assured us that it should be fixed on the 30 May pay statement. They
are compiling a list of the overpayments and will refund payments to
those due it.
· Delivery flights
The company agreed that aircraft deliveries from aircraft number 21
on would be available for bid by MDA pilots and if not then the
pilots would be compensated. Since some aircraft were delivered
without line pilots having the opportunity to do this, the MDA
pilots are due money. The company asked ALPA how to distribute the
funds and after discussion among the Negotiating Committee, Steve
Smyser and myself, it was decided that the best way is to just
divide it up amongst all the pilots. I thought it should go to the
most senior guy and leave it up to him to distribute, but I was
voted down!! There were two sets of deliveries – 2 a/c in Sept and 3
in Jan. For those on property as of 1 September, Capt will receive
$16.36 and F/Os $15.02. For the Jan deliveries Capt will receive
$24.99 and the F/Os $16.11. The figures were derived by taking 22.25
hours per delivery and multiplying it by the Capt and F/O rate in
effect at the time then dividing by the number of Capt and F/O on
the list. It came out to a total of $10,803.04 – now don't you think
it would have been much easier to just send one check to the senior
guy!! There were proportionally more Capt on the list in Sept and
that is why the difference between Capt and F/O is smaller than the
Jan amount. Once the list is finalized and reviewed by ALPA the
checks will be in the mail – and who said airline pilots couldn't
afford a Mercedes any more!!
· PE-39 Claim Form
We now have the ability to file a pay claim via the Hub. However
there was no method for knowing whether the claim was approved or
denied. The company will now acknowledge the receipt and status of
your claim through a Crew Message in CrewTrac.
· Bidding windows
We have asked the company to standardize the bid opening and closing
dates so they are not changing every month. They were reluctant to
do that but did agree to publish the dates for at least a 6 month
period so we will know when the bids will open/close in advance.
This information should be available in time for the next bid.
· Supplemental Sick Leave Balance
We still do not have our supplemental sick leave balance displayed
anyplace. They are aware of this and are working on a method to have
it displayed either on CrewTrac or your pay statement.
New classes
The classes for May were not held and there are 2 classes of 4
pilots each tentatively scheduled for June. As of last week a
decision has not been made as to whether or not to go through with
them. We continue to have attrition of about 4 per month.
Seniority List
A revised and updated USAirways system seniority list containing all
the MDA pilots is in the final stages of review. It should be
available shortly. MDA pilots will be listed as such with no
designation of whether they had come from the APL or CEL.
Grievances
The grievance committee has been hard at work on behalf of the MDA
pilots and has filed a number of grievances. Two were settled
(Notification/bidding for ground training and increased per diem)
while others are still open. The open grievances deal with:
· Some MDA employees had benefits superior to the pilots and
that is not allowed by contract
· Medical insurance premiums are not being calculated correctly
· Training lines are not part of the MDA contract
· IOE bidding restrictions – deals with when a pilot can bid a
schedule during training
· Acceptance flight pilot – company was supposed to hire 2 APL
pilots to fly acceptance flights in Brazil – only one has been hired
· MDA management did not fill Captain positions with qualified
pilots in proper seniority order. This deals with the time where
there were more Capt than F/Os and some Capt were held in the right
seat
· Captains were flying trips as F/Os – while this grievance is
still open, this practice is no longer allowed
PHL Council Elections
The PHL council will be holding elections soon for F/O rep and
Secretary/Treasurer. The PHL pilots have an opportunity to shape the
direction of the MEC by electing represent-atives that are familiar
with and sympathetic to the needs of the MDA pilots. One of our own,
Jim Portale, is a candidate for Sec/Treas. I would urge you to cast
your vote when the ballots come out. The unity of the MDA pilots
during this vote could make a difference. Also remember that only
members in good standing can vote so it might be a good time to make
sure your standing with ALPA is accurate.
