New ALPA Message to USAirways Pilots pt 2

[grog_sit_reserv]

And perhaps the most important part...

8. What will the single US Airways contract look like?
Improvements already tentatively agreed to show dramatic quality-of-life enhancements for East pilots. They include:​

• 10 more days of vacation every year for pilots at the max accrual;​
• 12 days off in a 30-day month and 13 days off in a 31-day month instead of the current 11 days off each month for all pilots;​
• 10 immovable days off for reserves each month instead of the existing 4, and they can place 4 immovable days next to a vacation block;​
• a limited number of monthly cap flexes instead of an unlimited number;​
• a maximum number of 4-day pairings;​
• an improved definition of long layovers (over 14 instead of over 16 hours);​
• window or aisle seats assigned before middle seats while deadheading.​

Economic improvements for East pilots already include: ​

• lineholder guarantees that increase from 71 to 76 hours;​
• reserve guarantees that increase from 72 to 77 hours;​
• variable minimum pay that increases from 5:00 to 5:15 per duty period;​
• 100% deadhead pay instead of the current 50% deadhead pay;​
• a new “long rate” trip rig that credits you with 5:15 of pay for a layover of 24 hours or more;​
• premium pay of 125% for incentive flying and 150% for flying that is involuntarily assigned;​
• an increased international pay override that applies to more than just transoceanic flying (for example, it includes the Caribbean and Central America); ​
• monthly pay continuance at minimum bid period guarantee for Worker’s Comp claims instead of the meager state benefit.​

Contract improvements will also benefit West pilots. Provisions that are either tentatively agreed to or close to completion include:​

• a new vacation credit system that permits pilots to maximize either pay or days off;​
• the option for pilots to fly ODANs (stand-up overnights) with 1-hour pay and credit for each 1:30 on duty;​
• a trip rig that pays pilots 1 hour for every 3.25 hours away;​
• a vastly improved trip-trading system that provides enhanced scheduling flexibility for West pilots;​
• the opportunity for pilots to voluntarily exceed credit cap by 9:00 in order to maximize pay by picking up additional flying;​
• better pairing-construction rules that maximize productive time and increase days off;​
• international flying rules that include duty limitations and an international pay override that applies to Hawaii flying;​
• a pilot-only retirement plan;​
• completion of vacancy bids in shorter time and a requirement that all bids be filled;​
• faster training in a new position or pay override that begins in the fifth month instead of the current rule that protects pilots starting with the ninth month.​

Even if some of these issues are not of critical importance to every pilot, the changes indicate that significant compensation and quality-of-life improvements are not only possible in many areas, they’re certain to occur.
9. What about pay?
On pay, management has already offered to increase the current East narrow-body Captain rate from $124 and the current West rate from $142 to over $145 an hour. But that’s not nearly enough for either group. ALPA wants parity for East pilots and substantial increases that result in “parity plus” for both groups. In the earlier Rice Committee report, you heard about ALPA’s new Collective Bargaining Committee. Early work by that committee shows that pilot contract settlements for the next three years should provide narrow-body Captain end rates that range from $160 to $200 per hour. Wide-body Captain end rates should be pegged at appropriately higher levels.
Rates that fall within these ranges are reasonable to expect at a US Airways based on the changes being sought in ongoing Section 6 negotiations at Hawaiian, Alaska, and Continental—all of whose pilots already make more than East and West pilots. They are also within the range of existing rates at Southwest and recent settlements at UPS, FedEx, Frontier, and Air Tran (although pilots at Air Tran failed to ratify their tentative agreement). Management will have to realize and accept that the major part of contract improvements are simply merger costs that they should have accounted for at the time of the transaction.
10. Does ALPA support pay parity?
As we’ve already said, pay increases that provide parity and parity plus can and should be determined through joint negotiations and can be applied retroactively. West pilots and ALPA’s Executive Council support this goal. The Executive Council put its money where its mouth is by agreeing to fund a parity campaign through joint negotiations. But the more time that goes by, the harder it will be to successfully bargain either current or retroactive payments and get pilots the money that they and their families deserve.
11. What is the right level of retirement contributions?
Company contributions to DC plans at various carriers currently range between 10% and 17% of payroll. US Airways pilots—both East and West—are at the very low end of this range. You deserve and can expect a substantial increase in contributions under the joint contract.
12. What will it take to achieve these changes?
Tentative negotiating dates have already been set for October, November, and December, so only two things are needed to succeed: ​

• The East MEC should return its negotiators to the bargaining table and engage fully in joint negotiations instead of boycotting bargaining and meetings called by ALPA’s president to facilitate negotiations and problem-solving; ​
• The two pilot groups, with the backing of ALPA’s financial and staff resources, must start working together again toward common contract goals.​

West pilots have already signaled their support for this approach in a resolution passed unanimously last week. It states that ​

the AWA MEC hereby directs our Joint Negotiating Committee members to work with the AAA MEC’s Joint Negotiating Committee members in pursuing a course of action that will: (a) complete this negotiation by December 31, 2007 through the JNC process; (b) include substantially improved pay rates for all America West and US Airways pilots retroactive to not later than September 1, 2007; and (c) continue to participate with the Rice Committee in achieving a joint contract for all America West and US Airways pilots.​

East pilots should demand similar action from their representatives. ​

 

[grog_sit_reserv]

It was an ALPA communique... but after only hearing USAPA guys for a while, its refreshing to finally get ALPA national's take on the situation.

 

[johnnyb]

On pay, management has already offered to increase the current East narrow-body Captain rate from $124 and the current West rate from $142 to over $145 an hour.

Since the bottom 1000 US Airways East F/O's will have their attrition based upgrade opportunity given to the West I fail to see the relevance .....

 

[JetMonkey]

Since the bottom 1000 US Airways East F/O's will have their attrition based upgrade opportunity given to the West I fail to see the relevance .....

How bout the alternative all those guys had, NO opportunity to upgrage..... Does that shed some light for ya?

 

[A350]

West dudes, don't hurt yourself patting yourself on your back spending that extra $200 per month.....

LOL.

A350

 

[Hpilot]

West dudes, don't hurt yourself patting yourself on your back spending that extra $200 per month.....

LOL.

A350

We also have integrity to go along with it. You sir don't.

 

[Fast43]

On pay, management has already offered to increase the current East narrow-body Captain rate from $124 and the current West rate from $142 to over $145 an hour.

Since the bottom 1000 US Airways East F/O's will have their attrition based upgrade opportunity given to the West I fail to see the relevance .....

Catch up would ya'

"Ugrade Opportunity".........Paaaaalease!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Absent the merger the bottom AAA F/O's would not have upgraded but would have been out of a job along with "ALL" the F/O's and Captains ahead of them. Clearly everyone knows this. Read the transcripts of the Arbitration as it will be educational for you as you will see it for yourself instead of reading what the East Mec wants you to know.

You will be embarrassed when you read the truth.

 

[grog_sit_reserv]

They will never believe it was over at USAir. They will always maintain that, even though we covered their payroll and absorbed the mgmnt fees for the merger that they saved us.

I'm still trying to move on but its very hard....

 

[gutshotdraw]

They will never believe it was over at USAir. They will always maintain that, even though we covered their payroll and absorbed the mgmnt fees for the merger that they saved us.

I'm still trying to move on but its very hard....

Unfortunately, they never will, Grog.

It's been more than 20 years but a Red Book-Green Book pairing at Northwest can be REALLY uncomfortable. Things are pretty brutal at your shop right now but wait until this deal is finally settled and you actually have to start flying with these crybabies......Sorry for the buzzkill.

 

[AA717driver]

What are you doing slummin' on the airline board, Gutshot?

You make an excellent point. This anger will go on till the last Eastie dies.

Hope things are well with you. TC

 

[johnnyb]

How bout the alternative all those guys had, NO opportunity to upgrage..... Does that shed some light for ya?

Not really.

Especially the part about how a West pilot who never, as well, would have had an opportunity to grab a left seat in PHL on an International wide body provided by a retirement on another seniority list.

Maybe you West guys think United owes you all their 747-400 Captain upgrades? Delta 777 too?

 

[eaglefly]

They're still better off transferring the east busses to the west, dumping those pilots and reintroducing westies and newhires into those ops.

U managment should just say "no" to rediculous temper tantrums and begin the housecleaning. They could eliminate this mess (along with the U MEC's gonads) with 24 months.

They should start immeadiately instead of playing games.

 

[gutshotdraw]

What are you doing slummin' on the airline board, Gutshot?

You make an excellent point. This anger will go on till the last Eastie dies.

Hope things are well with you. TC

Just learnin' how union squabbles work since it looks like we're heading for one....

Seriously, lots of friends on both sides of AAA and as an outsider looking in, it's clear to me one group got screwed the worst in this deal: West F/O's

 

[grog_sit_reserv]

Not really.

Especially the part about how a West pilot who never, as well, would have had an opportunity to grab a left seat in PHL on an International wide body provided by a retirement on another seniority list.

Maybe you West guys think United owes you all their 747-400 Captain upgrades? Delta 777 too?

Dumbest post I've seen in a while.

Pre merger AWA Newhire Fo 3 to 6 months on reserve. Post merger... 4 years and counting.

Pre merger AAA Newhire FO... There weren't any. Oh yeah, that's right, 2 BK's and facing liquidation they were just about ready to take over the world.

Maybe you West guys think United owes you all their 747-400 Captain upgrades? Delta 777 too?

WTF Over??? I want the upgrades the airline offers with a merged list. Nearly 50% of the attrition out east is FO's! That ain't an upgrade... that's a downgrade in pay and work rules.

I want East to live up to the fact that arbitration is binding. That what we need to do is get a new contract so we can all see improvements in pay and QOL.

They are so focused on one thing they are letting the rest slip out of their hands to the detriment of us all.

Why don't you read All 3 parts of this thread before you simply post up this nonsense.

 

[Crzipilot]

there you go with the 50% of the retirements are f/o's.......as stated in a thread a few months ago...bring up the numbers. I brought them up...and the crickets were chirping from the west side.

Next five years, about 1000 capt retirements (or maybe 800) and about 400 retirements from the f/o ranks. I guess that there is a 50% number......as in the f/o retirements are ABOUT 50% of what the capt numbers are.

 

[VeeOne]

It is absolutely amazing to see what is going on from the OUTSIDE looking in. Both sides are so intent on portraying themselves the victim it's hilarious, and totally beside the point. The simple FACT is that you are ONE AIRLINE. The more you take pride in losing respect for the other the harder it is ultimately going to be for yourself. Time will cure all, if you don't allow yourselves to get too bitter over the situation. Geez- have you seen the terminal in Charlotte, for cryin' out loud- It's all grey haired F/O's and senior captains. The retirements over the next couple of years will massive. The F/O's crying poor mouth over being on reserve will probably see themselves upgrading in a relatively short period of time to Captain, once things get ironed out. Anybody remember Continental and the crap hole it used to be 10 years ago? That place was THE sewer. Perhaps USAirways will experience the same reniassance. Anyways, good luck to both sides- at this point both East and West need it.

 

[TWA Dude]

Both sides are so intent on portraying themselves the victim it's hilarious, and totally beside the point. The simple FACT is that you are ONE AIRLINE.

These message boards and who portrays themselves as the victim is irrelevent. Perhaps you're unaware, but the AWA side showed up this week for "joint" negotiations with management. The USAirways (East) side did not. One side is trying to move on; the other side is launching every missile they can to stop workforce integration. Still think both sides are morally equivolent?

 

[eaglefly]

These message boards and who portrays themselves as the victim is irrelevent. Perhaps you're unaware, but the AWA side showed up this week for "joint" negotiations with management. The USAirways (East) side did not. One side is trying to move on; the other side is launching every missile they can to stop workforce integration. Still think both sides are morally equivolent?

The Easties have launched their missles not only at the Westies, but ALPA, their managment AND the NMB.

The bottom line is management WILL (and should) act AGAINST the easties before they damage the company.

If individual east pilots are too far gone to do nothing but stand by not caring, they will be shoved aside to 7-Eleven.