Pilots react to merger news

[michael707767]

Pilots React to Proposed US Airways/Delta Merger, Informational Picket to Express Frustration With US Airways Management's Unwillingness to Participate in Negotiations
Wednesday November 15, 7:00 pm ET
PHOENIX, Nov. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The US Airways and America West pilot groups will conduct informational picketing tomorrow, Thursday, November 16, at 12 p.m. EST to demonstrate their increasing frustration with management's unwillingness to fully participate in negotiations for a fair, single contract that addresses the pilots' basic needs and allows the company to realize the full synergies obtainable from merging US Airways and America West Airlines. The pilot groups, both of whom are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l., will picket at two of US Airways' (NYSE: LCC - News) largest hubs -- Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, N.C. and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix, Ariz.
The pilots are also commenting on US Airways' announcement today on a proposed merger with Delta Air Lines to create one of the world's largest airlines, although US Airways has yet to complete the integration of the pilot groups that is required as part of the terms of the 2005 America West/US Airways merger.
"The billions of dollars that the US Airways and America West pilots have committed to US Airways propelled our airline to profitability and opportunity. But like the planes we fly, management's grandiose plans will not take off without the pilots on board," said Captain Jack Stephan, chairman of the US Airways Master Executive Council. "So far, the company's empty promises have failed to capture all the synergies that just the US Airways/America West merger can provide," said Captain Stephan.
"We recognize US Airways senior management's enthusiasm for a merger with Delta; however, before it can be successful, management must first focus on fulfilling the promises made to their investors, customers and employees for the America West-US Airways merger," said Captain Kevin Kent, chairman of the America West Master Executive Council. "Regardless of whether or not another airline is in the mix, the pilots will no longer be exploited to make such a transaction occur."
Despite the announcement of the merger, the pilots at US Airways and America West remain focused on the issue of achieving a fair single contract, one that is commensurate with US Airways' position in the marketplace. Joint negotiations with US Airways management have been ongoing for one year, and during this time, the pilots have received only concessionary proposals that resemble the bankruptcy-driven contracts that were made as pilot investments in the airline.
"US Airways management will unravel all that we have accomplished if they insist on propagating their bankruptcy mentality at the negotiating table. The sooner they realize that those days are over, the sooner this management can make good on their promises to all employees and stakeholders alike," said Captain Stephan.
"US Airways has posted remarkable profits for three consecutive quarters due to the efforts of front-line employees such as the pilots, yet they refuse to fully engage in negotiations for a contract that recognizes our contributions. Management's decision to not focus on putting the America West/US Airways operations together for one seamless airline is bad news for our customers," said Captain Kent.
Founded in 1931, ALPA represents 61,000 pilots at 40 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at http://www.alpa.org.

 

[Flopgut]

That's a good response. With Democrats soon controlling Congress labor will be listened to. A very good thing!

 

[Tomct]

That's a good response. With Democrats soon controlling Congress labor will be listened to. A very good thing!

Yeah and when it's not....what will be your NEXT excuse? Wait...let me guess....Santa Clause did it or is the cause of all that has gone wrong!

 

[XRMEFLYER]

That's a good response. With Democrats soon controlling Congress labor will be listened to. A very good thing!

Don't bet on it comrade!

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

Didn't labor undo the deal that was to be between CAL and DAL??

 

[Phaedrus]

Yeah, the Democrats really care about the working man.

 

[757jetflier]

Yeah, the Democrats really care about the working man.

The US Gov really only cares about the folks who don't work. The Dems for the non-working poor, and the GOP for the non-working rich.

 

[hopalong]

Amen to that!

 

[Phaedrus]

Ah, the illusion prevails...

 

[Spooky 2]

This porposed merger is about one thing..making some more money for the greedy SOB's who run our nations airlines, (into the ground at that). It's not about making more competitive business model. Not about serving the public and not about being better or more efficient at anything. It's simply a vehicle for creating wealth for a small group of banks, attorneys, and airline management groups. After it's over, assuming it somehow gets by all the useless Federal oversight, we will have a huge disfucntional airline with thousands of disinfranchised employees left holding worthless careers. To bad but that seems to be the American business model when the word airline is injected into it.

Of course since Delta is being aquired much as Pan Am was "aquired" by Delta, as opposed to merged, I'm sure that the Delta pilots will apprecaite the drubbing they will get in this deal!

 

[Superpilot92]

Yeah and when it's not....what will be your NEXT excuse? Wait...let me guess....Santa Clause did it or is the cause of all that has gone wrong!

I will give it a stab, they are going to say its Bush's Fault!! Thats the response that wont work forever.uke: LIBERALS

 

[spinproof]

That's a good response. With Democrats soon controlling Congress labor will be listened to. A very good thing!

Democraps controlled congress when the RLA was instituted!

 

[Flopgut]

Yeah and when it's not....what will be your NEXT excuse? Wait...let me guess....Santa Clause did it or is the cause of all that has gone wrong!

It's a good response! They needed to say something in a timely fashion and this is pretty good.

I'm no liberal and I'm not sure labor can squash this deal, but the Dems will listen to the AFL-CIO.

 

[atrdriver]

That's a good response. With Democrats soon controlling Congress labor will be listened to. A very good thing!

I think you may be sadly disappointed.

 

[HalinTexas]

Here's a comparison for you. From Businessweek 11/20, page 37.

The top contributor to the GOP: National Beer Wholesalers Assn. $1.5M
The top contributor to the Dems: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers $2.1M (followed closely by the Assoc. of Trial Lawyers $2.0M)

Who's more in line with the mainstream here?

 

[Tejas-Jet]

Didn't labor undo the deal that was to be between CAL and DAL??

Actually...no. It was Gordon Bethune that undid the deal when he found out what Delta's plans were for the combined work force. He felt that it would hurt the CAL employees.

He told the then Delta CEO, Leo Mullin why he was backing out of the deal...and it was Mullin that made the now famous comment...."Labor??? You mean this whole thing came apart over labor????"

....Typical Leo

Tejas

 

[757jetflier]

Democraps controlled congress when the RLA was instituted!

The Dems in power at the time of the RLA operated under much different philosophy than today, same with GOP. Unless of course you just want to consider the basic philosophy of personal greed and self-enrichment at the expense of others.

 

[spinproof]

The Dems in power at the time of the RLA operated under much different philosophy than today, same with GOP. Unless of course you just want to consider the basic philosophy of personal greed and self-enrichment at the expense of others.

Lets see there were railroad robber barons making tons of money on the backs of labor while a corrupt congress gave them free reign under the guise of whats best for the country......I don't see where anything has drastically changed except the mode of travel and equiptment involved.

 

[runwayjockey]

The US Gov really only cares about the folks who don't work. The Dems for the non-working poor, and the GOP for the non-working rich.

Could not have said it better myself!

 

[PunchTheClown]

Republicans can suck the sweat off of a monkeys balls.

 

[Espalda Mojado]

Time to get out that stapler! The furloughed USAir pilots are all thinking, "Fly Delta Jets!"

 

[LAZYB]

The US Gov really only cares about the folks who don't work. The Dems for the non-working poor, and the GOP for the non-working rich.

There you go! :bawling: :bomb: uke:

 

[Flopgut]

Specific politics aside...It's good to see pilot leaders of both groups singing from the same sheet of music and accurately describing Parker's lack of ability/desire to complete the first deal.

 

[EWR_FO]

Actually...no. It was Gordon Bethune that undid the deal when he found out what Delta's plans were for the combined work force. He felt that it would hurt the CAL employees.

He told the then Delta CEO, Leo Mullin why he was backing out of the deal...and it was Mullin that made the now famous comment...."Labor??? You mean this whole thing came apart over labor????"

....Typical Leo

Tejas

That little tidbit sounds great in his book, what he doesn't mention is the fact that he would have been out of a job. He leaked the news to the IACP as a way to play his ace and trump Brennerman.

Someone should write a book about that day because it reads like a spy novel.

 

[Indy319FA]

That's a good response. With Democrats soon controlling Congress labor will be listened to. A very good thing!

Yeah I know. Just like when the labor unions told Jimmy Carter that deregulation would be horrible for airline employees. So glad they were able to get that stopped......

Oh and when labor stood up and told Bill Clinton not to sign NAFTA and we were able to get that stopped in its tracks as well....

 

[Indy319FA]

That little tidbit sounds great in his book, what he doesn't mention is the fact that he would have been out of a job. He leaked the news to the IACP as a way to play his ace and trump Brennerman.

Actually it was first reported in the Wall Street Journal when the deal fell apart and Leo's quote was confirmed by sources at DL and CO........

 

[wolfpackpilot]

This porposed merger is about one thing..making some more money for the greedy SOB's who run our nations airlines, (into the ground at that). It's simply a vehicle for creating wealth for a small group of banks, attorneys, and airline management groups.

• And exactly who told you that you couldnt work for one of those banks?
• And why didnt you go to Law School?
• And why dont you seek a career as an airline exec?

You have alot of anger there pal. Dont be pissed at the system because you feel like your on the bottom. "YOU" made the choice to go where you are. "YOU" made the choice to stay where you are. And with that; "YOU" get to swallow what your given... good or bad.

Dont like it? This is America; you can change your job!

 

[EWR_FO]

Actually it was first reported in the Wall Street Journal when the deal fell apart and Leo's quote was confirmed by sources at DL and CO........

I wasn't talking about the "over labor" quote, I was talking about Bethune's "concern" for the employees. He was looking out for himself, the employees just happened to benefit. Incidentally, the story was out on Super Bowl Sunday, long before the WSJ came out Monday morning.

 

[Tejas-Jet]

That little tidbit sounds great in his book, what he doesn't mention is the fact that he would have been out of a job.

Let's remember that at that level, being out of a job isn't really a big deal....it might be for middle class folks...but not CEO's.

Think frank lorenzo is really hurting right now?

Tejas

 

[big_al]

• And exactly who told you that you couldnt work for one of those banks?
• And why didnt you go to Law School?
• And why dont you seek a career as an airline exec?

You have alot of anger there pal. Dont be pissed at the system because you feel like your on the bottom. "YOU" made the choice to go where you are. "YOU" made the choice to stay where you are. And with that; "YOU" get to swallow what your given... good or bad.

Dont like it? This is America; you can change your job!

so you should just go try to profit off of it even if you still believe its wrong? What kind of backwards "logic" do you use?