Nevets
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2007
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Just the Facts
www.skywestalpa.org 888-SKY-ALPA
A publication for the SkyWest pilots
by the Air Line Pilots Association, International
October 22, 2007
To our fellow SkyWest pilots,
A concern we often hear at our information sessions and on the line is “what happens if SkyWest
merges us with ASA?” Unfortunately, the complex nature of airline mergers precludes a nice neat
“sound bite” response to this important question. ALPA has long had a policy on mergers that
provides a neutral framework for the affected pilot groups to process the merger of the separate
seniority lists and negotiate a single contract.
While the decision to merge belongs with SkyWest alone, if we are represented by ALPA and
covered by its Merger and Fragmentation Policy, we would certainly have a say in how the merger
affects us and, as important, would have an organization and elected leadership that is accountable
only to pilot interests – not the interests of SkyWest management.
We encourage you to find out more about ALPA’s merger policy. The following article provides a
comprehensive explanation of the process. You can also visit www.skywestalpa.org for the
complete text of ALPA’s Merger and Fragmentation Policy.
After reading and considering the information in the article we think you will conclude, as we
have, that:
• ALPA provides the process. Under the merger policy, the affected pilot groups negotiate
directly with each other in an attempt to reach agreement on a merger list. In the event an
agreement is not reached, the pilot groups have recourse to mediation or, if necessary, present
their case to an independent arbitrator for binding arbitration.
• In a complex transaction such as a corporate merger, it is important to have someone
to speak on our behalf. Completing a corporate merger and integrating a seniority list
requires intense negotiation, sometimes including mediation and even binding arbitration.
The benefits of this process can be lost if we do not have representatives who speak for our
interests as SkyWest pilots.
• Considering the uncertain nature of this industry and possible acquisitions and mergers that
may be out there for our company, we need a voice to secure our own futures. Aside from
developing a process and fostering negotiations between the MECs, ALPA can work with
management to integrate the carriers effectively, in a manner that recognizes the potential
benefits, and sacrifices, pilots might have to make to help the new airline grow.
As ALPA Vice-President for Finance Chris Beebe put it, “I know [the merger policy] is not perfect,
but it truly is ours. You and I each have the ability to change things either through a vote, or by
being a bigger part of the process by stepping up and getting involved.”
In solidarity,
The SkyWest Pilots ALPA Organizing Committee
www.skywestalpa.org 888-SKY-ALPA
A publication for the SkyWest pilots
by the Air Line Pilots Association, International
October 22, 2007
To our fellow SkyWest pilots,
A concern we often hear at our information sessions and on the line is “what happens if SkyWest
merges us with ASA?” Unfortunately, the complex nature of airline mergers precludes a nice neat
“sound bite” response to this important question. ALPA has long had a policy on mergers that
provides a neutral framework for the affected pilot groups to process the merger of the separate
seniority lists and negotiate a single contract.
While the decision to merge belongs with SkyWest alone, if we are represented by ALPA and
covered by its Merger and Fragmentation Policy, we would certainly have a say in how the merger
affects us and, as important, would have an organization and elected leadership that is accountable
only to pilot interests – not the interests of SkyWest management.
We encourage you to find out more about ALPA’s merger policy. The following article provides a
comprehensive explanation of the process. You can also visit www.skywestalpa.org for the
complete text of ALPA’s Merger and Fragmentation Policy.
After reading and considering the information in the article we think you will conclude, as we
have, that:
• ALPA provides the process. Under the merger policy, the affected pilot groups negotiate
directly with each other in an attempt to reach agreement on a merger list. In the event an
agreement is not reached, the pilot groups have recourse to mediation or, if necessary, present
their case to an independent arbitrator for binding arbitration.
• In a complex transaction such as a corporate merger, it is important to have someone
to speak on our behalf. Completing a corporate merger and integrating a seniority list
requires intense negotiation, sometimes including mediation and even binding arbitration.
The benefits of this process can be lost if we do not have representatives who speak for our
interests as SkyWest pilots.
• Considering the uncertain nature of this industry and possible acquisitions and mergers that
may be out there for our company, we need a voice to secure our own futures. Aside from
developing a process and fostering negotiations between the MECs, ALPA can work with
management to integrate the carriers effectively, in a manner that recognizes the potential
benefits, and sacrifices, pilots might have to make to help the new airline grow.
As ALPA Vice-President for Finance Chris Beebe put it, “I know [the merger policy] is not perfect,
but it truly is ours. You and I each have the ability to change things either through a vote, or by
being a bigger part of the process by stepping up and getting involved.”
In solidarity,
The SkyWest Pilots ALPA Organizing Committee
