Want Management To Focus On Original Merger

Now that talk of a possible merger with Delta has been put to rest, pilots for America West and US Airways are demanding airline management turn their attention back to settling issues still present nearly two years after the new US Airways was created by the announced merger of the two carriers.

The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) tells ANN pilots for America West and US Airways have had about enough with what they term management's lack of commitment to negotiating a fair, single contract for both pilot groups. Pilots are showing their frustration by picketing in front of US Airways corporate headquarters.

ALPA states there are still major gaps between the corporate promises made to employees at the time of the merger, and the reality of how management behaves at the negotiating table. The union points out the new US Airways is posting record quarterly and full-year profits, yet management is determined to force bankruptcy-era concessions onto the pilots.

Such an agreement is not acceptable to either pilot group, according to ALPA.

Pilots say a single contract would be a significant step toward completing the America West-US Airways merger and combining the two airlines, and should have been completed long ago. Instead, management at US Airways chose to focus its energy on pursuing yet another merger... causing the pilots to seriously question management's ability to effectively run two operations, let alone three.

"There's no doubt that the quality of operations has deteriorated due to management's lack of focus in combining the two airlines," said Captain John McIlvenna, chairman of the America West Master Executive Council. "The sacrifices of labor, specifically the pilots of America West and US Airways, have enabled the new airline to succeed and post a considerable profit for 2006. Management has rewarded themselves with raises, bonuses and stock options and pursued a billion-dollar deal at the expense of the company, its employees, and our passengers."

"The US Airways and America West pilots have committed billions through massive concessions that were used to fund the recovery and renaissance of our airline. Yet, we continue to be paid wages that are at the bottom our industry while we participate in fruitless negotiations," said Captain Jack Stephan, chairman of the US Airways Master Executive Council. "It is unfortunate that our passengers are also forced to deal with management's whitewashing of the promise of a single carrier, and must endure the travel frustrations created from operating two airlines under one banner."

Joint negotiations with US Airways management for a single, fair pilot contract have been ongoing for more than one year. Both pilot groups remain focused on the issue of achieving a fair single contract.

Founded in 1931, ALPA represents 60,000 pilots at 40 airlines in the US and Canada.

FMI: www.alpa.org