Claims 2004 Merger Violates Contracts

US Airways and America West pilots filed a lawsuit in Philadelphia's US District Court Wednesday, that claims management is merging the carriers illegally.

US Airways Group, Inc. made the decision to combine its reservation systems this weekend, prompting the lawsuit. The Air Line Pilots Association claims this move eliminates the America West name in violation of a union agreement and federal law, according to The Associated Press.

"US Airways wants desperately for our pilots to look like, dress like, and act like they work for a merged airline," ALPA chairman Jack Stephan said. "The only road to a real merged airline is through a single contract."

Federal law requires carriers that merge to operate with a single pilot contract. The union asserts company leaders made a promise to keep the airlines separate, until such time as an agreement can be reached.

US Airways spokeswoman Andrea Rader contends the pilots union is overreacting.

"The airplanes continue to be operated as America West or as US Airways," she said. "If you look at the tail number, an America West plane will continue to have an America West tail number. The crew flying it will continue to be an America West crew."

Management plans to meet with pilots, Rader said, Thursday in Washington, DC to work on a combined contract.

FMI: www.usairways.com, www.alpa.org