Seventy-Eight Percent Of Those Eligible Said 'Yes' To The New Deal

PSA pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), have ratified a tentative agreement reached with the management of PSA Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of US Airways Group, Inc. The new contract was ratified by the airline's 515 ALPA-represented pilots who are based in in Dayton, OH; Knoxville, TN, and Charlotte, NC. Nearly 80 percent of eligible pilots cast ballots in the election, and 78 percent voted in favor of the new collective bargaining agreement.

The five-year contract includes quality-of-life gains, pay increases, and opportunities for PSA pilots to progress to US Airways mainline, while maintaining important current benefits such as health insurance and retirement. The contract, which is the result of nearly four years of negotiations, takes effect on April 1.

“With this agreement, we achieved much-needed improvements for our pilots, while also creating opportunities to help secure a competitive position for PSA well into the future,” said Capt. Jesse Coeling, chairman of ALPA’s PSA chapter. “Since 2009 when we began negotiations, we never wavered in our commitment to obtaining a contract that provides appropriate compensation for PSA pilots. After all, their contributions play a major role in making our airline one of the best-performing express operations in the US Airways system. The contract also provides the necessary stability for PSA’s and US Airways’ continued success going forward.”

"We are very pleased that the professional pilots of PSA have voted to ratify the new collective bargaining agreement that recognizes their contribution to PSA," said Keith Houk, PSA Airlines president and CEO. "I would like to thank the National Mediation Board and the mediator overseeing our negotiations, James Mackenzie, for their assistance in reaching the agreement. I would also like to thank ALPA leadership for their dedication in supporting our pilots."

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