Contract Will Go Out For Ratification By The Airline's 6,800 Flight Attendants

US Airways today announced that it has reached a new tentative agreement on a collective bargaining agreement with the Association of flight attendants (AFA), which represents the airline's 6,800 mainline flight attendants. Details of the agreement were made available by AFA.

"We are very pleased to have reached a tentative agreement with our flight attendants. This achievement reflects the professionalism and hard work over several years by negotiators for AFA and US Airways and I want to thank the union leadership and negotiating committee for their dedication in support of our flight attendants," said Doug Parker, US Airways chairman and CEO. "We would also like to express our appreciation to the National Mediation Board, Board Member Linda Puchala, Mediator Jim Mackenzie, US Airways AFA leaders Deborah Volpe and Roger Holmin and the International AFA leadership, for their work in reaching this agreement."

If ratified, the tentative agreement would cover the airline's 6,800 mainline flight attendants, who are based in US Airways' three hub cities of Phoenix, Philadelphia and Charlotte, NC, and in its Washington, D.C. focus city.

On its website, the AFA said that the National Mediation Board used the Status Conference to bring AFA and the company together in one final attempt to achieve a single agreement for US Airways flight attendants. The framework for that discussion was narrow. The result was improved economics for US Airways flight attendants as well as clear details on our involvement in MOU discussions related to the merger.

Under the framework of the agreement, MOU discussions would begin immediately upon ratification. The agreement contains a $40,000 Early Out upon merger close, and preservation of  job protections. It also contains all of the $45 million in annual improvements previously negotiated, and a $1700 ratification bonus.

"Today we reviewed the full details of this bridge agreement for US Airways flight attendants and we unanimously approved it as the 2013 Flight Attendant Tentative Agreement," the union said on the website. "We endorse this agreement because it provides immediate relief for US Airways flight attendants and puts us in the strongest position possible for all discussions related to the next merger.

"Across the industry it is expected that Parker’s plan for a US Airways/American merger will be the bankruptcy exit strategy for American Airlines. Through analysis with our professionals our union strongly believes this plan provides the best opportunities for our future. However, we must be full partners in that merger and through your vote for this agreement we will be."

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