Fri, Nov 13, 2009
Informational Picket At Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport Friday
Morning
Phoenix-based US Airways flight attendants, represented by the
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), will picket at
Phoenix Sky Harbor airport on Friday morning at 0900, to protest
what they say is management's refusal to pay equal wages for equal
work and their continued refusal to increase wage rates that have
been frozen for seven years.
According to an AFA-CWA news release, the 2005 merger between
America West and US Airways resulted in a freeze of America West
flight attendants' wage rates since 2002. While flight attendants
of the merged US Airways perform the same work and wear the same
uniforms, the former America West flight attendants' wages are up
to 40% less than their US Airways east counterparts.
"The flight attendants of the former America West Airlines have
waited patiently for seven years for wage increases and contract
improvements. We were patient even as the economy went south and we
struggled to pay our bills with wages that did not keep up with
inflation," said Lisa LeCarre, AFA-CWA US Airways President
representing America West flight attendants. "It is reprehensible
that US Airways management has left the flight attendants in the
dust and refused to complete this merger with combined contracts
that provide financial relief for flight attendants."
Following the September 2005 merger between America West and
US Airways, contract negotiations for wage increases specific to
America West flight attendants were put on hold by the National
Mediation Board (NMB) so the parties could focus on reaching a
merged agreement covering all US Airways flight attendants. After
four years of attempting to negotiate a single agreement, in April
2009, AFA-CWA requested that the NMB reconvene negotiations to
bargain wage increases specific to former America West flight
attendants.
"US Airways management continues to refuse cost-of-living
increases, even as airline executives rake in millions in bonuses
from the 'success' of the merger," said LeCarre. "This disrespect
and neglect has to stop now."
AFA-CWA is pursuing a two-track strategy under the slogan "Equal
Pay, Either Way." Management must either promptly agree to a merged
contract covering all US Airways flight attendants or agree to
interim increases specific to America West flight attendants.
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