Pact Would Cover Dispatchers

America West Airlines and the Transport Workers Union (TWU) have reached a tentative agreement for a new four-year contract for the airline's dispatchers. The tentative agreement is subject to ratification by TWU membership, and that process will begin around March 26, 2004. The results of the ratification process could come as early as April 2004. Additional terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

America West Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Doug Parker said, "Our dispatch workgroup is an integral part of the America West team, playing a critical role in ensuring our operation is safe, reliable and on time. We are extremely pleased to have reached a tentative agreement with them, and applaud the efforts of both negotiating teams. I want to personally acknowledge the leadership of America West Vice President, Human Resources Shirley Kaufman and TWU Local 542 President John Plowman, who worked together to reach this tentative agreement, as well as the National Mediation Board, who provided additional assistance. We look forward to a successful ratification process that will further build upon the positive momentum occurring at America West."

"Our negotiating committee and union leadership are pleased that we have reached a tentative agreement that represents the best agreement given the current economic conditions at America West. Both the company and the union worked extremely hard in the development of an agreement which reflects many of the needs of our bargaining unit," John Plowman, president of TWU local 542 said.

America West Airlines is the nation's second largest low-fare airline and the only carrier formed since deregulation to achieve major airline status. America West's 13,000 employees serve nearly 55,000 customers a day in 93 destinations in the US, Canada, Mexico and Costa Rica.

FMI: http://www.twu.org