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US Airways ALPA MEC CODE-A-PHONE UPDATE - January 28, 2003
This is Roy Freundlich with a US Airways MEC update for Tuesday, January 28, with two new items:
Item 1. In anticipation of management filing a motion to terminate the pilots’ pension plan in bankruptcy court, and that management is seeking ALPA’s agreement to a plan termination and to a defined contribution plan, MEC Chairman Bill Pollock sent US Airways President and CEO David Siegel a letter on Friday stating that the termination of our plan will cause our pilots to lose substantial benefits that the pilots have already earned, even with a defined contribution plan as suggested by management.
The letter states that this proposed action by the Company would take away the pilots’ accrued benefits, which we have bought and paid for during our careers, while leaving the pensions of the other employee groups and management’s intact.
Although the pilots’ pension plan costs have remained the same because of concessions, as in the original plan conditionally approved by the ATSB, the costs for other employees’ pension benefits have increased substantially. However, management still proposes to terminate the pilots’ plan. Captain Pollock’s letter requests that management immediately direct its resources toward fully protecting the pension benefits already earned by the US Airways pilots.
Please note that the 60 day notice that will be required by the PBGC prior to the termination of the pilots retirement plan is not valid under ALPA objection. This issue will not be resolved in matter of days, as management is trying to suggest, it will take whatever time the MEC determines is appropriate to preserve our pilots’ benefits. Expect a report on the MEC’s activity at its special meeting convening this afternoon at the ALPA offices in Herndon.
Item 2. The Comm Center will be reactivated as early as this afternoon or tomorrow in response to the Company’s indications that it will take action to terminate the pilots’ pension plan. The telephone number is 800 USAIR MEC. Access to the Comm Center is restricted to US Airways pilots only and will be verified by Comm Center staff. The hours of operation will be 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. eastern time.
Please remember we have 1,748 pilots on furlough, with 79 pilot furloughs scheduled for February 4.
This is Roy Freundlich with a US Airways MEC update for Tuesday, January 28, with two new items:
Item 1. In anticipation of management filing a motion to terminate the pilots’ pension plan in bankruptcy court, and that management is seeking ALPA’s agreement to a plan termination and to a defined contribution plan, MEC Chairman Bill Pollock sent US Airways President and CEO David Siegel a letter on Friday stating that the termination of our plan will cause our pilots to lose substantial benefits that the pilots have already earned, even with a defined contribution plan as suggested by management.
The letter states that this proposed action by the Company would take away the pilots’ accrued benefits, which we have bought and paid for during our careers, while leaving the pensions of the other employee groups and management’s intact.
Although the pilots’ pension plan costs have remained the same because of concessions, as in the original plan conditionally approved by the ATSB, the costs for other employees’ pension benefits have increased substantially. However, management still proposes to terminate the pilots’ plan. Captain Pollock’s letter requests that management immediately direct its resources toward fully protecting the pension benefits already earned by the US Airways pilots.
Please note that the 60 day notice that will be required by the PBGC prior to the termination of the pilots retirement plan is not valid under ALPA objection. This issue will not be resolved in matter of days, as management is trying to suggest, it will take whatever time the MEC determines is appropriate to preserve our pilots’ benefits. Expect a report on the MEC’s activity at its special meeting convening this afternoon at the ALPA offices in Herndon.
Item 2. The Comm Center will be reactivated as early as this afternoon or tomorrow in response to the Company’s indications that it will take action to terminate the pilots’ pension plan. The telephone number is 800 USAIR MEC. Access to the Comm Center is restricted to US Airways pilots only and will be verified by Comm Center staff. The hours of operation will be 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. eastern time.
Please remember we have 1,748 pilots on furlough, with 79 pilot furloughs scheduled for February 4.
