Sorry for the delay. I do have other things to do sometimes:
Q: Why are USAPA-represented pilots being given a copy of the MOU and a vote to ratify?
A: To be clear, the USAPA BPR has reviewed the MOU, but the USAPA pilots, like the APA pilots, have not and cannot review the MOU until USAPA and APA are granted relief from certain provisions of the NDA.
The MOU will act as a brand-new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) for the USAPA pilots, which is why they will have an opportunity to vote on it. However, for APA-represented pilots, the MOU only amends the new CBA, as opposed to creating a whole new agreement.
The Companies and the APA made this clear BEFORE you guys ratified your new CBA and removed the ripeness issue. You took the money and accepted the Nic...just like I always thought you would.
Q - Can East & West pilots bid positions on the other side during the period between the POR & JCBA?
A - No, the Status quo continues.
Q - Is there a last leg swap (a commuting pilot can fly your last leg) provision in the APA contract?
A - Not at this time, but something that will be addressed in the
JCBA talks.
Q - How will the jump seat work?
A - APA jumpseat is seniority based. We will address our current jumpseat reservation policy in the
JCBA process.
Q - Do we have another “bite at the apple” for improvements to the MOU?
A - We’ve been taking bites of the apple since August. Keep in mind this is a four- party agreement negotiated with guidance and input from the UCC. Any changes to the MOU would require approval by all parties prior to the POR. According to our legal counsel and both the APA and USAPA negotiators, there’s a better chance of making changes in the
JCBA negotiations when we are working directly with the new management of New American Airlines, as opposed trying to further negotiate the MOU.
Q - In regard to min block hours, some people are worried they're going to cut back on Airbus and bring in 190s.
A - The minimum block hours do not include the 190’s; those block hour protections are for Group 2 and larger aircraft. They could not replace Group 2 aircraft with 190s unless they added Group 3 or 4 aircraft to insure they remained above the minimum block hour floor for Group 2 and higher aircraft. The 190’s are viewed as growth above the min block hours.
*The minimum block hour is for Group 2 and larger, but we are currently operating above that minimum. This protection lasts for 18 months past getting a single operating certificate, OR until there is a
JCBA and a joint seniority list in place.
Q - We need some definition of who's going to be on short and who's going to be on long call.
A - We've had preliminary talks and that will continue in the
JCBA to come up with the best process possible.
h. US Airways agrees that neither this Memorandum nor the
JCBA shall provide a basis for changing the seniority lists currently in effect at US Airways other than through the process set forth in this Paragraph 10.
