Awa Pilots Throw 1st Merger Molotav Cocktail

[EyeInTheSky]

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050519/dcth056.html?.v=9


PHOENIX, May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Captain JR Baker, chairman of the America West Airlines unit of the Air Line Pilots Association, made this statement today following America West's (NYSE: AWA - News) announcement that it will merge with US Airways.


"Protecting and defending the careers of America West pilots are our top priorities.

In 1997, we saw the potential for a transaction in our future and were determined not to be caught behind the power curve if our company was involved in an agreement. The AWA pilots started a separate merger fund to cover all outside expenses, and it has grown substantially during the past eight years.

When news of discussions between America West and US Airways first came to light, we set in motion measures enabling us to more efficiently realize our goals. Our teams are in place, and we are fully prepared to safeguard the careers of America West pilots who put their trust in this union.

In our profession, seniority is everything. To be clear our union's Merger Policy provides for a process and timeframe for events to occur, but does not dictate how two ALPA pilot groups will integrate their seniority lists. Specifics on how the two merge their seniority lists are left up to negotiations between the pilot groups involved; however, if no agreement is reached, a merged list would emerge from a mediation-arbitration process. Clearly, in such discussions with the US Airways pilots, we would view a date- of-hire type of integration as a completely unworkable solution for the America West pilots.

While details of the transaction continue to evolve, we remain focused on our priorities: protecting and defending the career expectations of America West pilots. As such, we will not allow America West management to lose focus on running an efficient airline or forget their commitment of operating in the best interests of the employees.

We are a vital part of America West, and we will not allow our pilots' career expectations to be sacrificed as a result of our airline's success." The Air Line Pilots Association is the bargaining agent for the more than 1,900 pilots at America West Airlines. Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world's largest pilot union, representing 64,000 pilots at 41 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at

 

[BoeingBoy]

Clearly, in such discussions with the US Airways pilots, we would view a date- of-hire type of integration as a completely unworkable solution for the America West pilots.

[post="271151"][/post]​

Assuming that you mean this line, I personally find it unsurprising. Speaking only for myself, I both understand and sympathize with their statement.

Again, speaking only for myself, what does a number or date mean? Absolutely nothing but what it can get me in the context of the airline I work for. Seniority isn't a number or date, it's what equipment I can hold, what trips I can get, what days I work, when I can take vacation, etc. Right now, I am comfortably high on the list on the 737. I can get pretty much whatever schedule I want, whatever vacation I want, whatever days off I want - as long as I'm on the 737. Why should a merger improve or impair that?

Jim

 

[madders]

naw its not a molotav cocktail, its more a monkey wrench
a molotav cocktail would be atsb or BK court saying no :blink:

 

[Peetah Griffin]

Hmmm. I have to say I'm disappointed, especially with what I'd been hearing that both sides seemed to be expressing a desire to be amicable and join in solidarity.

I'm willing to be big enough to uncomfortably write off this faux pas of his and hope this doesn't spiral out of control. I think we should take a lesson from the ill will generated from the pre U/UA talk and try to keep the rhetoric to a minimum.

Unlike our new union brother's misguided slip, let's show some class.

 

[a320av8r]

Hmmm. I have to say I'm disappointed, especially with what I'd been hearing that both sides seemed to be expressing a desire to be amicable and join in solidarity.

I'm willing to be big enough to uncomfortably write off this faux pas of his and hope this doesn't spiral out of control. I think we should take a lesson from the ill will generated from the pre U/UA talk and try to keep the rhetoric to a minimum.

Unlike our new union brother's misguided slip, let's show some class.

[post="271169"][/post]​

Here, here

 

[livingontheedge]

Anyone seen Bill Pollock's statement?

It is an out and out insult to "non-pilot" employees at this company!

Shame on you Mr. Pollock!!!!

 

[EyeInTheSky]

Anyone seen Bill Pollock's statement?

It is an out and out insult to "non-pilot" employees at this company!

Shame on you Mr. Pollock!!!!

[post="271194"][/post]​

You think? Pilots contributed over a billion dollars and YOU'RE insulted? Puhleeese.

 

[BoeingBoy]

You must mean this - I've taken the liberty of highlighting the lines you're probably referring to:

US Airways Group, Inc. and America West Holdings Corporation have announced their intention to enter into a merger that would create both the nation’s sixth-largest airline and the largest low-cost carrier network.

The US Airways Master Executive Council (MEC), the pilots’ governing body, will be analyzing the terms of this proposed transaction at the earliest opportunity.

US Airways management believes that this proposed merger will enable US Airways to emerge from bankruptcy and then create a partnership that will be viable and competitive. I want management, our investors, and our flying public to know that the US Airways pilots are largely responsible for the progress that US Airways has made in its restructuring. US Airways enjoys this opportunity today because of the tremendous sacrifices made by our pilots. Our MEC and our pilots have been called upon again and again to make the most difficult decisions in this volatile and still-transforming industry. Our pilots have provided the Company with $7 billion in cost savings through four restructurings -- an investment far greater than any other group. We expect that our sacrifices will be respected as we welcome the opportunity to become a partner in the creation of this country’s premier low-cost airline.

We also look forward to working with the pilots of America West as we begin the process of combining pilot groups through the seniority integration procedures outlined in our ALPA Administrative Manual.

ALPA is the world’s oldest and largest pilot union, representing 64,000 pilots at 41 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. Visit the ALPA Web site at http://www.alpa.org/ and the US Airways pilots Web site at http://www.usairwayspilots.org/.

 

[Formatman]

You think? Pilots contributed over a billion dollars and YOU'RE insulted? Puhleeese.

[post="271198"][/post]​

I've always said that I wish I PAID $100,000 a year in taxes...but I don't because I only make about $35,000 income per year. Yes, the pilots gave a whole lot more than I did in concessions..but it's because they MAKE a whole lot more!

 

[nostradamus]

After being involved through many mergers it is completely appropriate for AWA and US making statements to the effect that they are protecting their members. But from experience all the chest thumping and head banging on the ground matters nothing. A mediator will make the decision which will be final, how the employees accept the decision, history has shown, will decide the outcome of the success of the merger.

One more piece of advice, no sense slinging mud untill the merger is final. ie; United pilots making hypocrits out of themselves by waving there alpa pins around during good times but slamming other pilots during merger talks that envolve their own tails. This may or may not happen,prepare, but cross the bridge when you come to it.

 

[livingontheedge]

Yes, Boeing Boy, those are the comments I am referring to. Thank you for posting it.

EyeintheSky,

I have great respect for your posts and have always agreed with you......until now.

Every single employee made sacrifices....especially those whose jobs are being outsourced.

I recognize the contribution of each and every employee, I would never dare to be so pompous and elitest to say "Usairways enjoys this opportunity today because of the sacrifices of our pilots." If all it took was the sacrifice of the pilots, then can I have my 24% pay cut back? And my vacation time? And 50% of my sick time? And my 401k match? And all the jobs around the system that are being outsourced?

EVERYONE took it on the chin!

 

[etops1]

I want management, our investors, and our flying public to know that the US Airways pilots are largely responsible for the progress that US Airways has made in its restructuring. US Airways enjoys this opportunity today because of the tremendous sacrifices made by our pilots.
and the f/a's ,mechanics,agents, and the rest of the employee group did what?

 

[passed_over]

and what about the pilots at MDA and PDT are they going to get thrown away?

 

[28yrsnojob]

Time for a wildcat strike

 

[cltbay1homie]

I want management, our investors, and our flying public to know that the US Airways pilots are largely responsible for the progress that US Airways has made in its restructuring. US Airways enjoys this opportunity today because of the tremendous sacrifices made by our pilots.
and the f/a's ,mechanics,agents, and the rest of the employee group did what?

[post="271207"][/post]​

and what are you trying to say?