US Airways issues guidelines to keep employees from talking; workers denounce rules as 'another form of intimidation'
US Airways wants its employees to shut their mouths about what's going on in the company - unless they hear or see other employees talking. Then they can rat on co-workers via the company hot line or Web site.
Within the last week, the airline has sent a 26-page booklet to all employees, titled "Business Conduct and Ethics Policy."
The booklet's first page reads: "As an employee of US Airways Inc., or of one of the wholly owned subsidiaries of US Airways Group, you have an obligation at all times to promote the company's interests."
Besides not talking to the media, which has been a long-standing company policy, the handbook also bans employees from identifying themselves as US Airways employees online.
"It's yet again another form of intimidation, kind of censoring the employees away from letting the public and media know what's going on internally," said Teddy Xidas, president of the US Airways' Association of Flight Attendants.
In a letter that accompanied the booklet, employees are told that "should you observe or become aware of any violation of this policy, the company has established a mailing address, a Web site address and a toll-free hot line where employees can voice their concern, complaint or question." The letter goes on to say that information provided by employees is confidential and can be anonymous.
"It's a police state," said Chris Fox, president of the local Communications Workers of America chapter that represents US Airways employees.
"The last time an executive was here, they were encouraging people to squeal on fellow employees," Fox said. "We told them straight out, 'We're not going to be doing that. That's not our job. ... According to our (union) bylaws and constitution, we don't do that.' We were adamant on that."
Even from their home computers, the booklet said, employees are "prohibited from identifying yourself as a company employee when posting comments on the Internet or on other online services. This rule applies even if a statement is included that clearly states the user is expressing his or her own ideas and not necessarily those of the company."
How this would affect the US Airways employees Web site and various newsletters operated by US Airways employees isn't clear.
Asked whether the policy was an attempt to shut down employee Web sites, US Airways spokesman David Castelveter said: "Not at all. But there has to be some very clear guidelines as to how US Airways can and cannot be represented publicly."
"If you imply (online) that you're a US Airways employee, you're breaking this policy," Xidas said. "What happens? Who knows? I guess it depends on the gravity of the violation, as the company sees it."
It could result in a warning and reprimand or a firing, she said.
Any corporation has the right to set policy for employees; the First Amendment kicks in primarily when the government tries to squelch free speech, Xidas said.
"It doesn't deter me as local union representative of the flight attendants of Pittsburgh to speak out on behalf of our membership," said Xidas, who received her booklet on Saturday.
The booklet's policy stating that employees must have the airline's written permission to hold a second job, including self-employment, is new, said Fox, who had not yet received her booklet.
"I wonder if this applies to executives themselves," said Fox, noting that some executives run consulting companies.
The booklet said that "outside employment that might embarrass or reflect discredit upon or conflict with the best interest of the company for employees, their spouses, domestic partners or members of immediate families is not allowed."
"Immediate family," Fox said, "that's a little bit much."
The booklet addresses conflicts of interests and bribes; protecting the company's nonpublic information, especially against competitors; owning stock, making political contributions and lobbying; and following safety and nondiscriminatory rules, as well as other procedures.
"We've always had a business ethics policy," Castelveter said. "It's only responsible for companies to remind employees of its business ethics."
Castelveter, who would not comment on what is old and what is new in the policy and whether the employee hot line is new, said, "These are internal measures. These are policies designed for US Airways to work with their employees. They're not for public debate. They're not unusual."
However, Xidas made note that the handbooks were mailed after the leader of the pilots union publicly demanded the ouster of US Airways' chief executive officer and chief financial officer.
"They want to control what we say to the public," Xidas said. "Nobody wants to go to a business where they know for sure there's labor unrest."
The policy will be effective, Xidas said.
"Fewer people will know exactly what is going on. And that's the way management wants it."
RULES TO FOLLOW
Some of the guidelines US Airways spells out:
Employees should not discuss company business with anyone.
If an employee overhears another employee talking about company business with someone, then it's OK to report it via a company hot line or Web site.
Employees cannot identify themselves as employees online even on their personal computers.
Employees must have written consent from management to hold a second job.
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