CBS MarketWatch reports deal reached with CWA ?

[deltawatch]

By Jennifer Waters, CBS.MarketWatch.com Last Update: 5:25 PM ET Aug. 26, 2002
NEW YORK (CBS.MW) - At bankrupt US Airways (UAWGQ: news, chart, profile), maintenance training specialists stepped up to the plate in ratifying the company's restructuring plan with a 39-to-1 vote. Represented by the International Association of Machinists, these employees join pilots, flight attendants, simulator engineers, dispatchers and flight crew training instructors in endorsing the plan. US Airways machinists and fleet service workers, also represented by the IAM, are expected to vote on the company's proposal by Wednesday. An agreement has been reached with the Communications Workers of America.
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[Lilninj]

No news on that deal with CWA. And with last night's announcement of all the changes, I seriously doubt that any TA will be approved. These changes threaten the jobs of every single c.s. agent in our company. They have now told our customers that we don't care about them, their situations, their status, but only about their money. That is not how you keep loyal passengers, and certainly not how to attract new passengers. So, they want to replace us all with people who don't have good customer service skills because they won't work on people who come to hate the airline down deep. It will be harder than ever to satisfy passengers with the all the tools we use to do that being taken away. Might as well tell mechanics to "use the force" instead of a wrench. With no customer service policies to help satisfy troubled passengers, there is obviously no desire to satisfy troubled passengers. So, they do not want good customer service period. They just want us to be boarding pass collection agents, and cashiers. "No selling or customer service skills are required" will now be in their ads for new hires.

I'd expect the other groups including pilots to dislike the current state of affairs coming out of Crystal City. They are likely to cost the company it's entire customer base and future customers. That means we'll need fewer pilots, fewer fa's, fewer mechs, fewer ramp, fewer simulator trainers, fewer fleet service, fewer everyone but management. I guess when the company is only 15,000 employees they're still gonna need 29 vice presidents, 1 CEO, and one psuedo CEO (Wolf). I submit the one job they should eliminate now is that of the VP of customer service. The company now has in place a policy of no customer service so why should we be paying for a VP in that area?

Just my opinion, and I could be wrong, but I don't think so!

 

[EX-A320FO]

Evidently the HR department disagrees with you. Siegal has a plan, with or without you...

 

[EX-A320FO]

LILNINJ-- You seem to think current US Airways customer service people are the ONLY people out there with those skills. I'm pretty sure SABRE could provide the required services for a period of time until some talented furloughed employee gets up to speed. $18 a hour and travel benefits, I'm sure you will have MANY talented, experienced customer service people to choose from. COUNT ON IT...

 

[Lilninj]

Actually, I have and it's not! There are higher paying jobs out there starting higher than what we currently pay a 6 year agent. Most customer service jobs out there pay around $10-$13 an hour to start with benefits. But, U's is far lower and now with the higher health care, forget about quality people coming to work here.

 

[sabre]

To: ex320.

you seem to be forgetting that Seigel isn't the wizard and he doesn't hold all the cards. Just because Seigel says it doesn't make it 'a matter of fact'. Your continued and dogmatic persistance that Seigel is the all controlling force is baseless and I hopefully even you know better.

 

[RumorS]

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On 8/27/2002 12:39:25 PM

Actually, I have and it's not! There are higher paying jobs out there starting higher than what we currently pay a 6 year agent. Most customer service jobs out there pay around $10-$13 an hour to start with benefits. But, U's is far lower and now with the higher health care, forget about quality people coming to work here.
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Then what are you still doing here???? Please Don't let the door hit you from behind![raise:]

 

[EX-A320FO]

I'm sure the company will "sweeten" the pot a bit. Even at $10-$12 a hour, with the other benefits, you'll have PLENTY of takers. The REAL world is much, much, tougher. Go ahead, TAKE A LOOK...

 

[Lilninj]

Wrong, noone coming in to replace us will make that kind of money. That's top of scale. Also, remember that without a contract for our functions, other employees will not be transferring over with their seniority, furloughees will not be coming back, and new hires will make not even half of that figure. Even those who are making less than $30K/yr have to lose vacation pay and pay much much more for health care. They can't opt out of health care either. They'll be stuck paying a huge percentage of their actual income toward it. So, you see after all that is taken into account a replacement would be making someone near $6.00/hour. Not too many good customer service agents out there willing to work for that! I could make much more money anywhere else and so could they. They don't want good customer service, and have said so by eliminating any policies that would allow for that.

 

[usfliboi]

The maority of the cwa (excluding ones on here who are mad enough to post) will tell you all they want is an agreement to vote on !!! They all know basically what the outcome will be at least in the ball park and the majority ones i talk to although frustrated, in tend to vote yes! The contract which im sure will happen one way or the other will be implemented and those who dislike so badly will continue to express it in this forum. The cwa employees although not happy with the cuts(just like every other employee) will continue to do a great job like they always have and are doing today ! Good luck

 

[a320av8r]

Lilninj,
Why are you still here?

 

[EX-A320FO]

sabre-- We're in bankruptcy, Siegal and the court hold ALL the cards. I think I see things VERY clearly. Please enlighten me on the perceived cards you have...

 

[scot]

Duplicate thread going. Please see Its Official Thread. Thanks.

 

[Lilninj]

Do you mean, Why have I not surrended to General Dave? Why have I not laid down my paycheck, health care, and vacation? Because they're mine, not his. And he doesn't hold all the cards here. If you guys think that we are going to keep the same great customer service we enjoyed up til yesterday, forget it. You are dreaming. People will be laid off in mass numbers and those left won't care a bit about this company, especially the new hires they get later on that don't know anything and didn't make it into Mikki D's. Our passengers will certainly respond to all this by not booking or buying tickets, those that do will not be repeat passengers. They won't care a bit about the great service in getting their drink on that flight that they had to pay $500 to change due to a death. It doesn't get any simpler.