MEC Chairman’s Message - May 1, 2007
This is MEC Chairman Jack Stephan with a Chairman's message to the pilots for Tuesday, May 1st.
ALPA received a proposed LOA (letter of agreement) from management last week that describes their
version of duty, flight time limits and pay for A-340 and Boeing 767-300 aircraft. The very fact that this
proposed agreement was presented outside the JNC negotiating process—and at this time, while they are
crafting their first economic proposal to give to the JNC in May—is a veiled attempt to have us chase the
carrot. It’s inconceivable that management would think our pilots would take the bait. Our position is
clear: no carrots, no A-340s, no promise of flying to China or Japan will take our eyes off the goal of a
single, fair collective bargaining agreement. We are seasoned, determined, and will not quit until our goal
is achieved.
After all the sacrifices the Coast-to-Coast pilots and their families have made, and the daily fight we are
waging, we are not willing to fly around the globe—or anywhere for that matter—with fatiguing
scheduling rules, and we most certainly are not willing to lead the industry in setting an all-new low in
international widebody wages. Is that to be our legacy as the first post-bankruptcy ALPA carrier to
negotiate in this new and highly profitable environment? We think not. The era of bankruptcy bargaining
is over.
Negotiations for new widebody aircraft pay rates, and revised flag carrier rest and duty time limitations,
belong on the negotiating table. Your leadership will not engage management in back-door negotiations.
Furthermore, if the provisions in this proposed LOA are any indication of management’s first economic
counter proposal that we are expecting on May 8th and 9th, they might as well save their breath. They
need to understand that insulting proposals will not fly with our pilots.
Fellow pilots, I once again remind you of our three-pronged strategy. Consider the W.A.R. reports, and
the “Do Your Own Job” campaign, and make your stand public on the picket line. This is the marathon
we have prepared for. Our resolve is unwavering, and your participation is crucial to our success
The month of May will be a very busy month for SPC events starting with the America West Strike Prep
Committee picketing on Tuesday, May 8th, at the annual Phoenix Aviation Symposium. On Tuesday,
May 15th, US Airways Group will be holding its annual Shareholders Meeting in Philadelphia - there will
be details to follow. Most notably is the week of Rolling Thunder, starting on May 21st. For six
consecutive days, US Airways Coast-to-Coast Pilots will picket in six cities, alternating three East and
three West locations. If you are as disappointed as we are with management’s proposals at the
negotiating table, make your plans now for walking the line, and most importantly, follow all of the
Three-Prong Strategy. I once again call on our Captains to lead the way.
Help your MEC and JNC deliver our message to management. We've had enough, and we are united in
our fight for a fair, single contract.
Thanks for listening.
