*moderator note* Would like to thank AM49AAA for posting the results first.
Machinists Ratify US Airways Pacts
Washington, D.C., January 10, 2003 - The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) today announced ratification of three agreements covering 11,150 IAM-represented Mechanical & Related employees, Maintenance Instructors and Fleet Service employees at US Airways.
Our members have agreed to provide US Airways with the resources to avoid liquidation and successfully emerge from bankruptcy, said District 141-M President Scotty Ford. Their sacrifice and commitment to the survival of this carrier deserves to be commended.
The new agreements preserve current wage rates, but provide for productivity enhancements and insurance benefit modifications valued at $45 million in annual savings from Mechanical & Related employees and $14 million for Fleet Service employees.
61 percent of Mechanical & Related employees ratified the new agreement, while 52.3 percent of Fleet Service employees accepted the pact. 94 percent of Maintenance Instructors also endorsed the contract.
IAM members have once again demonstrated their commitment to US Airways’ future, said District 141 President Randy Canale. Now it is up to management to rebuild US Airways with the tools they have been provided.
Machinists’ Union members at US Airways previously ratified restructuring proposals in August 2002 when the company entered bankruptcy. Ratification of those accords provided the carrier with $219 million in annual cost savings through 2009. Today’s agreements provide needed cost savings in addition to the initial restructuring proposals.