- Jan 27, 2003
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2003
America West Pilots to Conduct Informational Picketing in Phoenix
PHOENIX — On September 16th and 17th the pilots of America West Airlines will be conducting informational picketing to display their indignation and dismay at an announcement made by management that would further outsource the AWA pilots’ jobs to Mesa Air Group by increasing the number of 84-seat regional jets. This announcement coming on the eve of the resumption of negotiations goes against what the union felt was going to be the starting point for getting an agreement that would satisfy the needs of the pilot group.
In addition to the picket lines that will be set up on level 2 at the north west and south east ends of terminal 4 the Union will also have mobile billboards displaying their message of unity to the public circling terminal 4.
Pilots will be outside level 2 at the southeast and northwest ends of Terminal 4 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday and 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesday.
Captain Terry Stadler, chairman of the America West unit of the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) said, “We have been in negotiations for three and a half years and still haven’t produced a contract that meets the pilots’ needs. A contract must address a retirement plan, job security and a variety of other work rules in order for this pilot group to consider ratification. Our pilots are the lowest paid of any major airline and we are asking to be fairly compensated – both in pay and benefits.â€
The National Mediation Board (NMB) suspended negotiations with the pilot group and management in March, after pilots overwhelmingly rejected a tentative agreement the two sides had reached in December 2002. Contract talks had begun in February 2000, and the NMB assigned a federal mediator to facilitate negotiations in May 2001. The NMB temporarily suspended talks after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s oldest and largest pilot union, representing 66,000 members at 42 airlines in the United States and Canada, including nearly 1,700 pilots at America West Airlines. Visit the ALPA website at http://www.alpa.org
September 15, 2003
America West Pilots to Conduct Informational Picketing in Phoenix
PHOENIX — On September 16th and 17th the pilots of America West Airlines will be conducting informational picketing to display their indignation and dismay at an announcement made by management that would further outsource the AWA pilots’ jobs to Mesa Air Group by increasing the number of 84-seat regional jets. This announcement coming on the eve of the resumption of negotiations goes against what the union felt was going to be the starting point for getting an agreement that would satisfy the needs of the pilot group.
In addition to the picket lines that will be set up on level 2 at the north west and south east ends of terminal 4 the Union will also have mobile billboards displaying their message of unity to the public circling terminal 4.
Pilots will be outside level 2 at the southeast and northwest ends of Terminal 4 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday and 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesday.
Captain Terry Stadler, chairman of the America West unit of the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) said, “We have been in negotiations for three and a half years and still haven’t produced a contract that meets the pilots’ needs. A contract must address a retirement plan, job security and a variety of other work rules in order for this pilot group to consider ratification. Our pilots are the lowest paid of any major airline and we are asking to be fairly compensated – both in pay and benefits.â€
The National Mediation Board (NMB) suspended negotiations with the pilot group and management in March, after pilots overwhelmingly rejected a tentative agreement the two sides had reached in December 2002. Contract talks had begun in February 2000, and the NMB assigned a federal mediator to facilitate negotiations in May 2001. The NMB temporarily suspended talks after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s oldest and largest pilot union, representing 66,000 members at 42 airlines in the United States and Canada, including nearly 1,700 pilots at America West Airlines. Visit the ALPA website at http://www.alpa.org
