2007-100
IAM / U S AIRWAYS
TRANSITION NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE
IAM/US Airways Transition Negotiations Grind to a Halt
Even before the IAM was certified as the collective bargaining representative for the combined US
Airways-America West Mechanic& Related and Stores workforce, we were preparing for negotiations.
We surveyed the membership and developed proposals to fairly integrate the two airlines’ employees and
negotiate contract improvements for the combined workforce. After the IAM’s certification and nearly a
year of semi-productive bargaining, both the IAM and US Airways enlisted the assistance of the National
Mediation Board in the hope of reaching an agreement.
Your negotiating committee this week presented US Airways with a comprehensive proposal that
addressed the issues the membership said they wanted addressed in these negotiations. Your committee
unanimously agreed that our proposal was the best chance for a deal and it would receive the full support
of the membership. However, US Airways response once again failed to fully address our reasonable
proposal and no future meetings are scheduled. Your negotiating committee members are returning to
their regular assignments.
US Airways has demonstrated no interest in reaching a fair agreement and unifying its Mechanic &
Related workforce. We are disappointed at US Airways’ lack of commitment to its employees and their
failure to share the airlines’ success with the employees whose sacrifices generate the airline’s profits.
There had been glimmers of hope in recent weeks because of the able assistance provided by Linda
Puchala and Dick Hanusz of the National Mediation Board. However, even their help couldn’t overcome
US Airways’ indifference toward its employees.
Throughout the negotiating process our attorneys have continued preparing for the Change of Control
arbitration, which is scheduled for September 13 -14, 2007. In fact, we were prepared to present our case
when it was originally scheduled to begin last February.
IAM members have suffered through US Airways’ refusal to participate in the original arbitration hearing
and endured the airline’s hopeless attempts to block the arbitration. The Machinists Union was successful
in convincing a judge to order the case to go forward, and District 142 is eager to finally present our case
before a neutral arbitrator.
The membership will be updated as developments occur. Thank you for your continued solidarity and
support.
Sincerely and fraternally,
Tom Higginbotham Thomas Regan Joe Adinolfi
PDGC GL Rep GL Rep
Bill Freiberger Frank Schifano Tony Giammarco
General Chairmen
Sean Ryan John Coveny Bill Wise Randy Griffith Mick Walker
Alan Rennie Ronnie White Jason Quade
Negotiating Committee
TH:tf
cc: R. Roach, Jr.
S. Pantoja
T. Brickner
District 142 Executive Board
opeiu #320
POST ON ALL IAM BULLETIN BOARDS
IAM / U S AIRWAYS
TRANSITION NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE
IAM/US Airways Transition Negotiations Grind to a Halt
Even before the IAM was certified as the collective bargaining representative for the combined US
Airways-America West Mechanic& Related and Stores workforce, we were preparing for negotiations.
We surveyed the membership and developed proposals to fairly integrate the two airlines’ employees and
negotiate contract improvements for the combined workforce. After the IAM’s certification and nearly a
year of semi-productive bargaining, both the IAM and US Airways enlisted the assistance of the National
Mediation Board in the hope of reaching an agreement.
Your negotiating committee this week presented US Airways with a comprehensive proposal that
addressed the issues the membership said they wanted addressed in these negotiations. Your committee
unanimously agreed that our proposal was the best chance for a deal and it would receive the full support
of the membership. However, US Airways response once again failed to fully address our reasonable
proposal and no future meetings are scheduled. Your negotiating committee members are returning to
their regular assignments.
US Airways has demonstrated no interest in reaching a fair agreement and unifying its Mechanic &
Related workforce. We are disappointed at US Airways’ lack of commitment to its employees and their
failure to share the airlines’ success with the employees whose sacrifices generate the airline’s profits.
There had been glimmers of hope in recent weeks because of the able assistance provided by Linda
Puchala and Dick Hanusz of the National Mediation Board. However, even their help couldn’t overcome
US Airways’ indifference toward its employees.
Throughout the negotiating process our attorneys have continued preparing for the Change of Control
arbitration, which is scheduled for September 13 -14, 2007. In fact, we were prepared to present our case
when it was originally scheduled to begin last February.
IAM members have suffered through US Airways’ refusal to participate in the original arbitration hearing
and endured the airline’s hopeless attempts to block the arbitration. The Machinists Union was successful
in convincing a judge to order the case to go forward, and District 142 is eager to finally present our case
before a neutral arbitrator.
The membership will be updated as developments occur. Thank you for your continued solidarity and
support.
Sincerely and fraternally,
Tom Higginbotham Thomas Regan Joe Adinolfi
PDGC GL Rep GL Rep
Bill Freiberger Frank Schifano Tony Giammarco
General Chairmen
Sean Ryan John Coveny Bill Wise Randy Griffith Mick Walker
Alan Rennie Ronnie White Jason Quade
Negotiating Committee
TH:tf
cc: R. Roach, Jr.
S. Pantoja
T. Brickner
District 142 Executive Board
opeiu #320
POST ON ALL IAM BULLETIN BOARDS
