Multi-union Resolution Suggestion

USA320Pilot

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May 18, 2003
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Multi-union resolution

whereas, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote on January 13 that Mesa Air Group is now interested in acquiring US Airways’ assets,

whereas, Mesa chief executive Jonathon Ornstein said, "We have expressed our interest," but he hoped that US Airways could lower its costs and solve its financial problems this year, thereby eliminating any need to sell some of its assets. But if that doesn't happen, "We would aggressively pursue any opportunities that may develop," he said.

whereas, Mesa's labor costs are less than those at US Airways, allowing Ornstein to make any of US Airways' assets immediately profitable, he said. "Don't underestimate what can happen when you overlay a new cost structure," he said.

whereas, Ornstein said he would be interested in the US Airways Express commuter operations, of which his company is already a code-sharing partner, as well as the coveted Washington-New York-Boston shuttle.

whereas, US Airways negotiated with the Allegheny County Airport Authority to operate 10 gates on a long-term lease and 40 gates on a month-to-month basis,

whereas, Bloomberg News reported on January 12 that two long-time US Airways observers noted that the whole (Pittsburgh) issue is not about debt, but the carrier’s inability to draft a long-term strategy. "It is not so much a question of wrangling out a more advantageous lease for the remaining 40 gates," said William Lauer, of Allegheny Capital Management and an airline investor. "It is more of a matter of US Airways making an internal decision on asset allocations that may not include Pittsburgh at all. The issue is what do they do with the Pittsburgh mainline fleet. Do they move it westward, for example, or are there opportunities that may open up with United and its bankruptcy? This is quite murky at the moment. Pittsburgh has always been a hostage to the resolution of the United situation," Lauer said.

whereas, Michael Roach, an associate with Unisys Corp. and a co-founder of America West Airlines, was blunt in his assessment of the deal. "They took the locals for a ride. They signed the deal for 10 gates so they could lower charges as a signatory airline. It is a good deal for US Airways. They clearly don’t think much of the Pittsburgh hub. It would seem they are just playing for time. They can’t downsize without going out of business. Roach said.

whereas, in December airline analyst Mike Boyd said US Airways chairman David Bronner could cherry pick United assets such as gates in Denver and Chicago; as well as aircraft with reports that Bronner’s Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA) holds the debt on some of United’s debt,

whereas, bankruptcy court documents indicate RSA is a large United Airlines creditor, who 32nd on the list.

whereas, Allegheny County chief executive officer Don Onorato told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on January 13 he is concerned US Airways could fold or merge with another carrier,

whereas, US Airways has specific loan guarantee covenants that if violated could lead to an involuntary bankruptcy filing, which many analyst’s believe could be a Chapter 7 liquidation,

whereas, US Airways chairman David Bronner has 51% US Airways board of directors voting power and can unilaterally make airline strategic decisions,

whereas, Bronner could decide in February to fragment the airline and divest of the company’s assets to prevent a loan guarantee default and bankruptcy filing,

whereas, Bronner has made it clear he has no intention of replacing US Airways chief executive officer Dave Siegel,

whereas, without new US Airways labor accords to reduce costs principally in "work rule" changes, which have been requested by management, the lack of new accords designed to average down unit costs, could lead to a memorandum of understanding negotiated between Mesa Air Group and US Airways -- that could include an offer to transfer mainline employees to Mesa to operate the Shuttle and other assets -- which would comply with ALPA Merger & Fragmentation policy,

therefore be it resolved, it may be in the best interest of the employees that their union leaders meet with management to hear the rumored "transformation plan",

therefore be it further resolved, it could be very important for the individual labor group Negotiating Committees to discuss with management how the company can return to profitability and grow the airline, then when would now be a good time to hold these meetings?

Respectfully,

USA320Pilot
 
therefore be it further resolved, it could be very important for the individual labor group Negotiating Committees to discuss with management how the company can return to profitability and grow the airline, then when would now be a good time to hold these meetings?

Agreed. Here's what's required to return our ailine to profitability.

1) Stop violating the service (labor) contracts you already have in place.

2) After the last round of concessions, in house labor is the best deal in town. Bring as much work in house as room permits. People layed off are a pre-trained workforce that would return to work under the present concessionary contracts.

3) Put your customers first. Create an atmosphere in and around US Aiways that anyone whould want to visit.

Unfortunately that's not what you meant, was it?

So, let me be clear:
 
USA320Pilot said:
therefore be it resolved, it may be in the best interest of the employees that their union leaders meet with management to hear the rumored "transformation plan",



Respectfully,

USA320Pilot
I thought you stated in another thread the Labor Advisory Council was meeting with management today. Isn't the same asl abor leaders listening to plan, or were you misinformed or just speculating but making it sound as fact.
 
Can you all not read?

January 12th

Separately, CEO David Siegel last week publicly accused the unions at US Airways of refusing to discuss details of the company’s latest attempt at a business plan. The leadership of the Machinists Union has repeatedly notified US Airways’ management that we are committed to discussing plans to ensure the airline remains a viable employer.

However, we will not participate in any discussions that would require changes to our collective bargaining agreements. The agreements in place today contain the concessions David Siegel told his employees, creditors and the bankruptcy court he needed to run a successful airline. The employees of US Airways have already provided David Siegel with all the tools he needs to build a competitive airline, and no further amount of employee sacrifice will reverse his failure.

Likewise, Siegel’s announcement that the carrier is looking to sell valuable assets, including the Shuttle operation and possibly a hub, is another example of his reaction to long-term problems with shortsighted solutions.

This is certainly an extremely difficult time for all US Airways employees, but we believe that with talented leadership US Airways can survive and prosper.


NOVEMBER 2003

While we are willing to discuss plans to permit the carrier to remain a viable employer, the Machinists Union today informed US Airways that we will not enter into any discussions to change the terms of our collective bargaining agreements – the concession stand is closed!

Our members ratified significant cost reductions while the company was in bankruptcy, providing the carrier with the tools needed to return US Airways to profitability. If US Airways’ executives are incapable of successfully running this airline within the framework of our existing collective bargaining agreements, a more capable management team should be employed.

IAM members have made significant sacrifices to save US Airways. The fate of the airline now rests solely in the hands of David Siegel and his management team.
 
Whereas, somebody is still dreaming about UAL assets while his company is crumbling around him. :huh:
 
700UW
Posted on Jan 14 2004, 01:25 PM

Can you all not read?

I can read. The resolution was for the labor leaders to meet with management and TELL them how to run a profitable airline.

The issue of opening the contract was naively left out.

Beause giving more concessions was left out, I had to agree. Our Union representatives should go to Crystal City and TELL THEM HOW to run a profitable business. It's become publically obvious that management doesn't have a clue.

Rest assured, I stand fast on this one resolve:
 
If they want to talk, let them talk. If they want to explore some productivity changes, to be offset by growing the airline, fine. But I will not give them more cuts just to have them shrink more. The can cut it up and sell it off, but I will not give them another dime of pay.
 
All the small minded individuals that keep sayin get rid of the union..........look around. IS SOUTHWEST UNION???? How come they can make a profit. Check their contracts....their total compensation packages are more than U. And although they have a few less people (not much difference), they do very little in house. WE are the most productive employees out there. If they would just fly to where people wanna go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
RID THE UNIONS....says 28yearsnojob. What a concept indeed.

Dave would LOVE to do nothing other than this. Then he could just implement whatever wages, benefits, farmouts and headcounts that he wants.

Maybe you should reconsider your philosophy.
 
28yearsnojob said:
:up: If i was dave get rid of every union and start over
Your constant anti union remarks reeks of a management, either that or you live in a dream world where no unions are required because management treats employees like they themselves would expect to be treated.

As far as Dave trying to get rid of every union. Why do you think Jerry is on board. They are trying just that but trouble is the courts disagree, their latest failure at union busting was last night with the AFA.


To Jerry Glass: make like top cat and head on down your alley, your batting average is dropping daily and will look bad on your resume.
 

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