Old American had a "lack of management-labor relations" -- Doug Parker

February 21, 2013
Mr. Doug Parker Chairman and CEO US Airways Inc. 111 W. Rio Salado Parkway Tempe, AZ 85281
Dear Mr. Parker:
On behalf of the Union Labor Coalition of US Airways (ULC), congratulations on the merger between US Airways and American Airlines. The US Airways unions representing more than 30,000 employees are proud to be part of the largest airline in the world.Through significant personal and professional concessions, US Airways employees have helped the airline achieve profitability and ultimately the opportunity to merge with American Airlines. Despite years of sub-industry wages, your employees continue to provide safe and professional air travel. We are proud of the record profits that US Airways has achieved.
But as you said in the official merger announcement: "One of the principles there, and one of the principles that American, US Airways and the creditors committee have been focused on, is making sure that people are treated fairly and treated equally. That’s really been the overriding objective."
We know that American Airlines has reached new agreements with its unions for wages and working conditions and we are pleased that you have reached agreements with some of your labor groups as well. However, there are still members of the ULC with whom you have not negotiated a contract, some for as many as seven years. To us, that is simply unacceptable. Additionally, there are also outstanding labor contracts with our wholly owned subsidiary carriers. Their status is equally as important in the eyes of the ULC.
The announcement of the merger is but a first step and now the real work must begin. We are committed to building a new successful airline, which can only occur when all employees are treated fairly. We look forward to your cooperation in finishing that job and need to know that it is your number one priority. For that reason, we ask you to finalize all labor agreements prior to any Plan of Reorganization. That action will send a strong message to all employees that this is in fact a New American Airlines.
Sincerely,
 
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