This Week in Review
Last Thursday the US Airways ALPA MEC received a detailed business plan presentation followed by ALPA’s leaders having an informal dinner with US Airways’ chairman of the board David Bronner. Then on Friday Bronner addressed the MEC and other rank-and-file members that could have profound effect on the carrier. These events caused a dramatic shift in MEC sentiment, which resulted in the unions leaders unanimously passing a resolution directing the Negotiating Committee to begin participating in the creation of a plan to return US Airways to profitability. Interestingly, the Committee is authorized to obtain and utilize all resources that may be necessary to craft such a plan, including the employment of an operational expert or other outside professional(s) to assist the Committee, in addition to using the resources of the MEC’s investment banker, ALPA’s Economic and Financial Analysis Department, and other available in-house resources.
“It was refreshing to have a guy speak of the challenges we face but have a message of hope at the same time,†said MEC Chairman Captain Bill Pollock. “The hope is (to) transform US Airways into a carrier that can compete and profit.â€
Equally important is that Bronner said management’s actions during their tenure have created significant problems of credibility and trust with labor, and that they want to include employees in solving problems to make US Airways profitable.
According to the Pittsburgh Tribune Review ALPA Communications Committee Chairman Captain Jack Stephan said Bronner threw down the gauntlet to pilots to play a key role in transforming the airline. "He threw the challenge out to us, and we accepted it," Stephan said. "We responded to his leadership." Stephan said that while the union is prepared to begin negotiating more changes to its contract -- something it vowed two months ago it would not do as it called on CEO David Siegel to resign -- the union will be proactive instead of just "responding to management proposals."
"This is going to be a total makeover," Stephan said.
I believe it’s very significant to note that all 12 MEC members supported the resolution designed to create a total (pilot contract) makeover. In fact, so-called MEC hardliners including Doug Mowrey, John Brookman, and Fred Freshwater supported the resolution, which will have a profound effect on our company and careers.
Respectfully,
USA320Pilot
Last Thursday the US Airways ALPA MEC received a detailed business plan presentation followed by ALPA’s leaders having an informal dinner with US Airways’ chairman of the board David Bronner. Then on Friday Bronner addressed the MEC and other rank-and-file members that could have profound effect on the carrier. These events caused a dramatic shift in MEC sentiment, which resulted in the unions leaders unanimously passing a resolution directing the Negotiating Committee to begin participating in the creation of a plan to return US Airways to profitability. Interestingly, the Committee is authorized to obtain and utilize all resources that may be necessary to craft such a plan, including the employment of an operational expert or other outside professional(s) to assist the Committee, in addition to using the resources of the MEC’s investment banker, ALPA’s Economic and Financial Analysis Department, and other available in-house resources.
“It was refreshing to have a guy speak of the challenges we face but have a message of hope at the same time,†said MEC Chairman Captain Bill Pollock. “The hope is (to) transform US Airways into a carrier that can compete and profit.â€
Equally important is that Bronner said management’s actions during their tenure have created significant problems of credibility and trust with labor, and that they want to include employees in solving problems to make US Airways profitable.
According to the Pittsburgh Tribune Review ALPA Communications Committee Chairman Captain Jack Stephan said Bronner threw down the gauntlet to pilots to play a key role in transforming the airline. "He threw the challenge out to us, and we accepted it," Stephan said. "We responded to his leadership." Stephan said that while the union is prepared to begin negotiating more changes to its contract -- something it vowed two months ago it would not do as it called on CEO David Siegel to resign -- the union will be proactive instead of just "responding to management proposals."
"This is going to be a total makeover," Stephan said.
I believe it’s very significant to note that all 12 MEC members supported the resolution designed to create a total (pilot contract) makeover. In fact, so-called MEC hardliners including Doug Mowrey, John Brookman, and Fred Freshwater supported the resolution, which will have a profound effect on our company and careers.
Respectfully,
USA320Pilot
