US Airways ALPA MEC Chairman’s Message - July 17, 2007
This is a MEC Chairman Jack Stephan with a Chairman’s message to the pilots for Tuesday, July 17th 2007.
Today, at the request of ALPA President Captain John Prater, your MEC, MEC Officers, Merger Committee and JNC members, along with our America West counterparts, met at the AFL-CIO building in Washington, DC. Members of ALPA’s Executive Council were also present as well as members of ALPA International’s legal, representation, and communications staff.
Captain Prater kicked off today’s meeting by acknowledging that the US Airways and America West merger is the first real test of his presidency. He told the group that he had spoken with Doug Parker and reminded him of the company’s responsibility in seeking solutions to the issues both pilots groups are facing with respect to dealing with the Nicolau award and Captain Prater reminded us that management, as always, will exploit any weakness they can find. Captain Prater also reaffirmed the Executive Council’s (EC) position that the two MECs should explore “consensual approaches†to resolve mutual career protections and mutual success, as part as achieving any acceptable single collective bargaining agreement.
Captain Prater then introduced the Committee Chaired by ALPA First Vice- President, Captain Paul Rice, whose purpose is to work towards fulfilling the EC resolution, calling for finding “consensual approachesâ€. Other committee members include Captain Dave Webb, FedEx MEC Chairman and Captain Ray Miller, Northwest MEC Vice Chairman and member of the Executive Council.
The bulk of the day was spent reviewing some possible options that might lead to consensual approaches to career protections. The Rice Committee jump started discussions by presenting options they felt might be reached through collective bargaining that ranged from 1) a single contract for both groups 2) separate contracts and separate operations 3) Section 6 bargaining for the AWA pilots and AAA pilots. Throughout the discussion, the America West MEC’s position was that the EC needed to make a decision concerning the Nicolau Award before they would commit to exploring any options and implored the Executive Council to comply with ALPA Merger Policy by denying our request to overturn the Nicolau award and to pass the seniority list to US Airways management. I agreed with the AWA MEC that ALPA Merger Policy should be complied with, but that in doing so, the Executive Council should set aside/overturn the Nicolau award.
Our position before the Executive Council and our position in our litigation has not changed. And many times during today’s discussion, it was acknowledged that the Executive Council, their legal advisors and Captain Prater himself did not expect us to alter that position. What they were asking was that we commit to exploring a process that might lead to solutions through the collective bargaining process. I have told you before that your MEC will leave no stone unturned in trying to right the wrongs created by the Nicolau award. To that end your MEC remains open to explore all paths that lead to bona fide solutions and not band aid fixes. We stated loud and clear however, that our seniority was not for sale and that simply throwing money at the problem through the collective bargaining process would not solve the problem, but that we would remain open to explore any and all options that achieve our goals, that among other objectives, would protect our careers and protect our attrition.
As I’ve said before, the resolution to addressing the Nicolau Award, whether it is through litigation or through a consensual approach, could take some time. But during that time, we should no longer have to subsidize corporate profits, other employee group’s profit sharing checks and lucrative executive compensation packages.
To be successful in achieving “Equal Pay for Equal Work,†we need to continue following our “Three Pronged Approach.†More than ever, it’s up to us, so continue to do your own job, understand the W.A.R. Reports, and be ready to answer the call when we need your participation. Use the “News You Can Use†section of the code-a-phone to stay informed.
To be clear, the US Airways MEC remains singularly focused on protecting the careers of the US Airways pilots. We concluded the day by agreeing that no one had the silver bullet as far as what particular consensual approach might work best or even look like. But we did agree that too much is at stake for us not to explore all possibilities. It is important that you understand that no matter what amount of exploration takes place, you will ultimately decide whether or not any proposed consensual solution meets your needs.
Please continue to look out for each other, stay informed and as always, fly safe and thanks for listening.
ALPA President Message to the US Airways and America West Pilots - July 17, 2007
ALPA President John Prater and the full ALPA Executive Council met today with the US Airways and America West MECs at the AFL-CIO headquarters in Washington, D.C. The meeting was designed to begin work to forge consensual, collective bargaining-based solutions to the challenges facing the two pilot groups.
“We are committed to providing ALPA’s full support, along with that of concerned, dedicated and experienced union leaders from fellow ALPA airlines, to help us represent your pilots as you determine the future for all US Airways pilots,†said Prater as he began the meeting. “I want you to be assured that the goal of the Association is to help you to resolve the complex and frustrating issues that confront our union.â€
The MECs were joined by the ALPA national officers, the ALPA Executive Council, and members of a special committee formed by the Executive Council. Chaired by Capt. Paul Rice, the committee was established to help both MECs and the Joint Negotiating Committee explore consensual approaches that promote career protection and mutual success.
At the end of the day, Capt. Prater applauded both groups for working diligently in good open discussion while recognizing strong opposing views. Prater then underscored that, while ALPA is solidly committed to helping the two pilot groups, the two MECs must engage and work together toward a solution.
cc:
Board of Directors
Executive Board
Executive Council
This is a MEC Chairman Jack Stephan with a Chairman’s message to the pilots for Tuesday, July 17th 2007.
Today, at the request of ALPA President Captain John Prater, your MEC, MEC Officers, Merger Committee and JNC members, along with our America West counterparts, met at the AFL-CIO building in Washington, DC. Members of ALPA’s Executive Council were also present as well as members of ALPA International’s legal, representation, and communications staff.
Captain Prater kicked off today’s meeting by acknowledging that the US Airways and America West merger is the first real test of his presidency. He told the group that he had spoken with Doug Parker and reminded him of the company’s responsibility in seeking solutions to the issues both pilots groups are facing with respect to dealing with the Nicolau award and Captain Prater reminded us that management, as always, will exploit any weakness they can find. Captain Prater also reaffirmed the Executive Council’s (EC) position that the two MECs should explore “consensual approaches†to resolve mutual career protections and mutual success, as part as achieving any acceptable single collective bargaining agreement.
Captain Prater then introduced the Committee Chaired by ALPA First Vice- President, Captain Paul Rice, whose purpose is to work towards fulfilling the EC resolution, calling for finding “consensual approachesâ€. Other committee members include Captain Dave Webb, FedEx MEC Chairman and Captain Ray Miller, Northwest MEC Vice Chairman and member of the Executive Council.
The bulk of the day was spent reviewing some possible options that might lead to consensual approaches to career protections. The Rice Committee jump started discussions by presenting options they felt might be reached through collective bargaining that ranged from 1) a single contract for both groups 2) separate contracts and separate operations 3) Section 6 bargaining for the AWA pilots and AAA pilots. Throughout the discussion, the America West MEC’s position was that the EC needed to make a decision concerning the Nicolau Award before they would commit to exploring any options and implored the Executive Council to comply with ALPA Merger Policy by denying our request to overturn the Nicolau award and to pass the seniority list to US Airways management. I agreed with the AWA MEC that ALPA Merger Policy should be complied with, but that in doing so, the Executive Council should set aside/overturn the Nicolau award.
Our position before the Executive Council and our position in our litigation has not changed. And many times during today’s discussion, it was acknowledged that the Executive Council, their legal advisors and Captain Prater himself did not expect us to alter that position. What they were asking was that we commit to exploring a process that might lead to solutions through the collective bargaining process. I have told you before that your MEC will leave no stone unturned in trying to right the wrongs created by the Nicolau award. To that end your MEC remains open to explore all paths that lead to bona fide solutions and not band aid fixes. We stated loud and clear however, that our seniority was not for sale and that simply throwing money at the problem through the collective bargaining process would not solve the problem, but that we would remain open to explore any and all options that achieve our goals, that among other objectives, would protect our careers and protect our attrition.
As I’ve said before, the resolution to addressing the Nicolau Award, whether it is through litigation or through a consensual approach, could take some time. But during that time, we should no longer have to subsidize corporate profits, other employee group’s profit sharing checks and lucrative executive compensation packages.
To be successful in achieving “Equal Pay for Equal Work,†we need to continue following our “Three Pronged Approach.†More than ever, it’s up to us, so continue to do your own job, understand the W.A.R. Reports, and be ready to answer the call when we need your participation. Use the “News You Can Use†section of the code-a-phone to stay informed.
To be clear, the US Airways MEC remains singularly focused on protecting the careers of the US Airways pilots. We concluded the day by agreeing that no one had the silver bullet as far as what particular consensual approach might work best or even look like. But we did agree that too much is at stake for us not to explore all possibilities. It is important that you understand that no matter what amount of exploration takes place, you will ultimately decide whether or not any proposed consensual solution meets your needs.
Please continue to look out for each other, stay informed and as always, fly safe and thanks for listening.
ALPA President Message to the US Airways and America West Pilots - July 17, 2007
ALPA President John Prater and the full ALPA Executive Council met today with the US Airways and America West MECs at the AFL-CIO headquarters in Washington, D.C. The meeting was designed to begin work to forge consensual, collective bargaining-based solutions to the challenges facing the two pilot groups.
“We are committed to providing ALPA’s full support, along with that of concerned, dedicated and experienced union leaders from fellow ALPA airlines, to help us represent your pilots as you determine the future for all US Airways pilots,†said Prater as he began the meeting. “I want you to be assured that the goal of the Association is to help you to resolve the complex and frustrating issues that confront our union.â€
The MECs were joined by the ALPA national officers, the ALPA Executive Council, and members of a special committee formed by the Executive Council. Chaired by Capt. Paul Rice, the committee was established to help both MECs and the Joint Negotiating Committee explore consensual approaches that promote career protection and mutual success.
At the end of the day, Capt. Prater applauded both groups for working diligently in good open discussion while recognizing strong opposing views. Prater then underscored that, while ALPA is solidly committed to helping the two pilot groups, the two MECs must engage and work together toward a solution.
cc:
Board of Directors
Executive Board
Executive Council
