US Airways ALPA MEC code-a-phone update - December 5, 2006
This is Arnie Gentile with a US Airways MEC update for Tuesday, December 5th, with four new items.
Item 1. The US Airways members of the JNC wish to address the subject of US Airways President Scott Kirby’s recent offer of placing all pilots under the AWA contract. This offer reportedly was first made during last week’s “crew news event†at the CLT Training Center. Two days later, Kirby clarified his offer on a conference call with both MEC Chairmen, where he offered the AWA contract cover to cover - with no cherry picking.
Your JNC will endeavor to learn more about this offer during Kirby’s planned address to the Joint MECs in CLT tomorrow and during our next face-to-face negotiation session next week in Washington, DC with the company’s chief negotiator, Jerry Glass.
After learning more details of the specifics of this offer, the JNC will formulate a recommendation for both MECs.
It should be noted, that in the JNC’s original analysis of both contracts in our preparations for negotiations last summer, the current AWA agreement, forged in a non-bankruptcy environment, offered some improvements over the AAA agreement with some exceptions. Accordingly, it was no surprise that management has pushed hard for the East AAA contract bankruptcy provisions for the past year. One of the exceptions mentioned above is Section 1 of the Contract, Scope.
The existing East AAA Contract Scope section was developed over many decades and is a mature and fair labor contract that offers enhanced protection for the pilot group in any transaction or merger that management wishes to pursue. It is no surprise, given current events, that this radically new direction in negotiating strategy from management has surfaced. We will not agree to use the AWA contract scope sections now or in the future. As always, your JNC stands ready to study all offers from management, make recommendations to your MECs, and negotiate on the behalf of what is best for our collective pilot group.
Item 2. The MEC reconvened its fourth quarter meeting today in Charlotte. The First order of business was to hear from pilots in good standing. After Calvin Dilks, the Piedmont MEC Chairman, addressed the MEC on Piedmont issues, The MEC then dealt with a union issue concerning J4J PSA Pilots.
The US Airways MEC has been informed that PSA J4J pilots have not been represented equitably by the PSA MEC and its committee structure and furthermore, have been subjected to what has been termed "cultural harassment."
Additionally, PSA is the only Jets For Jobs participant that requires its J4J pilots to serve a probationary period. Mark Stanley, the PSA MEC Chairman, addressed the MEC, at which time the MEC told Captain Stanley in no uncertain terms that they will not tolerate the disparate treatment that our pilots are facing, and reminded him that every jet PSA flies has come from the sacrifices of the J4J US Airways pilots.
The MEC then passed a resolution saying that until the representational interests of J4J pilots on the PSA property are resolved to the satisfaction of the US Airways MEC, the PSA MEC chairman will be denied any further access to the US Airways MEC.
The MEC then received reports from the Communications and Strike Prep committees.
The meeting's remaining schedule is as follows:
Tomorrow, Wednesday, December 6th, US Airways President Scott Kirby will address the joint AAA/AWA MEC in closed session.
This will be preceded and followed by consideration of items in subcommittee and plenary.
For Thursday, December 7th, a joint AAA-AWA MEC meeting is scheduled to convene. The JNC will then present their report to the joint MECs. The MEC is also scheduled to receive an Aeromedical/HIMS and a Grievance Committee report.
The meeting is scheduled to reconvene at 9 a.m. tomorrow and Thursday.
The meeting is being held at the Charlotte Marriott Executive Park Hotel. Pilots are encouraged to attend the meeting, but please be advised that portions may be in closed session.
Item 3. Day 2 of the AAA/AWA seniority arbitration was held at the Wardman Park Marriott in Washington, DC. The hearings began today at 10:15am as the US Airways pilots continue to present their case during this phase of the arbitration. Today’s witnesses for the US Airways pilots included merger committee members Capt. Bob Kirch and F/O Kevin Barry. F/O Dean Colello also testified for the US Airways pilots. All three of these witnesses were questioned by AAA merger counsel, Dan Katz. Several binders full of exhibits were entered into evidence supporting our position—a date of hire integration that preserves our attrition based advancement. These witnesses consumed the full day of the hearing giving direct testimony and undergoing cross examination. The hearing was recessed until 0930 am tomorrow.
An excellent article written by a PHL based First Officer summarizing the first day of this hearing is posted on the Pilots’ only web site under “What’s New.†Notes of today’s proceedings prepared by the Communications Committee can also be found under What’s New. Any US Airways pilot and their spouses can attend these hearings. The Wardman Park Marriott is located in 2660 Woodley Rd. NW; Washington, DC. It is directly across the street from the Woodley Metro stop on the Red Line. The fare from DCA is $2.10.
Item 4. America West MEC Chairman Kevin Kent resigned his position, effective yesterday. MEC Vice-Chairman, John McIlvenna, will act as AWA MEC Chairman until a new Chairman is elected.
Please remember we still have 1,683 pilots on furlough with 176 of those pilots working at Jets for Jobs carriers.
Fly safe and thank you for listening.
This is Arnie Gentile with a US Airways MEC update for Tuesday, December 5th, with four new items.
Item 1. The US Airways members of the JNC wish to address the subject of US Airways President Scott Kirby’s recent offer of placing all pilots under the AWA contract. This offer reportedly was first made during last week’s “crew news event†at the CLT Training Center. Two days later, Kirby clarified his offer on a conference call with both MEC Chairmen, where he offered the AWA contract cover to cover - with no cherry picking.
Your JNC will endeavor to learn more about this offer during Kirby’s planned address to the Joint MECs in CLT tomorrow and during our next face-to-face negotiation session next week in Washington, DC with the company’s chief negotiator, Jerry Glass.
After learning more details of the specifics of this offer, the JNC will formulate a recommendation for both MECs.
It should be noted, that in the JNC’s original analysis of both contracts in our preparations for negotiations last summer, the current AWA agreement, forged in a non-bankruptcy environment, offered some improvements over the AAA agreement with some exceptions. Accordingly, it was no surprise that management has pushed hard for the East AAA contract bankruptcy provisions for the past year. One of the exceptions mentioned above is Section 1 of the Contract, Scope.
The existing East AAA Contract Scope section was developed over many decades and is a mature and fair labor contract that offers enhanced protection for the pilot group in any transaction or merger that management wishes to pursue. It is no surprise, given current events, that this radically new direction in negotiating strategy from management has surfaced. We will not agree to use the AWA contract scope sections now or in the future. As always, your JNC stands ready to study all offers from management, make recommendations to your MECs, and negotiate on the behalf of what is best for our collective pilot group.
Item 2. The MEC reconvened its fourth quarter meeting today in Charlotte. The First order of business was to hear from pilots in good standing. After Calvin Dilks, the Piedmont MEC Chairman, addressed the MEC on Piedmont issues, The MEC then dealt with a union issue concerning J4J PSA Pilots.
The US Airways MEC has been informed that PSA J4J pilots have not been represented equitably by the PSA MEC and its committee structure and furthermore, have been subjected to what has been termed "cultural harassment."
Additionally, PSA is the only Jets For Jobs participant that requires its J4J pilots to serve a probationary period. Mark Stanley, the PSA MEC Chairman, addressed the MEC, at which time the MEC told Captain Stanley in no uncertain terms that they will not tolerate the disparate treatment that our pilots are facing, and reminded him that every jet PSA flies has come from the sacrifices of the J4J US Airways pilots.
The MEC then passed a resolution saying that until the representational interests of J4J pilots on the PSA property are resolved to the satisfaction of the US Airways MEC, the PSA MEC chairman will be denied any further access to the US Airways MEC.
The MEC then received reports from the Communications and Strike Prep committees.
The meeting's remaining schedule is as follows:
Tomorrow, Wednesday, December 6th, US Airways President Scott Kirby will address the joint AAA/AWA MEC in closed session.
This will be preceded and followed by consideration of items in subcommittee and plenary.
For Thursday, December 7th, a joint AAA-AWA MEC meeting is scheduled to convene. The JNC will then present their report to the joint MECs. The MEC is also scheduled to receive an Aeromedical/HIMS and a Grievance Committee report.
The meeting is scheduled to reconvene at 9 a.m. tomorrow and Thursday.
The meeting is being held at the Charlotte Marriott Executive Park Hotel. Pilots are encouraged to attend the meeting, but please be advised that portions may be in closed session.
Item 3. Day 2 of the AAA/AWA seniority arbitration was held at the Wardman Park Marriott in Washington, DC. The hearings began today at 10:15am as the US Airways pilots continue to present their case during this phase of the arbitration. Today’s witnesses for the US Airways pilots included merger committee members Capt. Bob Kirch and F/O Kevin Barry. F/O Dean Colello also testified for the US Airways pilots. All three of these witnesses were questioned by AAA merger counsel, Dan Katz. Several binders full of exhibits were entered into evidence supporting our position—a date of hire integration that preserves our attrition based advancement. These witnesses consumed the full day of the hearing giving direct testimony and undergoing cross examination. The hearing was recessed until 0930 am tomorrow.
An excellent article written by a PHL based First Officer summarizing the first day of this hearing is posted on the Pilots’ only web site under “What’s New.†Notes of today’s proceedings prepared by the Communications Committee can also be found under What’s New. Any US Airways pilot and their spouses can attend these hearings. The Wardman Park Marriott is located in 2660 Woodley Rd. NW; Washington, DC. It is directly across the street from the Woodley Metro stop on the Red Line. The fare from DCA is $2.10.
Item 4. America West MEC Chairman Kevin Kent resigned his position, effective yesterday. MEC Vice-Chairman, John McIlvenna, will act as AWA MEC Chairman until a new Chairman is elected.
Please remember we still have 1,683 pilots on furlough with 176 of those pilots working at Jets for Jobs carriers.
Fly safe and thank you for listening.
