This just in from TEMPE (07/29/2011):
Response to Injunction Against USAPA- A Message from CEO Doug Parker
Friday, July 29, 2011
Dear Fellow Employees,
Today the Company filed a lawsuit in federal district court in Charlotte seeking an injunction against USAPA, the labor union that represents our pilots. The lawsuit asks the court to stop USAPA’s illegal job action campaign.
This is not a step we take lightly, but we simply can no longer allow the labor union’s illegal and misguided actions to harm US Airways, our employees and our customers. It is important you know that this lawsuit is aimed at USAPA and its leadership, not the thousands of dedicated airmen and women who – despite this political sideshow – operate their flights safely, on time and with the highest level of professionalism.
Today’s filing contains overwhelming evidence of illegal activity by USAPA including a consistent pattern of statements from the labor union’s leadership encouraging its members to slow down the operation and:
* A “safety” campaign that is clearly nothing more than a poorly disguised concerted illegal slowdown campaign
* Anonymous text messages encouraging slow taxis and other delay tactics to arrive at “Block +16” minutes – thereby missing the DOT on-time arrival window and ensuring customer and baggage misconnections
* Encouraging the delayed completion of online training in an effort to force flight cancellations
* Directing write-ups of non flight-critical maintenance items just before departure so that flights are delayed
* Threats to expose, intimidate and retaliate against union members who do not cooperate with the slowdown effort.
It is unfortunate USAPA has taken a page from an outdated playbook; namely, using the guise of safety to signal an illegal operational slowdown. We will never compromise safety at US Airways, but we also will not tolerate illegal job actions. We owe that to you – the 32,000 hard-working employees of US Airways – and to our customers, and we take that obligation seriously.
I’ve heard from many of you expressing frustration at what USAPA is doing to harm our airline. I appreciate that concern and am grateful for your continued commitment to our customers. With the initiation of the litigation, we are a step closer to getting back to working together and moving forward as one team to ensure the long-term success of US Airways. Thank you so much for all you do, and please keep up the great work.
Doug
HEY MIKE! HOW ABOUT ANOTHER USA TODAY ADVERTISMENT?? Keep following Mike, kids. He's gonna lead you to the promised land (promise you'll have to apply for UC). Moron.
