Negotiations and the NMB 02/03/2012
Negotiations and the NMB
We have received notice that the NMB will take a break from overseeing our contract negotiations. While we hope that it will not be a prolonged break, it is possible that the break could last several months. During this break in the NMB mediation process, nothing prevents us from continuing to negotiate with Management and, in fact, we have made a request to continue our monthly negotiating sessions.
So how did we get to this point?
It has been obvious to us for quite some time that Management's only interest is an agreement based on the Kirby Proposal from nearly five years ago. We have categorically rejected that proposal as being inadequate, as did our predecessor. In other words, it's not a matter of who is sitting across the table from them but the fact that, up to the present, they have been unwilling to agree on anything of substance other than an agreement that keeps US Airways pilots at the bottom of the industry in pay and benefits.
Why doesn't the NMB release us?
The NMB has indicated that there are still too many open issues on the table to declare an impasse and release the parties. While there may be many open issues, we don't feel that anyone can point the finger at USAPA for not doing our part to resolve the issues. Time and time again we have proposed solutions only to have Management reject them without presenting any new ideas of their own. Using sick leave as an example, we have proposed no less than eight different approaches to close out this section, and each time, Management has done nothing but insert their old language. We are more than frustrated by this tactic and had hoped the NMB would also share our frustration.
We envisioned that the process would strongly encourage each side to reach agreement on open items, but that has not occurred. We feel that USAPA has definitely made the effort to uphold our end of the process, but if the other side is unwilling to do the same then the only way to move the process is to capitulate (Kirby), and we have heard from you time and time again that this is not an option.
Where do we go from here?
While the NMB takes a break from our negotiations we seek to engage Management in two-party negotiations. You may ask why we would do that considering what we have said above, but if we don't try it's guaranteed that there won't be any progress. While these negotiations may appear to have hit an immovable brick wall, often the only way to take down a wall is to chip away at it piece by piece --understanding, however, that the best result occurs when both sides are working on the wall in unison. While the NMB has suggested that the pilots need to resolve the seniority issue before an agreement can be achieved, we continue to believe that the seniority dispute shouldn't hinder the pace of negotiations; there is plenty to talk about other than Section 22. From our point of view, there is no reason the parties cannot continue to work towards a full and complete agreement.
Now, more than ever, the unified resolve of the pilot group is essential to meeting our goals-- your goals. Stay strong, stay unified, and stay engaged.
Paul DiOrio - Chairman
704-340-5098
pdiorio@usairlinepilots.org
Dean Colello
704-307-9768
dcolello@usairlinepilots.org
Or reach us both at: NAC@usairlinepilots.org
Dear USAPA,
An un-unified pilot group as envisioned by USAPA's founders has no leverage, and no hope in hell of being released, despite their promises to the contrary.
"Now, more than ever, the unified resolve of the pilot group is essential to meeting our goals-- your goals. Stay strong, stay unified, and stay engaged."
Are you listening to yourselves? A unified pilot group is essential to meeting your goals.
"We will have an industry leading contract in 90 days." - USAPA
5 years later the pilot group has donated almost a billion dollars in lost wages and benefits to US Airways management, and seems puzzled at to why the NMB won't help more with negotiations. Confused as to why the company won't negotiate in good faith.
Sad, sad, sad.
