Was That For Us?

US Airways Pilots' 'Operation Rolling Thunder' Moves to Las Vegas

Pilots Demonstrate Outrage Over Concessionary Proposal During Busy Holiday Travel Weekend

PHOENIX, May 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The pilots of the new US Airways LCC will picket today at the Las Vegas McCarran International Airport as part of their Operation Rolling Thunder campaign to bring their fight for a fair contract to the traveling public. The America West and US Airways pilots, who are both represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA), are outraged that management continues to cash in on the sacrifices they made to ensure the viability of their airline following the 9/11 tragedy while providing them with substandard wage and benefit proposals at the bargaining table.

Running two separate operations has caused numerous difficulties for the employees and the passengers traveling on US Airways. Reaching a fair, single contract with the pilots would be a significant step toward merging the two airlines and eliminating many of the operational problems. From the beginning, the pilots made it clear to management that they would not subsidize the merger, yet management has refused to listen. Management recently passed their first comprehensive economic proposal to the pilots, and while it contained a meager pay raise, it would have put much of the financial burden of the merger on the pilots.

"US Airways management's inability to recognize their failed strategy at the negotiations table continues to upset our pilots," said Captain John McIlvenna, America West MEC Chairman. "Gone are the days in which we negotiated a contract with severe government loan restrictions. We are part of the new US Airways, and as such, it's time that our contributions and sacrifices for our airline's financial success should be recognized at the bargaining table."

The pilots' Operation Rolling Thunder campaign kicked off earlier this week at the Los Angeles International Airport with more than 60 pilots demonstrating their frustrations. Approximately 150 pilots demonstrated at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on May 24, and the campaign concludes today with picketing in Las Vegas where many passengers are traveling for the Memorial Day holiday. Pilots also handed out leaflets to the traveling public and a mobile billboard with the message, "US Airways Management's Fairy Tales are Passengers' Nightmares," circled the airport.

US Airways' financial success is undeniable. After the merger of America West and US Airways, the airline quickly became prosperous, posting an operating profit of $507 million in 2006. US Airways CEO Doug Parker received $14.4 million in compensation and benefits for 2006 and was also the highest- paid airline CEO in 2005.

The America West Airlines collective bargaining agreement was amendable December 31, 2006, and the US Airways pilot collective bargaining agreement is amendable December 2009. Both the America West and US Airways pilot groups have been engaged in negotiations for a fair, single contract for more than 18 months.

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world's largest pilots union, representing 60,000 pilots at 40 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at http://www.alpa.org.

Copyright 2007 PR Newswire

cactusmike

Of course, this is just the West pilots - the East pilots are too busy picketing Herndon to focus on the real opposition - management.

The East MEC has informed us they will not picket management and will not participate in joint negotiations any more. They must be happy working under Ch 11 workrules and pay.

Reroute

Sounds like a temper tantrum a two year old might throw.

In the long run the east will once again engage in the process, it's in their best interest to participate.

Tomct

I think that the EAST pilots need to wake up and realize that they ALMOST had NOTHING.....ie LIQUIDATION!! Be greatful that you still have jobs, otherwise...QUIT!

Sir James

757Driver

Just playing Devils advocate here. If that were the case and they had no inherent value, why did AW management bother to purchase such a worthless vehicle?

taylorjets

I am also wondering the same...

bearcat

What gets me is that the HP guys think that HP saved US!! NOt even close. HP wasn't in great shape when the merger was announced. All that HP did was supply a CEO who gathered up investors and sold the idea of a merged company. HP didn't buy US!!! They didn't have enough cash to pay attention. (I used to work there) I hope that we are learning a lesson from this b/c if we don't work together we will go from POS 02 to POS 08. US is hurting themselves by not working together (and refusing) on their contract.

Flatspin7

I SAY DAMN WHAT AN UGLY BABY!!! DAMN WHAT AN UGLY A$$ BABY

RedBaron007

Just to add some more flames to the fire.....From what I've seen and heard, it appears the East side is generating a large majority of the profit in the combined company. The West is actually a draw on the earnings of the company as a whole. So, had HP not bought US they would probably would have gone back into bankruptcy at best and been liquidated at worst. While I agree US wasn't looking great when they were "bought," judging from the ability of the East side to generate money, they probably would have survived. In the worst case scenario both airlines would have been liquidated and equally screwed. Regardless, both pilot groups deserve a fair joint contract. Anyway - that's just my take.....I'm sure there'll be a lot of disagreement with what I've said, but I thought I'd put my point of view out there.