|
Press Releases
Contact:
Scott Theuer
US Airline Pilots Association
704-936-4546
US Airline Pilots Association Receives Decision in
Duty of Fair Representation Trial
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – May 13, 2009 – A jury in a Phoenix, Ariz., federal court today found the US Airline Pilots Association (USAPA) liable in a Duty of Fair Representation lawsuit. The suit was brought against USAPA, which represents all US Airways pilots, by six former America West pilots. America West and US Airways merged in 2005, but the pilot groups have operationally remained separate.
“Today’s decision, while disappointing, was not unexpected,” said Mike Cleary, president of USAPA. “Since we were required to argue our case with limited evidence and were hamstrung by questionable rulings and incorrect instructions, USAPA, quite literally, fought this battle with both hands tied behind its back. Given the circumstances, we have a hard time accepting the idea that we encountered truly unbiased impartiality. Although this is a setback, we are very confident that the errors of law we encountered in this venue will be corrected.”
USAPA intends to appeal the case to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and, if necessary, the United States Supreme Court.
“While USAPA would have, of course, preferred to prevail in the current setting, thereby allowing the pilot group to come together and work towards an improved contract, we fully expected and planned for this contingency,” said Cleary. “Again, given the facts of law, we are very confident of our ability to prevail eventually, in proving the absolute right of a union to bargain over the complete terms of its members’ working agreement. Having so planned, our legal team is already working on an expedited appeal and stay of any proposed injunctive relief.”
USAPA represents more than 5,000 US Airways pilots in seven domiciles across the United States.
# # #
Contact:
Captain James Ray
980-875-7642
Captain Arnie Gentile
980-875-7630
US Airways Rejects Pilots’ Proposed NMB-Facilitated Talks
Contract negotiations between pilots and management were initiated in November 2005
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – April 2, 2009 – The US Airline Pilots Association (USAPA) received notice yesterday that US Airways has rejected the association’s proposal to seek a National Mediation Board facilitator to assist the parties in reaching an agreement. The association requested an NMB facilitator in February 2009.
“We are convinced that the services of an NMB Facilitator will assist pilot and management negotiators in reaching agreement,” said USAPA President Steve Bradford. “In the letter, Management informed us that they will support a facilitator ‘should there come a time where outside assistance in reaching a single agreement does become appropriate.’ Since negotiations were initiated in November of 2005, the US Airways pilots wonder when the right time might be, and we question Management’s sincerity in desiring to reach any agreement.”
USAPA represents over 5,000 US Airways pilots in seven domiciles across the United States.
# # #
Contact:
Arnie Gentile
US Airline Pilots Association
980-875-7630
US Airways Pilots Propose Facilitated Talks After Initiating Contract Negotiations in November of 2005
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – February 26, 2009 – The US Airline Pilots Association (USAPA) today proposed that, after 39 months of contract talks, USAPA and US Airways management jointly seek a facilitator utilizing the services of the National Mediation Board to assist the parties in reaching an agreement.
USAPA President Steve Bradford stated, “We are in the quagmire of a seemingly endless contract negotiation that has not served our pilots or our company well. It is long past time to end the stagnation.”
The US Airways pilots entered contract negotiations with management in November 2005 under the terms of a Transition Agreement at the time of the US Airways and America West merger.
USAPA represents over 5,000 US Airways pilots in seven domiciles across the United States.
# # #
Contact:
James Ray
US Airline Pilots Association
704-936-4500
Mike Flores
Association of Flight Attendants
704 -576-3174
Joint Statement from the US
Airline Pilots Association and the Association of Flight
Attendants Concerning the Crew of US Airways Flight 1549
CHARLOTTE, N.C.– January 19, 2009 – Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, First Officer Jeff
Skiles and Flight Attendants Sheila Dail, Doreen Welsh and
Donna Dent wish to offer their sincere thanks and
appreciation for the overwhelming support, praise and well
wishes they have received from the public around the world
since the events of last Thursday.
The entire crew
recognizes the media’s interest in speaking with them as
soon as possible, and they are willing to share their
experiences when the time is right. However, as the NTSB
investigation is ongoing, they ask that the media respect
their desire to refrain from participating in interviews
until further notice.
# # #
|
|
Contact:
James Ray
US Airline Pilots Association
980-875-7642 |
US Airline Pilots
Association Allows Safety Program to Lapse Citing Carrier’s
Mismanagement of Critical Immunity Provisions
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- December 15, 2008 – The US Airline
Pilots Association (USAPA) today announced it has allowed
the FAA’s Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) to expire.
The ASAP was established to allow
employees to voluntarily report safety problems and
incidents without penalty, with certain exceptions including
the involvement of alcohol, substance abuse or criminal
activities. It was the FAA’s goal that this
information-sharing program could help prevent airline
accidents by encouraging employees to voluntarily report
safety issues without fear of retribution and with immunity.
Although immunity provisions are a safety industry standard
adopted by such lauded programs as the NASA Safety Reporting
System, USAPA believes that US Airways’ insistence on
diluting these provisions rendered them effectively
useless. The program was originally scheduled to lapse in
early 2008 but had been extended repeatedly by USAPA in an
attempt to reconcile disagreements regarding the diluted
immunity provision.
Earlier this month, the Allied
Pilots Association (representing the American Airlines
Pilots) and the Air Line Pilots Association (representing
Delta and Comair Pilots) also allowed their participation
in the ASAP to expire on similar grounds, concerned that
their respective airlines were using the program to
discipline pilots for inadvertent and minor safety
infringements. Those unions too requested that stronger
measures be built in to the program to protect the integrity
of this important safety program.
“We are extremely
disappointed that our patient attempts with Management to
protect the integrity of this valuable safety program have
failed to produce cooperation. We are left with no choice
but to allow the program to lapse. USAPA is committed to a
proactive safety mindset. As a component of that effort, we
cannot tolerate a dilution of the essential protective
provisions that other effective safety reporting programs
incorporate,” said Steve Bradford, President of USAPA. “We
are troubled by the deteriorating state of labor/management
relations that failed to produce any movement on these
issues despite repeated extensions of the agreement meant to
provide opportunity for teamwork.”
NASA’s
Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) is still in place.
The ASRS similarly allows pilots and other aviation
personnel to voluntarily report any safety issues they
witness.
USAPA represents over 5,000 US
Airways pilots in seven domiciles across the United States.
# # #
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 30, 2008 |
Contact: James Ray
US Airline Pilots Association
980-875-7642 |
Pilots say US Airways
Still Unable To Complete Its Merger With America West After
Three Years
CHARLOTTE – September
27th marked three full years in which US Airways Management
has failed to complete the US Airways/America West Merger.
The US Airline Pilots Association (USAPA) notes that the
airline is entangled in labor disputes, law suits, and
customer service issues and Management so far seems
incapable of getting the merger completed.
US Airline Pilots Association President Stephen Bradford,
who represents the 5,000 plus pilots of US Airways, said,
“What the Delta and Northwest managements did in just a
couple of months, US Airways Management hasn’t been able to
do in over three years. Management’s inability to complete
the merger of US Airways and America West, coupled with
their apparent focus on short term, quick-return management
philosophies, is costing our Company in a big way.”
According to the Association, for the first six months of
2008 US Airways ranks a dismal 18 out of 19 on the consumer
complaint list; USAPA finds this to be a sobering change
from the airline’s top rankings in years prior to the
merger.
US Airways Pilots still work under different Collective
Bargaining Agreements left over from their former airlines,
each having a different set of work rules and pay rates. In
addition, they’re not permitted to fly each other’s aircraft
or intermix crews. “Our situation causes confusion,
inefficiencies and severe morale problems that carry over
into the airline’s operation. No wonder we have to charge
our passengers for water,” said President Bradford. “We see
these inefficiencies day after day and at times they create
passenger delays and prevent the Company from achieving its
potential.”
USAPA believes that merging US Airways and America West into
a single airline, with a single Pilot Collective Bargaining
Agreement, would allow Management to capture synergies that
would benefit US Airways’ passengers, investors and
employees alike and go a long way towards positioning the
airline for a secure future.
USAPA represents over 5,000 US Airways pilots in seven
domiciles across the United States.
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 24, 2008 |
Contact: James Ray
US Airline Pilots Association
980-875-7642 |
USAPA Voices Fuel-Related Safety Concern to FAA
CHARLOTTE – Concerns over the adequacy of fueling practices
at US Airways were raised last week on national news by
allegations from the US Airline Pilots Association (USAPA)
which said that the airline was pressuring pilots to carry
less fuel. USAPA said that the issue emerged when US
Airways singled-out eight Senior Trans-Oceanic International
Captains for mandatory “training,” based on the Captains
using their judgment to add additional fuel. USAPA considers
this to be retaliatory discipline.
USAPA stated that the affected
pilots were targeted as a result of previous decisions to
add fuel, and were called-in on their days off and subjected
to hours of simulator work and classroom lectures; neither
of which are part of any FAA approved US Airways Pilot
Training Program. USAPA believes that the message being
communicated to the US Airways pilots is that, if they
request additional fuel, they will be subject to retaliatory
discipline.
USAPA President, Steve Bradford,
said, “US Airways Pilots are seasoned professionals who are
well aware of the fact that carrying fuel adds weight to the
aircraft. But they also know that the FAA minimum fuel
reserves are just that, a bare minimum, and akin to driving
your car with the low fuel light flashing; few drivers would
be comfortable with that situation.” The US Airways Pilots
believe that it is important for the public to realize that
using just one gallon of the FAA minimum reserve fuel may
cause a Pilot to declare a “Fuel Emergency.” Air traffic
delays, bad weather and unforeseen events are just some of
the reasons why the FAA grants Captains the authority to
decide how much fuel is carried on their aircraft.
“It smacks of intimidation and harassment; a pilot training
department should never be used as a tool for pilot
discipline” said President Bradford. “If Management were
really interested in fuel conservation, they would adopt the
training for all pilots, not just a few. In our view, our
pilots are being pressured into loading less fuel in order
to avoid what we consider to be retaliatory discipline. We
consider Management’s attempt to influence pilots’
safety-related decisions based on cost-considerations as
setting a dangerous precedent for the airline industry.”
In a letter to the FAA dated July 16, 2008, USAPA requested
a full investigation stating that they consider Management’s
actions a “dangerous intrusion on Captain's Authority which
has the effect of eroding flight safety standards.”
USAPA represents over 5,000 US Airways pilots in seven
domiciles across the United States.
###
July 14, 2008 12:01
PM Eastern Daylight Time
US Airways Pilots Allege That Management,
Ignoring Past Safety Practices, Resorts To Pilot
Intimidation in an Effort to Reduce Fuel Cost
CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--US Airline Pilots
Association (USAPA) President Stephen Bradford, on behalf of
the Association, has released a memorandum to the US Airways
Pilots which advises them of Management’s decision to
initiate what the pilots consider discipline in the form of
unapproved “training.” This 'training' is to be given to the
Airline's most senior Captains who, according to USAPA, have
been singled-out for exercising their judgment on
determining fuel loads for their flights. The “training”
includes simulator instruction which, if not successfully
completed, could subject the pilot to a loss of his/her
license. In USAPA’s view, the threat is clear: adding fuel
could expose a pilot to career-ending license action.
USAPA Spokesman, Captain James Ray,
stated that in most cases the Senior Captains were selected
for adding what equates to approximately 10 to 15 minutes of
additional arrival fuel on transoceanic flights. Under the
applicable standards of the Federal Aviation Administration,
the adequacy of fuel loads is considered a critical safety
determination that is left to the Captain’s discretion.
The memorandum to the Pilots was sent
after the Board of Pilot Representatives for the US Airline
Pilots Association conducted a meeting on the matter. The
memorandum stated, “Captain’s Authority and the right to
make decisions based on good, sound judgment should never be
subjected to the winds of economics.”
“Making decisions on whether or not to
hand out peanuts is one thing; mandating fuel loads that our
Captains are uncomfortable with, is another,” said USAPA
President Stephen Bradford. President Bradford went on to
say, “US Airways pilots are committed to exercising their
‘Captain’s Authority,’ as granted by the Federal Aviation
Administration, and will always ensure a fuel load that will
safely fly our passengers to their destination, with all the
reserves necessary to handle any contingencies related to
the flight.”
USAPA represents over 5,000 US Airways
pilots in seven domiciles across the United States.
Contacts:
US Airline Pilots Association
James Ray, 980-875-7642
###
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 2008 |
Contact:
James Ray
US Airline Pilots Association
980-875-7642 |
The US Airways Pilots Resume Contract Negotiations Which
Remain a Major Obstacle In The Three Year Old Merger of US
Airways and America West
CHARLOTTE – Two
months after the National Mediation Board certified the US
Airline Pilots Association (USAPA) to represent the US
Airways pilots, the
union today initiated pilot contract talks with US Airways
Management that, if successful, will remove the major
obstacle in bringing the two airlines together. Pilot
negotiations broke off 10 months ago due to the disparate
pay and working conditions between the two pilot groups,
which the former bargaining agent could not resolve.
“We
believe it’s time for Management to complete the job it
started three years ago and conclude the merger of US
Airways and America West,” said USAPA President Steve
Bradford. “Although we are hopeful, we will wait and see
what Management does - not what they say.”
USAPA represents
over 5,000 US Airways pilots in seven domiciles across the
United States.
###
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Contact: James Ray
May 16, 2008
US Airline Pilots
Association
877-678-7272 x742
The US Airline Pilots Association (USAPA) representing the
US Airways Pilots speaks out on airline consolidation rumors
including UAL
CHARLOTTE – Following yesterday’s US Airline Pilots
Association Board Meeting, and prompted by increased media
attention on a possible US Airways and United Airlines
merger, leaders of The US Airline Pilots Association are
evaluating the effects that mergers may have on their
Company and their Pilots.
“USAPA will not sit back and allow airline environmental
changes without protecting the interests of all our pilots,”
said President Stephen Bradford. “We will work with our
management to maintain our position among those airlines
that are financially well-situated, but first things first.
The US Airways Pilots will not support any moves towards a
follow-on merger until management finishes the job of our
last merger.”
With 6.8 billion dollars invested and an ATSB restricted
contract, the pilots of US Airways are the single largest
investor in US Airways.
“Regarding United Airlines, their financial health is a
major concern to USAPA. With mounting losses, and a dismal
balance sheet, UAL may not be the best dance partner for US
Airways,” said USAPA President, Stephen Bradford. “If
synergies mean cutting capacity at US Airways while we
experience record load factors concurrent with positive
industry yields, we simply aren’t interested.”
USAPA represents over 5,000 US Airways pilots in seven
domiciles across the United States.
###
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE Contact:
Scott Theuer
April 17,
2008
US Airline Pilots Association
877-678-7272
The US Airways Pilots vote for The US Airline Pilots Association as
their new bargaining representative:
CHARLOTTE – The US Airways pilots voted for change today and have
elected the US Airline Pilots Association (USAPA) to replace the Airline
Pilots Association, Intl. (ALPA), as their new bargaining agent. The
results of the election were announced by The National Mediation Board
today at 2:00pm. The new union will collectively represent over 5,000
mainline US Airways pilots from the merger of US Airways and America
West Airlines.
“The US Airways pilots have spoken for a change in union
representation,” said USAPA interim President, Captain Stephen
Bradford. “USAPA is ready on day one to begin a new era for all US
Airways pilots, East and West. We will join the other great independent
airline pilot unions on the national front, while our pilots enjoy
single carrier union representation, solely focused on our pilots needs
and fully accountable only to them.”
“In
addition to providing quality services to the US Airways pilots, USAPA
will approach management in a more businesslike fashion to address the
deficiencies of the collective US Airways pilots’ contracts, both East
and West; contracts which were originally accepted by the pilots during
the hardships placed on the airlines during the post 9/11 era,” said
Captain Bradford.
The
US Airways pilots are one of the most senior and experienced pilot
groups in the United States. We fly a large fleet of jet aircraft,
including the Boeing B-737-300/400 and B-757/767 series, the Airbus
A319/320/321 series, and the 266-seat Airbus A330.
US
Airways pilots fly their passengers safely to more than 180
destinations, including Europe, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii
and in the near future, China.
USAPA represents over 5,000 US Airways pilots in seven domiciles across
the United States.
###
February 19, 2008 05:27 PM Eastern Time
US Airways
Pilots to Vote on New Union
NMB says Election to Be Held at US Airways
CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS
WIRE)--The US Airline Pilots Association (USAPA)
was notified today by the National Mediation Board (NMB)
that a representational election for the US Airways Pilots
has been called for. In today’s
NMB communication, US Airways management has been directed
to provide mailing labels to the NMB that match the list of
eligible voting pilots the carrier provided earlier.
“On November 13, 2007 USAPA filed an
application with the NMB that included thousands of written
election requests from US Airways pilots,”
said Stephen Bradford, USAPA’s
President. “We are gratified to
know that the US Airways pilots will finally be afforded an
opportunity to select a new collective bargaining agent.”
USAPA is the independent labor union specifically
designed to represent the interests of US Airways Pilots.
Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, USAPA represents only US
Airways pilots. Because USAPA represents only US Airways
pilots, far greater focus is placed on the specific career
needs of the US Airways pilot workforce. USAPA notes that
the most highly-compensated pilots in the U.S. passenger
transport business are represented by company-specific
unions.
For additional information about USAPA, please visit
US Airline Pilots Association or contact us at
media@USAirlinePilots.org.
USAPA is represented by the law firm of Seham, Seham,
Meltz & Peterson LLP.
Contacts
USAPA
Captain Scott Theuer, 877-678-7272
November 13, 2007
USAPA Files to Represent US Airways Pilots
Independent Labor Union Submits NMB Application
CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)—The US Airline Pilots
Association (USAPA) announced today it has filed its request
with the National Mediation Board (NMB)
to conduct a representation election for the US Airways
pilots.
“Today’s filing by USAPA begins the legal process to improve
union quality for all US Airways pilots,” said Stephen
Bradford, a US Airways pilot and USAPA’s President. “We
provided more than 3,000 signed election requests to the NMB
today, a powerful sign that our pilots intend to upgrade to
first-class union representation.”
NMB rules require that requests from a majority of eligible
pilots be submitted before a representation election may
occur. During the election that will follow, a simple
majority of voting US Airways pilots will determine their
new collective bargaining agent. Although the exact voting
date is dependent upon the NMB, USAPA expects to begin
representing the US Airways pilots during the first quarter
of 2008.
USAPA is the new union created to represent the interests of
US Airways pilots “from the pilot up.” USAPA has been
specifically designed to deliver competent, responsive,
efficient and accountable representation for all US Airways
pilots.
For additional information about USAPA, please visit
US Airline Pilots Association or send an email to
media@USAirlinePilots.org.
Contacts
Captain Scott Theuer
877-678-7272
October 8, 2007
USAPA to Establish National Headquarters in
Charlotte
Pilots Union HQ site near center of national pilot
population
Charlotte, NC--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The US Airline Pilots
Association (USAPA) announced today it will locate its
National headquarters in Charlotte, NC.
“USAPA’s decision to locate its headquarters in Charlotte is
based upon several factors, the size of the local pilot
population and favorable costs of operation were the
dominant criteria,” said Stephen Bradford, USAPA’s President
and a US Airways
(NYSE:
LCC -
News)
Airbus 320 pilot. “Other factors favoring
Charlotte were its fair weather, ease of air access and its
placement near the center of mass of our nationwide pilot
population.”
USAPA intends to operate satellite offices in some of its
other crew bases to support specific functions related to
its representation of the US Airways pilots.
USAPA is in the midst of a campaign to represent the US
Airways pilots as their new labor union. The National Mediation
Board (NMB) requires that 50% of eligible pilots, plus one,
sign forms requesting replacement of the existing bargaining
agent. During the follow-on election a simple majority of
voting pilots will determine whether the US Airways pilots
will again be represented by a labor union. USAPA will file
its application with the NMB later this month. USAPA expects
to become the new collective bargaining agent for the US
Airways pilots during the first quarter of 2008.
USAPA is the new union created to represent the interests of
US Airways Pilots “from the pilot up.” USAPA has been
specifically designed to deliver superior representation for
all US Airways pilots. Because USAPA represents only US
Airways pilots, the conflicts of interest associated with a
large national association are avoided. American Airlines
pilots, previously affiliated with ALPA, were assisted in
their departure from the association by the same law firm
assisting the US Airways pilots today.
For additional information about USAPA, please visit
US Airline Pilots Association or contact us at
media@USAirlinePilots.org.
USAPA
Scott Theuer, 877-678-7272
October 4, 2007
USAPA will file with NMB this month
Independent Labor Union seeks to Unseat Incumbent
Charlotte, NC--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The US Airline Pilots
Association (USAPA) announced today it has sufficient
written pilot requests on hand to force a representation
election for the US Airways pilots. USAPA intends to file an
application with the National Mediation Board (NMB)
by the end of October to force the removal of the existing
bargaining agent.
“USAPA’s
efforts will result in the expeditious removal of ALPA from
the lives of US Airways pilots,” said Stephen Bradford,
USAPA’s President and a US Airways Airbus 320 pilot. “The
support of our pilots coupled with the hard and careful work
of our volunteers will allow us to deliver an airtight and
unimpeachable package to the National Mediation Board this
month.”
USAPA notes that a recent letter from ALPA has placed the US
Airways MEC in de facto trusteeship. “ALPA
National has dictated to the MEC that it must abandon its
struggle to rectify the inequities of the seniority
integration list ALPA National has passed to the Company.
That leaves USAPA as the only means by which US Airways
pilots can address the seniority issue,” said Mark
Thorpe, a Charlotte-based Boeing 757/767 pilot and USAPA’s
Vice-President.
Requests from 50% of eligible pilots, plus one, are required
for the NMB to make a finding that a representational
dispute exists. During the follow-on election a simple
majority of voting pilots will determine the new collective
bargaining agent. USAPA expects to begin representing the US
Airways pilots during the first quarter of 2008.
USAPA is the new union created to represent the interests of
US Airways Pilots “from the pilot up.” USAPA has been
specifically designed to deliver superior representation for
all US Airways pilots. Because USAPA represents only US
Airways pilots, the conflicts of interest associated with a
large national association are avoided. American Airlines
pilots, previously affiliated with ALPA, were assisted in
their departure from the association by the same law firm
assisting the US Airways pilots today.
For additional information about USAPA, please visit
US Airline Pilots Association or send an email to
media@USAirlinePilots.org
USAPA
Scott Theuer, 877-678-7272
September 11, 2007 05:52 PM Eastern Daylight
Time
ALPA National to East US
Airways Pilots -- ``Buzz Off'';
National Association
Abandons East Pilots, Seniority
ESSINGTON, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On the
anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, USAPA was made
aware that the East US Airways pilots have
suffered yet another assault on their careers.
The latest blow was delivered by Paul Rice, ALPA
executive VP and attorney Bruce York, ALPA’s
director of representation. In meetings with
east US Airways pilot negotiators, they let it
be known that previous promises of protections
for the original US Airways pilots were off the
table.
The written report stated that the national
association insists on, “a
transition to implementation...”
The report went on to state that,
“It appears also that
their desire is to have this transition occur in
a fairly short time frame (1-2 years…).”
It goes without saying that the east US Airways
pilots will not participate in the
“implementation”
of this deeply flawed “award”
in any way shape or form. The seeds of this
“tortured logic”
arbitration decision were sewn in 1991 by a
decision to strip date-of-hire from ALPA merger
policy. Two large ALPA pilot groups, fearful of
merging with a more senior pilot workforce at
TWA, lead the initiative and substituted an
incomprehensible list of “goals”
in its place.
USAPA has determined that seniority is a
self-defining term. Accordingly, the USAPA
Constitution requires the merging of seniority
lists by “date-of-hire”
and no other methodology.
USAPA has received more than 2300 requests
from both east and west US Airways pilots to
request a representation election from the
National Mediation Board. Election request
documents continue to arrive. A request count of
50% of eligible pilots, plus one, is required
for an election to be held. During the follow-on
election a simple majority of voting pilots will
determine the new collective bargaining agent.
USAPA anticipates that it will begin
representing the US Airways pilots in the first
quarter of 2008.
USAPA is the new union designed to represent
the interests of US Airways Pilots and no other.
This new union has been designed
“from the pilot up,”
to deliver competent, accountable, responsive
and efficient representation for the US Airways
pilots. Because USAPA represents only US Airways
pilots, the conflicts of interest associated
with a large national association will be
avoided. USAPA notes that the best-compensated
pilots in the domestic passenger transport
business, AirTran, Southwest and American, are
all represented by company-specific unions. The
American pilots, represented by the Allied
Pilots Association, were previously affiliated
with ALPA and were assisted in their departure
from the association by the same law firm
assisting the US Airways pilots today.
For additional information, please visit
US Airline Pilots Association or send an email to
media@USAIrlinePilots.org.
US Airways management expresses preference for ALPA
USAPA denied opportunity to speak with pilots
ESSINGTON,
PA, Aug 29, 2007 –
The US Airline Pilots Association (USAPA) announced today
that US Airways Regional Director E. G. Pate evicted USAPA
representatives, including a US Airways Check Pilot and also
First Officer
Stephen Bradford, USAPA President and
a
US Airways pilot, from the pilot crew room at the Charlotte
airport this morning. The eviction of the USAPA contingent,
all active US Airways pilots, cleared the crew room so that
ALPA International could put on their presentation to the US
Airways pilots in
the
Charlotte
pilot crew room
this afternoon.
USAPA’s counsel had previously notified US Airways management that
a pilot representational challenge was underway. USAPA
believes that this refusal to permit USAPA’s active US
Airways pilots to speak to other active US Airways pilots
about their representational options, in the privacy of the
pilot’s crew room, shows blatant favoritism towards ALPA.
USAPA believes that during a representational challenge, an
employers’ display of preference for one labor union versus
another
may violate
Federal Labor Law.
(ref)
USAPA is the new labor union designed “from the pilot up,” by US
Airways pilots for US Airways pilots. USAPA has been
carefully designed to provide a superior level of
representation for all US Airways pilots. USAPA has been
built as an independent pilot labor union, and USAPA’s
organizing representatives have been collecting
representation election requests from US Airways pilots for
about
three months.
“It’s no coincidence that passenger air carrier pilots represented
by independent unions have the best pay and benefits in the
business,” said Stephen Bradford, USAPA’s President. “A
large national pilot union, representing many pilot groups,
is unable to efficiently and effectively represent their
individual members’ interests due to competing interests at
the national level.”
USAPA has done “very well” in its drive and has collected well over
two thousand ballots requesting a representation change.
Cards continue to come into USAPA at a good clip and USAPA
expects to present their filing to the National Mediation
Board soon. USAPA has collected ballots and significant
donations from every US Airways pilot crew base, including
the former America West crew bases. These US Airways pilots
have expressed a strong desire to replace their current
union.
USAPA Facts:
·
USAPA seeks to represent the interests of active and furloughed US
Airways pilots.
·
USAPA will represent only US Airways mainline pilots.
·
USAPA’s constitution and bylaws
will
require membership ratification of
all
contractual
issues (pay, benefits, work rules, etc.)
·
Based upon the number of ballots received thus far, USAPA
believes this may
be the fastest start for a decertification effort in
the history of organized labor.
·
USAPA is designed to provide a higher quality and more responsive
membership service product -- at a lower cost -- to its
members.
For additional information about USAPA, please visit the USAPA web
site at
US Airline Pilots Association or email
media@USAirlinePilots.org.
For Additional Information, Please Contact:
US
Airline
Pilots Association
P.O. Box 57
Essington, PA 19029
media@USAirlinePilots.org
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