December 3, 1998
ALPA, Intl
Committees
Tonight’s Hotline
topics include
- Negotiating Committee at ALPA National Headquarters
- Training rumors
- PBS rumors
- Labor Relations
- AFA negotiations
- Baggage templates at security checkpoints
- Merger Fund delinquents
- Local Council meeting reminder
Negotiating Committee at ALPA National Headquarters
The Negotiating Committee, Contract Administrator Andrew Shostack, and Communications
Specialist Yvette Freeman are at ALPA National headquarters in Herndon this week. This
meeting constitutes a major effort to prepare for Contract 2000. The team met with senior
ALPA staff from Economic and Financial Analysis, Communications, and Retirement and
Insurance, as well as ALPA’s top professional negotiators from the Representation
department. The team will return to Phoenix fully prepared for the upcoming year’s
challenges, which include writing a contract survey, completing an industry-wide contract
comparison, and generating a communications and media campaign.
This effective use of ALPA’s valuable resources, including
its’ professional negotiators, and the cooperation between the MEC, negotiators, and
various committees, will be a major component of our Contract 2000 preparations.
Training rumors
Rumors abound on the line. It may be that flying the line is just not as fun without
participating in the rumor mill. It has been said that management has put a sudden stop to
new hiring, and to upgrade training. During the regular weekly discussion with VP of
Flight Operations Lee Steele, one of the usual topics is the ongoing growth plans at the
airline, and how to manage it. Nothing has been said by Steele of stopping our current
growth, hiring trends, or upgrades.
PBS rumors
PBS is always a popular subject for rumors. Contrary to what you may have heard, PBS is
NOT dead, nor has management lost interest in implementing it. During to the current chill
between Labor Relations and the MEC, active discussions are suspended, but the project is
far from dead.
Labor Relations
As mentioned in last week’s Hotline, the MEC feels that continued ALPA access to pilot
mailboxes is important enough that it should be defined by side letter. A meeting has been
scheduled next week with VP of Labor Relations Greg Garger. Along with box access,
management’s refusal to sign the Crew Separation side letter will be discussed. If
management resumes its’ formerly cooperative posture, and these two issues are resolved to
the MEC’s satisfaction, then the MEC will resume discussion on PBS and FOQA.
AFA negotiations
We understand that a news blackout has been imposed on both parties in the Flight
Attendant contract negotiations. This may imply that the negotiations have entered their
final stage. The NMB has given America West Airlines management a deadline of December 11
to respond to AFA’s request to terminate negotiations.
Baggage templates at security checkpoints
Air Carrier Security Chairman Barry Kendrick has informed us that Delta Airlines has
installed templates at the X-Ray machines at the concourse that we share with Delta in San
Diego. These templates, which restrict the size of carry-on baggage entering the X-Ray
machine, will soon be found at concourses serving United Airlines, as well. We have had
reports that some of our pilots have suitcases and/or flight bags that will not fit
through the restrictive template. Some screening personnel have told the crewmembers to go
to the ticket counters and check their suitcase or flight bag!
If this happens to you, do not argue with the screening personnel. Simply call your Fleet
Manager, and inform him that you are not being allowed into the secure area of the
terminal. If unable to reach your Fleet Manager, contact the Manager on duty at Systems
Operations Control, who can page the Fleet Manager.
Security Chairman Kendrick has informed VP of Flight
Operations Lee Steele of this situation, and is awaiting a response.
One additional Security reminder: In Phoenix, pilots in
uniform may politely proceed to the head of the line at the Security checkpoint.
Merger Fund delinquents
A small number of pilots remain delinquent in paying their merger fund assessments, in
effect, cheating their fellow pilots. Merger fund delinquents will now be turned over to
ALPA National for collection. Pilots who have not paid the assessment should review
Article VIII of the ALPA Constitution, and Section 29 of the Contract to become familiar
with the manner in which they will be expelled from ALPA and terminated by America West
for non-payment of obligations.
Speaking of the merger fund, the MEC will travel to
Washington next week in order to cement its’ relationship with our outside merger counsel.
Although we are not aware of any specific merger or acquisition plans on the part of
America West Airlines, the MEC feels that it is prudent to maintain a close relationship
with our merger counsel given the prospect of further industry consolidation.
Local Council meeting reminder
Again, we would like to remind you all of the upcoming Local Council meeting on December
17. Mr. Franke has graciously agreed to address the pilot group, and discuss the state of
the airline and plans for the future. Although we anticipate that some time will be
available for questions and answers, this time may be limited. Therefore, we would like to
encourage pilots to submit questions in advance via the ALPA box in the Terminal 4
computer room.
The meeting will be at the Double Tree Hotel, at 44th
street and Van Buren in Phoenix. The meeting will begin with officer reports and local
business at 1:00 pm. And please note, this meeting will only be open to ALPA members of
Council 62.
That is all for this week’s update. The next Hotline update
will be on Thursday, December 10.
Until then, fly safely, wear your ALPA pin regularly. Know
your contract, and don’t cut deals.
| MEC Hotline | ||
| This is Communications Committee Chairman David Weeks for the MEC. |