March 12, 1998
ALPA, Intl
Committees
Misuse of Reserves
The company has agreed to discontinue the recent practice of sending flight crews out of
domicile to sit reserve. The practice violated about 20 provisions of the pilot contract
and generated sharp criticism from the MEC and the pilot group.
“AT” Settlement Implementation Date
We’ve received numerous calls about the implementation of the “AT”
grievance mediation settlement. You should note the agreement “shall be implemented
no later than the start of bid period 140” as per the agreement. Until that time,
pilots should follow past practice when assigned “AT” for training displacement.
Retirement and Insurance Arbitration
An important arbitration impacting the future of America West pilots will be held
March 24 to 26 at the Tempe Mission Palms. Three retirement and insurance cases will be
heard, including: the denial of pass travel benefits to pilots on various leaves of
absence; denial of longevity accrual and seniority protection to pilots who are on short-
or long-term disability or workers’ compensation; and the denial of paid health insurance
benefits to pilots who are on short- or long-term disability. All pilots are invited to
attend the arbitration.
On a related note . . . Standard Insurance Company has
ceased paying LTD benefits to Capt. Ed Sherman on account of his turning age 60. The
cessation of benefits violates the contract in that section 27.B.2.c provides for such
benefits until the pilot “regains his active status as an America West pilot and
commences receiving his regular compensation, the date he is no longer eligible for long
term disability benefits, or the date he reaches his normal Social Security retirement
age, whichever shall occur first.” Capt. Sherman has neither regained active status
as a pilot, nor has he reached Social Security retirement age. The MEC has filed several
grievances on this matter and has requested expedited arbitration. Capt. Sherman is a
long-time and loyal employee of this airline, hired in the fall of 1983.
To date, the company has done nothing to support Capt.
Sherman and has not responded to the MEC. The company’s continuing lack of involvement in
this case is unacceptable to the MEC and the pilots of America West.
Local Council Meeting
The next local council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 16 from 6 to 9
p.m. at the Ramada Inn in Tempe. The featured speaker is Ken Cooper, ALPA’s assistant
director of representation. Cooper will discuss professional negotiators and other
Contract 2000 issues.
Equipment Bid
Crew Resources has informed us the equipment bid–vacancy bid 99-03–will be
released on Friday, March 13. Bid forms are due by March 23 at 1700 hours.
Meet & Greet the MEC
MEC officers Don Steinman, Darcy Pierce and Michael Calabrese will be available
next Wednesday, March 18 from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Terminal Four conference room (near the
food court) to answer questions and hear concerns from fellow pilots. This is your chance
to talk with your elected representatives. Bring your issues, bring your ideas and bring
yourselves to T-4 on Wednesday.
And A Final Note: Check your mailbox tomorrow afternoon.
All pilots will receive their second edition of Just the Facts from the MEC communications
committee.
That’s it for tonight. The next scheduled hotline is
Thursday, March 19. Thank you for listening.
- Misuse of reserves
- “AT” settlement implementation date
- Retirement and insurance arbitration
- Local council meeting
- Equipment bid
- Meet & greet the MEC
| MEC Hotline | ||
| This is Regena Frieden with the America West MEC hotline update for Thursday, March 12. Tonight’s items for discussion include |