March 18, 1999
ALPA, Intl
Committees
1. Flight Attendants Update
To summarize, if your flight is disrupted or canceled by
CHAOS, treat the occurrence as an irregular operation: immediately contact Crew Resources
through the Irregular Operations phone line, or any special contact numbers management may
designate. Also, call the MEC office at 602-306-1208 or 800-MEC-AWAL, or one of your
elected representatives through the phone numbers in Just the Facts.
Volunteers will man the phones at the MEC office beginning
tomorrow, Friday, March 19 to answer your questions. The phone bank will be operational on
a 24-hour basis until further notice
I would like to clarify a statement in Just the Facts
that has generated some questions. It was stated under the heading “Extra Cabin
Jumpseat” that only currently employed flight attendants are authorized to ride in
the cabin jumpseat. This was somewhat misleading because it implies that pilots may not
ride in the cabin jumpseat. This is not the case. Per the FOM, America West pilots are
qualified to occupy the cabin jumpseat. And per flight operations management, FOM jumpseat
policies are unaffected by the extra-contractual changes to the company’s pass policies.
2. Pass Policies
Our response was immediate, decisive, and sharply worded:
we served notice that afternoon to the Vice President of Labor Relations that the embargo
should not apply to pilots by virtue of Section 26.Q of our contract. This notice was
followed by a formal grievance. In subsequent discussions, we have emphasized in no
uncertain terms that its dispute with AFA does not give management the right to repudiate
our collective bargaining agreement. Such an action will land management in a major
dispute with this pilot group, a dispute that would likely be settled in federal court.
3. Web Site
4. Contract Violation in 737 Night Lines
5. Committee Chairman Appointments & Re-appointments
Newly appointed committee chairmen include: Jo Ann
Rightmyer – Training, Fred Eccles – Scheduling, Mike Plapp – Hotel, and
Scott Lillard – Strike Preparedness. We would like to thank all departing chairmen
for their years of dedication and service and bid welcome to those coming on board.
Additional committee chairman appointments are pending. All
committee chairman terms are effective April 1st.
6. Earl Ingles Update
On a separate note, Earl continues to recuperate from
surgery after suffering a broken back from a fall while on a layover. His condition has
much improved over the last few days, and he was moved out of ICU this morning. He is now
able to accept visitors and depending upon his progress, may possibly return to PHX as
early as next week. Both Earl and Christina send their thanks and appreciation for the
concern and caring shown to them by the pilot group and the Chief Pilot’s office
during this difficult and stressful period. On behalf of the MEC, I would like to wish
Earl a speedy recovery, and best wishes to Earl and Christina on the birth of their son.
Finally, America West pilots may face some unique
challenges in the days and weeks to come. As always, safety should be foremost as we move
through the challenging days ahead. It is time to draw on that same professionalism that
has carried us through difficult times in the past. Stay focused, fly safe, cut no deals
outside the contract; and wear your ALPA pins and ribbons. We will update this hotline
over the next few days as news develops. Thanks for listening.
- AFA Update
- Pass Travel Changes
- Web Site
- Contract Violation in 737 Night Lines
- Committee Chairmen Appointments & Re-appointments
- First Officer Earl Ingles update
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| Don Steinman for the MEC. Subjects: Negotiations between America West flight attendants and management resumed today at the offices of the National Mediation Board in Washington, D.C. We anticipate that discussions are likely to continue up to the strike deadline of 10:00 p.m. mountain time Friday night. If an agreement has not been reached by that time, both parties may legally engage in self help. AFA has strongly indicated that self help would assume the form of CHAOS. A Just the Facts issue was distributed to all pilot boxes on Wednesday, March 17. Please read this document carefully and completely, as it provides instructions per the Flight Operations Manual on how you should handle certain situations that may be a result of CHAOS, as well as how your benefits will be affected if there is a shutdown of the airline.
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