March 19, 1998 Hotline

  March 19, 1998

ALPA, Intl

Home

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 beginning at 9 a.m. each day. 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
in good standing are invited to attend the arbitration, however seating is quite limited.

Capt. Ed Sherman
As reported on last week’s hotline, Standard Insurance Company has ceased paying
LTD benefits to Capt. Ed Sherman on account of his turning age 60. The cessation of
benefits violates section 27.B.2.c of the contract.

Capt. Sherman is a long-time and loyal employee of this
airline, hired in the fall of 1983. To date, America West has failed to act on this
situation. The company’s continuing lack of involvement in this case is unacceptable to
the MEC and the pilots of America West. The MEC has filed several grievances on this
matter and has requested expedited arbitration, but it could be many months until a
resolution is reached.

The MEC urges every interested and concerned pilot to send
a letter to America West President Richard Goodmanson asking him what the company intends
to do for Capt. Sherman. The company’s address is on the back of your ID. Please show your
solidarity and support for Capt. Sherman by sending a letter. Our strength is in our
unity.

New Vice President of Flight Operations
The MEC met with the new Vice President of Flight Operations Lee Steele this week. Over
the course of two conversations, the MEC was completely forthright in discussing
scheduling issues and operational problems and the devastating effect these have had on
pilot morale. It is clear to us and we hope to Mr. Steele that he has a big job ahead of
him.

With Mr. Steele’s arrival, Capt. Randy Olin returns to his
former position of Chief Pilot and Capt. Ted de Hesse resumes his role as A320 Fleet
Manager.

Open Forums
The MEC held the first in a series of open forums at the airport on Wednesday from 1 to 5
p.m. Many pilots took the opportunity to discuss their issues and concerns with their
elected representatives. The next opportunity for pilots to meet with their MEC officers
face-to-face is the upcoming local council meeting on April 16. The meeting is scheduled
from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Ramada Inn in Tempe (I-10 & Broadway exit). The featured
speaker is Ken Cooper, ALPA’s assistant director of representation. Cooper will discuss
professional negotiators and other Contract 2000 issues. Future open forum dates will be
announced shortly.

That’s it for tonight. The next scheduled hotline is
Thursday, March 26. Thank you for listening.

• Retirement & Insurance Arbitration
• Capt. Ed Sherman
• New VP of Flight Operations
• Local Council Meeting