Friday, April 30, 1999
AWA flight attendants ratify tentative agreement
America West’s flight attendants have ratified their tentative
agreement with the company, by a margin of 85%. Of the eligible voters, 72% submitted
ballots. Signing of the agreement is tentatively scheduled for May 4.
Allegheny
pilots ratify new contract
Pilots at Allegheny Airlines, represented by ALPA, ratified a new four-year collective
bargaining agreement.
Thursday, April 28, 1999
Negotiating Committee returns from Herndon
The Negotiating Committee, along with Communications Committee
Chairman David Weeks, Contract Administrator Andrew Shostack, and Communications
Specialist Yvette Freeman, have returned from Herndon after meeting for two days with
ALPA’s R&I, Legal, E&FA, and Communications staff members.
Attention:
Pilots in military reserves
America West is directing all pilots who are currently members of
any military reserve unit or the Air National Guard to identify themselves, in writing, to
the Chief Pilot’s office. <Details>
DuPont
hires Goodmanson
According to an April 26 Reuters report, DuPont Co. announced that Richard
Goodmanson, the former president and chief executive officer of America West Airlines will
join DuPont as executive vice president and chief operating officer of two major business
segments. Goodmanson, 51, resigned from AWA earlier this month after serving as president
and chief executive officer since 1996. Effective May 1, Goodmanson will lead
DuPont’s Specialty Fibers business segment; the Performance Coatings & Polymers
business segment; the Safety Resources business; and the Global Services Business. He also
will have other corporate responsibilities.
Monday, April 19, 1999
America West expands service from Bakersfield, CA
America West announced today that it will expand
service from Bakersfield, CA, increasing capacity by 75%, beginning June 26, 1999. The new
Bakersfield service, provided through America West’s alliance with Mesa Airlines operating
as America West Express, includes three new daily flights utilizing 37-seat de Haviland
DHC-8 turbo prop aircraft. The Phoenix-Bakersfield service increases from four to six
flights a day and a new daily non-stop flight will be added to Las Vegas.
America West launches new multi-media advertising campaign
America West Airlines announced the launch of its
new multi-media advertising campaign featuring television commercials, radio spots, and
newspaper and magazine print ads premiering today in the airline’s three hub markets —
Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Columbus, Ohio. Bearing the tagline “Every flight
counts,” the ads target the business traveler and project a new image for the
airline, reflecting a repositioning within the marketplace. The objectives of the new
campaign are to raise the level of awareness of America West to the first tier of airlines
in the customers’ mind and to communicate the airline’s unique identity with a fresh, new,
professional approach.
Friday, April 16, 1999
Fenix Flight goes to printer today!
The much anticipated issue of the Fenix Flight will be sent to the
print shop in Herndon today, after several weeks of delays. The issue will be the March,
April, and May edition. Pilots should start receiving it in their home mailboxes within
the next two weeks.
KIT System hotlines updated
Several committees have new updates on their KIT system hotlines.
The Security, Scheduling, Hotel, and Central Air Safety committees all have new messages
with important information. In the meantime, a flyer explaining how to navigate to the
various hotlines on the KIT system has been posted on the T-4 bulletin board.
Thursday, April 15, 1999
Age 60 Retest Arbitration
The Age 60 retest grievance was heard this past Monday, April 12.
Closing briefs are due 45 days after receipt of the hearing transcript. The earliest we
can expect a decision from the arbitrator is July.
New
pilots voted into union
Several AWA pilots were voted into the Association at Wednesday’s
Local Council meeting. Check the Membership Committee page for the list of new
members.
Wednesday, April 7, 1999
America West reports record traffic for first quarter 1999
America West Airlines reported traffic statistics
for the month of March and first quarter 1999. Revenue passenger miles (RPM) for March
were 1.5 billion, a 5.9% increase over March 1998. Capacity increased 7.8% in March to a
record 2.2 billion available seat miles (ASM).
Record first quarter 1999 traffic at 4.0 billion RPS was up 10.4% over first quarter 1998.
ASMs increased 7.7% to 6.3 billion for the quarter, resulting in a passenger load factor
of 63.7% compared with 62.2% for the first quarter 1998.
Sunday, April 4, 1999
FAA to perform Y2K test on air traffic control computers
The Federal Aviation Administration plans to test
air traffic control computers for the year 2000 problem later this month.
On April 11, the FAA will set the clocks to midnight December 31,
1999 on its reserve computers in several Colorado traffic centers. During the test, the
agency will fly one of its Lear jets from Grand Junction to Denver, and then to Colorado
Springs. The jet’s flight control computers will be set to change to 2000 at the same time
as the air traffic control computers.
Thursday, April 1, 1999
America West announces new non-stop service between Phoenix
and Tampa, FL
America West announced that it will add new daily
non-stop service between Phoenix and Tampa, Florida, beginning August 1, 1999. The new
flight will be operated by a 150-seat Airbus A320 aircraft.
Saturday, March 20, 1999
AWA and flight attendants reach tentative agreement
As of 1:48 a.m. EST, America West and its flight attendants’ union
reached a tentative contract agreement after continuing “super-mediated” talks
beyond the 30-day cooling-off period deadline of 12:01 a.m. EST. The agreement must not be
ratified by AFA membership.
Wednesday, March 17, 1999
Flight attendants begin “super-mediated” talks in D.C.
Members of the AWA flight attendants’ union will begin
“super-mediated” talks with corporate negotiators in Washington, D.C. today.
TWA shuffles leadership
TWA’s Gerald Gitner will step down as the airline’s Chief Executive
Officer at its May 25 shareholders meeting. He will contine as chairman and head of the
board’s executive committee. The new CEO will be Bill Compton, an active TWA pilot and
former head of ALPA’s TWA chapter.
In a separate matter, TWA’s MEC chairman was ousted, and the
MEC vice chairman resigned.
AWA MEC meeting held
A meeting of the Master Executive Council was held today at
the MEC office. Several resolutions were passed, in addition to the re-appointment of some
committee members.
Tuesday, March 16, 1999
AWA Flight attendants to hold prayer vigil
The AWA flight attendants will hold a prayer vigil today at the Sky
Harbor Airport Chapel in Phoenix from 12 noon to 5 p.m.
Monday, March 15, 1999
AWA Flight attendants hold negotiation support rally
The AWA flight attendants held a rally at Terminal 4, north side
level 1, to send off their negotiating committee for “super-mediated” talks in
Washington, D.C.
Friday, March 12, 1999
America West embargoes pass travel
In anticipation of possible CHAOS or strike activities by the flight attendants, America
West has announced that all pass travel will be embargoed system wide beginning March 20
at 12:01 a.m. EST, and continue until further notice.
In a memo distributed to all employees today, Senior Vice President of Human Resources
Bruce Johnson stated that “this embargo extends to all employees and eligible family
members of America West Holdings Corporation, including America West Airlines, The Leisure
Company, and The Vacation Store.” It also covers all pleasure travel including
Flexi-pass, Barter, and Above & Beyond awards. This embargo also extends to other
airlines’ travelers.
In addition, pass travelers, including those on business travel, are advised to complete
all travel and return to their home base by March 19 in order to avoid being stranded.
Beginning March 20, crew members who commute to and from work assignments may continue to
travel space available but must be in uniform. Also, crew members deadheading as part of
their scheduled work assignment must also be in uniform.
The memo also states that if there is a shutdown of AWA operations, other airline pass
travel “will most likely not be available to employees. Should a pass traveler become
stranded and unable to return home, the Pass Bureau will attempt to obtain one-way
transportation, but cannot guarantee pass travel will be available.”
Wednesday, March 10, 1999
Flight attendants and AWA to enter “super-mediation”
The National Mediation Board announced that
“super-mediation” between America West and its flight attendants’ union will
begin March 17 in Washington, D.C.
Friday, March 5, 1999
Flight attendants march on AWA headquarters
America West flight attendants, carrying picket signs and bullhorns, marched down Mill
Avenue to the airline’s Tempe headquarters today. With two weeks remaining on a
mandated cooling off period before workers can strike, union members say they want AWA
officials to know they are focused despite the fact that the flight attendants’ third
official union representative has quit in as many weeks. The union says reports earlier
this week that America West offered a package that is only $5.8 million less than the
Association of Flight Attendants Council 66 requested salary increase has not been
formally offered to the union. Sara Banister, who resigned as union leader this week, said
the airline made informal offers that come close to matching the union’s $74.5
million contact demands.
The union and AWA have not negotiated
since the 30-day cooling off period began, which was set by the National Mediation Board.
Union President William McGlashen says he expects negotiations won’t begin until
seven days before the strike deadline of March 19.
February 23, 1999
AWA restricts crew lines in Maestro
Sometime yesterday, America West made the unilateral decision to restrict not only Flight
Attendant, but pilot lines in Maestro. This means three things: 1) You
will need to use your PIN to access your line using the CREWMEMBER ASSIGNMENT menu choice
in the DISPLAYS menu in Maestro or Maestro Home Access. 2) The name of
the other pilot will you will be flying with will show as UNLISTED. 3)
You will not be able to view another pilot’s line unless you know their PIN. This was
a decision made without notifying the MEC. The MEC strongly disapproves of this action,
and is protesting it to management. In the meanwhile, you can UNRESTRICT your line by
choosing RESTRICT/RELEASE LINE command under the file menu. We encourage all pilots who
wish to unrestrict their lines to do so.
February 22, 1999
AWA terminates considerations of other airlines
expressions of interest
America West Chairman and CEO Bill Franked announced today at a press conference that the
airline has “terminated consideration of expressions of interest in the acquisition
of America West.” Franke stated that the board of directors determined that the
“communities we operate in will be better served by a growing, profitable and
independent company.”
February 18, 1999
AWA names new Chief Pilot
America West has named Captain J.R. Baker as the new Chief Pilot, effective March 1. Baker
will replace Captain Randy Olin, who will plans to return to the line.
February 18, 1999
FAA ranks
airports with most delays; PHX ranks ninth
The FAA says Newark ranks number one in delays, among the nation’s airports. Newark (EWR)
had 31,924 delayed flights, or about 6.9% of its total traffic for 1998, according to the
FAA. SFO is second with 29,409 delays, or 6.8% of its total. The list is as follows:
1. EWR
2. SFO
3. ORD
4. ATL
5. LGA
6. BOS
7. STL
8. JFK
9. PHX
10. PHL
February 17, 1999
NMB starts the clock on 30-day countdown to
“CHAOS” at AWA
WASHINGTON, DC – The National Mediation Board announced today that the 30-day countdown to
a strike at America West has begun. Strike actions can begin at 12:01 a.m. EST, March 20.
On Monday, Feb. 8, the NMB determined that contract talks between America West and its
flight attendants, members of the Association of Flight Attendants, AFL-CIO, were at an
impasse. At that time, the NMB requested that the parties agree to submit all remaining
open issues to binding arbitration. The flight attendants rejected the long process of
arbitration. Today, the NMB announced the start of the 30-day cooling-off period mandated
by the Railway Labor Act, the law that governs airline labor negotiations and disputes.
During the 30-day period, the NMB will make another attempt to resolve the dispute in
so-called “super mediation.” At the end of the 30-day period, if no agreement
has been reached, the parties are free to engage in self-help. For AFA flight attendants,
that means CHAOS.
February 12, 1999
AWA flight attendants reject arbitration
The Association of Flight Attendants announced Friday its decision to reject the National
Mediation Board’s proffer of binding arbitration in its contract negotiations with the
company. Now, if the NMB declares an impasse in the negotiations, a 30-day cooling-off
period will begin, effective midnight tonight. Meanwhile, AWA took the legal actions
required by the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act to formally notify all
employees regarding possible layoffs and/or the shutdown of operations.
February 10, 1999
AWA LEC chairman and vice chairman elected
Captains Jack Ryan and David Chambless were elected LEC chairman and vice chairman,
respectively. Of the 1,224 pilots eligible to vote, 663 returned their ballots, resulting
in 54.17% voter participation. Following are the exact tabulations:
Chairman Election:
Jack Ryan – 374 votes
David Chambless – 157 votes
Gary Bakewell – 52 votes
Eric Durnal – 35 votes
Vice Chairman Election:
David Chambless – 357 votes
Eric Durnal – 125 votes
Gary Bakewell – 122 votes
Total Ballots Received – 663
Voided Ballots – 42
February
9, 1999
ALPA
criteria accepted by FAA and ATA
ALPA has reached an agreement with the FAA and the ATA
concerning the safe operation of LAHSO, also known as Land-and-Hold-Short-Operations. The agreement was announced yesterday by ALPA President Duane
Woerth. Under the agreement, the FAA and ATA agree to all of ALPA’s criteria for the safe
operation of LAHSO. The FAA will issue the provisions of the agreement to all air carriers
by February 12, with implementation by March 12.
February 8, 1999
NMB offers proffer of arbitration to AWA and AFA
The National Mediation Board declared an impasse today
in America West flight attendants’ contract negotiations, and extended a proffer of
arbitration to the union and company management. A “proffer of arbitration” is
the NMB’s suggestion that the parties settle their differences through binding
arbitration. If both parties accept the proffer of arbitration, each side would present
its case in a courtroom-like proceeding. A neutral party, a government-appointed
arbitrator, would then render a binding judgment. If either party rejects the
recommendation, the NMB would immediately declare a “30-day cooling-off period,”
a deadline by which the parties should reach agreement, and schedule intensive negotiation
under “super-mediation.” By law, neither side may take economic action
such as a strike or lockout until the NMB releases the parties at the end of the
30-day period. Otherwise, at the end of the 30-day period, the NMB would release the
parties to pursue “self-help” – that is, a labor strike, a company lockout, or
other actions by one party to increase pressure on the other.
February 8, 1999
Revised pilot seniority list distributed
America West has distributed a revised
seniority list to all pilot T4 mailboxes. Please read yours carefully to ensure that all
information is accurate. Inform the Chief Pilot’s office of any discrepancies.
January 21, 1999
United announces interest in buying America West
United Airlines announced on Jan. 20 that it is interested in buying America West. The
announcement was in response to rumors about an impending merger between the two airlines.
America West has only said that it has been approached by several airlines, but no
agreement or deal has been made. United Airlines is the nation’s largest air carrier.
January
1999
Merger Committee goes to Washington
Darcy Pierce, along with the Merger Committee, met in Washington, D.C. Jan. 13-15. The
meeting was planned several weeks in advance to introduce new committee members to the
merger counsel and ALPA officials; and to prepare them for their roles on the committee.
Merger
fund surpasses $600,000 mark
The Merger Fund is now over $600,000. As merger talks between AWA and various other
airlines continue, many merger fund delinquents have realized the importance of this fund,
and have submitted their required assessments.
January
13, 1999
MEC and LEC hold summit
The MEC, along with the newly-elected LEC members, held a summit meeting Jan. 11-12 at the
Doubletree Hotel. The purpose of the summit was to clarify the roles of the MEC and the
LEC in our new Council 62 structure before the new LEC members take office on March 1.
LEC
chairman ballots
Ballots to elect an LEC chairman and vice chairman were mailed to all eligible pilots in
January, with a postmark return deadline of January 30. The results will be announced on
the Feb. 10 hotline.
Olin
to step down as AWA Chief Pilot
Chief Pilot Randy Olin has decided to resign as Chief Pilot, and return to the line,
effective March 1.
AWA
cancels vacations
America West cancelled some 1999 vacations for upgrading and transitioning pilots, citing
operational needs. After reviewing the situation, the MEC found that the company’s
action has not violated the contract, and therefore, cannot grieve the issue.
PBS
issues resolved
The PBS Committee and company officials have resolved several important policy and
technical issues, including the preservation of seniority-based awarding of preferences,
determining the number of regular and relief lines, and awarding reserve lines. The
committee and Ad-Opt are now conducting tests to verify that the resolutions are valid.
New
director of Flight Crew Training
Tom Webb has been named director of Flight Crew Training. He is currently a 737 captain
and senior check airman.
Age 60
retest hearing rescheduled
The age 60 retest hearing, which was postponed in December at the company’s request
to the arbitrator, has been rescheduled for April 12-13, 1999.
Committee
appointments
Mike Larkin has joined the Merger Committee as the new vice chairman. He replaces Bill
Beeler. MEC Executive Administrator C.J. Szmal has also joined the committee. Also, Brian
Bevins has been appointed to the System Board of Adjustment. He replaces Barry Cooper as
an alternate member.
Level 3
security
Airline personnel around the U.S. are being warned of a possible terrorist response to the
recent air strikes against Iraq. Pilots are strongly encouraged to review the Flight
Operations Manual specifically relating to terrorism.
December 18, 1999
Franke speaks to pilots at Local Council meeting
AWA Chairman Bill Franke was the guest speaker at the Dec. 17 Local Council meeting at the
Doubletree Hotel. More than 160 pilots attended. Franke presented the airline’s 1998
operations as well as goals for 1999. Those goals include growing the airline, primarily
through increased frequency at PHX and LAS, and enhancing the airline’s partnerships
with other carriers to increase our revenue stream. Meeting minutes are located in the
“AWA Pilot Information” notebook in the pilot lounge, and at the MEC office.
| News Archives |
||
| Monday, May 17, 1999 MEC to attend Executive Board Meeting The MEC officers and members are in Washington, D.C. this week attending an ALPA Executive Board meeting. The MEC is also scheduled to hold an MEC meeting today. |