1. 401(k) Contributions
2. Happy Trails
3. Return of the River Approach
4. Crew Scheduling Blooper of the Week
5. Security Ground School
6. COBRA Checks
7. Ed Sherman II and III
8. MEC Event May 16th
9. Negotiations Resume
10. HIMS and LTD
11. The Letter
12. Labor Quote of the Week
401(k) Contributions
Yes, we know the 401(k) contributions for this month’s pay periods
are running behind. No, AWA is not out of money. The glitch revolves around
Fidelity having to manually enter data as we transition form the old 401(k)
options to the new ones.
Happy Trails
Captains Randy Hoopingarner and Dennis Fraley are retiring this month
and both will be flying their last flights on Sunday, April 28. They arrive
12 minutes apart at 1804 and 1816. If you have the chance, try to make
it out to wish them bon voyage. And Randy and Dennis: your years of dedicated
service to America West will not be forgotten at the negotiating table.
Return of the River Approach
Yesterday, Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta announced the return
of the River Approach into Washington National Airport. As you may be
aware, the modified straight-in approaches in use since 9-11 were causing
numerous noise complaints. So it appears that things are getting back
to normal: fear of noise overcoming fear of terrorism.
Crew Scheduling Blooper of the Week
Sorry, I had a great one for the blooper of the week, but I just got
a call from our Negotiating Committee. They ordered me not to beat up
on crew scheduling today. Our NC is optimistic after the first day of
real mediation on Section 25, so I’ll save it for that rainy day when
things bog down.
Security Ground School
A number of you have received
letters in your mail slots inviting you to attend an FAA-mandated security
ground school to supplement your existing three days of annual ground
school. The company did not allow either your MEC or your Air Carrier
Security Committee any input into the content or the scheduling of this
training event. While we will grieve the lack of bidding for the event,
we want to make it very clear that under no circumstances should a reserve
pilot drop below 10 days off to attend.
COBRA Checks
COBRA reimbursement checks were mailed out yesterday. Right now we
have 36 furloughed pilots utilizing the program.
Ed Sherman II and III
The Ed Sherman II and III arbitration concluded yesterday. Other than
the incompetence of the company’s outside attorneys, there were no real
surprises. We are confident that our arguments were persuasive and feel
positive about our chances for success. We should have the results in
two to five months.
MEC Unity Event
Start planning your social calendar for the evening of Thursday, May
16th. Your MEC is inviting you and your spouse or significant other to
an evening of food, libation and inspiration. We will be hosting an informal
reception including appetizers and a cash bar, with special guest speaker
Phil Comstock, President of the Wilson Center for Public Research. This
should be an excellent opportunity for you to talk with your elected representatives
as well. Look for more details in your home mailbox soon.
Negotiations Resume
After a one month hiatus, your Negotiating Committee resumed mediated
discussions with the company today. Due to the Ed Sherman arbitration,
the three days scheduled in April were reduced to one. Your negotiating
team has been extremely busy preparing our scheduling section 25 opener.
And as I mentioned above, the company came prepared to work with us to
improve your schedules in C-2000.
HIMS and LTD
I am happy to report major progress
regarding pilots who have exhausted STD and are under the HIMS program.
The company has done another about face (the last one being the COBRA
reversal for returning furloughed pilots) and we expect resolution of
this issue shortly. This is a significant change in company direction.
The Letter
We have a copy of the letter
President and CEO W. Douglas Parker sent out to all the pilots. It is
addressed to: “Dear America West colleague.” I will comment
on it in a “Blast E-mail” tomorrow.
Labor Quote of the Week
“All that harms labor is treason to America. No line can be drawn
between these two. If any man tells you he loves America, yet he hates
labor, he is a liar. If a man tells you he trusts America, yet fears labor,
he is a fool.” -Abraham Lincoln
As of today we have 56 pilots on furlough,
28 captains sitting in the wrong seat and 616 donations to Flight Pay
Loss. Remember to obey the FARs, obey the FOM and follow the contract.
Thank you for listening.
| Good evening, this is Herb Holland with your MEC hotline for Thursday April 24th. Tonight’s topics: |
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