This is the MEC Hotline message for Friday,
March 28th, 2003. Tonight’s topics include:
1. Special MEC Meeting
2. Meeting with Jeff McClelland
3. AWA Cost Reduction Plan
4. Volunteers Needed
5. FOQA Update
Special MEC Meeting:
On Tuesday, March 25, 2003, the MEC met
in special session to discuss
negotiating strategy. Specifically, the MEC discussed short, medium, and
long-range negotiating objectives, and the upcoming meetings with the
company and representatives of the NMB (scheduled for March 31, 2003).
Wilson Polling was approved and pilots are being contacted by phone to
participate in the survey. The MEC will reconvene this Monday, March 31,
2003, to review the results of the latest Wilson Poll.
Meeting with Jeff McClelland:
On Wednesday, March 26, 2003, MEC officers
met with Jeff McClelland to
discuss the next step for negotiations. While the door was not thrown
open to begin direct negotiations, the door was not shut and locked either.
Mr. McClelland indicated more time was needed for them to evaluate all
aspects of the process and time to consider the position of the NMB. We
will be contacted next week to schedule a follow-on meeting. We are optimistic
as we proceed to the next step of negotiations.
AWA Cost Reduction Plan:
As you are likely aware, CEO Doug Parker
announced a cost reduction plan earlier this week prompted by a decrease
in future bookings due to the Iraqi war and poor economic conditions.
Mr. Parker asked for reductions in two major areas: cost reductions from
vendors and a 10% reduction in management overhead. Reductions could result
in layoffs, but no furloughs for flight crews were announced.
The pilots of Council 62 stand ready once
again to assist the company in efforts to provide safe and efficient service
for our customers. We are also keenly aware of the need to improve relations
with the company and to develop a sense of “trust” between pilots
and management. It is a two-way street and we are willing to meet the
company halfway.
Volunteers Needed:
Many of our MEC Committees are in need
of new volunteers. If you are
interested in volunteering for a particular committee, please call or
email the MEC Office at [email protected] so that we can put you in touch
with the appropriate committee. For those that may be interested in working
on the PSB Committee, please call Chairman Jon Garcia on his cell phone
at 602-799-3092.
FOQA:
The audit of the FOQA Program’s security
features was completed today and found in accordance with the LOA and
the Operations Plan. Accordingly, MEC action to suspend the FOQA program
will be rescinded Monday, March 31, 2003. Ongoing work will continue next
week in cooperation with the AWA Operations Safety Department to review
the FOQA operations plan so that we may achieve the most effective and
productive FOQA program possible.
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