FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
14 , 2002
West Pilots Elect Union Leader, Prepare to Resume Contract Talks
PHOENIX – With the election of a new chairman
and the re-appointment of a negotiating committee, the pilots of America West,
represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), are
set to resume mediated contract negotiations with the airline in March.
The America West pilots’ union governing body,
the Master Executive Council (MEC), voted unanimously yesterday to elect Captain
Herb Holland as the union’s new chairman. Holland replaces Captain Roger Cox,
who was recalled from office by the MEC in January.
“I am honored to serve my fellow pilots
as we resume negotiations for a fair contract with America West,” Captain
Holland said. “With the outstanding team we have in place and the support
of all America West pilots behind us, we are ready to return to the table
to achieve a working agreement that recognizes the sacrifices the pilots have
made to help our airline survive and succeed.”
Holland, a former Marine Corps pilot and Vietnam
combat veteran, has been with America West since 1990. Holland previously
served as the union’s Grievance Committee chairman.
In addition, the MEC appointed Captains Kimble
Neel, Doug Dotter, and Jeff O’Connell and First Officer Russ Payne to the
union’s Negotiating Committee. Captain John Chesire will serve as an alternate
member of the committee.
Negotiations between the pilots and America
West began in February 2000 and their current contract became amendable on
May 1, 2000. Beginning in May 2001, talks were conducted under the auspices
of a federally appointed mediator but were postponed after the Sept. 11 terrorist
attacks.
Including the 1,800 America West pilots, ALPA
represents 64,000 pilots at 45 airlines in the United States and Canada.
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ALPA Contact: Scott Sherrin, (602) 306-4100