America West Pilots Vote down 2nd TA

[avrodriver]

Good Job Guys!!!!! Glad the industry is starting to form a little backbone! AD

America West Pilots Reject Second Tentative Agreement
Tuesday December 2, 11:15 am ET


PHOENIX, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- America West Airlines (NYSE: AWA - News) today announced that the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) has informed the company that a majority of America West pilots voted against ratification of the tentative agreement between the two parties.
America West Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Doug Parker stated, "While we are disappointed with today's vote results, the entire America West team will continue to focus on the positive transformation of our airline. We are proud of the turnaround momentum put into place by our 13,000 employees, including our pilots, who have played an important role in that turnaround.

"While we look forward to eventually reaching a new agreement with our pilots, in the meantime, we will continue to work together under the terms of our existing contract so that our customers continue to receive the outstanding service they've come to expect from America West Airlines."

Founded in 1983 and proudly celebrating its 20-year anniversary in 2003, America West Airlines is the nation's second largest low-fare airline and the only carrier formed since deregulation to achieve major airline status. America West's 13,000 employees serve nearly 55,000 customers a day in 93 destinations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Costa Rica.

 

[vc10]

Vote was 50.17% against, 49.83% for.

Chances are, it will be resubmitted with minor changes, if any. In the meantime, America West may commit to yet more 80 seat RJs.

 

[FLB717]

What are some of the pay, work rules and retirement in the TA?

 

[TWA Dude]

Vote was 50.17% against, 49.83% for.

Wow, that's close. Heck, if U.S. Presidential election rules were applicable the contract would've passed!

 

[flx757]

This article has a little more info...


America West pilots reject contract deal again

Tuesday December 2, 2:25 PM EST

By Kathy Fieweger

CHICAGO, Dec 2 (Reuters) - America West Airlines said on Tuesday a majority of its pilot union members narrowly rejected a tentative contract agreement reached late in October calling for an 11 percent pay increase.

A spokesman for the pilots union declined to comment on why the tentative pact at the No. 8 U.S. airline was rejected. In March, the pilots rejected the first contract deal, which also called for an 11 percent wage hike, because of concerns over retirement and job security.

The National Mediation Board has been arbitrating the dispute between Phoenix-based America West, a unit of America West Holdings Corp. (AWA), and the Air Line Pilots Association, representing about 1,700 pilots.

America West Chief Executive Doug Parker said in a statement the company was disappointed in the voting results.

"While we look forward to eventually reaching a new agreement with our pilots, in the meantime, we will continue to work together under the terms of our existing contract," Parker said.

The pilots union in a statement said the margin of voting on the latest deal was 50.2 percent to reject and 49.8 percent to accept.

"Since this case is still under the auspices of the NMB, it will be up to the board to decide the prospects of continued negotiations in light of the nearly 50-50 split of the group," said Captain Terry Stadler.

THIRD TIME'S THE CHARM?

Jamie Baker, airline analyst at J.P. Morgan, said that given the reported closeness of the vote, he did not think the next tentative agreement will need major sweeteners to win approval.

According to Baker, the rejected deal called for an 11 percent wage hike and an additional 3 percent in 2007, along with one-time pension contributions of $12,000 per captain and $7,500 per first officer. That would put America West's pilot pay between that of rivals Frontier Airlines Inc. (FRNT) and JetBlue Airways Corp. (JBLU)

"We had previously estimated incremental $30 million in pretax pilot expense during year one (of the contract,) or $0.25 (per share) in full-taxed earnings," he said. "Final contract costs will likely be slightly higher.

Shares of America West fell 55 cents or 3.6 percent to $14.93 on the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday afternoon.

 

[Guppiedriver]

What are some of the pay, work rules and retirement in the TA?

Not even close to industry standard. As a matter of fact all three were well below that of all major and most national airlines.

ALPA had their chance, time for a new approach.

 

[Wiskey Driver]

Not even close to industry standard. As a matter of fact all three were well below that of all major and most national airlines.

ALPA had there chance, time for a new approach.

I would have to agree with you GD, but I really don't know what "industry standard" is anymore!!! AA pay cut, UAL paycut massive furloughs across the industry. If anyone knows please tell just what the h ell is industry standard!!!! I truely feel that the days of pigeon holeing a company into $300/hr are long gone.

WD.

 

[pipejockey]

I just wanted to show to support for the AM. West pilots who voted NO! Maybe the race to the bottom has been stopped. Lets hope so. The industry is turning around, demand is up, load factors are up, now all that needs to go up are RASM's.The airlines tried yet again to raise fares by a paltry $5 each way which would help a lot, but good ole NWA backed out again as they usually do causing everyone else to abandon the increase as well.

Hopefully AM. West can hold out for at least a contract that is just a tiny step up from Jet Blue, I surely think they deserve it.

Speaking of contract negotiations....GO MESABA!!! Hopefully you guys can start turning the regional industry around as well.

 

[Fly-n-high]

You guys that say pilot salaries are the cause of airline woes need to study the business a little better.

The airlines aren't doing poorly because of pilot salaries. This is just a bad time in the economy. The only thing pilot consessions do is MAYBE slow down the death of the airline. Either the Airline is going to make it or it's not. Simple.

I get tired of hearing the "Pilots get paid too much" arguement. I didn't hear you whining about it in the mid nineties when things were going well.

You don't wan't to make that kind of money? Fine. The rest of us do.

Is there some medical forum that you go to and tell Doctors that "the days of making alot of money" are over?

Alright, I'm done venting. Don't mean to come across as offensive.

 

[Nandu]

I didn't hear you whining about it in the mid nineties when things were going well.

Ah the good ol' mid nineties! Back when Delta and US Airways still had pilots on furlough. Back when every commuter was asking new hires to pay $10,000 for a job, when Valujet was paying captains $45,000 a year. Those sure were good days! No race to the bottom back then.