TEMPE, Ariz., Aug. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- (NYSE: LCC) US Airways
and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM)
District 141 today announced they have reached a tentative agreement on a
single contract for the airline's fleet service employees.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050223/LAW097LOGO )
The tentative agreement, which is subject to ratification by the
airline's 7,700 fleet service employees, would establish new wages and make
other improvements for the airline's baggage handlers and ramp personnel.
The airline and the union had been in negotiations for more than a year,
and just last week began discussions with the help of National Mediation
Board (NMB) facilitators.
Ratification is expected to take three to four weeks. The new agreement
becomes effective within 30 days following ratification and extends through
the new amendable date, Dec. 31, 2011.
"Today's announcement moves us another step closer to a unified airline
and our goal of bringing our remaining groups to single labor agreements,"
said US Airways Chairman and CEO Doug Parker. "We applaud the efforts of
the IAM negotiators and especially thank NMB facilitators Linda Puchala and
Dick Hanusz for their guidance and oversight, which has helped us achieve
this very important milestone for the new US Airways."
Vice President, Labor Relations Al Hemenway added, "We are extremely
pleased to have reached a tentative agreement that recognizes the
contributions and efforts of our fleet service team. That we were able to
reach a tentative agreement after only one week of facilitated discussions
is testament to the efforts of the IAM negotiators, the US Airways team and
the NMB."
The company and IAM together requested facilitation on July 28, and
talks commenced on Aug. 1. In this voluntary process, the NMB assigns a
Board mediator who works with both parties in an advisory role, helping the
parties find common areas of agreement and reach solutions.
The IAM also represents US Airways' maintenance and related employees.
Facilitated negotiations with the IAM for a single agreement that would
cover maintenance workers are also underway.
US Airways has reached prior unified agreements with the CWA/IBT, which
represents the airline's reservations agents and passenger service
employees; and with the Transport Workers Union (TWU), representing flight
dispatchers, instructors and engineers. Negotiations for single agreements
continue with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) and the Association of
Flight Attendants (AFA).
US Airways is the fifth largest domestic airline employing more than
36,000 aviation professionals worldwide. US Airways, US Airways Shuttle and
US Airways Express operate approximately 3,700 flights per day and serve
more than 230 communities in the U.S., Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and
Latin America. The new US Airways -- the product of a merger between
America West and US Airways in September 2005 -- is a member of the Star
Alliance network, which offers our customers 16,000 daily flights to 855
destinations in 155 countries worldwide. This press release and additional
information on US Airways can be found at http://www.usairways.com.
(LCCG).
SOURCE US Airways
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.usairways.com
Photo Notes:
NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050223/LAW097LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Media Relations of US Airways,
+1-480-693-5729
|
