Cactus CallSign,
Cactus said: “All of the east pilots may not like the Nic award, but they will eventually have to accept it one way or another. My sense is that the east pilots are going to suffer needlessly in a futile quest, and in the end, will still be left with the Nic list and not much in their wallet.â€
USA320Pilot comments: Cactus, the East pilots will never have to accept the Nicolau Award for two reasons. John Prater said he is not going to forward the Award and the US Airways pilots never have to agree to a new contract. And, the US Airways pilots can do exactly what the Northwest pilots did to get equal pay for equal work.
What you fail to understand is that the East pilots believe they will get paid more money by keeping LOA 93 in place and keeping the two pilot groups separate.
For example, when a Group II F/O upgrades to Captain they receive $39 per hour pay raise. However, with the Nicolau Award that F/O will remain in the right seat and per the company’s current offer receive a $15 per hour pay raise.
By keeping the pilot groups separate the US Airways pilots will have an improved quality of life, receive a $22,000 bonus in 2010/2011, and see significant improvements in pay when reserves become blockholders, F/O’s become Captain’s and narrowbody pilots become widebody pilots.
Furthermore, Doug Parker has already discussed the need to whipsaw the two pilot groups if there is no “realistic solution†to the Nicolau Award and a joint contract because new aircraft such as the A340 are on the way. There will be new routes from PHL to Tel Aviv, Moscow, Tokyo, Bejing, etc. and the lowest cost pilot group will get this high paying flying.
“My sense is that the West pilots are going to suffer needlessly in a futile quest, and in the end, will still be left without the Nic list and not much in their wallet.â€
In addition, the West pilots action to defy the two EC resolutions, the Rice Committee (so far), and Doug Parker’s desire to seek a compromise is going to keep all airline pilots at their current rates.
Finally, John Prater indicated at the CLT meeting that that while the US Airways pilots are the lowest paid pilots in the industry, all other pilot groups would have a tough time negotiating pay raises when their contracts became amendable (due to US Airways/AWA pilot issues). Prater indicated that getting the US Airways pilots a better contract is very important in the big picture. And, the only way for us to get a better contract is for the Executive Council/Rice Committee to help the US Airways pilots find a solution to this mess. Oh and by the way, guess whose contract is up next? Continental. So there is incentive for ALPA National to help US Airways if for no other reason but to help them selves.
Regards,
USA320Pilot