Who in the AFA and ALPA was responsible for the formation of MAA? For the FA's even a 'seperate union'...I heard the AFA said there was a meeting held and in order to protect the very senior FA's, MAA was formed to prevent liquidation. Liquidation could have brought in better management of assets and management...once again. Someone active in the unions at that time AFA-ALPA must claim responsibility....but what do I know??? I 'm just a guy with junior seniority(15yrs) that basically adds up to years of air time, memories, and a log book. I have been out looking for jobs and if you're over forty and came from Airways, SMILE.
F/A transition agreement reached
- Thread starter l8rd8r
- Start date
PITbull
Veteran
- Dec 29, 2002
- 7,784
- 456
I think it disgraceful. I have an e-mail from Mike that implies that he thinks he did you all a favor by having the company HIRE the INVOLS back to the west coast. What he doesn't get in that thick head is that he has put the INVOLS who take the job in financial jeopardy AGAIN!
I think you guys should do your own negotiation with managment. I think Bobbi Riggle should be notified by you all and asked for her to intercede on behalf of the INVOLS.
I've already alerted the local media.
PITbull,
I am sorry to say this, but, alot of us at MAA have no faith in Bobbi Riggle. Alot of f/a's look at her as a joke. We need someone to fight for us and keep fighting. Not someone who will give up. She needs to be like Teddy and fight till the end...get media involved, and just keep fighting!!!! This is just crazy. We all are in a daze because we can not beleive that we (MAA) are being treated like this AGAIN!!!! Is this for real? How do these people sleep at night? I feel like I am in a nightmare and can't wake up!!
hp_fa
Veteran
- Feb 19, 2004
- 3,290
- 178
Scope clauses have been negotiated by the Company with both East and West pilots and f/a's that list which tail numbers belong to East and which tail numbers belong to West until the Ops are placed under a single FAA Operating Certificate. There are also differences in each airline's procedures that need to be standardized. So, for another 1-3 years there can be no mixing of the flight crews.
jec9
Member
http://www.afausairways.org/Eline/jan23_06.htm
Message From Your MEC President
PRESIDENT'S LETTER
The US Airways/America West AFA Transition Agreement with the company provides for job opportunities at America West for Involuntary Furloughed US Airways Flight Attendants. Recent rumorsand internet chat room postings about those job opportunities have caused me to write this letter and set the record straight.
This is not a recall but a job opportunity at America West under the America West AFA collective bargaining agreement. We have two separate agreements with separate pay scales and working conditions that will remain until we have a merged agreement. Plain and simple - This was about America West hiring our furloughed flight attendants rather than hiring off the street.
Transition Agreement negotiations began between the US Airways and America West AFA groups and the company in September, 2005. We were told at the initial negotiating session that during the period of separate operations, before the operational integration of the two flight attendant groups, America West anticipated hiring as many as 250 flight attendants in 2006.
Although America West and US Airways are operating under the US Airways Group corporate umbrella, the carriers remain, in the eyes of the FAA, two completely separate operations with separate operating certificates. That fact and that fact alone requires anyone, new hires off the street or involuntary furloughed US Airways flight attendants hired by America West, to attend and complete the America West new hire training program. This WAS NOT a negotiable item as federal law dictates the training requirements for each airline operating under its own certificate. Furthermore as the two companies are operating separately they can use their own corporate rules and policies. The America West practice has been to not pay for lodging or training pay but provide only a small stipend. We tried to change that in negotiations but we were only successful in getting paid training and the stipend.
It was the company's position that rather than hire off the street job opportunities should be offered to involuntary furloughed US Airways flight attendants. The company also took the position those accepting positions at America West should be able to utilize their US Airways longevity for pay and benefits. The company also proposed that MidAtlantic flight attendants be frozen at MidAtlantic for up to 18 months thus potentially missing an opportunity for a job at America West. The US Airways MEC strongly believed that before ANY hiring occur off the street the involuntary furloughed US Airways flight attendants, including those at MidAtlantic, be offered the positions at America West. It was also the position of the US Airways MEC to negotiate a mechanism for those accepting these positions to regain their seniority upon operational flight attendant integration if they had been offered a recall to US Airways without having to leave PHX in order to do so.
As you might expect there was resistance from the America West AFA MEC not to allow the use of US Airways longevity, or for anyone accepting a position at America West to ever recapture seniority if they remained in PHX. Naturally the America West MEC was seeking as many protections as possible for their membership. In fact, as negotiations dragged on the company offered to remove the longevity for pay and benefits provision in order to secure an agreement. Our position was clear from the beginning; secure a Transition Agreement that was consistent with our previous mergers with respect to post integration fences and to secure as many new jobs as possible for our members disadvantaged by the downsizing of US Airways and the elimination of MidAtlantic.
The terms of the Transition Agreement with respect to the hiring of involuntary furloughed flight attendants into positions at America West was not a trade off in any way. It was the desire of the MEC and the negotiating committee to have the jobs at America West made available to as many of our members as possible. Faced with a company that at any moment could have decided to simply hire off the street we negotiated as hard as we could to get as much as we could for our members. By - 1. securing pay for training, 2. no waiting period for health care benefits, 3. a mechanism for seniority integration for those accepting positions in PHX and 4. no freeze for MidAtlantic flight attendants, - I believe we have done that.
Some active members have asked why an involuntary furloughed flight attendant should be able to go to PHX when there are active members who desire to transfer now. The simple answer is the two company's are operating separately and there is no legal way for that to happen until the airlines are operating with one operating certificate. This is no different than any of our previous mergers, and just as in our other mergers - there will be no post operational integration fence prohibiting transfers to any base per our contract once the two carriers are under one certificate and operational flight attendant integration occurs.
Certainly the decision to go to America West is a difficult one and one that needs to be made in a very short time. Our goal was to get as many of our furloughed members back to work and I believe we have negotiated that opportunity. The USA MEC after careful consideration and in full knowledge of the complete negotiating process and strategy ratified the Transition Agreement unanimously.
On a personal note, rumors or Internet chat speculating about my personal beliefs or motives during these negotiations are both false and unfounded.
I urge you to contact me directly with your concerns or questions.
Thank you,
Mike Flores, President
[email protected]
The US Airways Master Executive Council
http://www.afausairways.org/Eline/jan23_06.htm
Message From Your MEC President
PRESIDENT'S LETTER
The US Airways/America West AFA Transition Agreement with the company provides for job opportunities at America West for Involuntary Furloughed US Airways Flight Attendants. Recent rumorsand internet chat room postings about those job opportunities have caused me to write this letter and set the record straight.
This is not a recall but a job opportunity at America West under the America West AFA collective bargaining agreement. We have two separate agreements with separate pay scales and working conditions that will remain until we have a merged agreement. Plain and simple - This was about America West hiring our furloughed flight attendants rather than hiring off the street.
Transition Agreement negotiations began between the US Airways and America West AFA groups and the company in September, 2005. We were told at the initial negotiating session that during the period of separate operations, before the operational integration of the two flight attendant groups, America West anticipated hiring as many as 250 flight attendants in 2006.
Although America West and US Airways are operating under the US Airways Group corporate umbrella, the carriers remain, in the eyes of the FAA, two completely separate operations with separate operating certificates. That fact and that fact alone requires anyone, new hires off the street or involuntary furloughed US Airways flight attendants hired by America West, to attend and complete the America West new hire training program. This WAS NOT a negotiable item as federal law dictates the training requirements for each airline operating under its own certificate. Furthermore as the two companies are operating separately they can use their own corporate rules and policies. The America West practice has been to not pay for lodging or training pay but provide only a small stipend. We tried to change that in negotiations but we were only successful in getting paid training and the stipend.
It was the company's position that rather than hire off the street job opportunities should be offered to involuntary furloughed US Airways flight attendants. The company also took the position those accepting positions at America West should be able to utilize their US Airways longevity for pay and benefits. The company also proposed that MidAtlantic flight attendants be frozen at MidAtlantic for up to 18 months thus potentially missing an opportunity for a job at America West. The US Airways MEC strongly believed that before ANY hiring occur off the street the involuntary furloughed US Airways flight attendants, including those at MidAtlantic, be offered the positions at America West. It was also the position of the US Airways MEC to negotiate a mechanism for those accepting these positions to regain their seniority upon operational flight attendant integration if they had been offered a recall to US Airways without having to leave PHX in order to do so.
As you might expect there was resistance from the America West AFA MEC not to allow the use of US Airways longevity, or for anyone accepting a position at America West to ever recapture seniority if they remained in PHX. Naturally the America West MEC was seeking as many protections as possible for their membership. In fact, as negotiations dragged on the company offered to remove the longevity for pay and benefits provision in order to secure an agreement. Our position was clear from the beginning; secure a Transition Agreement that was consistent with our previous mergers with respect to post integration fences and to secure as many new jobs as possible for our members disadvantaged by the downsizing of US Airways and the elimination of MidAtlantic.
The terms of the Transition Agreement with respect to the hiring of involuntary furloughed flight attendants into positions at America West was not a trade off in any way. It was the desire of the MEC and the negotiating committee to have the jobs at America West made available to as many of our members as possible. Faced with a company that at any moment could have decided to simply hire off the street we negotiated as hard as we could to get as much as we could for our members. By - 1. securing pay for training, 2. no waiting period for health care benefits, 3. a mechanism for seniority integration for those accepting positions in PHX and 4. no freeze for MidAtlantic flight attendants, - I believe we have done that.
Some active members have asked why an involuntary furloughed flight attendant should be able to go to PHX when there are active members who desire to transfer now. The simple answer is the two company's are operating separately and there is no legal way for that to happen until the airlines are operating with one operating certificate. This is no different than any of our previous mergers, and just as in our other mergers - there will be no post operational integration fence prohibiting transfers to any base per our contract once the two carriers are under one certificate and operational flight attendant integration occurs.
Certainly the decision to go to America West is a difficult one and one that needs to be made in a very short time. Our goal was to get as many of our furloughed members back to work and I believe we have negotiated that opportunity. The USA MEC after careful consideration and in full knowledge of the complete negotiating process and strategy ratified the Transition Agreement unanimously.
On a personal note, rumors or Internet chat speculating about my personal beliefs or motives during these negotiations are both false and unfounded.
I urge you to contact me directly with your concerns or questions.
Thank you,
Mike Flores, President
[email protected]
The US Airways Master Executive Council
http://www.afausairways.org/Eline/jan23_06.htm
jec9
Member
... ahh stuff happens.
But I am wondering what is going on in the background that generated this reply from Mike.
SegmentKing
Veteran
I've heard that an agent in one of the cities served by MDA has a fully furnished house for rent in PHX... will post more info as it comes along.
Because of Chapter 11 reorganization, mgmnt is able to 'get out of' aircraft leases at old USAirways. That is why more East a/c are being parked.
West is still obligated to its leases.
Also, West mgmnt and employees have worked hard over the past several years to turn our operation and attitude around, and we have been successful. Demand for our product out west (and east) has continued to grow. It took a few years of tinkering with yields and loads and costs, etc., but Doug and his team pretty much got it figgered out. We are on a growth cycle. Small, slow growth, but still...(not counting the 'merger', of course, which tripled our size)
I've seen so many posts I'd like to respond to on this thread. Jeez, I go away for one 4day trip...
However, I will just second whoever said there are prob many PHX FAs who would be willing to rent a room, etc.
Interested parties should go upstairs above B4 to the mail room and breakroom to find numerous postings for rooms, as well as uniforms for sale.
I, myself, have female uniform pieces in sizes 12,14,16 I can offer complimentary to any Eastie accepting a position at HP.
I stopped at the training center this morning, (my first time there since its been renamed and resigned to say US Airways, and that was strange)
Our LEC has set up a room there with gently used and new donated uniform pieces. They are sold off the rack at greatly reduced prices, and the proceeds go to fund the Pegasus Project.
I have been losing weight, and need smaller sizes, and was able to get a new skirt with the tag still on for $15.
There was a pretty good selection and range of sizes for both men and women, both new and used.
I would think that the aviator shirts we both use are universal.
Now, as far as somone else being able to 'negotiate a better deal' than Mike Flores?
Keep dreaming. There weren't no 'negotiating'. We got what Doogie was willing to give us and not a penny more.
Others have already zeroed in on the fact that he dosen't need to negotiate jack. If we don't like it, he'll hire off the street.
I'm begging you guys and gals, keep your eye on the single contract. Thats whats gonna count in the long run. Don't let yourself be distracted and played by mgmnt.
AstroLounge
Veteran
- Oct 10, 2005
- 1,491
- 213
Let's just Hope T-H-E-Y Do!
Paddle,Paddle...right/left/right.....Don't stand in the boat!
BajaBabe
Veteran
- Aug 9, 2005
- 504
- 7
Listen folks this is sooo simple to decipher Stevie Wonder could read it and understand.
Mike Flores, Laura Albert & Terry Graf have set the stage to protect the senior most F/A's at the expense of MDA and the junior F/A's.
I'm a customer with little knowledge all of the minutia of AFA politics. But if I can spot the excrement then so should you.
Seems the AFA has a Mr. Ben Dover in charge of negotiations.
To all of the juniora and furloughed how does it feel to be thrown under the buss by those you've paid dues to for all these years?
I have no idea what Piney Bob is talking about. I have never discussed my thoughts on the junior senior disparity at USAirways. The reserve flight attendants are at their wits end as well they should be. They are displaced to Philadelphia and sit on reserve for 4 days never to break there minimum guarantee. I would never promote a system that was so caustic. As far as being in negotiations I am not and no one asks for my opinion. So when Mollie Mc Carthy recalled me from the negotiating committee after restructure number 1, I said if you think you can do a better job you certainly have the votes. The rest is history.
**Edited to merge posts only.**
PITbull
Veteran
- Dec 29, 2002
- 7,784
- 456
Baja,
Pretty fluzy excuse to use MOllie. She was no where near these negotiations but on a furlough herself. What we have here is folks that are either "self-serving" or have no experience negotiating with this manamgement. That is exactly what we have here.
Mollie McCarthy has nothing to do with this negotiating committee. If you were in negotiations Concession #1 in 2002, and I think i know who you are...YOU SUCKED!
As far as this TEAM who is negotiating the Transition agreement with regard to the Furloughees, you can not place any blame on the WEST-MEC. The issues lay with the MECP, Mike and Carol who should have been looking out for the INVOLS and ensuring that being "recalled" to the West would be an opportunity not a financial catastrophy for these folks.
MIke didn't use the media to his advantage on this one. And he will make every excuse known to mankind on saying the company wouldn't budge and this was the only opportunity to bring back furloughees for those who wanted to come back. We are NOT in concession bargaining and we are NOT in bankruptcy. This managmnet found money to give thier execs huge increases. No excuse to place these kinds of financial burdens on the front line employees.
LAME!!!
If I were at the table, I would be recalling their butts in this next MEC meeting.
Pretty fluzy excuse to use MOllie. She was no where near these negotiations but on a furlough herself. What we have here is folks that are either "self-serving" or have no experience negotiating with this manamgement. That is exactly what we have here.
Mollie McCarthy has nothing to do with this negotiating committee. If you were in negotiations Concession #1 in 2002, and I think i know who you are...YOU SUCKED!
As far as this TEAM who is negotiating the Transition agreement with regard to the Furloughees, you can not place any blame on the WEST-MEC. The issues lay with the MECP, Mike and Carol who should have been looking out for the INVOLS and ensuring that being "recalled" to the West would be an opportunity not a financial catastrophy for these folks.
MIke didn't use the media to his advantage on this one. And he will make every excuse known to mankind on saying the company wouldn't budge and this was the only opportunity to bring back furloughees for those who wanted to come back. We are NOT in concession bargaining and we are NOT in bankruptcy. This managmnet found money to give thier execs huge increases. No excuse to place these kinds of financial burdens on the front line employees.
LAME!!!
If I were at the table, I would be recalling their butts in this next MEC meeting.
RowUnderDCA
Veteran
- Oct 6, 2002
- 2,123
- 1
hmm.... the Flores letter sounds sincere, reasonable and convincing to me.
