Gate, Ramp Agents Ratify Contract With US Airways Subsidiary PSA Airlines

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Corn Field
Nov 11, 2003
37,637
19,369
NC
Press Release Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters


Gate, Ramp Agents Ratify Contract With US Airways Subsidiary PSA Airlines
Saturday December 16, 1:26 pm ET
Hourly Wages Raised, Health Premium Increases Capped

PITTSBURGH, Dec. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Approximately 450 gate and ramp agents at US Airways subsidiary PSA Airlines, Inc. voted yesterday in overwhelming support of a new, four-year contract with the airline. The agreement, to be fully implemented by year's end, caps health care costs and secures significant wage increases-such as improved overtime pay rates and up-to-23- percent raises in the contract's first year-for the workers.

"Our members are loyal to their airline and vital to its operations," said Charlie Byrnes, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 926 in Pittsburgh. "Now that US Airways is once again making millions, we knew PSA employees deserved a contract that was in line with industry standards."

Negotiated by Teamsters Local 926, the new agreement caps health care premium increases with an 80/20 airline/employee split. Also secured are holiday pay for part-time workers, shift scheduling protections, stronger grievance procedure language and an annual $50,000 bonus to be shared among the employees. Ratified by 95 percent of voting workers, the contract follows four years of negotiations hampered by US Airways' two bankruptcies.

"The improved earning power of this contract means significant improvements for the lives of workers and their families," Byrnes said. "We're delighted that this agreement will significantly improve members' take-home pay and benefits. We're glad our members could receive this good news in time for the holidays."

Several Pittsburgh-area churches pledged support to the PSA workers and their families as they endured a five-year wage freeze while their parent company weathered rocky financial times. Teamsters Local 783 in Louisville, Kentucky and the Teamsters Airline Division participated in the negotiations for the workers who are based in Pittsburgh; Louisville; Dayton, Ohio; Asheville, North Carolina and Johnson City, Tennessee.

Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States and Canada.
 
Congrats. I know you folks have been struggling for quite
awhile. I got to meet some of your people in Charlotte,
N.C. last month. They were quite passionate. I also
stopped by to chat with them in Pittsburgh when they were
handing out flyers. It was long overdue.

Good Luck
Jim Drummond
CWA Local3302
Pittsburgh
 

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