This is directly from the CWA PHL Local website... its not bogus
July 27
The packets started coming out today..dates are: full time up to Aug 88 and part time up to Apr 5, 99. The packets were released at 10:30am today, and will be available all day tomorrow as well.
Good News…as hard as the co. tried not to (making extra payments to Gov’t loan), they still posted a profit of $34,000,000.00 That’s right 34 million…
Since we are being compared to America West, let’s look at 1 more comparison: We are currently 3 times the size of America West, but posted 7 times the profit…Hmmm
Great News?..Not if you ask CEO Lakefield, who calls attention to possible year end losses, wonder why he’s not excited that we finally made money, oh yeah..the negotiations. Jet Blue’s, Air Trans, and Southwest’s earnings were all down below forecast, and ours went up…I can see why he’s upset.
Speaking of negotiations we met with Al Hemmenway today with a pocket full of cost saving ideas, none of which he had the slightest interest in.
The co’s latest plans are;
Wages in the $13.50 range, savings per full timer of $14,688 per year
1.5 days earned per year toward vacation and sick = 2 weeks plus 4 sick days
Contract out any job that would save them money
Fly as many mainline flts into express cities as they want (limit is 2 now)
We do not consider this negotiating in good faith as they are simply telling us this is what we will do. This will not go to vote!
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July 26, 2004
On Fri evening, we were advise that there was to be a layoff, with packets coming out Monday, We got the best handle on the numbers we could. Every time we turned around, things were changing, as we tried to clarify all the info over a weekend, not an easy task.
On Saturday, I tried to meat with as many people as I could at the airport, and on Sunday I did get over to Transatlantic and baggage claim, Sorry “F†terminal, I just couldn’t get over there in the time allotted.
As most of you know, we were given preliminary numbers, as well as preliminary info, all of which is still up in the air because I just spent 8 hours at the airport on Monday to assist with info for our members during the delivery of packets. We handed out none. Seems they were in such a hurry to lay us off, they hadn’t quite finished the MDA package negotiations. Carol will be there Tuesday AM to assist if the packets do get out. We could not put out packets that did not have clear and concise information, and expect you to make such important decisions. Do we know they will be ready Tuesday AM, NO…we will have to wait and see, but we were promised they won’t be handed out until they are complete.
As for details, remember, these can change by the minute.
1. We are expecting to see full time packets up to around August of ‘88
2. There are currently 25 open lines in part time (newly created)
3. There are around 73 full time packets going out, and 47 part time packets
4. We currently have about 220 full time agents, to be reduced by 73 to around 147
5. We currently have about 170 part-time agents, to be increased by 25 to 195
6. We will suffer a net loss in the neighborhood of 50 employees
7. The packets will be due back Mon, Aug 2, and results are due Mon, Aug 9
8. As of now, we are told that the gate scanners MAY not be ready by Sep. 13
9. The packet specifies dates and numbers can change due to operational need (scanners)
10. All areas of this packet mirror past packets, with the exception of MDA as a choice.
11. You still get Severance, 1 week pay for each year worked, capped at 15 for full time, 10 for part time even if you were to go to MDA, that is still a separation from USAirways
12. We are being told that there is a 13 week extension in unemployment for airline employees, this needs to be confirmed thru unemployment
13. We do not see a problem with getting unemployment if you turn down a job at MDA, but this needs to be confirmed thru unemployment, but it should be no different than turning down part-time and still collecting.
14. MDA wages top out at 13.50/hr, but if you have less than 14 years,(their top-out) you would slide into their wage scale
15. MDA benefits cost around the same as ours now, but you will be making significantly less money to pay for them, and they will cover much less, your out of pocket expenses will go up, read the benefits portion of the packet carefully
We hope this info helps, please contact the unemployment office with specific questions, if you have questions not answered her, I will be in the union hall Tuesday 610-583-2260 and at the airport for awhile Tuesday, and I will be at the airport most of the day Wed. where they are handing out packets. Carol will be at the airport all day Tuesday.