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July 3 ,2007
ASSOCIATED PRESS
PHOENIX
US Airways pilots say internal squabbles over seniority are ruining a chance for better pay and benefits.
The battle stems from efforts by the Tempe, Ariz.-based airline to merge its work force with America West Airlines following its acquisition of the former US Airways in 2005. US Airways has its largest hub in Charlotte, N.C.
The unions thrown together have fought over which pilot group should get more seniority. Internal frustrations peaked last week when the former US Airways union sued its counterpart at America West to overturn an arbitrator's ruling on the issue.
"You have to understand that US Airways pilots already have lived through five mergers," said Arnie Gentile, a pilot and spokesman for the union representing US Airways pilots.
The newly written seniority code "devastates our pilots. And we need to do something about it," Gentile said.
The unions acknowledge that the dispute has diverted both their attention and finances and makes it hard to approach management as a unified group.
America West pilots say the US Airways pilots are posturing.
"They're trying to do something to show pilots how tough they are," said Tania Bziukiewicz, a pilot and spokeswoman for America West pilots. "But it's completely destroyed the unity that we've had."
Pilots for each of the airlines have been operating under separate contracts, but they joined forces almost two years ago in hopes of negotiating a single deal for better salary and benefits. They picketed together and criticized CEO Doug Parker in unison when he vowed union contracts would be "cost neutral."
That cooperation began to unravel in May, however, when an arbitrator combined union seniority lists. Seniority dictates everything from whether pilots have to work on holidays or weekends to what kind of planes they fly.
"If you're more senior, you can be home more," Bziukiewicz said. "You can be home for Christmas."
US Airways pilots complained that the arbitrator gave America West pilots a windfall that violated rules set by the national union, the Air Line Pilots Association, International. Under the arbitrator's ruling, US Airways pilots with 17 years of active service were treated worse than rookie America West pilots, Gentile said.
In protest, the former US Airways pilots snubbed union pickets in May meant to pressure management for a better contract.
Gentile said that some pilots are now talking about leaving the union altogether and forming a new collective-bargaining group.
Bziukiewicz said if pilots want better pay and benefits, they need to stop fighting each other and focus on airline management.
"The company is sitting back watching one side completely destroy the other," she said.
Meanwhile, US Airways is standing by its current offer of pay increases ranging from 3 percent to 17 percent, depending on the original airline. America West pilots have higher salaries, on average, and the offer is designed to create a single pay scale.
"We would prefer to see the process progress more quickly, but we know that this is an extremely important issue for our pilots and understand their need to pursue all available paths to resolution," the company said in a statement.
The pilots remain unified on one thing. They are all unsatisfied with the airlines' offer.
US Airways shares rose $2.16, or 7 percent, to $32.86 today.
July 3 ,2007
ASSOCIATED PRESS
PHOENIX
US Airways pilots say internal squabbles over seniority are ruining a chance for better pay and benefits.
The battle stems from efforts by the Tempe, Ariz.-based airline to merge its work force with America West Airlines following its acquisition of the former US Airways in 2005. US Airways has its largest hub in Charlotte, N.C.
The unions thrown together have fought over which pilot group should get more seniority. Internal frustrations peaked last week when the former US Airways union sued its counterpart at America West to overturn an arbitrator's ruling on the issue.
"You have to understand that US Airways pilots already have lived through five mergers," said Arnie Gentile, a pilot and spokesman for the union representing US Airways pilots.
The newly written seniority code "devastates our pilots. And we need to do something about it," Gentile said.
The unions acknowledge that the dispute has diverted both their attention and finances and makes it hard to approach management as a unified group.
America West pilots say the US Airways pilots are posturing.
"They're trying to do something to show pilots how tough they are," said Tania Bziukiewicz, a pilot and spokeswoman for America West pilots. "But it's completely destroyed the unity that we've had."
Pilots for each of the airlines have been operating under separate contracts, but they joined forces almost two years ago in hopes of negotiating a single deal for better salary and benefits. They picketed together and criticized CEO Doug Parker in unison when he vowed union contracts would be "cost neutral."
That cooperation began to unravel in May, however, when an arbitrator combined union seniority lists. Seniority dictates everything from whether pilots have to work on holidays or weekends to what kind of planes they fly.
"If you're more senior, you can be home more," Bziukiewicz said. "You can be home for Christmas."
US Airways pilots complained that the arbitrator gave America West pilots a windfall that violated rules set by the national union, the Air Line Pilots Association, International. Under the arbitrator's ruling, US Airways pilots with 17 years of active service were treated worse than rookie America West pilots, Gentile said.
In protest, the former US Airways pilots snubbed union pickets in May meant to pressure management for a better contract.
Gentile said that some pilots are now talking about leaving the union altogether and forming a new collective-bargaining group.
Bziukiewicz said if pilots want better pay and benefits, they need to stop fighting each other and focus on airline management.
"The company is sitting back watching one side completely destroy the other," she said.
Meanwhile, US Airways is standing by its current offer of pay increases ranging from 3 percent to 17 percent, depending on the original airline. America West pilots have higher salaries, on average, and the offer is designed to create a single pay scale.
"We would prefer to see the process progress more quickly, but we know that this is an extremely important issue for our pilots and understand their need to pursue all available paths to resolution," the company said in a statement.
The pilots remain unified on one thing. They are all unsatisfied with the airlines' offer.
US Airways shares rose $2.16, or 7 percent, to $32.86 today.
