PHOENIX, May 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The pilots of the new US Airways will picket today at the Las Vegas McCarran International Airport as part of their Operation Rolling Thunder campaign to bring their fight for a fair contract to the traveling public. The America West and US Airways pilots, who are both represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA), are outraged that management continues to cash in on the sacrifices they made to ensure the viability of their airline following the 9/11 tragedy while providing them with substandard wage and benefit proposals at the bargaining table.
Running two separate operations has caused numerous difficulties for the employees and the passengers traveling on US Airways. Reaching a fair, single contract with the pilots would be a significant step toward merging the two airlines and eliminating many of the operational problems. From the beginning, the pilots made it clear to management that they would not subsidize the merger, yet management has refused to listen. Management recently passed their first comprehensive economic proposal to the pilots, and while it contained a meager pay raise, it would have put much of the financial burden of the merger on the pilots.
"US Airways management's inability to recognize their failed strategy at the negotiations table continues to upset our pilots," said Captain John McIlvenna, America West MEC Chairman. "Gone are the days in which we negotiated a contract with severe government loan restrictions. We are part of the new US Airways, and as such, it's time that our contributions and sacrifices for our airline's financial success should be recognized at the bargaining table."
The pilots' Operation Rolling Thunder campaign kicked off earlier this week at the Los Angeles International Airport with more than 60 pilots demonstrating their frustrations. Approximately 150 pilots demonstrated at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on May 24, and the campaign concludes today with picketing in Las Vegas where many passengers are traveling for the Memorial Day holiday. Pilots also handed out leaflets to the traveling public and a mobile billboard with the message, "US Airways Management's Fairy Tales are Passengers' Nightmares," circled the airport.
US Airways' financial success is undeniable. After the merger of America West and US Airways, the airline quickly became prosperous, posting an operating profit of $507 million in 2006. US Airways CEO Doug Parker received $14.4 million in compensation and benefits for 2006 and was also the highest- paid airline CEO in 2005.
The America West Airlines collective bargaining agreement was amendable December 31, 2006, and the US Airways pilot collective bargaining agreement is amendable December 2009. Both the America West and US Airways pilot groups have been engaged in negotiations for a fair, single contract for more than 18 months.
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world's largest pilots union, representing 60,000 pilots at 40 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at http://www.alpa.org/.
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