Tag Archives: allied pilots association

Will American Airlines’ pilots go back to the negotiating table?

American Airlines‘ (Dallas/Fort Worth) management, according to this report by Reuters, are now prepared to go back to the negotiating table with the Allied Pilots Association representing AA’s pilots. The union leaders will meet tomorrow to discuss their next move in the on-going dispute.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough. Boeing 737-823 N951AA (msn 29538) in the 1962 Astrojet retrojet scheme lines up to land at Miami International Airport (MIA). MIA will be the location of a new TV reality show on the Travel Channel called Airport 24/7 – Miami International Airport. The new show starts on October 2. Meet the airport stars. Below is a sneak video preview:

Video:

American Airlines:

Allied Pilots Association issues the following statement regarding delays at American Airlines due to maintenance items

The Allied Pilots Association (APA), certified collective bargaining agent for the 10,000 pilots of American Airlines, issued the following response regarding recent media reports that pilots were disrupting flight schedules with trivial maintenance requests.

“American Airlines pilots are trained professionals who are responsible for flying their passengers safely around the world every day. The list of unresolved maintenance issues grows every day on each of the aging aircraft we operate, and we can’t ignore serious maintenance issues that could easily turn into safety risks. Our pilots will not compromise safety, ever,” said APA President Keith Wilson.

“American Airlines chose to reject our contract and the operational procedures and protections that go with it. Understandably, our pilots are taking a prudent and cautious approach in their operational decision-making process,” Wilson added.

Here’s a sampling of the substantive maintenance-related issues our pilots have documented in the past several days:

A left engine generator failed in flight
An aircraft sustained a lightning strike
The ground proximity warning system failed in flight
A partial flight control failure
Weather radar test inoperative
A fuel leak on right wing main tank
The left landing light was damaged
A wind shear warning failure
A brake anti-skid failure
The engine start valve failed to close

“During the past year, American Airlines has sustained record FAA fines totaling $162 million for improper aircraft maintenance procedures, a strong indication that management’s maintenance practices have raised concerns with regulators,” Wilson noted. “In addition, companies that own and lease American Airlines aircraft have formally complained to the bankruptcy court that AA management has neglected to perform routine maintenance on their aircraft.

“The maintenance situation is not going to get any better any time soon, since management announced plans to outsource many maintenance operations,” Wilson said. “When maintenance operations are shipped overseas, quality control and FAA oversight only become more difficult.”

American’s pilots to picket today at Chicago O’Hare

Allied Pilots Association (APA), representing the 10,000 pilots who fly for American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth), will be picketing today (September 20) to “signify American Airlines pilots’ determination to secure a contract commensurate with their status as professional aviators for a major U.S. carrier”.

The 16 members of the APA Board of Directors will also participate in the rally, along with rank-and-file pilots from American Airlines’ Chicago base and other locations.

The picketing will be conducted between Terminals 2 and 3 on the outside connecting sidewalk at O’Hare International Airport.

According to the union, “American Airlines management recently received bankruptcy court approval to reject the APA-American Airlines Collective Bargaining Agreement. Management is now unilaterally implementing new terms of employment that adversely affect pilots’ working conditions, compensation and retirement security. APA believes management is using Chapter 11 bankruptcy to extract far more value from the pilots than what’s needed to successfully restructure American Airlines.”

In addition, the APA issued the following statement today:

The Allied Pilots Association (APA), certified collective bargaining agent for the 10,000 pilots of American Airlines, issued the following prepared statement in response to recent reports alleging a decline in the airline’s operational performance:

“First of all, there is no job action of any sort that is organized, supported or sanctioned by the Allied Pilots Association.

“APA independently tracks the airline’s operational performance. We have verified that pilot sick rates have not deviated from normal historical rates. We have likewise verified that crew cancellations remain at normal rates.

“One area of increased operational unreliability we have observed is in mechanical delays, which isn’t surprising. Although American Airlines operates the oldest fleet of any major U.S. carrier, management has decided to furlough a large number of mechanics and close one of its largest maintenance facilities. Management also decided some time ago to reduce its inventory of spare parts.

“In addition, management halted the recalls of furloughed pilots late last year, which has resulted in an insufficient number of pilots to maintain the schedule properly.

“It’s also important to remember that management chose to reject the APA-American Airlines Collective Bargaining Agreement, which served as an operating manual for our pilots. Management’s action has generated significant uncertainty for our pilots with respect to employment protections and operating rules, which are now under management’s unilateral control.

“APA members are experienced professionals who conduct themselves as professionals under whatever circumstances they encounter. Any negative impact on our airline’s operational integrity is of management’s own making.”

American Airlines:

Bankruptcy judge rules AMR can void the American Airlines pilot’s contract

AMR Corporation (American Airlines) (Dallas/Fort Worth) now has what it has wanted. Bankruptcy Court Judge Lane has issued his decision which now permits AMR and American Airlines to unilaterally void its contract with its pilots, represented by the Allied Pilots Association. AMR has stated it needs labor stability and around 20 percent lower costs to emerge from its Chapter 11 reorganization. Who now will make the next move?

Read the full report from Reuters: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Boeing 777-223 ER N756AM (msn 30264) climbs away from Los Angeles International Airport.

American Airlines:

American’s pilots are talking with the US Airways’ pilots about a transitional labor agreement

American Airlines‘ (Dallas/Fort Worth) pilots, represented by the Allied Pilots Association (APA), have been meeting with the pilots of US Airways (Phoenix) and CEO Doug Parker about a transitional labor agreement and also about possible airline consolidation between the two carriers according to this article by the Tulsa World. The APA pilots are united in their opposition against American CEO Tom Horton. The pilots of American are the last labor group holding out against a new labor agreement and are threatening to strike if their current contract is voided by the bankruptcy court. The judge is due to rule on September 4.

Read the full article: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Boeing 777-223 ER N791AN (msn 30254) of American Airlines in the Oneworld motif climbs away from the runway at Los Angeles International Airport.

American Slide Show:

US Airways Slide Show:

American’s pilots now stand alone, the flight attendants accept AA’s final contract offer

American Airlines‘ (Dallas/Fort Worth) pilots, represented by the Allied Pilots Association (APA), now stand alone in their current contract dispute with the AMR Corporation. American Airlines’ flight attendants have accepted the last and final contract offer, leaving only the pilots. According to this report by Reuters, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants said in a statement that the vote was 59 to 52 percent in favor of the offer. AMR is seeking bankruptcy court approval to void the current contract with the pilots who overwhelmingly voted down the last offer.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

American:

American addresses bankruptcy judge’s concerns, makes a new push to void the pilot’s contract

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) through the AMR Corporation has listened to the concerns of bankruptcy court judge Sean Lane and revised its motion accordingly. AMR is now making a new effort to seek bankruptcy court approval to void the collective bargaining contract with its pilots through the Allied Pilots Association (APA) according to this report by Reuters.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Meanwhile, the creditors committee (after being briefed by AMR) urged both the pilots and the flight attendants to quickly reach a new agreement with management rather than take the consequences of a voided contract. The creditors told the unions AMR cannot sweeten the deal already tentatively agreed by management and union leadership. The pilot membership voted down the recent tentative agreement. APA’s president resigned after the members voted down this agreement.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

American:

Bankruptcy court judge denies American’s request to void the pilot’s current contract

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) through the bankrupt AMR Corporation has received a setback in its efforts to impose a lower cost base contract for its pilots, represented by the Allied Pilots Association (APA). According to this report by Reuters, the bankruptcy court judge Sean Lane has denied management’s request to void the current collective bargaining contract with the pilots. Previously the pilots rejected an interim contract that would have lowered wages and benefits.

APA sees this ruling as a victory. AMR can now amend the motion or go back to the negotiating table with the union.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Boeing 737-823 N973AN (msn 29548) climbs away from the runway at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

American Airlines:

American Airlines’ pilots reject the tentative contract by 61%

American Airlines‘ (Dallas/Fort Worth) 7,500 pilots, represented by the Allied Pilots Association (APA), have rejected by a 61 percent vote, to disapprove the latest tentative contract. American stated it was disappointed by the vote and will now ask the bankruptcy court to impose harsher terms for its pilots.

Meanwhile AA’s flight attendants are voting on a tentative agreement through August 19.

Read the full account in the Washington Post: CLICK HERE

American Airlines:

US Airways’ CEO Doug Parker makes his case for a merger with American Airlines before the National Press Club

US Airways Group, Inc. (Phoenix) announced its Chairman and CEO Doug Parker presented at yesterday’s (July 18) National Press Club Luncheon in Washington, D.C. Mr. Parker discussed the current state of the airline industry, the positive impact of mergers for the industry and the benefits of a merger between US Airways and American Airlines. Mr. Parker was joined at the head table at the National Press Club by the leadership of American Airlines’ three unions, representing 55,000 American Airlines employees: Captain David Bates, President of the Allied Pilots Association; Laura Glading, President of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants; and John Conley, International Vice President and Assistant to the International President, Jim C. Little, of the Transport Workers Union.

Mr. Parker discussed the benefits of mergers in the industry. He noted how mergers have benefited United and Continental, Delta and Northwest, Southwest and AirTran, and America West and US Airways. In addition, Mr. Parker pointed out that there are real advantages to combining airlines for employees, customers and communities:

“All four combined airlines provide better networks and are now profitable. By combining complementary networks to provide more attractive and efficient service, mergers have led to increased traffic, cost reductions, and vigorous competition … The benefits of this trend extend way past the bottom line: there are real advantages to combining airlines for employees, customers and communities. Employees will benefit from greater job security and more long-term opportunities if they’re working for a successful airline. Customers will gain more flight options at better times to more places. And whenever two airlines combine, they open the communities that they serve to many more new travelers.”

Mr. Parker outlined the fundamental network challenges that stem from American Airlines’ “cornerstone” strategy, which focuses on five large cities instead of a comprehensive network. Mr. Parker described how American Airlines has lost market share across the United States and why the cornerstone strategy does not address the network deficiencies of American Airlines versus United and Delta:

“Simply put, American has hubs in Dallas, Chicago and Los Angeles to connect people around the United States, and strong international gateways in both JFK and Miami. But that leaves a large hole in the network up and down the East Coast. This means American cannot easily serve the popular and highly lucrative East Coast region, which causes it to miss out on an enormous source of corporate business, as well as all the consumers who travel up and down the Eastern seaboard.”

Mr. Parker explained how a merger with US Airways solves American Airlines’ network challenges and creates a more comprehensive network. In particular, he noted that the networks are complementary and combining them would result in significant benefits to all stakeholders, including customers, communities, US Airways shareholders, American Airlines creditors and employees:

“A combination with US Airways would create such a network. We’ve taken a long, hard look at American, and we know that together we can build the greatest airline in the world—an airline that can compete more effectively with the networks of United, Delta and others. Together, American and US Airways can connect more communities and provide greater benefits for American’s creditors and US Airways’ shareholders than either airline could on a standalone basis. Furthermore, we would also save thousands of jobs and offer better compensation and long-term opportunities for employees of both airlines.”

Mr. Parker highlighted American Airlines’ merger protocol, which American Airlines recently announced it was ready to move forward with, and reiterated his desire to present US Airways’ plan to American Airlines:

“All that we want is a fair chance to present our plan, and to compare it to all others in a process that doesn’t disadvantage any of the options, and that determines the best plan based on what is best for the owners of AMR—its creditors. We understand there may be as many as four other airlines included in this merger analysis project, and we welcome the competition. We are certain that any objective analysis will conclude that the best plan for the creditors, employees and customers of American is a merger with US Airways during the bankruptcy process.”

Mr. Parker praised the efforts of American Airlines’ three unions – the Allied Pilots Association, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants and the Transport Workers Union – to support the merger:

“The decision by those labor leaders to come out in support of a merger was an unprecedented move on their part, and I think is one of the great untold stories of this process so far. Some people improperly characterize their support as being driven by US Airways’ willingness to pay their members more. But as they will tell you, the gap between our proposals and American’s is not very large. Their support is not driven by short-term gains, but rather by the fact they have taken the time to study the long term strategic underpinnings of each plan. They have hired advisors to help them and they have listened and led. In the end, they have supported this merger because they understand the best thing for their members is a strong, competitive merged airline with a long-term strategic advantage.

The employees of American Airlines are lucky to have these forward-thinking leaders representing them and I’m proud to be working with them.”

A replay of the webcast is available at http://www.press.org/events/npc-luncheon-doug-parker-ceo-us-airways. A copy of Mr. Parker’s speech, as prepared, is available athttp://www.usairways.com/en-US/aboutus/investorrelations/webcast.html.

Copyright Photo: Jay Selman. US Airways has become what it is today through mergers of several local service airlines including Piedmont Airlines. The company honors its colorful past with its legacy logojets. Airbus A319-112 N744P climbs aways from the Charlotte hub dressed in Piedmont Airlines 1974 color scheme.

US Airways: