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CLT Council
89 Online News |
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USAIRWAYS MOTION FOR INTERIM RELIEF
As expected, US Airways filed a motion for “interim relief” under section 1113e of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code on Friday September 24, 2004. The motion filed seeks immediate cost reductions including a 23% pay cut. A court date has not been set but it is expected to be heard on either October 7 or October 14. The court can grant emergency interim relief if the court finds the relief is “essential” to the continuation of business. The Company claims high fuel prices and the upcoming slow travel season will further drain available cash balances below levels necessary for the Company to operate. The 23% pay cut asked of labor will result in a MONTHLY $38 million cost savings thus building cash reserves necessary to implement the Transformation Plan. In other words winter is coming and they are asking for our nuts. The Company says they will reduce management and administrative payroll by $40 million ANNUALLY.
While the cash position of the Company may not be in dispute, the allocation of the relief sought definitely is. If they are asking for a 23% wage cut it should apply to ALL management/administrative personnel as well as the labor groups.
Until the motion is heard no changes to our contract or pay can occur. AFA hopes to negotiate better terms with the Company regarding the 1113e motion. If we are unable to do so our attorneys will oppose the motion in court. If the Company prevails in Court, any short term relief granted will not necessarily be the same as any long term relief that can be subsequently negotiated. AFA is committed to negotiating a consensual agreement that will allow the Company to continue and minimizes the hardship to our members. We hope to reach an agreement with the Company rather than be subject to court imposed terms as bankruptcy court is not a friendly place for labor. At this point, neither is the negotiating table. We are acting in your best interest to preserve your job with terms you can live with.
I ask you again to continue to do your job safely and professionally. None of us in any way should or will contribute to the failure of this Company.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT CERTIFICATION
In the fall of 2003, Congress incorporated a flight attendant certification requirement under the Vision 100-Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (the Act). Although flight attendants perform safety- and security-related functions, they previously had never been certificated like pilots, mechanics, aircraft dispatchers, parachute riggers, and others. Congress acknowledged that flight attendants perform vital crewmember functions onboard air carrier aircraft, including emergency functions for aircraft evacuations, fire fighting, first aid, and response to security threats.
ALL Flight Attendants regardless of status (active, furloughed on leave) must complete a Flight Attendant Certification form by October 10, 2004. Unfortunately the Company has decided to make the form available only on theHub. The link below will take you to the necessary site.
http://thehub.usairways.com/divisions/operations/inflight/FACert/FACertInfo.htm
HURRICANE RELIEF
Charlotte Base Manager, Dave Whitworth asked me to include this request for help for the victims of the recent hurricanes in the Caribbean in my E-Line.
As you are aware, the recent string of hurricanes to pass through the Caribbean and Latin America region have left thousands without basic daily necessities and clothing. Hardest hit of these areas is Grenada.
In an effort to provide some relief to those in need, we are asking for your help. We are putting together care packages to send to those who are in desperate need of basic everyday items. (Many families lost everything - including their homes and personal belongings.) We will collect the items in locations throughout the Charlotte station and seek assistance in transporting them through Philadelphia to Barbados for Customs clearance and transport to Grenada. Some of the needed items are: children's clothing, non-perishable food items, tarps (to act as roofs) and generators (they must be brand new as a used generator can not be shipped).
If you can provide anything to help those in need, drop-off locations in Charlotte are as follows:
* In
the Non-Revenue Travel Office located behind the ticket counter
Thank you for your assistance and thoughtfulness as we help those who need it most.
David
Whitworth
Thank
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© Copyright 2004. Council 89 CLT AFA -CWA US Airways - Council89@afausairways.org |
