In frank and open discussions during internal meetings between Carol Austin, myself and our AWA counterparts it was indicated the America West membership desires long-term fence protection that would include little or no change to their relative seniority in Phoenix and furlough protection for those currently based in Phoenix. In other words both the America West management and the America West flight attendants want a merger but in effect don't want to merge. Both management and the AWA membership need to realize the combined airline is going to create a different dynamic than what currently exists at America West. The new airline will be stronger because of the combined "synergies" of the two carriers. The strong East Coast presence of US Airways that includes European and Caribbean markets will be combined with the predominately West Coast presence of America West to form a nationwide carrier with global reach. 

The reality is that once the planned operational merger is completed, sometime in 2007, Phoenix will become a part of the overall multi-base structure of the combined airline. The America West philosophy appears to be to isolate Phoenix and not have the members based there "exposed" to the same risk/reward as everyone else. By having some type of "Phoenix seniority advantage" (my term) and furlough protection they would enjoy the best of both worlds; being part of a stronger more viable carrier than presently in existence and not having to worry about anything bad happening to their seniority or their jobs. Language in both contracts governing the filling of vacancies, merger policies and furloughs exists to protect both memberships. We also do not believe that anyone currently working in Phoenix should be displaced by any of our involuntary furloughed flight attendants nor should there any "bumping" out of Phoenix. The America West leadership is under tremendous pressure from their membership. A large part of that pressure stems from fear of the unknown and rumors that the entire membership at US Airways has their "eye" on PHX. We have all been through this before and they have not. Our membership is more senior to theirs but that also would imply that our members will retire or otherwise leave the company at a higher rate than theirs. By nature this will create opportunities for America West members that they would not have had in the past.

The overall philosophy should be one company with one set of rules. The creation of different rules will divide the membership and cause problems that may prove to be insurmountable. 

Management has stated their desire to change the "corporate culture" at the new airline. Isolating one group with protections not offered others is not going to foment a positive atmosphere for a large portion of the flight attendant workforce. 

I believe the challenge to the Date of Hire merger policy is in part designed to be used as leverage in our transition discussions. What follows is a recap of the policy, the process for changing it and tools for you to use to express your opinions to those who will be making the decision. 

As you are aware the current AFA date of hire merger policy is being challenged by the America West MEC and their membership in the form of an agenda item. To clarify this challenge, allow me to give you some background information about AFA and the means with which a change could occur. The date of hire policy is found in Section X of the Policy Manual of the Association of Flight Attendants -CWA. The Policy Manual and the Constitution make up the AFA Constitution and Bylaws. 

The mechanics of changing the policy are straightforward. The AFA Board of Directors consists of the LEC Presidents of all AFA represented airlines. The Board will hold its annual meeting on October 18-21 in Palm Springs, California. An agenda item is brought through committee to the Board of Directors for a vote. The AFA International Officers, President Pat Friend, Vice-President George Donahue and Acting Secretary Treasurer Kevin Creighan are charged with carrying out the policies of the Board of Directors. Similar to our national government the Board of Directors functions as the legislative branch and makes the rules while the International Officers function as the Executive Branch and implements them. The International Officers do not vote and although they have influence they do not have the authority to change or amend a policy or constitution article. 

The America West agenda item seeks to suspend the date of hire policy and replace it as needed with an "alternative formula". The agenda item does not specify what the "alternative formula" would be. While it is clear the America West flight attendants do not want date of hire, rumors of "stapling us to the bottom" or "10 for 1 slotting" are unfounded. The Agenda item claims the current date of hire policy would "grossly disadvantage" one group and is outdated and therefore not applicable to this merger. In order for the Agenda item to have any effect on this merger it seeks to make the policy change retroactive to January 1, 2005. 

In order for the policy to change the agenda item must be approved by a simple majority (50% plus 1) of the Board of Directors who vote by roll call (one vote for each member in good standing they represent). A decision by the Board of Directors to make the policy change retroactive to January 1, 2005 would require a 2/3 role call vote.

We have included on our website the America West Agenda Item, AFA structure and represented airlines, a list of all the LEC Presidents from all the represented airlines along with their email addresses. There is also a sample letter that can be emailed to those Presidents. I urge everyone to take the time to contact the voting members of the Board of Directors and express your feelings. Although this is an emotionally charged issue I ask that everyone be polite and professional in their communications. On a personal note the America West MEC leadership and committee members are honorable people who are reacting to their members' demands. It is my belief that neither the leadership nor the members should be subjected to personal attacks. 

However, it is clear to all of us at US Airways that we have always supported the date of hire policy and are not willing to see it amended or changed in any way either permanently or as an exception. Our membership has stood by the date of hire policy in previous mergers and expects to do so in the future.


Thank you,

Mike Flores
MEC President

(all of this information can be found at www.afausairways.org)