Dear Council 70 Flying Partners,

In this issue:

• CWA
• Negotiations Update
• Voting for an Authorization to Strike
• Two Airline CEO's Comment

CWA Reaches a TA:
As you can see from the following link to the CWA press release, they have reached a Tentative Agreement (TA) with US Airways Management. I do not have many specifics at this time other than we are aware that CWA did receive some snapbacks. CWA TA: You can also read this article: "US Airways accord may set the tone for others"

Negotiations Update:
Now for a quick update as to what has been going on with our negotiations. 

Your Negotiating Committee (NC) continues working towards a tentative agreement with Management that will meet the Company's needs while at the same time giving us, the US Airways FA's, something we can survive under. 

AFA Bargaining Representative, Clare Burt and MEC President, Perry Hayes, are the two main voices that carry messages to and from management. Both Clare and Perry remain in constant contact and dialogue with management. 

On November 22, 2004, the Company's elected to offer a "Discussion Draft" in lieu of the normal "Proposal." AFA's response followed suit as our answer was also in the form of a "Discussion Draft." The end of the "Discussion Draft" exchange, in my opinion, we saw forward movement and compromise from both sides. 

FYI: The "Discussion Drafts" were not put out for the membership, as they are not considered "Proposals." Also know that a "Discussion Draft" most likely would not carry the same legal weight in court as a "Proposal" might carry. Court proceedings on the 1113 c began on Dec. 2. 

On December 1, 2004, shortly after completing an evening conference call with the MEC, AFA attorneys and advisor, the NC received a Proposal from the Company. This proposal closely followed the previous "Discussion Drafts" thereby also showing a somewhat forward movement in the negotiations process. 

Today, Saturday, December 4, 2004, Perry, Clare and Dan met with management to go over valuations, which still seem to be a source of disagreement. However, we believe we are getting closer and therefore plan on meeting with management in Crystal City from Monday through Thursday of next week.

I remain hopeful that we can continue to bridge the gap. 

As a reminder, please vote IN FAVOR of giving AFA the authorization to strike in the event our contract is abrogated/rejected by the courts. As you can see, it seems to have moved things along for the CWA who recently and overwhelmingly passed a strike vote. It is my opinion that we are also seeing more forward movement since our vote was announced. 

Voting to Authorize a Strike:
Voting to strike is a serious decision and I'm again writing to urge you to vote "FOR" the authorization of a CHAOS strike at U S Airways if and only if management has the courts reject our contract. It is time to defend our profession. 

Over the last three years, we have supported plans to turn our company around. After 9/11, AFA leaders supported congressional legislation to provide financial support to airlines. And AFA supported management's ATSB federal loan application, which provided much, needed financing for our company. 

Management had an opportunity then to create a new business plan to compete and survive in this changing industry. Instead of a fresh start for our company, management resorted to its old playbook of blaming workers for company woes. 

And now, instead of letting the negotiation process reach finality, management has resorted to using the Bankruptcy Court to slash our standard of living and to eliminate our contract.

Enough is Enough.

As flight attendants, we've done more than our fair share to protect our jobs and our company. We have negotiated and ratified two restructuring agreements and have supported our company in congress. 

Instead of respect and negotiations, management turns their back on us and uses court motions and filings and resorts to threats and intimidation. 

This is not the way to create a long-term viable company. 

If management believes they can use the court system instead of negotiations, the future of our jobs, our profession and our families is at stake, make no doubt about it. 

By voting "FOR" granting the authorization to a CHAOS strike if our contract is abrogated rather than negotiated, you'll send management the strongest possible message that we demand respect and that there is a better way to build a strong company.

Send that message today, by voting "FOR" a CHAOS strike. Defend your profession. Defend all that you have done to help U S Airways survive. Defend your right to negotiate your wages, work rules and benefits and to defend your future.

Two Airline CEO's Comment:
I know some of you are not sure if voting for the authorization to strike is the right thing to do. The vote is here. This vote will not only grant AFA the authorization to strike, the percentage by which this vote passes, and I do believe it will pass, will either help or hurt us in our negotiations. 

Here are two quotes for you to ponder. I only ask that you consider that if this is what these guys are willing to put into print, what must they really think/feel/believe about their employees and the real reasons behind the need to capture employee contracts? Hopefully the following, especially when read together will help make your vote "FOR" a little easier to make. 

---On November 12, 2004, US Airways Management filed a motion in US Bankruptcy Court seeking to reject the labor contracts of AFA, IAM & CWA. The motion also seeks to eliminate the retirement pension plan for AFA & IAM, and to "reduce retiree health benefits" for all groups. 

In a recent email answering a US Airways Flight Attendant, USA CEO, Lakefield wrote the following: (Exactly as written.)

"The answer is the list is long and labor is also on it. Non skilled people being paid at skilled levels, people that don't show up for work, abuse of sick time the list goes on. Lots of entitlement, lots of mistakes, little time. Remember I came here to help but only individual accountability can work in the short run. Let the people who want to work here have the opportunity to make it work and those that cannot see their way, they should leave. - Bruce Lakefield"

UAL CEO, Tilton in the September 30, 2004, issue of the Economist, in defense of the industry's frequent recourse to the bankruptcy courts was quoted saying; 

'So long as we have to fall under the scope of the Railway Labor Act of 1926, Chapter 11 (bankruptcy) is the only way to gain leverage with the unions.'"- Tilton - UAL CEO

These two quotes, especially when read back to back speak volumes about today's Management and what is really going on. As I have stated so many times in the past, the US Airways FA's do not make enough or cost enough to make a significant difference to the 'bottom line.' 

Yet for the good of the members and "OUR" Company, AFA continues to negotiate with the Company in an effort to reach an agreement. Now we need YOUR help, please vote "FOR" today. 

Thanks.

PS: I will be returning Tuesday afternoon from Crystal City to attend Warren's Memorial Service, hope to see you there. A-East Envoy Lounge.

Take Care and Fly Safe,

Mollie McCarthy
LEC President
Council 70 PHL/PHW