December 24, 2002
Dear US Airways Flight Attendant:
US Airways management came to all of the labor groups on the property and told us that it is not meeting the profitability targets that were set in its application to the Air Transportation Stabilization Board for a loan guarantee. Management said that in order for the airline to continue to have access to the financing it has been provided during the bankruptcy process, and for the airline to receive the loan guarantee that will enable it to emerge from bankruptcy sometime in the Spring of 2003, it needed to cut labor costs further, or management would recommend the airline be shut down and liquidated.
Under the threat of the closure of the airline and loss of all jobs, the unions at US Airways began negotiations with management over additional contract cuts. All of the labor groups, including your AFA US Airways Master Executive Council, have reached agreements with management on the additional cuts. The pilots (ALPA) and flight dispatchers (TWU) have already ratified their additional cuts. Machinists and fleet service (IAM), and customer service and passengers agents (CWA) are voting on their new concessions.
Before agreeing to sit down and talk about further cuts to your contract, your MEC told management it must show some leadership and extend the cuts taken by management and executives (which were scheduled to end in 2003) through the entire 6 1/2 year term that flight attendant cuts were in effect, and that management must get agreements with all the other labor groups.
Management met those conditions. Based upon management meeting those conditions, and the company's threat that it would shut down and liquidate the airline, your MEC tentatively agreed to a proposal of cuts that management says meets its cost-cutting targets.
The package of additional cuts in benefits and work rules totals about $26 million a year. Your MEC truly agonized over providing management with the additional cuts. Because of their courage in the face of the extreme threat by management of closing and liquidating the airline, your MEC was able to secure some modest returns for the additional cuts. In addition, AFA did not agree to the cuts in the pension plan that were proposed by management (summary of the tentative is enclosed).
After securing agreements with all of the unions, management filed a reorganization plan with the bankruptcy court that enables the airline to emerge from the restructuring process in the Spring of 2003. Management's filing maintains the threat that if all of the agreements are not ratified by the workers, it will amend the plan and shut down and liquidate the airline.
Since the stakes are so high, please take the time to vote as soon as you familiarize yourself with the terms of the tentative agreement that are enclosed. If you have questions, you can email answers@afausairways.org, visit www.afausairways.org or call your Local Council.
As a flight attendant and union leader, I don't approve of the way US Airways management has used threats to get further cuts. However, I believe that US Airways management is serious in its threat to close the airline for good if these concessions are not approved. That's why I recommend, along with a majority of your ME C, that you vote "FOR" this tentative. A vote "FOR" does everything in your power to keep US Airways flying.
All US Airways Flight Attendants
who are active AFA Members in good standing on the count date and who have
cast their ballot will have their vote counted. Approval by a simple
majority of valid ballots cast by Members eligible to vote on the count
date will determine if the agreement is ratified.
IMPORTANT
Ballot Instructions
This ratification ballot is being conducted electronically. You may vote either by telephone or the Internet. In order for your vote to count, you must follow these instructions. To use the electronic ballot system, you must enter an identification number and a PIN number.
Your Identification # and PIN have been mailed to your home address. If you do not receive this information by January 2, 2003, please contact AFA at 1-800-424-2401, Extension 777.
Once you have logged into the ballot system, you will be prompted to change your AFA assigned PIN number to ensure the privacy of your vote. Be sure to remember your new PIN as you will need it if you wish to access the ballot system again.
To vote via the Internet, log onto https://www.ballotpoint.com/afa/
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Click the link to the Online Ballot - Revisions to Restructuring Agreement Ratification (https://www.ballotpoint.com/afa/) that will link you to the Electronic Balloting site.
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Enter your Identification Number and PIN and click “Login.” Next change your PIN as instructed and remember your new pin number.
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Click on logout, then login using your new pin number.
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From the menu on the left side of the screen, select, “View Ballots”. Then, click, “Request Ballot.” You will see the Statement of the Question.
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Mark your vote by clicking on the bullet adjacent to your selection; then click, "Cast Ballot."
You will be given a confirmation number, be sure to write this # down, then click, "Logout." Your vote has now been cast.
To vote via telephone, access the system by dialing 1-877-AFA-VOTE (1-877-232-8683). All US Airways Flight Attendants may use this number to reach the voting phone line if calling from a city within the United States or Canada. Once you reach the voting phone line, you will be prompted for your identification number and PIN. Use the touch tone keypad on your telephone to enter your responses. The system will guide you through the process of changing your PIN, selecting the ballot, and casting your vote. Once completed, the system will give you a confirmation number; be sure to write this down.
After you have voted, you may change your vote if you choose through either the Internet or the telephone method. You must remember your new PIN to access the system. Only the last ballot cast will be counted. If you experience any problems with the voting system, call the AFA Membership Services Department at 1-800-424-2401, Extension 777, between, 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM Eastern Standard Time, in Washington, DC.
The polls for voting will open at 12:00 NOON Eastern Standard Time on December 27, 2002. The polls will close at 12:30 PM Eastern Standard Time on January 10, 2003. The ballots will be tallied after the close of polling on January 10, 2003. Due to the urgency of this decision, please vote promptly.
The statement of question is:
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I am FOR this final proposal that keeps US Airways flying.
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I am AGAINST this final proposal and understand if ratification fails, management says it will shut down and liquidate US Airways.
This is about the future of your airline and your job. Don’t let others decide whether or not the airline will survive. Make your voice heard – vote.
Sincerely,
Patricia A. Friend
International President