| After meeting with them, the MEC made the decision to engage in discussions with the Company in an effort to achieve cost-savings within the context of our current flight attendant agreement. The MEC has advised the Company that it is not interested in discussing JetBlue work rules or America West rates of pay.
The MEC's decision to engage in discussions with the Company is conditioned upon the Company's willingness to make positive changes to both the sick and reserve systems currently in place, as well as provide a fair and equitable profit-sharing plan as an integral part of any agreement that would be presented to the flight attendants at US Airways for ratification. In addition, we believe any tentative agreement should include a separation package for any flight attendant who wishes to leave the employ of the Company.
AFA received a proposal from the Company on July 27, and at that time, your negotiating committee, along with our outside financial advisors, began the process of developing a counter-proposal. In this document, you will find both the Company's proposal and AFA's term sheet/counter proposal.
We fully recognize the enormous sacrifices the flight attendants have already made since 2002. We also realize that none of you look forward to making any additional sacrifices. The MEC has made the determination that we need to explore potential cost savings, but rest assured that should AFA and the Company reach a tentative agreement, each of you will have a vote that will determine your future.
Every effort will be made to keep you informed as this process progresses. We encourage any of you who have not already done so to sign up for the AFA Eline. Log on to www.afausairways.org to keep informed.
In Solidarity,
US Airways Negotiating Committee
Perry Hayes
Chairperson & MEC President
Carol Austin
PHW Flight Attendant
Mollie McCarthy
LEC President-PHL
Clare Burt
Mgr.-Collective Bargaining-AFA |