Friday, January 30, 2015

American pilots ratify labor contract unifying AA/US Airways flight deck crew

American Airlines MD-82 (49256/1158) N244AA arrives at Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB).
(Photo by Michael Carter)

American Airlines pilots have ratified a new, five-year collective bargaining agreement that brings all of the flight deck crew of the former American and US Airways under one labor contract.

The contract covering 15,000 pilots was approved by a 65.7%-34.3% margin, according to the Allied Pilots Association (APA), the union representing American’s pilots. APA said 94.6% of eligible pilots participated in the vote.

According to American, the contract gives pilots an “immediate” 23% pay raise and annual 3% raises over the next five years.

APA president Keith Wilson said the higher pay rates led American pilots to make “a business decision” to approve a contract with which they are not entirely happy. “APA will now focus on further engagement with American Airlines management to address ongoing shortcomings in our contract,” Wilson said in a statement. “Our total compensation will still trail industry-leader Delta [Air Lines], while work rules affecting our pilots’ quality of life need meaningful improvement.

There’s a lot of work remaining to achieve the industry-leading contract our pilots deserve.”

The contract ratification was a big win for American management as it navigates the US Airways merger integration process. It also cleans up a lingering issue from the 2005 US Airways/America West Airlines merger: US Airways pilots and America West pilots had still been working under separate labor contracts. Now there is just one contract for all mainline American Airlines Group pilots.

(Aaron Karp - ATWOnline News)

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