Originally Posted by Typhoonpilot

This is a press release from February, 2009:


United, Aer Lingus Pilots Sign Protocol Agreement

The United MEC and the Irish Air Line Pilots Association (IALPA), which represents the pilots of Aer Lingus Airlines, signed a protocol agreement on February 2 to protect the interests of pilots from both airlines, in light of the recently announced partnership between United and Aer Lingus. Last month, the two carriers announced a partnership that will allow both airlines to sell seats on a Washington, D.C.-to-Madrid route, using Aer Lingus aircraft not flown by either United or Aer Lingus pilots. The flights, operating under the current Aer Lingus certificate, are scheduled to begin in March 2010.
“It is imperative that we work together on both sides of the Atlantic to prevent the anti-labor aspects of this agreement from impacting pilots from our two airlines,” says Capt. Steve Wallach, the United MEC chairman. “This partnership between United and Aer Lingus will set a dangerous precedent regarding international air travel where pilots on both sides of the Atlantic will pay a steep price. We will explore every regulatory, legislative, and legal avenue to protect the rights and careers of our members.”
“We are very pleased to have entered into this protocol agreement with the United pilots, and we will be working with them to confront the challenges this partnership poses to both our pilot groups,” says Capt. Evan Cullen, IALPA president. “We look forward to working with our United colleagues to explore every option to end our respective company’s blatant disregard for and lack of loyalty to their pilots, as well as to their corporate identities.”





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