US Airways Express pilots join forces
 

PHOENIX (AP) -- US Airways Express pilots working for different contractor airlines have formed an alliance to push for better contracts and job security.
The pilots work for Air Wisconsin, Colgan, Mesa Air Group, Piedmont Airlines, PSA Airlines and Trans States Airlines.
All six groups are in contract negotiations with their companies. All of them belong to the Air Line Pilots Association, which said Friday that the groups would share information and set common goals for negotiations.
Pilots complain that airlines shift flying among regional airlines to save money, which creates winners and losers among the pilots. Union President John Prater said members "will not be whipsawed against one another by undercutting our peers."
US Airways contracts with other airlines to operate its regional flights under the US Airways Express brand. Regional carriers have come under scrutiny for low pay and difficult working conditions since a Continental Connection flight operated by Colgan crashed last year near Buffalo, N.Y., killing 50 people.

I wonder how this is going to work?

It's worked out pretty well in the past with other regionals, so it's gotta work..... <sarcasm> :rolleyes:

I don't think the problem is mainline whipsawing its express carriers. That makes great business sense. The problem is pilot groups that are willing to undercut another, which in turn allows them to grow, and gain flying. If ALPA can't get with it and nationalize a seniority list, then maybe they should at the very least push for national pay rates. That would make for a level playing field, and certain bottom of the barrel regional airlines would fade away in time.

NSL is a non-starter; ITS NEVER GONNA HAPPEN. Might as well put that pipe dream away - this industry and its labor force isn't like the Screen Actors Guild or a Pipefitters union.

National pay rates are a great idea in theory, but will fail in application for a couple reasons. 1 - How do you force airlines & pilot groups that aren't ALPA to comply? 2. How do you account for pattern bargaining and the various times at which contracts become amendable, and the inevitable disparity that reality will cause on rates?

i would hope that alpa contacted the RAH IBT since they too are in contract negotiations and fly for USair. If you are going to make a press release about all the other carriers even one that flies 3 airplanes for Airways you should at least have contacted RAH.

Alpa
 

RAH is not part of ALPA, just read the article. They could join ALPA I guess?

Then the RAH pilots should have voted in a union that represents the interest of airline pilots, not housekeepers.

Decertify IBT.

This reporter must not have heard about the day that PDT, PSA, and AWAC were approached by LCC with 900 rates. All three scoffed and left the room, 10 minutes later the PSA rep went missing.

This agreement will be put to the test when Mesa buys PSA.
How strong will the MEC's be?