User:Tcncv/sandbox

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[edit] Proposed USAPA Section

The following is my attempt to rewrite portions of the US Airline Pilots Association, separating out information on the seniority controversy. The intent is that the top section(s) of the article would contain routine information, possibly based on this edit by Djshryack (talk ยท contribs). This would be followed by a separate section documenting the seniority controversy. My current draft is follows. I have done my best to maintain a neutral standpoint, giving both points of view equal standing, and have specifically avoided inflammatory language. As best as possible, I have attempted to limit the content to sourced material, but some content remains that I consider generally accepted, or what I believe to be a fair representation of each point of view.

I intend to make a few more changes and solicit opinions before introducing the content into the article. Specifically, I intend to create separate point-of-view subsections, to the East and West groups have places to state and edit their views without stomping on the other's view (They're all professionals, right?). I have abandoned my plan to create separate point-of-view sections - it would break up the article too much. I also plan to review the citations.

FYI - A have no connection with either side in this issue, nor am I connected in any way to the airline industry or any union or management organization. I'm a computer geek who was passing by and saw a need for some moderation. -- tcncv

[edit] Seniority Integration Controversy

There has been much controversy surrounding the formation of the USAPA and the removal of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) as the bargaining representative for US Airways pilots. This controversy is mostly centered around the method used to integrate seniority lists from the two airlines, and has resulted in a division in the ranks between the previous US Airways pilots (often referred to as the East pilots) and the former America West pilots (often referred to as the West pilots).[1]

In 2005, America West merged with US Airlines. Before and after the merger, ALPA was the bargaining representative for pilots from both airlines. During merger negotiations in late 2006, representatives from the two pilot groups were unable to reach an agreement with respect to integration of seniority. The US Airways pilots' proposal was to base seniority on date-of-hire, as was customary for the industry. This would place the more established US Airways pilots at the top of the ranks, while nearly 80% of the of the America West pilots would be at the bottom of the seniority lists. This was not acceptable to the America West pilots. the America West pilots' proposal included a plan that defined a series of ratios would maintain their relative seniority in the new organization, with the goal of preserving career expectations for its pilots. This proposal would place many US Airways pilots with more experience in a position below America West pilots with less experience, which was not acceptable to the US Airways pilots. The issue was eventually submitted to binding arbitration through ALPA arbitration board.[1]

In May 2007, the arbitration board released its judgment which awarded 512 top seniority positions to the most senior US Airways pilots, but also blended the seniority of the remaining active pilots. Furloughed US Airways pilots were placed at the bottom of the list. There are many other details to the award, such as plane and route assignments, but it was generally seen to favor the America West position.[2] Many US Airways pilots contended that this agreement violated ALPA policies[citation needed] and was contrary to generally accepted practices for defining seniority primarily based on date-of-hire. US Airways pilots also alleged other errors in the award, including the treatment of MDA (Mid-Atlantic Division) pilots as furloughed pilots.[citation needed]

The USAPA was formed later in 2007.[3] Its constitution lists "date-of-hire" as the only methodology to be used for establishing or merging seniority lists[4], which would greatly improve the standing of the East pilots, who outnumbered the West pilots by nearly 2:1.[5] This policy difference and a suggested general dissatisfaction with ALPA's representation of US Airways pilots over the years have been suggested as the main reasons for replacing ALPA with USAPA.[citation needed]

The US Airways West pilots see the formation of USAPA as a clear attempt to circumvent or nullify the previously awarded binding arbitration results. US Airways West pilots have generally declined to join USAPA[citation needed] and do not believe the new union represents their best interests. They have formed another organization, the America West Airline Pilots Protective Alliance (AWAPPA), specifically to promote the preservation of the seniority arbitration results.[6]

A potential future merger with United Airlines may again raise the issue of union representation. USAPA has stated that it disapproves of the proposed merger with United Airlines.[7] Whereas, the minority west pilots prefer the deal with United as it is seen as a means to oust the USAPA and reinstate ALPA.[8]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Pilots' Battles Over Seniority Play Havoc With Airline Mergers
  2. ^ The "Nicolau Award" (ALPA Arbitration Results)
  3. ^ The Street: Union Fight Ups Stakes at US Airways
  4. ^ USAPA Press Releases (September 11, 2007)
  5. ^ Of the 5200 pilots in the combined organization, approximately 1800 are former America West pilots.
  6. ^ America West Airlines Pilots Protective Alliance (AWAPPA)
  7. ^ Business Week: "US Airways pilots union disapproves of possible United combo"
  8. ^ US Airways pilots group sees benefits in merger

[edit] Please comment!

  • Your comments here.

Dear Tcncv, Your article on USAPA is moving in the right direction Thank you for your work. One issue the East pilots contend, and argued before the ALPA executive council is a clear violation of Alpa's merger policy in the category of windfalls. The other major flaw had to do with the MDA pilots being placed in the Nicolau award as furloughed pilots, when in fact, they were not. There was a mix up in which the arbitrator used two different lists. Apparently he was confused. He agreed to work off one list, but used another tainted list too. This implies fraud, which under Alpa policy, would render the award moot. Thanks again for your desire to be neutral. DS.