To clear up some confusion, federally mandated WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act) furlough notices were not required in this situation, since the projected numbers are well below the 500 number threshold required to trigger such letters. Although management could have issued warning letters as soon as they contemplated the overmanned status, they weren’t required to do so.
Initial furlough notifications have begun and management intends to have 80 active pilots furloughed by the end of February. The remaining furloughs will likely take effect at the end of March. All of those at risk for furlough have recently returned after a previous multi-year layoff, with many having been back on the property for less than a year.
Following the furlough notification to APA, your union leadership and Negotiating Committee have been discussing a variety of potential furlough mitigation strategies. Those discussions with management are continuing.
Two furlough mitigation tools we want to advise all members of are “Furlough Stand-in-Stead” and “Leave of Absence.” If any of you have been contemplating taking an extended break from flying, one of these methods may allow you to do so, while preventing the furlough of a more junior member. If you want to volunteer for either option or have any questions regarding leaves of absence or furlough stand-in-stead, click on the prominently displayed button on the members’ home page of the alliedpilots.org Web site or contact APA Membership/Furlough Committee Chairman Captain Rusty McDaniels at 817-832-0909, 817-302-2259, or e-mail rmcdaniels@alliedpilots.org. We request that any member who volunteers for a furlough stand-in-stead or a leave of absence coordinates the request through APA.
The reaction by members has been understandably one of frustration. Suffice it to say, your union leadership is doing everything it legally can to minimize the number of pilots impacted. Nonetheless, this announcement will affect a large number of members as the furloughs and downward displacements ripple through the ranks. Let this sad event serve as a reminder of the problems we continue to endure with this airline management.
DOMICILE ELECTION UPDATE: Due to the withdrawal of Captain Gary Tritt, St. Louis vice chairman candidate, First Officer Keith Bounds is re-elected vice chairman. Incumbent Chairman Captain Douglas J. Gabel, who was also unopposed, and First Officer Bounds will both begin their new, two-year terms on May 1, 2010.
APFA “LOCKDOWN” NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE: In an APFA hotline message issued late yesterday, APFA President Laura Glading said, “After 11 consecutive days of bargaining overseen by the Federal Mediator, we have not reached an agreement with the company.” When characterizing the negotiating sessions, Ms. Glading added, “the company responded with nothing but concessions on top of concessions….and is demanding what it could not get from us seven years ago.”
The NMB mediator has directed APFA and AMR to resume negotiations in Washington, D.C., beginning on February 28.
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