In honor of Labor Day 2012, the Airline Division joins each of you in recognizing the hard work and dedication of union workers and Americans everywhere, as we also remember and keep in our thoughts our fellow Americans whom we hope will soon rejoin the workforce.
Voting Suspended on Agreements for World Airways Pilots and Flight Attendants at World, North American
In a message to pilots of World Airways and flight attendants at both World and their sister company North American both groups were notified that voting on the new agreements has been suspended until further notice. Citing new concerns over some language contained in the final agreements, the notice advised that the concerns were being investigated and would be reported back as soon as possible.
No date has been set for the resumption of voting.
ExpressJet Negotiations Continue
Negotiations resumed this past week in Providence, R.I. with the federal mediator, with meetings held from Monday, August 27th through Thursday, August 30th.
There parties discussed and exchanged of proposals on Section 20 (Grievance Procedures) and Section 12 – (Field Trips). On Thursday, a tentative agreement was reached on Grievance Procedures. The Field Trips remains open and while it was anticipated that the company would respond on Classifications, they did not.
Negotiations will resume with the mediator September 25th through the 28th in Baltimore, MD.
Airline Industry News
Governmental and Regulatory
The Federal Aviation Administration has announced that it will study whether to allow passengers more widespread use of their portable electronic devices in-flight.
Airlines and Industry
Laura Wright, the CFO of Southwest Airlines, has announced her retirement after 25 years at the company. The carrier has appointed Tammy Romo, who currently serves as senior vice president of planning, to replace Wright.
Keith Wilson, the head of the Allied Pilots Association, said the union representing pilots at American Airlines would not strike "unless we are legally allowed to strike." Union members rejected a contract offer this month from American Airlines, whose parent company, AMR, filed for bankruptcy in November.
American Airlines plans to recall 211 flight attendants from its furlough list this fall, the carrier says.
Boeing is negotiating with its engineering union ahead of a contract expiring in October. The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace represents 15,000 engineers and 8,000 technical employees at Boeing.
AMR, the parent of American Airlines, is in discussions with a group of hedge funds over refinancing up to $2 billion of debt, sources say.
Airlines for America has released a midyear economic outlook that shows that the top 10 U.S. airlines earned 77 cents per passenger in 2011, a number far surpassed by taxes passengers and airlines pay.