AirTran crew contracts: One down, still one to go

by B. N. Sullivan

AirTran Airways pilots and flight attendants have been negotiating for years with the airline's management, hoping to achieve agreements for work contracts.  After nearly six years of negotiations, the pilots have a new labor agreement in hand, however contract talks between AirTran and its flight attendants seem to be going nowhere.

Pilots

The pilots at AirTran Airways have ratified the tentative contract agreement reached last month with the airline's management.  The pilots' union, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), announced the results of the ratification vote today, noting that 86.93 percent of those who cast ballots voted in favor of the agreement.  ALPA said 93.28 percent of eligible AirTran pilots participated in the ratification vote. 

According to a statement issued by ALPA, the new pilot contract enhances pay rates, quality of life, and career protections.  Most elements of the contract will take effect on December 1, 2010.

“By approving this contract, our members have signaled that they are focused on the future and ready to close a contentious chapter in our airline’s history,” said Linden Hillman, chairman of the AirTran chapter of ALPA.  “This deal will provide real improvements in our members’ lives and allow us to concentrate on the important work of merging two great companies.”

Flight Attendants

Last month -- around the same time that the pilots announced their tentative contract agreement -- AirTran's flight attendants filed for mediation of their contract talks by the National Mediation Board (NMB).  The flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), commenced collective bargaining for a new contract in December of 2007.

AFA-CWA says that shortly after Southwest Airlines announced in September that it would acquire AirTran, AirTran management approached the union requesting an abbreviated list of the flight attendants' greatest concerns in order to expedite negotiations.

AFA-CWA explains:

When presented with the union's "short list" proposal, company management responded with a counterproposal consisting mostly of existing contract language and minimal pay increases.  In addition, they failed to address the most basic work, duty and rest provisions.  AFA-CWA rejected management's proposal and filed for mediation services from the National Mediation Board the following day.

Despite AirTran's acquisition by Southwest, AirTran flight attendants will continue to work under the AirTran contract for at least another two years.  AFA-CWA points out that under the Railway Labor Act, "this future change in ownership does not negate the carrier's obligation to negotiate now with its flight attendants in good faith."

"It is incomprehensible that our flight attendants are subjected to the worst work rules of any major airline, while it is those same flight attendants' hard work that has earned AirTran numerous awards and accolades," said Alison Head, AFA-CWA AirTran President.

"Management has worked with its pilots to negotiate an acceptable contract to work under through the Southwest merger process - but refuses to offer some of the same fair work rules to its flight attendants., Ms. Head continued.  "Why would you extend fair work rules to one group of safety professionals and not to the other?"

In order to publicly demonstrate their frustrations over the stalled contract negotiations, AirTran flight attendants plan to picket outside Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport this coming Wednesday, November 24, 2010.

AirTran flight attendants file for mediation of contract negotiations

by B. N. Sullivan

The flight attendants at AirTran Airways have filed with the National Mediation Board (NMB) for mediation of contract negotiations. After more than three years of talks, the flight attendants' union believes that their  negotiations with AirTran management have reached an impasse.  AirTran flight attendants are represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA).

A press statement issued by the AFA explains:

Southwest Airlines recently announced its intention to acquire AirTran.  Although the ownership of AirTran is about to change, this does not negate the carrier’s obligation to negotiate with its flight attendants in good faith.

“It is an interesting marriage,” said Alison Head, AFA-CWA AirTran President.  “I was surprised by all the characterizations of AirTran as ‘employee-centric’ because we have certainly not witnessed that.  For over three years, AFA-CWA has tried to work with management on negotiating a contract that adequately reflects the work and dedication we continue to provide to this airline.”

Following the announcement of the acquisition by Southwest, AirTran management approached AFA-CWA requesting an abbreviated list of the flight attendants’ greatest concerns in order to expedite negotiations.  When presented with the union’s “short list” proposal, the company responded with a counterproposal consisting mostly of existing contract language and minimal pay increases.   In addition, they failed to address the most basic work, duty and rest provisions.

“Management’s failure to effectively manage resources and respect the quality-of-life issues are at the heart of our contract demands,” stated Head.   “Just last Friday, Mr. Fornaro asserted that he ‘would like to enter into the relationship with Southwest with everything buttoned up.’  Obviously, the company is not committed to getting an agreement with its flight attendants.  AirTran flight attendants want a contract and will not sit idly by watching management drag this process on any longer.  The flight attendants’ contribution to the success of this airline cannot be ignored.”

Meanwhile, AirTran pilots announced several days ago that they had reached a tentative contract agreement with the airline's management.  A ratification vote on the pilot contract is expected to take place next month.

AirTran pilots and management reach a tentative contract agreement

by B. N. Sullivan

After more than five years of negotiations, the pilots at AirTran Airways have reached a tentative contract agreement with the airline's management.  The deal was announced late last week by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which has represented AirTran's pilots since 2009.

Details of the tentative agreement (TA) have not been disclosed, pending approval by the AirTran Master Executive Council (MEC) and ratification by the pilot membership.  However Linden Hillman, chairman of ALPA's AirTran unit said, “We believe that this contract provides significant improvements in pay, quality of life, and other important benefits that our pilots have earned and deserve.”

If the MEC representatives give their approval, the TA will be put to the membership for a ratification vote next month.

In September of this year, AirTran Airways agreed to be acquired by Southwest Airlines.  The acquisition is awaiting regulatory and shareholder approval.

“After our pilots get to vote on our new contract, we will be able to focus completely on the upcoming transition and merger with the Southwest pilot group,” said Hillman. “Our professional pilots with similar cultures and work ethic will combine to form an industry-leading workforce.”

Southwest's pilots are represented by the Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association (SWAPA), an independent union not affiliated with ALPA.

Southwest Airlines to acquire AirTran Airways, will hire hundreds of new pilots and flight attendants

by B. N. Sullivan

In a move that surprised just about everyone, Southwest Airlines announced today that it will acquire AirTran Airways. Once the two carriers' operations are combined (pending regulatory approval), the merged airline will operate under the Southwest name.

According to the initial press release about the transaction, the combined company will have its headquarters at Dallas.  The acquisition will include AirTran's entire fleet of aircraft, including its Boeing 717s:

Based on current operations, the combined organization would have nearly 43,000 Employees and serve more than 100 million Customers annually from more than 100 different airports in the U.S. and near-international destinations.  In addition, the combined carriers’ all-Boeing fleet consisting of 685 active aircraft would include 401 Boeing 737-700s, 173 Boeing 737-300s, 25 Boeing 737-500s, and 86 Boeing 717s, with an average age of approximately 10 years, one of the youngest fleets in the industry.   Southwest Airlines also announced, previously, that it is evaluating the opportunity to introduce the Boeing 737-800 into its domestic network to complement its current fleet, providing opportunities for longer-haul flying and service to high-demand, slot-controlled, or gate-restricted markets.  This acquisition supports Southwest Airlines’ evaluation of the Boeing 737-800.

No word yet on seniority integration plans for crews, although I'm sure the respective unions are brainstorming already.

The very good news is that no crew furloughs are expected in the foreseeable future. On the contrary, word is out that Southwest is planning to hire 150-200 new pilots, and 250-300 flight attendants very soon.  Michael Van de Ven, Southwest's Chief Operating Officer, said today that training classes for both pilots and flight attendants were anticipated to begin in early 2011.

Here is the link to the Southwest-AirTran merger website: http://www.lowfaresfarther.com/

AirTran pilots vote 'overwhelmingly' in favor of joining ALPA

The pilots at AirTran Airways have voted 'overwhelmingly' to merge their independent union, the National Pilots Association (NPA), with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA). According to ALPA, a 'landslide' 87% of AirTran pilots cast votes in support of merging NPA with ALPA, with more than 94% of eligible AirTran pilots voting.

“With this decisive vote, the AirTran pilots made it clear they want representation by a strong international union that is run by airline pilots and for airline pilots,” said Capt. John Prater, president of ALPA. “We look forward to working with the AirTran pilots and to providing the union’s unparalleled professional resources and expertise, as well as the support of other ALPA pilots in Atlanta and across the country, to help them achieve and enforce the fair contract they deserve.”

The vote by the NPA membership was no surprise. In February, the NPA board had voted unanimously to merge with ALPA. AirTran's 1,700 pilots are hoping to benefit from ALPA's considerable clout in support of their ongoing contract negotiations with AirTran management -- talks that have been going on intermittently since 2004.

ALPA's Executive Board is expected to ratify the merger decision later this month. If that happens, the merger will go into effect on May 1, 2009.

UPDATE Apr. 16, 2009: ALPA’s Executive Council unanimously approved the merger agreement with the National Pilots Association (NPA), which represents 1,700 AirTran pilots. The merger will now be sent for final approval to ALPA’s full Executive Board on April 28.

AirTran pilot's puzzling suspension

Yesterday the AirTran Airways pilots' union issued a press release strongly condemning what they called the "wrongful suspension" of a pilot. The National Pilots Association (NPA), the independent union that represents AirTran pilots, also asked the public "to join them in demanding that [the suspended pilot] be reinstated immediately and paid in full." The suspended pilot's offense? --  appearing in uniform at a circus.

The NPA press release explains:

...[M]anagement's position is that the pilot was in violation of AirTran's flight operations manual and would face possible discipline for wearing his uniform while dropping off his wife and two young children at a circus in Atlanta on February 21, 2009. The NPA sponsored a family day at the circus, and the pilot was on his way to work when he stopped at Philips Arena to help his wife with their kids.

"He was wearing his uniform so that he could get to work on time," said First Officer Tim Baker, spokesman for the NPA. "The circus started at 3 p.m., and he had to be at work at 4:30 p.m. He was leaving on a four day trip and wanted to spend as much time with the kids as possible. He will soon be deployed overseas and is focused on spending time with his family. He only stayed at the circus for a few minutes. The rules even state that he can wear his uniform to and from work."

The press release went on to note that the man who was suspended also is a pilot in the Air Force Reserves, where he has served for thirteen years.

AirTran Airways shot back almost immediately with its own statement to the press:

The suspended pilot wore his uniform to a non-work, NPA union-sponsored event in clear violation of the Flight Operations Manual and the collective bargaining agreement.

This policy has been clearly communicated to the airline's 1,700 pilots and is standard practice throughout the aviation and other industries.

The NPA union leadership had the opportunity to avoid this suspension on several occasions, and they chose not to.

AirTran Airways is dedicated to dealing equitably with all Crew Members, and to exempt pilots from the policy would be unfair to our other hard-working Crew Members.

The airline has no further comment on this issue and will not conduct labor relations through the media.

NPA President Linden Hillman said, "It is intolerable for our pilots to be exposed to this type of intimidation. We have tried to resolve this issue directly with management. However, we continue to find management unreasonable. It would be nice to see management focused on returning to profitability, instead of threatening their hardworking crewmembers. You don't see other airlines treating their employees like this."

I have to admit, this is one of those stories that has me scratching my head. I can't help but think there are a few more pieces to this odd story that have not been revealed publicly.

Who 'told on' the pilot? Did someone take his picture in uniform at the circus (and pass it along to management)? Did he do something at the circus that reflected poorly on his employer?

And what about those "other hard-working Crew Members" mentioned in the airline's press statement? Who are they, and what was it about the pilot's brief appearance at the circus that was "unfair" to them?

Or is this just a power play?  After all, relations between AirTran Airways and its pilots have been anything but harmonious for quite some time.

Since 2004, the pilots have been in contract negotiations with AirTran. Those negotiations have proceeded -- if that is the right word -- in fits and starts and often have been contentious.

Meanwhile, the NPA leadership voted unanimously last month to approve a merger agreement with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA). Voting on that measure by the full membership is currently underway, and is due to wind up by April 10. Should the membership approve the deal, the merger with ALPA would go into effect on May 1, 2009.

If the pilots become a part of ALPA, they will be able to draw upon ALPA's considerable resources during the next round of contract negotiations. So I'm wondering: is the suspension of the pilot who stopped by the circus in his uniform simply a move by AirTran to show some muscle?

If any readers would like to fill in the missing details of this story, or opine about the motivations behind this very public snit, you are welcome to leave a comment.

UPDATE Apr. 11, 2009:  AirTran pilots plan to picket on Monday, Apr. 13, 2009 outside the North Terminal of Atlanta’s airport in protest of what it claims is “a pattern of threats and intimidation” by the airline against the pilots, according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle, which reports:

The union said in a statement its members have been “energized by the recent suspension of one of our pilots” in what the union calls “a blatant attempt” to intimidate the pilots.

And by the way, the AirTran Airways pilots voted 'overwhelmingly' to merge their union with the Air Line Pilots Association.

AirTran Airways pilots' union seeks to merge with ALPA

The board of the National Pilots Association (NPA), the independent union representing the 1,700 pilots at AirTran Airways, has voted unanimously to approve a merger agreement with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA). The proposed merger between the NPA and ALPA will be voted on by the full membership of the NPA between March 11 and April 10. If the membership approves the deal, the merger would go into effect on May 1, 2009.

The NPA leadership is in favor of merging with ALPA in order have access to ALPA's considerable resources in support of their ongoing contract negotiations with AirTran management. AirTran and the NPA have been negotiating -- albeit off and on -- since 2004.

ALPA passed a resolution endorsing a merger with the NPA in December of 2008, after holding talks with the AirTran pilots.

Late last year, the NPA also explored merger possibilities with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, but after meetings between the leadership of both unions, it was reported that the Teamsters declined "to pursue a more official relationship" with the AirTran pilots.

AirTran recently recalled 169 pilots who had been furloughed last summer.

Two U.S. airlines recalling furloughed pilots

This week, two U.S. carriers -- American Airlines and AirTran Airways -- announced the recall of furloughed pilots.

A spokesperson for American Airlines said additional pilots were needed to fly new planes coming into the fleet, and to replace pilots who retired, including some who opted recently for an early-out.

According to the Allied Pilots Association, the union representing pilots at American Airlines:

This week, AMR management announced the creation of a second pilot recall class for the month of March. An initial recall group of 39 pilots will begin Feb. 11 and will now be followed by a group of 10 pilots on March 4 and another group of seven pilots on March 18. An additional 15 pilots have been recalled, but will be placed on military leave of absence.

AirTran Airways, which furloughed 169 pilots this past summer, already has recalled 120 of those, and is sending out letters to recall the remaining 49 furloughees. An article about the AirTran pilot recall in the Atlanta Business Chronicle quoted an airline spokesman who said the pilots are needed for summer and to replace retiring pilots.

Contract negotiations between the AirTran and its pilots' union are also due to resume shortly. The talks had been suspended for several months. The pilots are seeking improvements to job security, work rules, health insurance, benefits and compensation, according to Capt. Mike Best, president of the National Pilots Association, which represents AirTran pilots.

Furloughs announced for AirTran Airways crews

When I wrote about announced pay cuts at AirTran Airways a few days ago, I said that furloughs were sure to follow. Well, here they come.

AirTran Airways says that, due to soaring fuel prices, it will reduce capacity by five per cent in 2008. In conjunction with the capacity reduction, the carrier is planning to cut 180 pilots and 300 flight attendants from its work force. The furloughs are expected to begin in September of this year. AirTran currently employs about 1,450 pilots and 2,000 flight attendants.

Regarding the AirTran furloughs, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the carrier will offer a voluntary "Early Exit" program to crew members in an effort to reduce the number of involuntary furloughs that will be required:

The company is offering the voluntary program to all employees with five years of seniority, with the exception of directors and officers. It will give extended health and travel benefits to employees who decide by July 31 to take an early exit.

If not enough flight attendants or pilots volunteer to leave, the airline said it would furlough workers Sept. 6 to meet the targeted cuts. Most of the job cuts will be in Atlanta because all of AirTran's pilots and most of its flight attendants are based in Atlanta.

AirTran reportedly still is considering layoffs for other work groups as well.

[Photo Source]

Pay cuts at AirTran Airways, furloughs may follow

Employees at AirTran Airways are the latest to fall prey to the current airline capacity reduction and cost cutting trend. The Orlando-based airline announced this week that its 8,900 AirTran employees can expect pay reductions ranging from 5 per cent to 15 per cent, beginning in August.

Kevin Healy, senior vice president of marketing and planning at AirTran, said that most of the carrier's employees will get a 5 to 8 percent pay cut, while pay reductions for senior crew and directors will range between 11 to 13 percent. Top executives, including AirTran CEO Bob Fornaro, will take a 15 per cent cut in pay.

In a memo to AirTran employees, Mr. Fornaro said, "Our plan is to temporarily reduce pay rates for six months commencing with the start of the August pay period, and we will then review the situation again."

Nearly half of AirTran's employees are unionized. Technically, the unions representing AirTran's pilots, flight attendants, mechanics and other work groups must still agree to the salary reductions before they are implemented.

So far, no furloughs have been announced for AirTran crews, but in light of the carrier's stated plans to reduce its fleet by as much as 8 percent, furloughs may follow.

AirTran pilots reject contract

Pilots at AirTran Airways have voted to reject a tentative labor agreement reached last month. The Reuters news agency reported that the pilots, represented by the National pilots Association, voted 788 to 496 against the contract.

An article in today's Atlanta Journal-Constitution about the pilots' decision noted that nearly 90% of the union's roughly 1,500 members had voted. At issue, in addition to pay, were scheduling and other work rules in the proposed contract.

The result sends the airline and its union back to the drawing board after more than two years of negotiating. The National Mediation Board, which stepped into the contentious talks more than a year ago, has put any further talks on hold until after Jan. 1, the union said in a statement.

"We're disappointed that they've rejected this deal that represents more than two and a half years of work and negotiation," said AirTran spokesman Dave Hirschman. He said the airline thought it had "addressed the outstanding issues" that concerned the pilots union when it recently agreed to a modified proposal.

Adding to the tumult, AirTran pilots voted two weeks ago to recall their union's president and vice president, leaving the four remaining members of the board to run the union until new elections can be held.

AirTran supports change of Age 60 rule for pilots

Low-fare carrier AirTran Airways has announced that the company supports the FAA's proposal to change the mandatory retirement age of commercial airline pilots from 60 to 65. Recently the National Pilots Association (NPA), the union representing AirTran's pilots, endorsed the proposed change in the law.

Here is an excerpt from a news release about AirTran's support of the mandatory retirement rule change:

"AirTran Airways understands that raising the mandatory retirement age for pilots is a positive decision that makes sense for the industry," said Bob Fornaro, president and chief operating officer of AirTran Airways. "Our airline employs well-trained and seasoned professional pilots, and we believe in the great benefits that years of hands-on experience can bring to the job at AirTran Airways."

"The NPA Board of Directors also supports raising the retirement age for pilots to 65, and we are excited that AirTran Airways agrees with the decision," said Capt. Allen Philpot, president of the National Pilots Association. "Provisions need to be put in place now to keep those pilots who satisfy FAA medical standards on the job beyond age 60. It is crucial to keep our most experienced pilots in place just like our international counterparts."

AirTran currently employs about 1,400 pilots. According to the NPA, AirTran is projecting that it will hire its 2,000th pilot in 2008.