Piedmont Agents Ratify First Contract

Piedmont passenger service and fleet workers in Philadelphia demonstrate for a fair contract.

Fleet and passenger service agents at Piedmont Airlines, who voted to join CWA in November 2010, overwhelmingly ratified their first contract by a 94 percent vote.

The four and one half year (54 month) contract covers 3,700 agents at 79 stations and provides raises and bonuses of up to 38 percent over contract term.

Long and tough negotiations, with the involvement of the National Mediation Board, finally produced this first agreement that includes real improvements in pay, job security and health care benefits, as well an effective grievance and arbitration process.

Among the provisions:

• A lump sum signing bonus of 6-8 percent of salary in 2012.
• A new pay system with guaranteed 4 percent raises and additional increases.
• A first-ever grievance and arbitration process.
• Longevity bonuses each year for good attendance.
• Equity for part-time workers for holiday pay.
• Job security improvements.

"Piedmont workers stood together and mobilized for more than a year to win economic justice, and they did. This agreement provides real improvements in pay and working conditions that will benefit agents and their families. They were determined to prevail, and they did," said Jimmy Tarlau, assistant to CWA's District 2-13 vice president.

More information at www.PiedmontAgent.org.