AFA Wins Layoff Arbitration at US Airways

AFA-CWA won a big arbitration victory at US Airways that upheld its members' contract rights and retained the right of flight attendants to accept a voluntary furlough before the airline can begin involuntary layoffs, President Pat Friend reported.

In December, US Airways had announced that 552 flight attendants would be laid off starting Jan. 15. But the carrier did not offer more senior attendants the opportunity to take a voluntary furlough - saving the jobs of newer attendants - as required by the contract.

After AFA-CWA filed a lawsuit in early January, US Airways agreed to expedited arbitration. This marks the second time in recent months that US Airways has tried to bypass contract provisions. Last summer, the airline also attempted to involuntarily furlough attendants; that move was overturned by an arbitrator.

US Airways has been publicly pressing for employee cooperation in developing a business plan to turn the airline around, but has continued to clash with AFA-CWA, CWA and other unions over work and benefit issues.