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CWA-US Airways Talks at Critical Stage
CWA's bargaining team has been pressing to wrap up a first contract covering reservations, ticket and gate agents at the airline after on-and-off talks for two years. Negotiations resumed in October after breaking off in late May, when management pursued a legal challenge and forced a rerun representation election which CWA won handily.
Now, less than 15 percent of the contract remains to be worked out. But management returned to the bargaining table with a takeaway proposal on "pay parity" with other airlines - one that would actually impose a three-year
pay freeze on agents who already had suffered through a seven-year pay freeze before wages were increased June 1.
Under management's proposal, when passenger service employees at other carriers receive an annual 2 percent wage increase, US Airways agents' pay would remain frozen.
Management also is trying to contract out as much as 50 percent of the work done by reservations agents and is seeking to transfer work that should be done by agents to other non-management employees.
Key issues for CWA members include job security in the event of a sale or merger, retirement improvements and the restoration of seniority to former "e-scale" employees. A recent membership survey found these to be top concerns for agents, along with additional job safety protections and family medical benefits.
The mechanics have reached a new agreement with US Airways, but flight attendants, members of the Association of Flight Attendants, are growing frustrated over the lack of progress in their talks, which have
stretched on for more than 1,000 days. The AFA has not yet requested a release from mediation. CWA is supporting the attendants in their contract fight.