CHARLOTTE, N.C. (TheStreet) -- Officials from US Airways and
its largest union met with the National Mediation Board on Tuesday and
Wednesday, and the two groups went home with vastly different interpretations
of what the board might do next.
"Based on the meetings, we expect the NMB to schedule
additional sessions to continue our discussions," said US Airways
spokesman Bill McGlashen.
But Joe Tiberi, spokesman for the International Association
of Machinists, said the union "didn't receive any indication from the
board that any meetings would be scheduled. We are not aware of any future
meetings." An NMB spokesman declined, as usual, to comment.
At US Airways, the IAM represents about 5,800 fleet service
workers and 3,500 mechanics. Both groups work under contracts that became
amendable 26 months ago on Jan. 2, 2012. At American , the Transport Workers
Union represents fleet service workers and mechanics, with a combined total of
about 22,000.
The IAM's position is that its members at US Airways should
receive pay equal to what TWU members get for doing the same jobs at American. US Airways contends the total value
of the compensation packages is equal at the two carriers, even if pay rates
alone are not. The two carriers merged on Dec. 9.
The IAM has asked the NMB for a finding that the talks have
reached an impasse, which would trigger a 30-day cooling off period, after
which the union would be free to strike. "We've met with the board and US
Airways several times since November," Tiberi said. "The IAM and the
carrier have not been able to agree -- that's why we're at the board. The
negotiations aren't going anyway."
American/US Airways management signed a contract with the
TWU before American emerged from bankruptcy and entered into a merger. It
argues that it wants to move ahead to negotiate contracts that would cover all
of the mechanics and all of the fleet service workers at the combined airline,
so there is no need to negotiate interim contracts with US Airways employees.
On Tuesday, TWU President Harry Lombardo declared that the
IAM has TWU's support in its effort to be released by the NMB. "This is
supposed to be the new and better American," Lombardo said, in a prepared
statement.
"Management has said they want to have better labor
relations than existed at either US Airways or the old American," Lombardo
said. "Yet, the airline's leadership has locked mechanics and other ground
workers represented by IAM into a second-class status where they get lower pay
and fewer benefits than workers represented by TWU for the same work at the
same airline."
he two unions, both members of the AFL-CIO, have signed an
agreement saying that once the merger is completed they will jointly represent
workers at the two carriers. Under the agreement, American and US Airways
cannot secure single-carrier status from the NMB until both unions agree to
request it.
At US Airways, top-scale mechanics make $71,323 annually,
with no increases scheduled, according to the IAM. Top-scale mechanics at
American earn $75,254 annually with an increase to $77,126 scheduled for
September, the union said.
Top-scale US Airways fleet service workers are paid $42,785
annually. Top-scale American fleet service workers are paid $47,526 annually,
with an increase to $48,526 scheduled for September.
Tiberi acknowledged that some of the benefits in the IAM
contract are better, but said some benefits in the TWU contract are also
better. For instance, TWU members were awarded stock in the new American, while
IAM members do not hold any stock.
IAM members are among the few U.S. workers who continue to
participate in a defined benefit pension plan, which entitles them to
guaranteed benefits after they retire. However, in terms of cost to the
company, the benefits in the two contracts are "a wash," Tiberi said.
Even if the NMB were to release the parties, that does not
mean the IAM will strike. A more likely outcome would be stepped-up
negotiations that could lead to higher pay for IAM members.
Source: Street.com
/ Philly.com
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