February 22, 2002

Pilots to Host Union Conference on Job Outsourcing

PHOENIX — The four unions representing approximately 6,000 America West Airlines employees will meet Feb. 25 in Phoenix to discuss the effects increased outsourcing of flying to smaller affiliate airlines will have on their respective members’ careers.

The conference, hosted by the America West unit of the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), will include representatives from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Transport Workers Union and Association of Flight Attendants.

"We cannot sit idly by and watch while the growth of America West, growth made possible by the efforts and sacrifices of the employees, is outsourced to other carriers," said Captain Herb Holland, chairman of the America West ALPA unit. "We all want to see America West grow, but not at the expense of our own careers."

According to America West’s Seven Year Plan, which was submitted to the Air Transport Stabilization Board in December to support the airline’s federal loan guarantee application, outsourced flying performed on behalf of America West by other carriers will increase 100 percent from 2001 to 2008. During that same period, America West itself will increase flying by only 20 percent.

"With hundreds of our workers still on furlough, it’s disturbing to see America West management’s continued disregard for the job security concerns of the very people who have driven this airline’s success," Captain Holland said.

Including the 1,800 America West pilots, ALPA represents 64,000 pilots at 45 airlines in the United States and Canada.

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ALPA Contact: Scott Sherrin, (602) 306-4100