ALPA's Communications Department provides information and support for news media inquiries. An ALPA communications representative can be reached in the Herndon, Va. office at (703) 481-4440.

News Release

Release # 03.AWA5
October 6, 2003

For Immediate Release

PHOENIX—The America West Airlines (AWA) unionized labor groups have come together to form the "AWA Labor Coalition." The group is comprised of the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) – mechanics and stock clerks, the Transport Workers Union (TWU) – ramp personnel and dispatchers, and the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA).

The goal of the group is to discuss common challenges and concerns they may share regarding the company and the airline industry. The America West Labor Coalition plans to meet on a quarterly schedule or as needed. The current commonalties shared by the labor groups are America West Airlines’ lack of contract compliance, poor labor relations, erosion of employee benefits and job security. The coalition is planning an AWA Labor Coalition Unity Rally for the middle of the month. Details about the rally will be forthcoming.

Captain Terry Stadler, ALPA Master Executive Council (MEC) chairman, speaking for the Coalition this week said, "We have always engaged in periodic networking among the other labor groups. A formalized coalition with systematic communication is long overdue. Each of the labor group leadership is excited for the opportunity to strengthen our solidarity."

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s oldest and largest pilot union, representing 66,000 members at 42 airlines in the United States and Canada, including nearly 1,700 pilots at America West Airlines. Visit the ALPA website at http://www.alpa.org.

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ALPA CONTACT: Amy Scarlett, (602) 306-1208