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News Release

Release # 03.AWA7
December 16, 2003

For Immediate Release

PHOENIX—The pilots at America West Airlines (AWA) will vote on a new contract after a second tentative agreement was rejected by the membership earlier this month. The following statement was issued today by Captain Terry Stadler, chairman of the America West Airlines pilots’ Master Executive Council, part of the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA).

"We were able to restructure the most recent failed tentative agreement to better meet the needs of our pilot group. We heard the outcry of support for those pilots who had already retired and the need to recognize their efforts in helping to build this airline into the successful carrier it is today. This agreement also protects our pilots in the event of a debilitating medical condition by providing an industry-leading long term disability program."

The vote will open on Friday, December 19, 2003 and close at 8 a.m. (MST) on Tuesday, December 30, 2003.

The entire local union leadership unanimously endorses this latest tentative agreement. The previous tentative agreement was voted down by a 725 to 720 spread. Contract talks had begun in February 2000, and the NMB assigned a federal mediator to facilitate negotiations in May 2001. The NMB temporarily suspended talks after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

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, 602-306-4100 or 602-421-8869