Happy New Year! CWA Passenger Service update

January 2, 2008
CWA

The CWA held an arbitration on December 6, in Phoenix on the retiree travel grievance.  The immediate family travel grievance was also scheduled to be heard on the same day, but the lawyer representing US Airways stated that he was not made aware of this by the company and did not prepare to argue that case.  The CWA went forward with their case on the retiree travel, we will reschedule the immediate family travel grievance as soon as possible.  Some of the CWA local President's and reps attended the arbitration hearing as a panel rep, witnesses and resource help. Vonda Hardy, Local President, 3640, served on the arbitration panel. James Drummond, Local President 13302, Ellis Ryan, Local President 3140, and Frank Spencer, area VP, local 2252, served as witnesses in the case.  Staff Rep Velvet Hawthorne also served as a witness and resource person.  The CWA lawyer that represented us was Alex Roe, from CWA headquarters in DC.  The neutral arbitrator was Bonnie Weintraub.  The next step is the filing of post briefs by the two lawyers and then a decision will be made by the arbitration panel reps.  We expect an answer in the next few months.  We will keep you posted. 

While in Phoenix that same week, the local Presidents met with Ron Harbinson, Manager of Labor relations ground, to discuss some outstanding, unresolved issues, including the dues problems the locals have reported to the company.  One of the main topics of discussion was the new POC East positions and the fact the company made those same positions CSS rate of pay on the West but have not done so on the East.  The company offered a resolution and we are waiting on the draft from them of a letter of agreement that we can review.  Once we get this, the local Presidents will discuss it and decide if we will accept the company terms or make a counter offer.  If we cannot come to an agreement on this issue, we will move forward with an arbitration hearing on the grievance we filed on this issue.

The twenty-five cent (.25) per hour, customer contact premium, has been reinstated to all passenger service agents, CSA, RES, CSS, CAR, CLUB and CTO reps.  The premium took effect January 1, 2008.  The 12 year pay rate also increased from $18.00 to $18.60 on January 1, 2008 for any employee that is already at the 12 year rate of pay.  If you are just reaching the 12 year rate this year, your increase to $18.60 will occur on the first pay period following your pay anniversary date.