• US AIRWAYS AND UNITED FLIGHT ATTENDANT LEADERS COMMENT ON MERGER REPORTS
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• AFA Local Numbers

The following press release was issued by your MEC Presidents at US Airways East and US Airways West as well as the MEC President at United.

Thank you,

Mike Flores MEC President
AFA-CWA US Airways

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US AIRWAYS AND UNITED FLIGHT ATTENDANT LEADERS COMMENT ON MERGER REPORTS

Washington, DC - In response to recent speculation regarding a merger between US Airways and United Airlines, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) Master Executive Council presidents at America West, US Airways and United, representing over 21,000 flight attendants, issued the following statement regarding the failed actions of the current management at each airline and the dangers of multiplying those failures by forcing them under one roof:

"Labor relations at our carriers is at an all-time low. US Airways CEO Doug Parker has failed for almost three years to negotiate a combined contract with the flight attendants at US Airways and America West. While executives have repeatedly awarded themselves millions in salary and bonuses, US Airways and America West flight attendants have not received raises or improvements in working conditions for nearly five years.

"The track record of United Airlines executives is no better. Last year, CEO Glenn Tilton awarded himself another 24 percent raise. And last week, it was announced that UAL executives are seeking another bonus stock payout of eight million shares. Meanwhile, UAL management continues to make short-sighted decisions that leave no room for recovery when the airline is faced with weather delays or other common operational disturbances. These staffing cuts and scheduling practices provide no benefit and only wreak havoc on passengers' travel experience.

"In order for such an inherently risky and complex business transaction to be successful, there must be an underlying rationale and an accord with flight attendants. To date there is no evidence of either. If current management at these companies expects cooperation in any consolidation scenario, they must address the needs of flight attendants.

"The problems at our airlines can and should be fixed. Flight attendants continue to struggle under the draconian cuts of bankruptcy and deserve decent wages and work conditions. Only when the needs of the employees are met will US Airways and United Airlines have a chance at being airlines where people want to work and passengers want to fly.

"In order for any merger to be successful, it will need to have the support of flight attendants. We encourage our respective management teams to first address the problems that have created this unfriendly labor environment before contemplating any kind of consolidation scenario. Unless immediate focus is placed on the outstanding road blocks to success at each of our airlines, flight attendant issues will become real and significant obstacles in the path of any merger."

Mike Flores, Gary Richardson and Greg Davidowitch are AFA-CWA Presidents at US Airways, America West and United respectively.

For over 60 years, the Association of Flight Attendants has been serving as the voice for flight attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill. More than 55,000 flight attendants at 20 airlines come together to form AFA-CWA, the world's largest flight attendant union. AFA is part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afanet.org

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AFA US Airways Website

www.afausairways.org

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AFA Local Numbers
 
Council 41 DCA 703-212-8090
Council 69 BOS 781-289-8454
Council 70 PHL 215-492-0840
Council 82 LGA 315-736-3483
Council 89 CLT 704-527-0325

New Hotline Number Toll Free: 866-USA-AFA2
US AIRWAYS Benefits Information 800-872-4780

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