Pilots’ union rejects America West contract

Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2003 | 10:46 a.m.

SUN STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

PHOENIX -- The Air Line Pilots Association today rejected a proposed three-year contract with America West Airlines -- the second rejected contract in less than year.

The agreement would have included 14 percent raises for 1,700 plots over the life of the contract, an improved retirement package and enhanced job protections.

"While we are disappointed with today's vote results, the entire America West team will continue to focus on the positive transformation of our airline," said America West Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Doug Parker in a statement released by the airline. "We will continue to work together under the terms of our existing contract."

Tempe, Ariz.-based America West and the union renewed negotiations early in September using a federal mediator after a previous tentative agreement was rejected by pilots in March.

That rejected agreement had called for an immediate 11 percent pay raise and a 3 percent raise in 2005. Terry Stadler, the Air Line Pilots Association's chairman, has said key contract disputes were on retirement, job protection and work rules.

The contract negotiations originally began in early 2000.

America West employs 13,000 employees and serves nearly 55,000 customers a day. It is the nation's eighth largest carrier with hubs in Phoenix and Las Vegas.

In Las Vegas, America West and its commuter partner, Mesa Airlines, which operates as America West Express, is the second busiest commercial passenger carrier at McCarran International Airport with 92 daily nonstop flights to 42 markets.

The airline is expanding and expects to have 100 daily flights by spring. Currently, America West serves about a half-million passengers a month in Las Vegas.

America West has 1,000 employees in Las Vegas, but does not have a pilot base here, a company spokeswoman said. The airline has a fleet of 142 jets with Mesa having 41 commuter aircraft.