Subject to Membership Approval, Agreement Would Extend Job Protections, Lift Pay

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) reached a tentative agreement with US Airways late Tuesday night for a contract covering all US Airways mainline flight attendants. The union said that, under the supervision of the National Mediation Board (NMB), three intense mediation sessions successfully led to a tentative agreement that would extend job protections and overall economic improvements to all US Airways flight attendants

Providing AFA members with an opportunity to vote on an agreement that reflects flight attendants' priorities prior to any new potential merger has been a key focus for AFA.

"Flight Attendants made clear it had to be 'Our Contract First', before any new merger.  And now Flight Attendants have the opportunity to secure their contract first," stated AFA US Airways presidents Roger Holmin and Deborah Volpe. "We appreciate the leadership of the National Mediation Board and especially the skilled oversight of Chairwoman Puchala and Mediator MacKenzie in structuring mediation sessions where the concerns of US Airways Flight Attendants could be addressed. Flight Attendants have contributed to the success of US Airways, positioning our airline for a potential merger with American Airlines. An agreement for US Airways flight attendants is essential for the airline to take a positive step forward with its current workers as partners in the process."

"We are very pleased to have reached a tentative agreement with AFA and thank the union leadership and negotiating committee for their dedication in support of our flight attendants," said Doug Parker, US Airways chairman and CEO. "We would also like to express our appreciation to the National Mediation Board, Board Member Linda Puchala, Mediator Jim MacKenzie and Veda Shook, International President, Association of Flight Attendants – CWA, AFL-CIO for their help in reaching this agreement."

FMI: www.afanet.org, www.usairways.com