With the US Airways deal now a distinct possibility, it is time to review where the TWU membership in Tulsa now stands fourteen months after American’s Chapter 11 filing; particularly in light of the claims of two competing organizations that they could have handled this event better than the TWU.
- If there is a merger and an approved reorganization plan, TWU represented AMTs and Title II mechanics will receive at least $4.73 (or 17.4%) in pay increases by September 12, 2015, or by the conclusion of the first three years of the Agreement. This does not include the industry standard pay adjustment based on UAL/DAL rates which we will be entitled to at that time, which is likely to add substantially to the amount of pay increase.
- Pre-contract rate for base pay of topped out title 1 and 2 was 27.20
- At Date of signing 9-12-12 pay raise 3% 28.02
- MOU Merger pay raise= 4.3% base pay is 29.22
- On 9-12-13 base pay raise =3% base pay is 30.10
- On 9-12-14 base pay raise = 3% base pay is 31.00
- On 9-12-15 base pay raise = 3% base pay is 31.93
- Industry Average adjustment is September 12, 2015
The difference between 27.20 and 31.93 is 17.4%. The reason why the raises produce this overall percentage is because there is a compounding effect on the scheduled percentage pay increase as the rates increase.
- We will have an additional opportunity to restore sick, vacation, and holidays, as well as improve health care coverage when we harmonize the AA and US Airways mechanic agreements after a merger.
- We have secured these improvements and the opportunity for further improvements while requiring the Company to keep close to two thirds of our work in house and preserving the vast bulk of the heavy overhaul operation and back shops in Tulsa.
- We now have several unions (IBT, AMFA, IAM) claiming that they could have done better than the TWU in dealing with AA’s bankruptcy; but, none can point to an instance in which they actually did better than the TWU when they were responsible for dealing with a bankrupt carrier. There are no such instances. The TWU has preserved far more pay and work than any organization seeking to displace us. That is a simple fact.
There is one other simple fact. No union besides the TWU has managed to protect a full heavy overhaul operation such as still exists in Tulsa. Those who put their trust in another organization to continue to accomplish this are basing their hopes on faith not performance.