Release #08.007
February 19, 2008

ALPA Responds to NMB Election Decision
Union representing US Airways pilots in the fight to win

WASHINGTON – The National Mediation Board (NMB) today announced that there will be an election to determine union representation for the thousands of US Airways pilots long represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA). The pilots who fly for the new US Airways flew previously for America West Airlines and US Airways.

The election will take place March 20 through April 17. The NMB will send out the Notice and Sample Instructions on March 13. The Voting Instructions will be mailed on March 20, with the balloting period from 12:01 a.m. ET, March 20 through April 17. The vote tally will take place at 2:00 p.m. ET on April 17, at the NMB’s office in Washington, D.C.

A dispute among a number of US Airways pilots arose over an independent arbitrator’s decision regarding pilots’ seniority. Over the last 10 months, ALPA and many US Airways pilots from both pilot groups have worked hard to mutually resolve the differences and significant progress is underway.

Some US Airways pilots, however, petitioned the NMB for an election to replace ALPA with the hope of overturning the arbitrator’s decision. ALPA looks forward to debating the important issues that will affect the careers of all US Airways pilots.

“I urge the US Airways pilots to study the issues and make a solid pilot-minded decision—and not act out of emotion,” said Capt. John Prater, president of ALPA. “Only one organization has the resources and the ability to protect the futures of all US Airways pilots in these perilous times—and that’s ALPA.”

“Efforts to change the arbitration award—which came out of a process both pilot groups signed onto—will ultimately fail. These efforts will also push badly needed and deserved improvements to the pilot contract well into the future,” Prater added. “While the issues our pilots face are serious, in the end we strongly believe that the US Airways pilots will vote to keep the benefits of the world’s largest pilots union working for them.”

The company is required to submit each pilot’s mailing address label within five calendar days to the NMB. The exact date of the election will be determined after the parties have an opportunity to review the list of eligible voters.

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing more than 61,000 pilots at 43 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. Visit: www.alpa.org.

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ALPA Contacts: Pete Janhunen, Linda Shotwell, Molly Martin, 703/481-4440 or media@alpa.org