Release #06.001
January 11, 2006

Pilots, Management Move Forward at US Airways Express Carrier

SALISBURY, MD -- The US Airways Express pilots of Piedmont Airlines, as represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l. (ALPA), have ratified a tentative agreement with their management that provides for quality-of-life improvements to their current collective bargaining agreement.

“These contract enhancements will have a positive effect on the daily professional lives of our 600-plus pilots,” said Master Executive Council Chairman, Capt. Calvin Dilks. “The changes represent an encouraging first step by management in acknowledging the commitment and dedication of our pilots, following our emergence from bankruptcy last year as a division of US Airways.” 

The ratified agreement includes scheduling and reserve-duty enhancements, additional vacation protections, new groundwork for increased automation, and other constructive extras that will improve the current contract from a pilot quality-of-life perspective.

These interim negotiations are outlined in the pilots’ current labor contract, which becomes amendable in May 2009. The contract provides for a one-time set of midterm talks to address issues of a limited economic impact. The pilot negotiators have been meeting with Piedmont management to exchange proposals and discuss ideas for the last five months.

Based in Salisbury, Md., Piedmont Airlines is a wholly owned subsidiary of the US Airways Group, which includes the recent US Airways/America West merger.

ALPA represents 63,000 airline pilots at 40 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. Its website is www.alpa.org. 

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ALPA CONTACTS: Capt. Calvin Dilks (843) 324-6258 or John Perkinson (703) 481-4440