US Airways pilots' union sends pay cut deal for ratification

Airline Industry Information, Oct 6, 2004

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

The Air Line Pilots Association, representing pilots from the bankrupt US Airways, has voted to send a concessions deal to its 3,200 US Airways pilots for ratification.

The decision was reached after 11 hours of union talks held on 5 October 2004. The tentative contract will see pilots take an 18% pay cut over five years, reduced vacation time and benefits cuts which the airline hopes will save it USD1.8bn.

A spokesperson for the union said that if the deal is ratified it would mean that US Airways' pilots will have accepted nearly USD7bn of cuts to help the airline, including previous concession deals. US Airways however said that it will still ask a bankruptcy court to impose a 23% emergency pay cut on all unionised workers to save it from possible liquidation in February 2005, reports the Northwest Indiana Times.

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