Modest progress was made yesterday in
negotiations between the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA and US
Airways for achieving long-term cost savings at the troubled carrier. “The company needs to resolve these negotiations quickly,” insisted Perry
Hayes, president of the AFA Master Executive Council at US Airways. “AFA
wants US Airways to succeed, but the company’s success cannot be on the
backs of the flight attendants.”

Hayes noted that the latest talks took place in the wake of a decision by
the AFA Board of Directors to call for a nationwide strike should any
contracted carrier abrogate an existing collective bargaining agreement,
an action US Airways has asked a bankruptcy court to permit. The potential
for a job action, combined with the December 2 scheduling of a hearing on
management’s request and the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday weekend creates
an environment that may be conducive to more concrete and realistic
discussions, Hayes said.

Negotiations have adjourned for the week, but are scheduled to resume
early next week. The union hopes to reach an agreement before Thanksgiving.
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