US Airways Mechanics Ratify Unified Contract

US Airways mechanics represented by the International Association of Machinists (IAM) District 142 today ratified a three-year agreement that moves all US Airways' maintenance-and-related employees to one labor contract. The new agreement provides annual wage increases, job security and new pension benefits for all members, and becomes amendable on Dec. 31, 2011. The IAM mechanics' agreement, covering approximately 3,300 maintenance-and-related employees (800 West and 2,500 East), is the latest unified contract achieved at the new US Airways since its merger with America West in 2005. Chairman and CEO Doug Parker said, "We're extremely pleased that our employees have endorsed this new agreement. I applaud the IAM leadership, led by District 142 president and directing general chairman Tom Higginbotham, and our own team, led by Vice President, Labor Relations, Al Hemenway, for their efforts to reach an agreement that is fair and recognizes the contributions of our maintenance team."