Angry pilots at US Airways near vote on union ouster

PHOENIX -- A group of disgruntled US Airways pilots says it's close to forcing a vote to choose a new union and stall contract negotiations with the carrier indefinitely.

Stephen H. Bradford, a US Airways pilot who leads the fledgling US Airline Pilots Association, said almost a majority of the airline's unionized pilots has called for a vote to pick new collective bargaining representatives. If about 150 more pilots join his cause, Bradford said he can ask the National Mediation Board to force a referendum on the Air Line Pilots Association, which currently represents the pilots.

Bradford said he expects to have a majority "in a month to six weeks. We are in the endgame of this, I would imagine."

The Tempe, Ariz.-based airline has struggled to merge its pilot groups following America West Airlines' acquisition of the former US Airways in 2005. Pilots from both carriers have been trying to hammer out a joint contract, but those who were with the original US Airways recently walked away from the negotiating table, demanding immediate pay raises before they return.

US Airways refused, and CEO Doug Parker said he won't deal with America West pilots independently. Company spokeswoman Andrea Rader said management still plans to meet Tuesday in Washington D.C., with America West pilots, as well as representatives from ALPA's national office.

But the company won't discuss pay issues specific to pilots from the former US Airways because their representatives aren't expected to come, Rader said. She added that a National Mediation Board-sponsored vote on union representation would throw the entire contract negotiation process into limbo.

"If one union is decertified and we have to start all over with another one, then that's pretty clear," Rader said.

America West pilots have watched Bradford's group with frustration. If he gets his way, two years of contract negotiations will be likely thrown out, said Tania Bziukiewicz, a spokeswoman for America West pilots.

"There's no expectation that the company's going to take all the work that's been done and go ahead," Bziukiewicz said.