Charlotte Business Journal

The US Airline Pilots Association, which represents pilots at US Airways Group Inc., has initiated contract talks with the carrier's management. Negotiations broke off 10 months ago because of the disparate pay and working conditions between US Airways pilots and those of America West Airlines. US Airways and America West merged in September 2005, with the combined carrier taking the US Airways name. However, the merged companies havn't yet resolved an impasse over its pilots' labor agreement. "We believe it's time for management to complete the job it started three years ago and conclude the merger of US Airways and America West," says Steve Bradford, USAPA president. "Although we are hopeful, we will wait and see what management does -- not what they say." In April, pilots at US Airways approved a measure to leave the Air Line Pilots Association and form a separate union. Of the 5,238 eligible voters, 2,723 pilots cast their ballots in favor of joining the US Airline Pilots Association, which is based in Charlotte. Arizona-based US Air operates its largest hub at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport. The carrier operates 3,500 flights per day to about 230 destinations in the Americas and Europe.