This week, APA met with management under the supervision of mediator Mike Tosi from the National Mediation Board. Mr. Tosi met separately with APA and management in order to set ground rules and listen to both perspectives on the current status of the negotiations. APA negotiators outlined the sacrifices pilots made in 2003 and expressed concern at management's nearly complete lack of response to APA's comprehensive contract proposals.

On Wednesday, management passed eight proposals to APA in the following areas: Section 2, Definitions, Section 7, Expenses Away from Base, Section 8, Moving Expenses, Section 14, Probation Period, Section 20, Discipline, Hearings, Grievances, and Appeals, Section 21, Pre-Arbitration Conferences, Section 23, System Board of Adjustment, Letter K, Uniform Committee, and Letter Q, Accomodation of OAL Jumpseat Riders in the Cabin. With the exception of the proposal on Moving Expenses, on which management had made an earlier proposal, all of management's proposals were for no changes to the above areas.

On Thursday, the parties discussed Moving Expenses, Satellite Bases, Amenities in Domiciles, and Airport Parking.

Please listen to APA Podcasts, including President Lloyd Hill's podcast on negotiations under the present economic conditions by clicking the link below:

APA Podcast

As a reminder, last week management made a proposal to APA which would involve converting the "B" fund to a 401k. This proposal would result in a reduction of benefits due to an elimination of the 90-day lock-in, elimination of the annuity option, and a likely increase of management fees. Therefore, this proposal would be in violation of Supplement B of the contract as well as the Goetz arbitration award and is not a contractual option for APA.