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News :: Economy |
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US Airways asks staff to work for free |
Current rating: 0 |
by Reuters via Joe Futrelle
Email: futrelle (nospam) shout.net (verified) |
29 Dec 2004
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US Airways asks staff to work for free
Report: Bankrupt airline tries to slash costs, seeks non-union volunteers for New Year's weekend.
December 29, 2004: 8:22 AM EST
NEW YORK (Reuters) - US Airways, the bankrupt No. 7 U.S. airline, is seeking volunteers from non-union staff to work for free at its troubled Philadelphia operations over the New Year's weekend, the Washington Post reported Wednesday.
The airline canceled nearly 400 flights over Christmas weekend, leaving thousands of passengers stranded or without luggage after three times the normal rate of flight attendants and baggage handlers based at Philadelphia called in sick.
US Airways (Research) said Tuesday its flight operations were back to normal, although it was still clearing the backlog of misplaced bags.
But the troubles threatened to further alienate customers as the carrier fights to avoid liquidation by cutting employee pay and other costs.
The newspaper said the airline has sent extra workers and executives to Philadelphia to help restore services, but is seeking employees to work for free between Dec. 30 and Jan. 3.
"This is a volunteer program," the airline said in an e-mail to staff published by the newspaper. "You will not be paid if this is on your days(s) off. It promises to be a rewarding opportunity to learn more about the operation of our airline and come face to face with our customers."
The airline is also examining attendance records and warned it would consider disciplinary action if it found any staff took unmerited sick leave, the newspaper said.
US Airways was one of two airlines that suffered major service problems over Christmas weekend. Delta Air Lines Inc.'s (Research) regional carrier Comair canceled all flights on Saturday after a computer malfunction, blamed on bad weather.
The Transportation Department has launched an investigation into the airline industry's performance in the wake of the weekend woes to see if carriers are living up to customer service commitments made five years ago. |
Copyright by the author. All rights reserved. |
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Re: US Airways asks staff to work for free |
by Joe Futrelle
futrelle (nospam) shout.net (verified) |
Current rating: 0
29 Dec 2004
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This is not a healthy industry. Expect more disruptions as airlines continue to drive wages and benefits down to absurd levels to try to deal with spiraling costs and nonexistent profits. |
