This is APA Communications member First Officer Scott Shankland with the APA Information Hotline for Friday, May 14.

APA has received a variety of feedback from members about this announcement. Some pilots have advocated that we recommend our members refuse the money altogether, expressing the view that such a token amount is an affront to the value of the professional service we provide.

Others have suggested we respond just as we did when management issued non-contractual bonuses in January 2008. At that time APA provided a letter for each pilot to present to their local flight office. In this letter, we expressed the view that the bonuses were “nothing more than a diversion tactic” to take the spotlight off management bonuses. We also indicated that “we would be more encouraged by news that AMR has ceased their negotiating delay tactics and are willing to conduct substantive negotiations that restore our profession, recognize our sacrifices and reward our value to this airline.” As evidenced by management’s continued refusal to provide a pay proposal after three-plus years in negotiations, not much has changed since the last time the flight department decided it wanted to deliver in-person “attaboys.”

Management has indicated to APA that they decided to issue the Customer Experience Rewards checks in paper form because it creates an opportunity to personally thank employees. Although we typically advocate the “My Union Speaks for Me!” response in such situations, this time we encourage members to use this opportunity to emphasize that a new contract produced through good-faith bargaining represents the most appropriate recognition of our pilots’ worth. Speak up and leave no doubt in any chief pilot’s mind about our unwavering resolve. Make sure they understand that we remain unified in our quest for a restored contract.

That’s all we have for today. Thanks for checking this message.