US AIRWAYS Airline cuts jobs, seeks concessions

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) -- US Airways cut 2,500 jobs Tuesday and said it is seeking additional concessions from labor to attain the cost cuts it needs to emerge from bankruptcy next year.
The airline has already laid off nearly 15,000 workers out of more than 46,000 since the Sept. 11 attacks devastated the airline industry, and employees who were once the best paid in the industry have collectively agreed to $840 million in wage and benefit cuts to help the airline return to profitability. The latest cuts would mean US Airways has cut 38 percent of its work force since the attacks.
The additional cost cuts being sought by management would affect work rules and benefits, not wages, the airline said.
US Airways had promised employees it would not seek further concessions through the bankruptcy court when they agreed to those initial concessions, and the airline is honoring that promise, said US Airways spokesman David Castelveter.
But the labor agreements provide no protection from furloughs.
Under the labor agreements, US Airways promises to operate a minimum of 245 mainline jets. On Tuesday, the company said it plans to continue operating 279 jets if employees agree to the new concessions now being sought.
The furloughs affect all employee groups, from management to pilots, to ticket agents, Castelveter said.