A group of US Airways pilots trying to unseat the Air Line Pilots Association as their union representative filed an official election request today with the National Mediation Board, setting up a showdown with the world's largest pilot union.

The newly-formed US Airline Pilots Association claims to have more than 3,000 signatures from rank-and-file pilots calling for a vote. The National Mediation Board will determine if the group has enough signatures; NMB rules require votes from a majority of eligible pilots for an representation election to occur.

ALPA officials said they would resist "all efforts" to remove the national union as collective bargaining agent for US Airways pilots.

"While I understand the frustration felt by all US Airways pilots who have endured bankruptcy, furloughs, and pension loss," said ALPA president John Prater, "I believe that belonging to ALPA offers them the best chance of bargaining a progressive contract that delivers significant improvements in pay, work rules and benefits."

ALPA, founded in 1931, represents more than 60,000 pilots at 42 airlines.

The in-house union looking to overtake ALPA at US Airways cites a series of events as reason for their split, from the loss of pensions to severe pay cuts to a recent seniority award favoring younger pilots at America West Airlines, which merged with the old US Airways in 2005.

First Published: November 13, 2007, 9:45 p.m.