The Flight Options Army

[Dep676]

I don't know guys. The pilots that were complaining before the contract are still complaining now. Things have improved, but we have the same agitators on the union board, and they're the same 20 or so all of the time.

We have a new union referendum that will make the union stifling as anything management is accused of being, once it has been completely built.

Yeah, I know we're supposed to love the union. Do we really need a dues increase when they they just got one with our pay increase?

Okay, so Flight Options has a union...or does it? Who's really behind this union institution at Flight Options, or all of the strings being pulled the IBT 1108 Columbus office?

Why should I have to pay for that with a dues increase?

I voted no!

I would ask you what things have improved. Nothing has improved, that is unless you call staying in Radisson's, Super 8's and other hotels of the like means getting better. The crew meal situation has gone down hill. Duty days are longer, crew rot. There has not been one improvement that has occurred since the vote.

So I would like to see your lists of improvements. I can bet that it is small and not even one word.

 

[Freedom]

Pilots are so Frigging Ignorant:

I sometimes can't believe I call myself one.

Until YOU, the Flight Options Pilot, together with YOUR BROTHERS and SISTERS, turn up the Heat on Management by grinding this place to a halt, there will be No Good Faith Negotiating by Management.

YOU want a Contract YOU can be Proud of? Go out there and convince YOUR Brothers and Sisters to get on the Team and cause Managment some Financial Pain. Its the ONLY language they understand.

Why do whinny Pilots always sit around waiting for someone else to do the Dirty Work for them. Get YOUR HANDS DIRTY, and GET IN THE FIGHT!

As one of YOUR BROTHERS, I cannot do it alone. We need YOUR HELP.

Freedom is NOT Free.

 

[GVFlyer]

I don't know guys. The pilots that were complaining before the contract are still complaining now. Things have improved, but we have the same agitators on the union board, and they're the same 20 or so all of the time.

We have a new union referendum that will make the union stifling as anything management is accused of being, once it has been completely built.

Yeah, I know we're supposed to love the union. Do we really need a dues increase when they they just got one with our pay increase?

Okay, so Flight Options has a union...or does it? Who's really behind this union institution at Flight Options, or all of the strings being pulled the IBT 1108 Columbus office?

Why should I have to pay for that with a dues increase?

I voted no!

Good, cognitive post, Hawkered.

GV

 

[netjetwife]

Obviously, Hawkered felt that it was worth repeating. But I can't help but notice the imagery of the original is now missing.

Hawk, are you in hopes that the lite version will help your post/point to stick? Even if I didn't agree with your post the first time, I still supported your right to comment on recent affairs.

 

[gunfyter]

Why should I have to pay for that with a dues increase?

I voted no!

I consider Union Dues the best dollars spent every month. And they are tax deductible!

But I think the answer to your question is that since we are a democratic organization .. if the majority vote for dues increase ... you need to pay. Thats the reason.

If the majority vote no... then you don't have to pay.

 

[netjetwife]

Asnide from the obvious.... It is more to your advantage to help others in the industry achieve the new standards, lest you risk the bar being lowered by sub-par wages and working conditions that will be used as a direct "comp" when your side returns to the bargaining table.

Let's think of it in the terms of a real estate investment--your community is taxing you to make infrastructure improvements. You plan to sell your house in a few years, and understandably, will want to get the best market price possible. So do you vote to have your street repaved or do you think the potholes will go unobserved by prospective buyers? The latter isn't too likely! It seems to me that if everyone pitches in and helps clean up the "neighborhood" property values will rise and we'll all be better off in the long run.

Going with my community theme---I have noticed that important voting issues are listed separately on the ballot in my city. Giving voters the greatest opportunity to express their wishes is the democratic thing to do. The bylaws and the dues increase are too important to the union's future to be lumped together. Both are key issues that deserve their own place on the ballot. Being supportive of one doesn't automatically guarantee the same opinion is held for the other. An all or nothing voting procedure runs the risk of disenfranchising the very voters whose permission is being sought. The pilots and their families deserve better.
NJW

 

[Hawkered]

Yeah, but I only help those who are prepared to do some of the heavy lifting themselves. The unity at Flight Options has not been well communicated nor is it sticking with any solidarity.

I am getting sick and tired of "brother" this and "fraternally" that. It's really starting to turn into 1920's pathetic commie crap! There are factions now on the union board and harassment in the work place of officers that don't tow the line.

Did they even really "negotiate", or was it a take it or leave it offer at the 11th hour anyway?

 

[netjetwife]

Had the NJ pilots not wasted so much time themselves being disorganized and apathetic, I'd give your complaint more credence Hawkered. As it is the Options pilots have just become unionized and have had a lot to learn in a short amount of time. Not being involved with the process, I defer to the NJ pilots on the Organizing Committee and accept their word that progress is being made. Hawk, you must be from the "Show Me" state... I remember you also had your doubts that SU would bring home a fair/good contract. Which brings me to your other point--

If you'll recall, the (popularly called) POSTA was voted down overwhelmingly so obviously negotiations took place... My husband and others worked in the background to support the negotiating team; judging by the number of phone calls and amount of work that I saw, it fit the definition of negotiating. I remember that night well and while I would have gone one more round (we all know I wasn't in the room so take that for the purely personal opinion that it is ) I don't agree with your assessment of the outcome.

At my house we don't throw around words like Brother, Sister, fraternally etc. We do mention pilots by name, talk about different committees, and the status and direction of the union. Some talk the talk, some walk the walk. I've been watching very closely and I know who does what. That said, Hawk, it could all be in good fun... a way to build camaraderie, if you will. It looks to me like the NJ pilots are far better off than they used to be, judging by the much less serious tone of their complaints these days.

 

[netjetwife]

....We have a new union referendum that will make the union stifling as anything management is accused of being, once it has been completely built...... Do we really need a dues increase when they they just got one with our pay increase?...I voted no!

Could you please expand on your first point? I'm not sure of your meaning.

Kudos to you, Hawk, for caring enough to participate. In spite of the bylaws passing by a wide margin, it must be noted that around 1900 pilots didn't vote. In our society when voter turn out decreases sharply leaders become concerned and look for feasible explanations. The fact that 2 key issues were lumped together is a likely culprit. It had the appearance of "pork barrel" politics, whether deliberate strategy or not. That turns voters off but was easily avoided. If pilots viewed the decision with a jaded eye and a suspicious hunch, you can't blame them. The 2 questions could have been listed separately on one ballot--no need for two mailings.

When you have more abstainers than voters it is a problem. Was it the particular issue, the ballot format, disinterest, or disapproval over the direction and/or goals of the E-board? Strong Unions move in concert. When over half of the Membership fails to step forward they are clearly sending a message that they aren't ready and/or interested in moving the direction another has chosen. It's a good thing that the Options pilots voted, too. Now the NJ side of 1108 will also be getting their own MEC. Apparently, just in time. Strong Unions research the candidates. Get your list of questions ready....

 

[Diesel]

Something to think about. There has been no public information posted about the numbers from the bylaws vote. Any numbers here have been taken from a private website and a private messageboard for IBT 1108 dues paying members.

Until there is a public announcement of the bylaw count posting the numbers here is in bad form, and/or be grounds for suspension or banning from the 1108 messageboard.

 

[TORCH67]

Just a reminder to people posting information on this message board. The following statement is on the 1108 website.

The NetJets Pilots portion of the website and message board is exclusively for the use of active union pilots flying for NetJets Aviation. By clicking on the link below I affirm that I have read the following statement and agree to be bound by it. I also agree that I will not share information posted on this website or message board with any person not authorized to see it.

Opinions and dissertations are free speech, but be careful about information that is released on public message boards.

 

[Smellycat]

bad netjetwife

Something to think about. There has been no public information posted about the numbers from the bylaws vote. Any numbers here have been taken from a private website and a private messageboard for IBT 1108 dues paying members.

Until there is a public announcement of the bylaw count posting the numbers here is in bad form.

Netjetwife needs a spankin' for leaking classified IBT1108 information!

Get-a-life! Netjetwife! Get-a-life! Netjetwife!

 

[el raton]

Come on give us more of the secret 1108 stuffff....

 

[netjethusband]

Netjetwife needs a spankin' for leaking classified IBT1108 information!

I'll take care of her.

 

[Ultra Grump]

As for the vote, I fully intended to read the proposed bylaws and vote on them. It was very difficult to make the time necessary, however, especially since every time I started reading them I was sound asleep in 5 minutes!