United Pilots form Strike Committee

[BLUE BAYOU]

United's Pilots Union Forms Strike Committee >UAUA

CHICAGO (AP)--The pilots union of UAL Corp.'s (UAUA) United Airlines will form a "strike preparation committee," a sign that there is mounting labor unrest at the nation's second-largest airline.
The Air Line Pilots Association has voted unanimously to start the committee even though the current contract for pilots and other union employees runs through 2009 and it can't legally strike until then.
The union's main reason for starting the committee is a response to what pilots see as a widening disparity between employee pay and management pay.
Union spokesman Herb Hunter said pilots have given up at least 40% of pay while executives received 40% pay raises in September.
"Somewhere, it seems to us, the notion of shared sacrifice has gone away," Hunter told the Chicago Tribune.
Hunter said the union isn't planning a strike yet, and the Tuesday vote to form the committee is a preparatory step to opening contract negotiations.
Officials from the Elk Grove Village, Ill.-based company said it won't reopen a contract reached just last year.
"Now is the time for us to focus on our customers, and that's what we're going to do," said United spokeswoman Jean Medina. "We worked very hard with ALPA to consensually and successfully negotiate the current contract. We look forward to doing the same when this agreement becomes amendable."
Though a potential strike is a long way from happening, analysts said unrest among pilots could create havoc. For example, in 2000 pilots didn't work overtime and caused numerous flight cancellations, according to Ray Neidl, an aviation analyst with Calyon Securities Inc.
He said the company can't afford to give back pay concessions workers allowed during its three-years in bankruptcy.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires
December 07, 2006 11:15 ET (16:15 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2006 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.- - 11 15 AM EST 12-07-06

 

[GogglesPisano]

Good luck UAL pilots!!!

 

[ultrarunner]

Let me gets this straight...your current CBA goes through the end of '09. Which basically means you start negotiating sometime '08. The ammend date will come and go, negotiations will continue into 2010...and sometime in 2111 you get released from mediation, etc...

So, if it went to strike, which it wouldn't because of the PEB, you'd be looking at sometime in 2111....FIVE YEARS from now.

I'm all for planning ahead, but geez...if the intent is only to show your frustration with management, have your MEC put out a freaking memo or some stupid vote of no confidence....or whatever it is you do.

But a strike preparation committee, give me a break! $hit, you'll see another BK before the PEB prevents your strike!

 

[Occam's Razor]

Without commenting on the specifics of the situation at United...there are a few different reasons to set up a Strike Committee, and only one of them is to prepare for a strike.

If it is announced publicly, it might be that you are hoping to heighten the awareness of the traveling public about your situation. In a service industry, it could have an impact on revenue.

It might be that you are trying to get your membership to pay attention. Setting up a structure that ratchets their awareness a couple of clicks might be useful, especially if there are other concerns lurking about...such as consolidation.

It might be that you have nothing to do right now.

 

[TAWS]

Hey Occam,

How did your strike commitee help?

That's right ...................... It DIDN"T!

Now that NWA and Delta Pilots successfully negotiated concessions, even though both companies had LOTS of money in the bank, how do you feel UAL Pilots stand a chance - given your Pilot group's behaviour?

I can hear it now "hold the line" "stay strong UAL guys" etc...

What a joke considering the actions of other ALPA groups, at a time when the industry was turning the corner.

 

[GuppyWN]

The flying public doesn't give a rat's arse about labor unrest. All they care about is the $99 fare from here to there. You're "personal sacrafice" means cheaper airfare for them.

Gup

 

[Flopgut]

Let me gets this straight...your current CBA goes through the end of '09. Which basically means you start negotiating sometime '08. The ammend date will come and go, negotiations will continue into 2010...and sometime in 2111 you get released from mediation, etc...

So, if it went to strike, which it wouldn't because of the PEB, you'd be looking at sometime in 2111....FIVE YEARS from now.

I'm all for planning ahead, but geez...if the intent is only to show your frustration with management, have your MEC put out a freaking memo or some stupid vote of no confidence....or whatever it is you do.

But a strike preparation committee, give me a break! $hit, you'll see another BK before the PEB prevents your strike!

PEB? What, you know who's going to be president? It's entirely possible it will be a labor friendly environment. This is the perfect time to do this and an excellent example for every other pilot group (DAL!). The message is to Wall Street as much as anything else. What if DP's intention is not actually a DAL merger? It may be a deal with UAL! GT wants mergers to happen for sure, he has the money. The pilot group is making it know that labor is ready for 2009 and in the mean time, pilot labor is watching him closely!

 

[ironspud]

What are these clowns gonna do? Choke the golden goose again?imp:

 

[ultrarunner]

PEB? What, you know who's going to be president? It's entirely possible it will be a labor friendly environment.

That being said, labor friendly or not, for an airline the size of UAL, I would expect a PEB. Even more so given that there is likey a greater amount of consolidating this is going to occur.

IMHO

 

[Gofish]

Squeeze every last golden egg out of the goose without killing it...if I recall.

 

[nimtz]

Squeeze every last golden egg out of the goose without killing it...if I recall.

including calling in sick for the last 18 months of your career on 400 captain pay

 

[Occam's Razor]

How did your strike commitee help?

That's right ...................... It DIDN"T!

Well. We ratified the T.A. That means we voted to not go on strike.

In 1998 we did not agree to terms and went on strike.

See how it works?

Now that NWA and Delta Pilots successfully negotiated concessions, even though both companies had LOTS of money in the bank, how do you feel UAL Pilots stand a chance - given your Pilot group's behaviour?

"LOTS of money in the bank"? Is that all it takes? As long as your bank balance is a black number, you don't have to pay those pesky creditors?

Got it!

(No wonder I got a C- in Econ 101!)

I can hear it now "hold the line" "stay strong UAL guys" etc...

Where did you see that in my post?

What a joke considering the actions of other ALPA groups, at a time when the industry was turning the corner.

Hope you're feeling better soon! If your pain continues too long, you should consider a telethon.

 

[TAWS]

Occam,

It's sooooooooooo easy to drag you guys in! Ha Ha!!

The real reason they have formed a strike committee might be to gain leverage with Tilton et al, who have expressed their intention to merge with another carrier. In other words, we'll scuttle any potential deal, if we don't improve our lot, or, to a potential partner/wall street, we'll screw up everything for ya - watch out!!

UAL guys are not going to be happy with a merger, who would? This is their way of scaring partners away.

 

[BobbyBiplane]

Yawn!

 

[Flopgut]

That being said, labor friendly or not, for an airline the size of UAL, I would expect a PEB. Even more so given that there is likey a greater amount of consolidating this is going to occur.

IMHO

That may be what you wish/think will happen, but after 50%+ paycuts and Tilton taking 23+ million, an AFL-CIO strike won't be a problem.

GT goes to Wall Street what's the lender going to be thinking? "These pilots were pi$$ed before they had their pensions stolen, lend this Tilton tool money? Why not just burn it in the street!"

I think under the new ALPA leadership, you'll see every pilot group activate the strike committee early.

 

[SWA/FO]

slow down! slow down!!

 

[Occam's Razor]

Deleted by MOD, warning sent.

 

[PCL_128]

This should be expected from more ALPA airlines also. President-elect Prater addressed an SPC conference a few weeks ago and expressed a desire to keep SPC activities going almost constantly, regardless of how long until the amendable date. He also wants a National SPC Committee.

 

[TAWS]

Occam,

That was low - I didn't think an intelligent guy like you would make a comment like that. I know you think it's funny, but it's not - at least to the family of that young boy, or the crew involved.

 

[Occam's Razor]

Occam,

That was low - I didn't think an intelligent guy like you would make a comment like that. I know you think it's funny, but it's not - at least to the family of that young boy, or the crew involved.

Dear Mother Teresa,

1. Sarcasm and edgy humor are the lingua franca of this Forum. I am not the only practitioner, nor am I the best at it...but I will do my best to hold the pipper on all targets that earn it.

2. SWA/FO is a big boy, and is well-versed in sarcasm and edgy humor. If you haven't read any of his posts, take a few minutes to get off my butt, and do your homework. If you are his mommy, then I understand your concern.

3. SWA/FO is asking pilots at another carrier to break the law by violating the status quo. He did it in a childish manner. I happen to speak fluent childish, and am more than willing to respond. If that hurts your feelings, you should try www.forums.milquetoastwussies.com.