Airtran Union Board endorses TA w/ qulifications

[newnan]

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,110596.shtml

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]AirTran Pilot Board Endorses Tentative Agreement; Next Step Ratification Vote [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Posted : Wed, 23 May 2007 14:16:00 GMT[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Author : National Pilots Association [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Category : PressRelease [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]News Alerts by Email click here )[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Press Release News | Home [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]ATLANTA, May 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After more than a day of deliberations, the National Pilots Association's six-pilot Board of Directors voted to endorse the tentative agreement reached over the weekend by its negotiating committee and AirTran Airways . The tentative agreement will now be sent to AirTran's more than 1,500 pilots for a ratification vote. "The approval of the tentative agreement by the NPA Board was no slam dunk; in fact, it's a qualified endorsement predicated on the company providing the union with a series of 'questions and answers' that spell out the meaning and intent of several sections of the contract," said Capt. Allen Philpot, President of the National Pilots Association. "The board was very deliberate in its consideration of the deal hammered out by our negotiating committee and the company. While the board was satisfied with the pay and pension increases they had some difficulty agreeing to when the clock starts, meaning when a pilot starts getting paid."[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]If ratified, the new contract will initially increase pilot hourly pay to $160.60 per flight hour for 12-year captains from $152.57, and to $83.30 from $78.37 per flight hour for 7-year first officers; these increases will put AirTran squarely ahead of Atlanta rival Delta Air Lines for narrow body flight crews. The new contract would also improve pilot pensions by increasing the company's 401(k) match to 2 percent by the end of the contract. While not getting all that they had hoped for in the scheduling section of the tentative agreement, the new contract does improve some work rules such as a two-for-one duty rig, meaning at least one hour of flight pay for every two hours on duty.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"One of the positive things about this new contract is its short duration," said Capt. Philpot. "The worst case scenario will have us back in negotiations within 3 and a half years because of our six month 'early opener' provision, which will give us the chance to fix the scheduling deficiencies we were not able to improve in this contract." Under the terms of the tentative agreement the new contract will become amendable on June 30, 2011.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The NPA will release the result of its ratification vote on Thursday, June 28, 2007 after a series of meetings in Atlanta, Baltimore and Orlando to educate its members on the terms of the contract. "We want the pilots to fully understand what this new contract will mean to them and how it will impact their flying at AirTran," said Capt. Philpot.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]National Pilots Association[/FONT]




Looks like they aren't 100% in favor, clarification still needed.

 

[Citrusflyer]

Oh man.....a 5% raise??!?!

This is going to be an ugly thread............

 

[DougCorp-9]

This is going to be an ugly thread............

If I could take a crap through my computer I would. So long BOD, where is the recall petition.

 

[BoilerUP]

If I could take a crap through my computer I would. So long BOD, where is the recall petition.

Why would you recall them? If you don't like this TA can't you vote NO and send them back to the negotiating table after soundly defeating it?

 

[Murphy]

"The new contract would also improve pilot pensions by increasing the company's 401(k) match to 2 percent by the end of the contract."

This has got to be a typo. Does it increase the match from 10.5% to 12% over the life of the contract or does it increase to 12.5%?

Wow. We have to wait another 3 1/2 years to fix scheduling deficiencies if it passes? I thought that was one of our biggest gripes.

Nice timing from Orlando on the order of 15 more 737s. That will help bury a few FOs heads in the sand as they read and vote on the TA.

 

[Fly-By-Cable]

I could be wrong here, but I was just thinking....let's say NPA would say TA sucks and vote it down. Next day KG would start a "communication campaign" to pilots stating NPA BOD is wasting your money and effort of all parties over last 2 years to reach what he will call an industry leading contract.

As a result half of our pilots (clueless ones) will turn on BOD and KG got what he wanted.

If they endorse it, they face flames from some pilots for not having a back bone...hence this thread. Not defending BOD, just thinking out loud what the alternative would be

Does BoD like this contract?....I don't think so. "One of the positive things about this new contract is its short duration," said Capt. Philpot.
"We want the pilots to fully understand what this new contract will mean to them and how it will impact their flying at AirTran,"
At best it sounds like a neutral recommendation which is a polite way of saying NO!
.

As it stands now it is in our hands to show KG that we will stick together and vote this thing down.

Since contract 2001 our pilot group has tripled. This will be a test of our unity and I really hope we don't fail.


If what I hear is true, my vote will be NO!

 

[Citrusflyer]

Nice timing from Orlando on the order of 15 more 737s. That will help bury a few FOs heads in the sand as they read and vote on the TA.

I haven't flown with an FO yet who is that dense!

BTW, the 2 to 1 duty rig is worthless. Going over the last several months of my schedules there is not one instance where that would have appllied, and we had a 12 hour duty day then. Trade the 4 hr min and the 12 limit on duty for a 2 to 1 rig? Absolutely not!

 

[RIDETHELIGHTING]

"
Nice timing from Orlando on the order of 15 more 737s. That will help bury a few FOs heads in the sand as they read and vote on the TA.

Not me or anybody I know. We just need the CAs with the I got mine to get on board and vote this crap down.

 

[DougCorp-9]

Not me or anybody I know. We just need the CAs with the I got mine to get on board and vote this crap down.

I won't leave you hangin bro!!!!

 

[nck4857]

How long do we have to be on property before we can vote? Is it 6 months??

 

[scarlet]

When and Where is it going to be published? They do not tell you that...

 

[pit717]

ill vote yes...............if the signing bonus is $100,000 each

 

[newnan]

The highlights will be up on the NPA website this afternoon with updates as they get answers from the company on their questions. I'm not sure when the full language will be available

 

[RIDETHELIGHTING]

I won't leave you hangin bro!!!!

I know, 95% of the CA I fly with say they want more for the FO, are it is a no!!!!

 

[DougCorp-9]

No more door closed to door open for pay. That equals NO NO NO NO NO NO !!!!!!

 

[newnan]

Full language will be available once the NPA recieves answers to their questions for clarification per Allens email at 11:27.

That makes me a little nervous... I thought language was a major point of this new contract i.e. to do away with questions.

 

[Fly-By-Cable]

No more door closed to door open for pay. That equals NO NO NO NO NO NO !!!!!!

Agree! that was a deciding factor for me too. Door to door is an industry standard. I will not fly for an airline that attemts to lower the standard while others are trying to get back what they've lost.

 

[RIDETHELIGHTING]

Why did the BOD sign off on it if they dont understand the language. There waiting for the company answers from question they asked. This makes no sense.

 

[Fly-By-Cable]

Why did the BOD sign off on it if they dont understand the language. There waiting for the company answers from question they asked. This makes no sense.

I think 'cause they want you to read it and see for yourself how low company thinks of us.

 

[instructordude]

I think the pay isn't too bad. I bet when other companies like Delta, United, etc... go through their negotiations it'll be Airtran +1%. You guys are now the leaders of narrow body pay! Congrats

 

[EMBATP]

I think the pay isn't too bad. I bet when other companies like Delta, United, etc... go through their negotiations it'll be Airtran +1%. You guys are now the leaders of narrow body pay! Congrats

pay rates are not worth it if you dont have the work rules to go along with them...the reserve pay setup will actually have guys losing money on reserve...13 hour day, i see no reason for as we sit too long now, and a longer day sucks for commuters,

by the way i am neither a commuter or on reserve but we need to address all aspects of this contract and not just the things that affects us as individuals but all of our pilots

 

[RIDETHELIGHTING]

Floating RSV days is a joke.

 

[Shrek]

I think the pay isn't too bad. I bet when other companies like Delta, United, etc... go through their negotiations it'll be Airtran +1%. You guys are now the leaders of narrow body pay! Congrats

Stop flamin ya TOOL....

Oh yeah.........vote NO.

 

[The Victors]

I think the pay isn't too bad. I bet when other companies like Delta, United, etc... go through their negotiations it'll be Airtran +1%. You guys are now the leaders of narrow body pay! Congrats

:laugh: :laugh: I assume that's sarcasim you wrote. A 5% increase? Are you f**king kidding me? That's actually a paycut considering the last 3 years of nuthing. Only a 3 year contract is a selling point? and then what?, another 3 years thereafter to neg. another garbage contract. Please guys slam this "TA" back in mgmt faces 100% no.

 

[BR715]

Instructordude you are dillusional. The pay isn't that bad? Are you kidding me. We aren't even at Frontieer rates right now and the gave up door close and went to some crappy average day. 100% NO from me. I'm sure skipper will vote it in, he gave himself a 20 dollar raise. I'm so mad right now I can't even see straight. Also how in the heck do we get more info on this board than we do from our union? It goes to show you they have no friggin idea what they are doing.

 

[Lear70]

OK... stay focused.

InstructorDude is a troll. He likes to flame to get people side-tracked. Do NOT fall for it, and we can keep the thread on-track.

The answer to a question a while back is yes, you must be on property from 6 months from your class date in order to vote.

The answer to the other question is that AP alluded that the full language would be available on Friday.

They got the answers, they just want them in writing back from the company before they put out the full text for general consumption. It will be on the private side of the NPA website at www.npa-atl.org

 

[bladeusa]

i can see how management would try to pass a contract thru hiding all the crappy work rule and scheduling changes by throwing money and new planes out there.. but a net gain of 3 planes and what looks like 5% raises?? come on.. and don't even get me started on scope.. -came from a dci carrier and know all to well about the wipsaw. I'm not happy with our current pay.. and will wait until i read the whole TA.. but so far.. as much as id like a raise.. i think id rather send them back and keep flying on our current contract.

 

[Critter717]

Instructordude you are dillusional. The pay isn't that bad? Are you kidding me. We aren't even at Frontieer rates right now and the gave up door close and went to some crappy average day. 100% NO from me. I'm sure skipper will vote it in, he gave himself a 20 dollar raise. I'm so mad right now I can't even see straight. Also how in the heck do we get more info on this board than we do from our union? It goes to show you they have no friggin idea what they are doing.

I could not agree more. This guy needs a F'n progressive to the c-concourse. He is completely out of touch with the pilot group. When was the last time he flew a trip? Didn't the original NPA audit commitee determine he was paying for movies in hotel rooms on the NPA/pilot's quarter?

So we have collectively paid for another couple years of Skippys salary so he can spank the monkey in hotel rooms. The NPA should just "hire" back some of the knuckleheads that were kicked out awhile back....oh wait, they already did...Brad Dunlap merger commitee chair.

 

[Stewie]

i can see how management would try to pass a contract thru hiding all the crappy work rule and scheduling changes by throwing money and new planes out there.. but a net gain of 3 planes and what looks like 5% raises?? come on.. and don't even get me started on scope.. -came from a dci carrier and know all to well about the wipsaw. I'm not happy with our current pay.. and will wait until i read the whole TA.. but so far.. as much as id like a raise.. i think id rather send them back and keep flying on our current contract.

You got it dead on blade. Let's just hope all the "Don't rock my boat" guys can see through this B.S. TA so that as a UNIFIED group we can put it where it belongs!

 

[gt1900]

Just saw the new contract. But only briefly....... 3rd year FO pay, a little over 68 an hour when we sign.. Tops out at about $100 at year 15.. Its a 15 year contract.. Top 15 year pay at the end of the 4 year agreement is around $185 (can't remember exactly, just looked quick)... Top 12 year pay is around $167 hr.... Scope, I belive nothing over 88 seats (or thereabouts)... Retirement is 12.5 %....... Can't remember the rest.. Don't quote me on any of this, but its pretty close..