No Deal for Teamsters for AirTran pilots union

[Eagle757shark]

No deal for Teamsters, AirTran pilots union

By KELLY YAMANOUCHI
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thursday, December 11, 2008
The Teamsters, after meeting with the pilots union at AirTran Airways, said that it is “not planning to pursue a more official relationship at this time.”
The National Pilots Association, the independent pilots union at AirTran, invited the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the Air Line Pilots Association to make presentations at its board meeting this week as it weighs whether to merge with one of the unions.
According to a written statement from Teamsters airline division director David Bourne, “Given the current volatility of the airline industry, and the tendency toward continued consolidation, it is to everyone’s benefit that the pilots of AirTran strengthen their own organization before entertaining any other representational possibilities.”
The National Pilots Association is “a bit disjointed,” Bourne said.
The plans for a potential union merger have developed amidst a risk that one of the unions could petition the National Mediation Board for an election to take over representation from the National Pilots Association. The National Pilots Association represents more than 1,600 AirTran pilots.
Bourne said an internal campaign at AirTran collected about 600 authorization cards for the Teamsters, but that he will not accept the cards to be used to petition the National Mediation Board for an election.
The AirTran pilots union “should never be forced into making a decision because they feel like they’re being overthrown,” Bourne said. “We want them to be able to have the time and forethought to make that very, very crucial decision without having to have some specter of time over their head.”

 

[OldManPilot]

Best news I have heard in weeks

 

[PCL_128]

No, this was the best news in weeks:

NPA President's Update

Fellow Pilots,

On Thursday, the BOD met with ALPA for a presentation. ALPA expressed a strong interest in representing the pilots of AirTran, and suggested pursuing a merger agreement. At the request of Captain Best, ALPA Director Jalmer Johnson committed that ALPA would not submit cards to the NMB during 2009.

On Friday, the BOD met to discuss numerous issues. All items will be posted in the minutes in the next 14 days. After attending the presentations by both ALPA and IBT, and discussing the issue of national representation, the board made the decision to go in a different direction than was previously planned. As we communicated in an email earlier this week, the original plan was to have presentations in January, followed by a referendum. Today, the BOD voted instead to recommend that the NPA merge with ALPA, pending the negotiation of a favorable merger agreement. The BOD resolved to have a vote on the merger take place in February, or within 30 days of finalizing the merger agreement. Presentations will also be made on behalf of the NPA.

More information will be available as the road shows are scheduled.

We recognize that there are many more questions than answers right now, and over the coming weeks, your BOD members should be available to answer your questions and concerns.

The NPA will continue to proceed in a unified direction of enforcing the current contract and negotiating much needed improvements. We will strive to ensure that the merger decision and process does not interfere with the normal duties of the NPA

As a reminder, there will be all pilot conference calls held on Thursday and Friday in an effort to share information and answer questions.

Attached is the resolution from the BOD for recommending the merger.

In Service,
Mike Best

 

[27 driver]

Bye Bye IBT. WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOO

 

[jhiflyin]

time for some popcorn and a drink this is going to get interesting

 

[njcapt]

Good for you guys. A merger is far preferable to a decertification/representation election, as long as the BOD is sure that ALPA is the way to go.

F the Teamsters.

 

[Eagle757shark]

I'm glad the board voted to begin the merger process with ALPA. I think ALPA will be good for AirTran pilots.

 

[carl p]

IBT sux!

 

[Angrypoodle]

I respect my colleagues personal experiences with other unions. My own experience is only an independent union. As I contemplate the possibility of voting to go national or not, I have a simple request or suggestion.

I see our BoD heard from David Bourne of IBT and John Prater of ALPA. I personally would like to hear from the presidents of other independent unions. Why do these unions work as independents? Why do they remain independent instead of merging with a national union? To me this is an "apples to apples" approach. I want every angle before I cast my vote.

I'm actually not offended that IBT called us disjointed. It may bruise the ego to see it in the press, but I and colleagues I've flown with have made the same observation.

Before we divide further, why not lay ALL options on the table and hear from independent unions that actually function to the satisfaction of their pilots...SWAPA, IPA, APA. These seem like savvy pilot groups. There's got to be a reason they remain independent. I'd just like to know why before I am forced to vote between IBT and ALPA.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Before we divide further, why not lay ALL options on the table and hear from independent unions that actually function to the satisfaction of their pilots...SWAPA, IPA, APA. These seem like savvy pilot groups. There's got to be a reason they remain independent. I'd just like to know why before I am forced to vote between IBT and ALPA.

The Indy unions enjoy the "luxury" of being independent. Consider how easy it is to govern one group or a group of groups.

In addition, the APA hasn't done much. The B scale and sick out were failures and effected all of us. Still do.

The IPA recently negotiated a lessor contract compared to FDX. Ask any pilot of the two carriers and the FDX contract is the one they want.

SWAPA enjoys a good business model and relationship with management.

SWAPA, IPA and APA all buy services from ALPA. they can't afford to have their own departments or dues would be 5%.


Most importantly, these Indy unions can't strike. You need money to do so...

Finally, the problems of the Air Line Pilot profession are global. ALPA is an international association.