FlexJet - Time for a Union

[Hung Start]

We have the closest thing to an in-house with the CAB. And, that has done what???????

Go Teamster, Machinist,ALPA, Ladies Garment Workers, I don't care. But, not in-house!!


Hung

 

[ArtVandalay]

We have the closest thing to an in-house with the CAB. And, that has done what???????

Go Teamster, Machinist,ALPA, Ladies Garment Workers, I don't care. But, not in-house!!


Hung

.

I'm gonna have to 100% agree with the "not in-house" comment. I respect everyone on the CAB but, the CAB is a complete joke and accomplishes ZERO. And now they want volunteers for each gateway for WHAT? To take comments from crewmembers to pass them to the CAB to pass them to management? Is the CAB so busy working on our problems that they need secretaries to field questions from crewmembers? I mean, at least have a meeting once a month, not once every 6.

 

[BeeDubya]

The best thing the organziers can do is talk to NJA guys and find out how they did it. Remember, the IBT was either their 2nd or 3rd union, it was not thier first.

A couple things.

Executive Jet (now NetJets) organized around 1974, joining a Teamster Local. We remained Teamsters until last year, when we joined NJASAP. For 30-some years of being Teamsters, we were part of at least 2 -- and I think 3 -- Locals (we left 284 for 1108 in 2005).

While I'm sure NJ pilots will be more than happy to talk about our Union history, as part of our separation agreement from the IBT, we cannot organize other pilot groups for a period of time.

Best of luck to all at Flex,
Brian

 

[Nolife]

I'm sure flex will eventually unionize; it's just a matter of time. As growth resumes, laid off pilots get recalled, and new folks come aboard the majority will shift and a union will be voted in. It almost happened last time. There were more than the necessary 75% positive cards sent in from what I heard.

However right now unionization is proceeding at glacial speed. I'm looking forward to a flex union and perhaps then flex will truely be a great retirement gig.

 

[BeeDubya]

There were more than the necessary 75% positive cards sent in from what I heard.

The NMB requires that 35% of active pilots send in cards. The IBT normally likes to have around 65% before petitioning for a vote. We have always been reluctant to disclose publically the total number of cards received.

 

[netjetwife]

We should have done it a year ago but oh well. I bet those who got let go wished we had one. They got some wishy washy recall rights and the rest of us get no merit raises and a bunch are getting downgraded, and many are forced to work less than they want/need to. Whats next? And dont forget that we are below NJ and CS in pay and QOL issues. NJ has the best pay and benefits, yet they dont seem to be canning people. A union may not prevent layoffs, but it would have forced them to look elsewhere to cut costs instead of taking the easy way out and getting rid of almost 20% of their pilots.

Its time to do this. Everyone is talking about it, much more openly than they were a year ago even. My personal opinion is that an inhouse is the way to go, as this will satisfy all the teamster haters we have.

Inigo, better late than never. I fully support Flex pilots standing up for their right to work under a contract. A set of fair (legally binding) rules that all have to follow is definitely the way to go. However, for a group your size I don't think that going in-house will bring the desired results. Just as very few home owners start off in their dream house, the anti-Teamsters at Flex should realize that just getting a contract is important enough of a goal to accept less than the perfect scenario in the beginning. Good Luck! NJW

 

[FastJP4]

Inigo, better late than never. I fully support Flex pilots standing up for their right to work under a contract. A set of fair (legally binding) rules that all have to follow is definitely the way to go. However, for a group your size I don't think that going in-house will bring the desired results. Just as very few home owners start off in their dream house, the anti-Teamsters at Flex should realize that just getting a contract is important enough of a goal to accept less than the perfect scenario in the beginning. Good Luck! NJW

Takes a majority of the pilot group to be unified and have some backbone. Neither of those exist at Flex.

 

[netjetwife]

FJP4, they weren't always in ample supply among the NJ pilots either. Everyone has to start somewhere. Fortunately, backbones can be grown and standing together learned. NJASAP and 1108 pilots have proved that. The other frac pilots can do it, too.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

Teamsters is probably the way to go to get started. We would always have the option of going in house like Netjets down the road.

We should all send in our cards again: http://ibt1108.org/

Lets get this going!! Again!!!1

 

[notapilot]

NJW unfortunately turns more people off than she thinks that she motivates. While I understand this is a public message board please do us a favor and zip it when it comes to our company that you have no specific knowledge about. You always pop up when the union subject is mentioned. You are as bad as B19 in some ways. While I personally have always supported a union at Flex, and I am in the top 40, I think that your involvement in this subject is highly inappropriate.

 

[netjetwife]

Not-a-pilot, (BTW, what is your position?) Perhaps it might help you if I explained my interest. Consider it basic neighborly concern for other families in the same industry, and for fellow FI members. I tend to think of this as an online community. Aside from that, I believe that all frac pilots and their families will be better off if a fair/professional baseline of compensation, schedules, and work rules are applied across the industry. I'd like to see the groups pull each other up, not hold each other down.

I think most of us realize that not every post will interest every reader. Those not interested are always free to skip my posts. I'm comfortable allowing others to choose for themselves and leaving censorship to the moderators and rules. I think that makes for a nicer atmosphere for all.

Best wishes for the Flex pilots and families in these difficult times. NJW

 

[notapilot]

No disrespect, but you don't know our compensation, schedules, or work rules. You have no idea what we have that is or is not in line with the industry. Please tell us where we are holding anyone down. I know where we need improvement, but holding others down-come on you are not serious. Your comments make it apparent that while I believe you wish everyone success, your motivations are much more selfish. You are welcome to your opinion and to share it how you see fit. Everyone at Flex has been in the biz for a very long time and will not be swayed by your rhetoric or cheerleading. Your silly mantras do nothing to help our cause. I always thought the worst thing was a pilot who speaks as if he or she is an expert on subjects they know nothing about. I was wrong it is a pilots wife who does the same thing. I once knew a person who tried to push his religion on everybody. It was not only disrespectful, but counter productive. This person did not know or care to understand the beliefs of others. Instead, everybody was wrong and he was right. He converted no one.

2,300 posts, GEEZE!

 

[netjetwife]

No disrespect, (Same here, but is there a reason you ignored my question? To know where you're coming from it helps to know your position.) but you don't know our compensation, schedules, or work rules. You have no idea what we have that is or is not in line with the industry. I took Inigo at his word that Flex pilots are behind NJ and CS in pay and QOL. That coincides we other posts I've read here. If you are in a non-flying dept, perchance, then I have no idea, what they make--true. Please tell us where we are holding anyone down. That general comment (not meant to be offensive) was simply a statement of what happens when there is a large gap between groups who do the same job. Short-sighted managers typically point to the lowest paid, not the highest so it's a potential problem for every group that tries to raise the bar. There are even recent posts on the issue. .... Everyone at Flex has been in the biz for a very long time and will not be swayed by your rhetoric or cheerleading. Do you always make it a habit to speak for everyone in your group... So much for polite hints. Your silly mantras do nothing to help our cause. It's common knowledge that encouragement can make a big difference in tough times. I am actually embarassed for you when I read some of what you write. Sounds like you should be skipping my posts then. Another wasted hint and effort to make this forum a friendly place for all associated with the frac industry. ....

The board saw this same situation when the Options pilots organized their efforts and I offered friendly moral support. Most welcomed it; a few didn't. The ignore function is there for a reason and in the interest of community spirit, I invite you to use it selectively, Not-a-pilot. These are tough times for a lot of pilots and their families so I'll be making that a priority over your subjective opinion. Standing by my post, NJW

 

[EatSleepFly]

I tend to think of this as an online community.

Seriously? If by "community" you mean nuthouse or circus freakshow, then I guess I agree. I don't know very many people who take this place seriously. It can be mildly entertaining and on the rare occasion informative. Overall though, there is such a tiny amount of pilots from various companies that I really don't think you can get an accurate depiction of life at any company by what is posted here.

Anyways, while I agree with notapilot, this is the internet where there's never a shortage of opinions or "experts," so have a ball. Just don't be offended when someone verbally "rolls their eyes" at something you post, regardless of your motives or intentions.

Just my opinion, of course...

Best wishes for the Flex pilots and families in these difficult times

Thanks.

 

[netjetwife]

Those with a narrower focus like your example may be disappointed, but I've participated in many serious discussions here from sub-par wages, unfair work rules, and contract offers to (recently) furloughs and ways to avoid them. Many pilots have also gotten very useful info here when considering employment. Don't forget that much gets said in PMs also. I can vouch for the NJ pilots giving accurate info. They work together well to do that. I trust that the other frac groups do, too.

Perhaps the difference in our perspective is that one tends to find what they look for. I've made friends here, from the different pilot groups, so I do see it as a community. That said, thanks for the friendly advice. It can be a tough neighborhood sometimes... Regards, NJW