pinnacle

[higney85]

This says it all. It was building for at least a few weeks. Just because it didn't play out in the end does not mean there was no attempt.

You can read into whatever you would like but the problem became that we could never get everyone on the call at the same time to discuss the issues. A special MEC meeting was needed to get all involved on a single call to go over each issue and make sure everyone (from north/south/east/west) knew the same info and agreed to the same path.


Read more into it, but don't make your head hurt. If your question is in regards to MEM and ATL wanting this done- the answer is yes, but at no point did any rep try to make a movement to simply take what is currently on paper and walk away. That's the rumor mill for you....

 

[Smarta$$]

And exactly which base did not want it done?

 

[higney85]

And exactly which base did not want it done?

That's the point! Everyone wants it done, the entire rumor came about because the MEM and ATL reps put forth a resolution to have a special MEC meeting (via teleconference) with the only agenda item being discussion of negotiations. We have had plenty of phone confrences but it never fails that many can't make it on the call due to schedules. This way we have everyone on, including legal and support staff. We were able to get everyone on that was in the country and talk about where we are and reaffirm where we are going. Call it a huddle. Nothing was voted on, nothing changed, but everything discussed to ensure we aren't forgetting any details and working to make sure things don't slip through the cracks (like the free 15 mins and floating holidays in the past agreement). MEM and ATL brought forth the motion because we all felt we were in need of more discussion. No conspiracy theory, although I'm always game for a good story. As much as many of you may snicker from reading some of the threads- call a rep if you have concerns. It's amazing how much time you save everyone and how much of the truth you can get instead of awaiting the game of telephone known as message boards.

 

[Smarta$$]

I am glad everyone is on the page now. That is all I will say.

 

[sinkrate]

No one ever explained why a negotiating committee member was booted off. Rumor has it he and several others went rogue and made proposals at the table that the MEC had specifically told them not to make. The result is they are very close to going backwards from TA1. Rumor in the southern domiciles was line holders cannot refuse extensions any more and the current medical plan was being given up for a small 401k increase. If you look at who is on the NC, career reserves, that fit their objectives. Something is up with the bonus money but it must be very inflammatory because that is one secret that is actually being kept. Perhaps this meeting was to give the negotiating committee instructions on what to bargain for and what to avoid in the session with the NMB. It won't matter. The same players are still at the negotiating table and they will ignore the toothless MEC again. In the end they will produce a concessionary TA and tell the pilot group it is this or almost certain destruction in a strike. By their own admission in their updates to all the pilots in nine months they haven't produced any major improvements on the first TA.

Samballs may have been right - but for the wrong reason.

 

[higney85]

You can believe the "doom and gloom" and think everything is a big conspiracy or you could simply ask those making the decisions about what is going on and even give your own input. Whatever makes you feel better...

 

[Smarta$$]

Career reserves are people also. You can't just sh!t on them over and over just because it does not effect you. The union never would entertain giving up our medical plan. Not possible.

 

[DoinTime]

No one ever explained why a negotiating committee member was booted off. Rumor has it he and several others went rogue and made proposals at the table that the MEC had specifically told them not to make. The result is they are very close to going backwards from TA1. Rumor in the southern domiciles was line holders cannot refuse extensions any more and the current medical plan was being given up for a small 401k increase. If you look at who is on the NC, career reserves, that fit their objectives. Something is up with the bonus money but it must be very inflammatory because that is one secret that is actually being kept. Perhaps this meeting was to give the negotiating committee instructions on what to bargain for and what to avoid in the session with the NMB. It won't matter. The same players are still at the negotiating table and they will ignore the toothless MEC again. In the end they will produce a concessionary TA and tell the pilot group it is this or almost certain destruction in a strike. By their own admission in their updates to all the pilots in nine months they haven't produced any major improvements on the first TA.

Samballs may have been right - but for the wrong reason.

That is a bunch of crazy talk. You might want to talk to your reps and figure out whats going on.

 

[Flyer1015]

You can believe the "doom and gloom" and think everything is a big conspiracy or you could simply ask those making the decisions about what is going on and even give your own input. Whatever makes you feel better...

To be honest, I don't think I trust those making the decisions anymore. And IMHO, more and more of the pilot group has started to lose some faith in the decision makers. One only needs to look at the massive amounts of recalls/booting/firing/new appointees/then-removal-again to see.........

 

[higney85]

To be honest, I don't think I trust those making the decisions anymore. And IMHO, more and more of the pilot group has started to lose some faith in the decision makers. One only needs to look at the massive amounts of recalls/booting/firing/new appointees/then-removal-again to see.........

Have you picked up the phone or typed an email asking why? Honestly? I'm sure crew room gossip is easier..... Call and get your answers, if you want to remove afterwards go right ahead. It's gotten to the point that slander is "the boy who cried wolf". If you want to recall, go ahead. Set the pilot group back 6 months and please find someone who will step on front of a firing squad. Mgmt will love it.

 

[RJLoser]

My question to the pinnacle mec would be why are you supporting language that is so far from what other regional carriers have? Your not SKYW or AWC currently? Then, stand up to be treated the same. Am I'm missing something?

 

[higney85]

My question to the pinnacle mec would be why are you supporting language that is so far from what other regional carriers have? Your not SKYW or AWC currently? Then, stand up to be treated the same. Am I'm missing something?

I would personally say you are missing something. Maybe communication continues to be poor, maybe there are more naysayers than optimists, but the fact of the matter is we are striving to be in the same realm as all the other carriers. Many seem upset that the path we are on is not to raise the bar to make everyone envy us, but nobody is in favor of selling ourselves short. What was the point of turning down a TA if the improvements weren't worth the wait- or even no improvements that are visible? How can a pilot that voted "yes" the first time be looked in the eyes and be told "it was worth it" if there are no changes. How is the union functioning if the pilots vote a TA down, tell their reps why, and the reps bring back another TA without fixing the problem(s). This isn't politics, it's getting the truth. Unfortunately many apparently view truth and transparency as a crewroom game of "telephone".

 

[kellwolf]

Rumor in the southern domiciles was line holders cannot refuse extensions any more and the current medical plan was being given up for a small 401k increase. If you look at who is on the NC, career reserves, that fit their objectives.

Actually, I've talked to that specific reserve NC member, and those DON'T fit his objective. Like me, he's a little more concerned with things like limits to the number of RR shifts in a month or making sure the "12 hour" rule is kept from rearing its ugly head. Even when movement starts up again, I'm likely to still be on reserve for another year or two unless I can some how manage to escape. I'd like to at least get SOMETHING, like 11 days off (or at least get PAID for the extra day off I have to work in a 31 day month), a limit to RRs (look at the ATL reserve guys, count the RR shifts) and a pay credit for RR (when you're done counting those RR shifts, remember they pay zilch). ALL of those are things other regionals (including Mesa) already have.

 

[WildBlue]

I guess Sam didn't know anything. Nothing but the usual stream of BS from the MEC. "We continue working to provide a fair agreement, blah, blah, blah."

 

[Smarta$$]

I guess Sam didn't know anything. Nothing but the usual stream of BS from the MEC. "We continue working to provide a fair agreement, blah, blah, blah."

What would you do differently? The pilots are obviously not willing to help. What would you do?