Airtran MEC voted no

[Lear70]

I think Gary fully understands now that 2 million per AAI pilot just wasn't enough, and at the same time he's getting an earfull from almost all of his SW pilots how unhappy they are. Beyond that, he has to look ahead to an angry mechanic's integration (makes the pilot talks look like a walk in the park), and the complete unkown of the FA integration. And the SW FA's union has been known to be much more militant than the SWAPA group.

Like I've said before, the pilots aren't the "hinge pin" in any kind of decision whether to integrate or not. Otherwise, any one thing can turn it one direction or another, which I find highly unlikely. That said, if we HAD come up with a negotiated solution, it *MIGHT* have helped with other groups, especially the F/A's.

It all kind of looks like a torn up lottery ticket to me. I don't see Gary stepping in during mediation to 'sweeting any pots', that ship has sailed.

Possibly, which would be HUGELY unfortunate, FOR ALL SIDES. The money involved in pulling what few "nuclear options" exist with both SWA and SWAPA (think HUNDREDS of MILLIONS lost) would be an enormous hit to the airline's bottom line and wouldn't help the stock prices. He has shareholders to answer to in addition to the employees.

In the same vein of thought, neither would turning SWA's culture into "just another legacy carrier" be a desirable option.

That's why I think they'll push again for a middle-ground solution. There's just really too much at stake to let a few angry people who want to "dig in and go to war" dictate the outcome of what may be his defining moment as the CEO of Southwest: finding a way to keep the culture intact in a "merger/acquisition" model rather than the outdated "organic growth" model.

I guess we'll see down the road. As I've posted on our internal board, I have the utmost respect for Southwest and its employees and don't want to see the culture irreparably harmed, but what was asked was simply "too much". There are fringe angry people on both sides, but I believe, despite what is often seen on here, that most SWA employees, just like AAI employees, are willing to fight hard, find something that works, put the battle gear away, and move on. It may take a while for the scars to heal, but would be a lot faster a healing process than arbitration.

YMMV

 

[Lear70]

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-...AAABk/okRhrFYTDuQ/s512/ONE%2520LUV%252025.jpg

LOLOL - that's not right...

 

[dicko]

You guys can keep spinning this anyway that you'd like, but it's a fact that Gary was a little more than upset the way ALPA handled the AIP and how the end game was a big NO vote. The facts are the facts, time to move on.

Red,

If anybody but GK told you this it's pure BS. Unfortunately, SWAPA has completely saturated AirTran pilots with propaganda. It was never believable and they need to stick to updating Wikipedia.

Here's an example: 'due to the AirTran MEC delay, Arbitration will not begin until November'.... A complete fabrication and absolutely transparent. Is SWAPA going to pull a hammy on the way to Washington ?

What are you going to say when Arbitration begins as scheduled ?

 

[Fubijaakr]

I'll give you a hint. Late 1980's. Frank Lorenzo. Texas air Corp.
Non union Continental grows. Union Eastern shrinks. Easy. .

Is this really how you think things get done? Threatening people? I guess you're a hard core Tea Partier, too.

Really? First its the pickleball theory ("We'll tie up arb in court for YEARS.") and now Frank Lorenzo.

You really are a piece of sacha.

 

[Sacha]

Not a threat. Just a piece of airline history to point out how airline management has handled certain employee groups that didn't play by their rules. They are many others but I happened to live through that one.

So you are voting for Michelle Bachmann? Interesting choice. I hope that works out for you Fudgepacker.......

 

[Music]

Here's an example: 'due to the AirTran MEC delay, Arbitration will not begin until November'

Don't forget this contradictory tidbit to the previous quote a day later:

Executive Blog - August 19, 2011
From your SWAPA President, Steve Chase

"...With the MEC voting no, rather than either pilot group, the Process Agreement allows for mediation to occur on already scheduled dates.***** We are going to follow the Process Agreement because that’s what we do; we honor our agreements...."

 

[Taco Rocket]

Do they have to honor the arbitration? Is it "binding?"


Quote:
Executive Blog - August 19, 2011
From your SWAPA President, Steve Chase

"...With the MEC voting no, rather than either pilot group, the Process Agreement allows for mediation to occur on already scheduled dates.***** We are going to follow the Process Agreement because that’s what we do; we honor our agreements...."

 

[dicko]

So you are voting for Michelle Bachmann? Interesting choice. I hope that works out for you Fudgepacker.......

She's a crazed lunatic. It's nice that we can agree on something.

 

[Red Baron]

Don't forget this contradictory tidbit to the previous quote a day later:

Personally, I think the mind set was that if this was voted down by either pilot group, no time would be left to mediate. Since the AT MEC voted no, it did not go to the pilot group, allowing time now for mediation. From Steve Chase, "That was based on a voting timeframe for both memberships that would of taken place during the time that mediation was scheduled."

I don't think it was meant to be contradictory. I understand frustration on behalf of SWAPA, and maybe that was part of it.

So, are we headed to mediation? Slight chance. Is SWAPA skeptical on any progress being made in mediation? Yes. Is there a chance for resolution before arbitration? We will all find out soon.

RB

 

[HighSpeed]

SWAPA will probably give in when they notice that GK can't do anything about the binding award, and would have to be very careful dealing with the AT pilots.



OYS

And that'll be the day that any remaining culture at SWA dies. This truly is an amazing place to work - if our leader and CEO fails to see what that would do, I'd be VERY surprised.

Simply put there is NO WAY Gary will let this turn in to a USAir type siuation - Best of luck guys - and I mean that...