ASADriver
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2004
- Posts
- 706
900s diverted to Skywest
Looks like the ASA MEC is now admitting that the 90 seaters were diverted to Skywest. This is a change in what they were saying. How many times have we heard that the 900s were never coming to ASA. Latest MEC email says the 90 seaters were diverted. The story keeps changing.
1. A Personal Message from MEC Vice Chairman Tom Zerbarini
Your MEC hears you, all of you! We know that your aggravation level is
immense. The recent National Mediation Board (NMB) re-recess and
management's intransigence in these negotiations have us all frustrated
beyond measure. We also know that management is out there spinning the facts
and blaming the union for the current inactivity.
Let me make this very clear; this MEC is in touch with the needs you, the
ASA pilot, communicated. We have tasked the Contract Negotiating Team (CNC)
to obtain a contract that's fair for our pilots and that ASA and SkyWest,
Inc. can afford. The CNC is making every reasonable effort to reach a deal.
Despite this, our management will not properly engage us and is clearly not
making efforts to reach a deal. The miniscule moves offered from the other
side of the bargaining table are insulting and ludicrous. We have stated
numerous times, and even indicated in our previous two passes, that we are
ready to move on a number of issues. We just need to see the same level of
commitment from the company.
So what are we asking for? Let's put it this way - most of our goals are
considered industry standard and/or a benefit already in place for SkyWest
pilots. We are simply trying to catch up to everyone else.
So what does management want to do instead of negotiate? They want to bust
this union, and bust the organizing drive at SkyWest. Consequently,
management is transferring ASA assets to SkyWest and closing our base in
SLC. In essence, they are transferring jobs to non-union employees.
Management has dangled the CRJ-900 carrot to coax us into lowering our goals
at the bargaining table. They want us to buy these airplanes with contract
terms. Since we did not immediately give in and accept a concessionary
contract, management is now diverting deliveries of new equipment (see
abracadabra, June 9th, 2006, The Connection Newsletter) to SkyWest, in
essence, to punish the ASA pilots.
While the ASA pilots are being squeezed, management is growing SkyWest like
crazy. They are using this growth like a double-edged sword: Squeeze the ASA
pilots to accept a substandard contract and, at the same time, grow SkyWest
to try to squash the union drive there.
Simply put, they are infuriating the ASA pilots and trying to appease the
SkyWest pilots. Management is simply trying to apply outside pressure while
we are in Section 6 Negotiations - is this legal? Some say no and other say
yes, but no matter how you look at it, it's nothing short of union busting!
Let me say something about the SkyWest pilots. As you can imagine many
SkyWest pilots are tickled about the idea of a quick upgrade and better
schedules with this sudden burst of massive growth. There are also many
pilots that are angry that they are being forced to fly a 70- and now the
90-seater for 50-seat pay rates.
As a non-union carrier SkyWest pilots are "at will" employees, have no
contract, have no grievance process, have no safety committee, do not have
legal help or advice, and the list goes on. The thing they the most now
is the fact that they are being used as a tool and an apparent attempt to
break the ASA pilots. They are also afraid that if we cave on our priorities
and accept a substandard contract, we will be used as a tool against them.
Unless we stop the madness now, the two pilot groups will be whipsawed
against one-another forever.
So what are we doing about all of this? I'm glad you asked.
First, this MEC is in contact with all the DCI carriers to coordinate our
efforts and resources so that we can be sure that our bargaining goals
compliment and do not hinder each other. Second, during our last MEC
meeting we developed a strategy that involves ALPA president Duane Woerth.
We spoke with Duane during the recent ALPA Executive Board meeting and
expect to hear back from him this week about the ability to execute this
effort.
As stated previously, although our negotiations may be recessed, the ASA MEC
and its committee structure are actively pursuing ways to jumpstart this
process and to negotiate the contract you deserve. With time and patience,
we will get there together. Thanks for doing your part!
Tom
Looks like the ASA MEC is now admitting that the 90 seaters were diverted to Skywest. This is a change in what they were saying. How many times have we heard that the 900s were never coming to ASA. Latest MEC email says the 90 seaters were diverted. The story keeps changing.
1. A Personal Message from MEC Vice Chairman Tom Zerbarini
Your MEC hears you, all of you! We know that your aggravation level is
immense. The recent National Mediation Board (NMB) re-recess and
management's intransigence in these negotiations have us all frustrated
beyond measure. We also know that management is out there spinning the facts
and blaming the union for the current inactivity.
Let me make this very clear; this MEC is in touch with the needs you, the
ASA pilot, communicated. We have tasked the Contract Negotiating Team (CNC)
to obtain a contract that's fair for our pilots and that ASA and SkyWest,
Inc. can afford. The CNC is making every reasonable effort to reach a deal.
Despite this, our management will not properly engage us and is clearly not
making efforts to reach a deal. The miniscule moves offered from the other
side of the bargaining table are insulting and ludicrous. We have stated
numerous times, and even indicated in our previous two passes, that we are
ready to move on a number of issues. We just need to see the same level of
commitment from the company.
So what are we asking for? Let's put it this way - most of our goals are
considered industry standard and/or a benefit already in place for SkyWest
pilots. We are simply trying to catch up to everyone else.
So what does management want to do instead of negotiate? They want to bust
this union, and bust the organizing drive at SkyWest. Consequently,
management is transferring ASA assets to SkyWest and closing our base in
SLC. In essence, they are transferring jobs to non-union employees.
Management has dangled the CRJ-900 carrot to coax us into lowering our goals
at the bargaining table. They want us to buy these airplanes with contract
terms. Since we did not immediately give in and accept a concessionary
contract, management is now diverting deliveries of new equipment (see
abracadabra, June 9th, 2006, The Connection Newsletter) to SkyWest, in
essence, to punish the ASA pilots.
While the ASA pilots are being squeezed, management is growing SkyWest like
crazy. They are using this growth like a double-edged sword: Squeeze the ASA
pilots to accept a substandard contract and, at the same time, grow SkyWest
to try to squash the union drive there.
Simply put, they are infuriating the ASA pilots and trying to appease the
SkyWest pilots. Management is simply trying to apply outside pressure while
we are in Section 6 Negotiations - is this legal? Some say no and other say
yes, but no matter how you look at it, it's nothing short of union busting!
Let me say something about the SkyWest pilots. As you can imagine many
SkyWest pilots are tickled about the idea of a quick upgrade and better
schedules with this sudden burst of massive growth. There are also many
pilots that are angry that they are being forced to fly a 70- and now the
90-seater for 50-seat pay rates.
As a non-union carrier SkyWest pilots are "at will" employees, have no
contract, have no grievance process, have no safety committee, do not have
legal help or advice, and the list goes on. The thing they the most now
is the fact that they are being used as a tool and an apparent attempt to
break the ASA pilots. They are also afraid that if we cave on our priorities
and accept a substandard contract, we will be used as a tool against them.
Unless we stop the madness now, the two pilot groups will be whipsawed
against one-another forever.
So what are we doing about all of this? I'm glad you asked.
First, this MEC is in contact with all the DCI carriers to coordinate our
efforts and resources so that we can be sure that our bargaining goals
compliment and do not hinder each other. Second, during our last MEC
meeting we developed a strategy that involves ALPA president Duane Woerth.
We spoke with Duane during the recent ALPA Executive Board meeting and
expect to hear back from him this week about the ability to execute this
effort.
As stated previously, although our negotiations may be recessed, the ASA MEC
and its committee structure are actively pursuing ways to jumpstart this
process and to negotiate the contract you deserve. With time and patience,
we will get there together. Thanks for doing your part!
Tom
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