9e/xj/9l picketing 12/10 mem

[higney85]

XJ and CJC were invited to join. Initially (and up to yesterday) we were supported, now they are the first groups EVER to tell their ALPA members to NOT support their fellow ALPA brothers and sisters. No problem, FDX and DL will be coming to the party.

 

[bri5150]

XJ and CJC were invited to join. Initially (and up to yesterday) we were supported, now they are the first groups EVER to tell their ALPA members to NOT support their fellow ALPA brothers and sisters. No problem, FDX and DL will be coming to the party.

Well, according to the newest e-mail from Mesaba ALPA, and I paraphrase obviously, they don't want to shoot themselves in the foot by "protesting" when negotiations haven't stalled. Sounds like two more sections were TA'ed yesterday, and they are still optimistic this can get done by the end of the week. The problem here is that Pinnacle has worked without a new contract for a long time, but they have been working on THIS contract for a short time. I think Mesaba MEC sees the clock as reset for Pinnacle, but Pinnacle's MEC obviously does not.

Again, I ask why Pinnacle is so excited about getting to negotiations on their own (both Union and pilots)? What are the advantages? The only advantage I can think of is you sign a crap contract just to sign it, you get Mesaba's 900's, and then try to screw over the Mesaba pilots to better your own situation. I really don't get it. We will have more leverage together for a better contract. Why will management give you a contract any faster than before if you work on your own? Is Mesaba and Colgan holding you back from your stellar contract? I've asked this before, but nobody had an answer.

 

[RJLoser]

Deleted. Done trying to explain things to XJ. Join us in the walk. You don't want this to look how it's going to look.

 

[rumorhasit]

My question is, what strike or threat of strike has ever worked long term in the regionals? Comair=> barely afloat down to minium aircraft, xjet=>nearly bankrupt, cal reduced aircraft and eventually bought by a non-union company. Any others that have ended up healthy long term? I'm asking because I don't know of any.

 

[CX880]

My question is, what strike or threat of strike has ever worked long term in the regionals? Comair=> barely afloat down to minium aircraft, xjet=>nearly bankrupt, cal reduced aircraft and eventually bought by a non-union company. Any others that have ended up healthy long term? I'm asking because I don't know of any.

Comair and Exjet got screwed because they invested heavily in 50 seat jets. As of right now, 50 seaters are losing money for most if not all of the majors. The only major that actually does well with the regional feed is USAirways because they have the majority 70+ seaters.

 

[Raskal]

I have to admit I am a bit taken aback that our union has, in such a public manner, asked that we not participate in a picketing event involving our own company. I've sent an email and hope for a response at some point, but this is going nowhere good and looks absolutely horrible.

 

[SEVEN]

The wording sure sounds like the 9E Picketing will be/is very counter-productive. All XJ guys/gals need to let our guys negotiating get the job done. This is a very painstaking process that is going on in DC right now. If and when the word is given for a "blowing smoke" informational picketing, then we will do it. But for now, enjoy your Dec. 1 snap back pay raises and let them hash this thing out with Uncle Phil.



From the Mesaba MEC Negotiating Update Email:

Negotiations for the Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement continue this week in Washington, D.C., and have yielded positive results. During the first ten hours of bargaining, we reached a Tentative Agreement (TA) on Sections 11 (Training & Testing) and 24 (Filling of Vacancies), and continued progress on Sections 25 (Scheduling) and 27 (Insurance Benefits). We believe a TA on the JCBA is within reach by the end of the week.

As some of you may have heard, the Pinnacle MEC is planning a number of informational picketing events commencing on Friday, December 10 in Memphis, TN. We have typically found informational picketing to be very successful when we have reached an impasse during bargaining. However, considering the progress at the bargaining table this week, we believe it will be counter-productive to engage in picketing at this time. While we respect the Pinnacle MEC’s point of view, we are asking all Mesaba pilots to refrain from participating at these events. We need to remain focused on our goal of One Contract for One Seniority List.

 

[Raskal]

Well, according to the newest e-mail from Mesaba ALPA, and I paraphrase obviously, they don't want to shoot themselves in the foot by "protesting" when negotiations haven't stalled. Sounds like two more sections were TA'ed yesterday, and they are still optimistic this can get done by the end of the week. The problem here is that Pinnacle has worked without a new contract for a long time, but they have been working on THIS contract for a short time. I think Mesaba MEC sees the clock as reset for Pinnacle, but Pinnacle's MEC obviously does not.

Again, I ask why Pinnacle is so excited about getting to negotiations on their own (both Union and pilots)? What are the advantages? The only advantage I can think of is you sign a crap contract just to sign it, you get Mesaba's 900's, and then try to screw over the Mesaba pilots to better your own situation. I really don't get it. We will have more leverage together for a better contract. Why will management give you a contract any faster than before if you work on your own? Is Mesaba and Colgan holding you back from your stellar contract? I've asked this before, but nobody had an answer.

I guess I'm having a hard time seeing that. I don't think they want to screw us over any more than we want to them, the usual number of vocal idiots in both groups aside.

I think what they see is a long, drawn-out and arguably failed negotiation now being blown through with little regard for advancement. Remember, they voted down the last TA...now it appears as though we (XJ) have come in and accepted some things they were unwilling to accept previously and, now, have chosen to vocally oppose their negotiation efforts (MEM picketing). Unless I'm missing something (always possible) I just can't help but think we have taken a very wrong turn here, if only in the sense of working together.

 

[SEVEN]

Two sections TAed yesterday, scheduling almost done. One of the reps from MEM said yesterday it sounds like they're doing some really creative things with the payscales. Current rates +4-5%/yr, split the FO rates, 2%/yr after ammendable. Pinnacle doesn't want to take the payroll hit of bringing the Colgan pilots up all the way, all at once. So, they'd get like 15%/yr and after 4 years the rates would meet and be the same. Evidently the Colgan MEC is on board with this, possibly with the condition of fencing the Qs for a while. Sounds like everyone's playing ball except 9E..

Also it looks like long call out reserve is going to happen at some level.

 

[Raskal]

Two sections TAed yesterday, scheduling almost done. One of the reps from MEM said yesterday it sounds like they're doing some really creative things with the payscales. Current rates +4-5%/yr, split the FO rates, 2%/yr after ammendable. Pinnacle doesn't want to take the payroll hit of bringing the Colgan pilots up all the way, all at once. So, they'd get like 15%/yr and after 4 years the rates would meet and be the same. Evidently the Colgan MEC is on board with this, possibly with the condition of fencing the Qs for a while. Sounds like everyone's playing ball except 9E..

Also it looks like long call out reserve is going to happen at some level.

I have no doubt things are going well, and I'm very happy with what I've heard.

My issue is that we either have or are allowing a wedge to placed between the MEC's. To spell it out, politically I don't think the request for us to not join in picketing was thought out, or maybe it was which is worse. Quietly passing along the word that joining the picketing isn't a great idea is one thing. I mean, how many of the guys would actually go picket anyway? To come out in writing is to clearly state that we have no faith in the other MEC's tactics. Whether or not we actually have any faith is irrelevant, by doing it in writing it is drawing a very public line in the sand. Is that the best thing to do at this point? Doesn't that give an advantage to the other side (mgmt)?

The "house divided..." phrase is a cliche for a reason.