AirTran Airways MEC authorizes Strike Vote!

[DonVerita]

March 18, 2010

Strike Authorization Vote​

The AirTran Master Executive Council held a special meeting in Atlanta today, and ratified a resolution commissioning a strike authorization vote by the pilot group, with balloting to begin on Monday, April 19, 2010.

It is important to note that this is not a vote to go on strike, but rather a vote to authorize the MEC to call a strike should it become absolutely necessary.

“We want a contract, not a strike” said MEC Chairman Linden Hillman. “This vote will demonstrate our unity and determination to management, and should make clear that the time for an industry standard contract is now.”

Pilots should look for new editions of The Hammer to arrive shortly. The strike authorization vote process is explained, as well as other items related to negotiations under the Railway Labor Act. It is imperative that pilots read the information provided by the Association, so that they can make an informed decision before they vote. We will be in the crew lounge and have appearances over the coming weeks to explain the voting process and answer any questions.

Finally, we ask all pilots to join the MEC in Milwaukee on May 18th, at the AirTran shareholder’s meeting. Those who own at least one share of company stock before March 23rd will be allowed to enter the ballroom, but all are welcome on the picket lines.

In unity,

Your Master Executive Council

 

[GuppyWN]

It's called posturing. You'd better HOPE you get a strong yes vote or you're sunk.

Good luck boys. Either fix it or burn it down before we get there!

Gup

 

[no1pilot2000]

SWA should prepare themselves for a possible influx of pilot refugees from Air Tran if they don't get a contract that pilots and management can agree to.

Air Tran pilots should start singing....."Nearer my contract to thee"

 

[twepilot]

Is SWA hiring??? Is anyone hiring??

Any ideas on what Mgmts counter to our vote will be?

RV

 

[maxblast72]

Any ideas on what Mgmts counter to our vote will be?

Management's counter will be a big information campaign saying that Airtran can't afford what the union is asking for. They will say if their costs go up that much, Airtran won't have the cost structure to grow aggressively in the future and the won't be able to take delivery of the 55 airplanes we have set for delivery between 2011 and 2016. They will say how the interest rates and down payments for future deliveries are much higher now than it was 5 years ago when anybody with a heartbeat could get a cheap loan. They will have 100 reasons why everyone should tune down their expectations. That is going to be tough to do considering Airtran is coming off their best net annual profit in their 16 year history and has over $550 million in the bank now.

The good news this time is ALPA is going to get on top of this information war and make sure the pilot group is much more informed than under the NPA. That is what more resources and better leadership structure can do.

 

[JerryLundegaard]

Will there be any more negotiations until the strike vote, or are talks canceled?

 

[DonVerita]

Good luck boys. Either fix it or burn it down before we get there!

Gup

Before you get where?

 

[osoaus]

Before you get where?

You know, THERE!

 

[BR715]

Its about time! Its only been over 2 and a half years since ta2. Im ready to vote on something weather it be a strike vote or a industry standard contract. Voting yes and telling everyone i see to do the same.

 

[redflyer65]

I don't think the AirTran union will have any problem having a high percentage of YES voters.

Good luck guys..

 

[Kharma Police]

It's called posturing. You'd better HOPE you get a strong yes vote or you're sunk.

Gup

Excellent point, but don't worry, our management never fails to throw gasoline on the fire prior to a big Union vote. Days before the vote, I expect the company to fire or suspend a few pilots or make some gross reinterpretations of our contract.

 

[wood pecker]

What is the penalty for the ones who cross the line if they never intend to fly anymore due to age? Meaning, they do not fear a future blackball of getting hired at another airline.

 

[JerryLundegaard]

You've answered your own question.

 

[maxblast72]

Going to be real difficult to move 138 airframes with 100 or so pilots. They might be able to move 20 or so for a couple weeks until everyone times out for the month. Management is going to have to put a serious offer on the table or figure out where they can park 100+ B717s and B737s. Delta usually has South Cargo in ATL full. Maybe the city will let Airtran line aircraft up on taxiway Lima like Delta typically does for reduced holiday schedules (I know I fly every holiday).

 

[400ADude]

What is the penalty for the ones who cross the line if they never intend to fly anymore due to age? Meaning, they do not fear a future blackball of getting hired at another airline.

They end up at companies like Value Jet. As an alternative they would make great candidates for Airtrash management.

I bet half the guys will cross.

 

[Flybywire44]

GL guys.

 

[maxblast72]

They end up at companies like Value Jet. As an alternative they would make great candidates for Airtrash management.

I bet half the guys will cross.

Haven't we covered this before, there is only 1 e in the word ValuJet. And yes guys that choose to work during the strike end up at companies like ValuJet, Express One, or other non union (or in house union) carriers.

 

[maxblast72]

Will there be any more negotiations until the strike vote, or are talks canceled?

The goal of the whole process is still to get a fair contract that eliminates the huge gap between Airtran pilots and the rest of the industry. Negotiation sessions will still take place though as of right now, I believe there is only 1 session planned for April (I know we are seeking more). As soon as managements wants a deal, we will have one. Strike vote is simply a measure of overall pilot fustration with the speed of the negotiating process.

 

[Britpilot]

They end up at companies like Value Jet. As an alternative they would make great candidates for Airtrash management.

I bet half the guys will cross.

Pathetic, no nothing retard.

 

[Colonel Savage]

I think you meant "know nothing" rtetard.

 

[Ty Webb]

I bet half the guys will cross.

400 a-hole's back from the unemployment office, and in his usual good spirits.

 

[Dude]

Good luck, fellas!

 

[27 driver]

They end up at companies like Value Jet. As an alternative they would make great candidates for Airtrash management.

I bet half the guys will cross.

You are an idiot!

 

[GuppyWN]

You can smash on 400Dude all you want but he's got a point.

Valu(e)jet is where the guys that couldn't get hired elsewhere went. I know it's not popular but it's true. There isn't one of you out there, if you're being honest, that can truthfully say that you would have gone to Valujet over American or United or Delta. To some extent Southwest but we weren't exactly a destination location until the late 90's either.

Fire away,
Gup

 

[maxblast72]

To some extent Southwest but we weren't exactly a destination location until the late 90's either.

Gup, I would bet guys were leaving Southwest all the way until 2001. Obviously looking back a dumb move.

I even had a buddy of mine that had a Continental and Southwest offer of employment in late 2005 and he chose Continental due to quick upgrade and heavier iron. Time will tell if he ultimately made the right move. I think right now he is wishing he would have went to Southwest.

Would you tell Gary to get his butt down to Orlando and finish the deal so we can paint the 717s orange and canyon blue?

 

[Lear70]

I don't disagree with you guys about 400ADude (except for Gup), but that doesn't mean the language can go unchecked. Had to delete one of the responses...

Simply ignore the troll, he'll go away.

And additionally no, I wouldn't say anyone is interested in going to UAL over AAI right now. Sounded like you're referring to hiring back in the mid- to late-90's. That only represents about 25% of the seniority list...

 

[WSurf]

You can smash on 400Dude all you want but he's got a point.

Valu(e)jet is where the guys that couldn't get hired elsewhere went. I know it's not popular but it's true. There isn't one of you out there, if you're being honest, that can truthfully say that you would have gone to Valujet over American or United or Delta. To some extent Southwest but we weren't exactly a destination location until the late 90's either.

Fire away,
Gup

Wasn't it not that long ago (15 years ago) that people that didn't get Hired at Delta, US Airways, United, American Airlines had one other option..... To pay for a type rating and go to SouthWest?? So I wouldn't go there.

 

[Kharma Police]

Would you tell Gary to get his butt down to Orlando and finish the deal so we can paint the 717s orange and canyon blue?

Be careful what you wish for. Again, the Frontier pilots chose to merge with a commuter instead of SWA. Talk to a Southwest pilot and they will tell you with a straight face that all we would deserve would be a staple. They are at the apex of their growth tethered with a rising cost structure. Just sit back, relax and watch them tumble down the mountain while we continue our climb.

 

[Eagle757shark]

You can smash on 400Dude all you want but he's got a point.

Valu(e)jet is where the guys that couldn't get hired elsewhere went. I know it's not popular but it's true. There isn't one of you out there, if you're being honest, that can truthfully say that you would have gone to Valujet over American or United or Delta. To some extent Southwest but we weren't exactly a destination location until the late 90's either.

Fire away,
Gup

You are wrong! Many of the pilots hired at AirTran in the last 7 years were furloughed from American, United, US Airways, and ATA. Many of the guys that crossed the picket line at Eastern are long gone. There are a few but not as many as you may be thinking.

By the way, the majority of the pilots on the seniority list never worked for Valujet. There are a lot of angry AirTran pilots that are ready to fight for a fair contract. Don't underestimate this group. It's a scrapy and tough group and a good group of guys and gals to fly with.

Since May 1, 2009 this group has made many strides toward a fair contract. We have endured a great deal in our transition from the NPA to ALPA. There are some tough days ahead, but I believe this group united will be successful. So lets leave Valujet in the past. This is AirTran and we are hoping to raise the bar for our profession in scope, compensation, and quality of life.

 

[GuppyWN]

You guys need reading lessons.

My post specifically says VALUJET. That would imply VALUJET era hiring when "everybody else" was hiring as well.

Since 9/11 AIRTRAN has added the majority of its pilots. Even the average level thinker knows that United, Delta, American, USAir and Northwest have added few jobs - or worse yet reduce pilot jobs.

So to come full circle - anybody hired at VALUJET in the boomdays had a higher than average possibility of being unemployable or unattractive elsewhere.

The AIRTRAN pilot group is sick and tired of being jerked around and rightly so. I just hope you outnumber the VALUJET pilot group and those who think like that.

Gup