AirTran, are you now ready to consider ALPA?

[SkiFishFly]

If the Mediator says yes, then we (Management and the pilots) are released into a 30 day cooling off period. You can still negotiate during this, but I doubt the company would do much.

At the end of the 30 days, management is free to impose its last offer which, currently, is T.A. 2. Nothing else that I'm aware of has actually be put on the table as an "offered contract".

However, if Management takes the position that the concessionary package the NPA BoD rightfully voted down is their last offer, and the NMB agrees, then the company can impose the concessionary offer.

The pilots, during that cooling off period, would have to take a strike vote IF they wanted to engage in self-help at the end of the 30-day cooling off period, and would be free to strike when management imposes the last contract offer. The NPA BoD would have to approve a strike vote and the strike vote would have to pass by a majority.

The furloughed pilots would be able to vote on it, and I think we know how many would probably vote YES to a strike. Add that to everyone else who is hopping mad right now, and you might have a successful strike vote.

I don't know the status of SPC preparedness at the moment, or how the last Wilson Polling data went in regards to strike vote authorization. We also don't know IF that is the company's plan this week OR if the mediator is in the frame of mind to allow it. All we know is the company formally requested a one-day meeting which, arguably, only has one interpretation right now.

Methinks the company is betting on the poor performance the past two quarters and the furloughs to scare people, along with the discord in the union and believes there will be a lack of ability to lead a successful strike. I think they're wrong, just as they were on T.A.'s 1 and 2, and I also believe that, with oil down and revenue up, that the rest of the year will be better, and that management wants to do this before things turn for positive financially, but the company seems to have their own ideas about reality.

I feel like the "proposal" the company is going to have at the upcoming meeting will be our current contract cut to pieces with lots of concessions. If the union looks at it and says "no way" and then the company asks to be released and the NMB says OK - does that mean the company can impose what they threw on the table at the last meeting? That hardly seems appropriate.

 

[Max Powers]

If the company does ask to be released and the NMB says yes - then what can the company do as far as our current contract? Do they get to impose whatever they want?

Once we also agree to be released; then the 30 day cool off begins.....This is where we have the maximum amount of leverage(actually this is the only place we have leverage in this horrible enviroment) and is the only point at which we can effectively negotiate.......Especially since the NMB is republican controlled......3 people sit on the NMB board 2 are elected by the President and his Admin the other from the minority party therefore it has a ridiculous lean towards corporate america and the lone pro-union NMB board member can not out vote the two other guys.

After 30 days and with no agreement in place the company can impose anything they want on us BUT we can STRIKE AirTran.

Don't be too hard on the NPA we have a bunch of people that work here that simply don't understand how a UNION works. I hear lots of dissent but we need to stay united to make it to the 30 day cooling off period. Historically nothing gets done until the 30 day period begins. Our goal should be to make it to the 30 day cool off!!!!! Mem-rat is a silly diversion that uninformed people pushed. Every union must have the power to make decision or they will not be taken seriously in any negotiations.

 

[Max Powers]

Lear I think they have the legal right to impose anything after 30 day period?

 

[stlflyguy]

Go on, join ALPA. Prater needs some more legal defense money!

stlflyguy
(former TWA)

 

[Max Powers]

Go on, join ALPA. Prater needs some more legal defense money!

stlflyguy
(former TWA)

Didn't your elected officials agree to screw the junior guy, so they could keep their job? Seems like next time we all vote we should pay attention to our elected officials seniority and make sure there is a healthy balance of senior along with junior.

 

[stlflyguy]

Didn't your elected officials agree to screw the junior guy, so they could keep their job? Seems like next time we all vote we should pay attention to our elected officials seniority and make sure there is a healthy balance of senior along with junior.

Uh, no. ALPA NATIONAL came this close to getting the American pilots back into the fold. Then the TWA merger was announced. Do you think ALPA National used "the strength of the largest pilot union" to fairly represent the TWA pilots?

C'mon...I know you can do it....!

stlflyguy

 

[PCL_128]

What about Teamsters?

I'd rather be gang raped in prison than become a Teamster. Most corrupt and useless organization in existence. No thanks.

Yes to ALPA!

 

[Max Powers]

Uh, no. ALPA NATIONAL came this close to getting the American pilots back into the fold. Then the TWA merger was announced. Do you think ALPA National used "the strength of the largest pilot union" to fairly represent the TWA pilots?

C'mon...I know you can do it....!

stlflyguy

So your elected officials said no. And ALPA refused to help even though your Elected union leaders refused to any agreement. In other words APA forced this on you so shouldn't you be blaming them and not ALPA? I guess I don't get who and why your mad at.

I'm NOT doubting you all got the shaft but why is ALPA fully to blame?

 

[freightdogfred]

I'd rather be gang raped in prison than become a Teamster.

Hmmm....I'll think I'll take the teamsters, myself.
See ya round the cellblock.

 

[Lear70]

Hmmm....I'll think I'll take the teamsters, myself.
See ya round the cellblock.

You know, I was kind of thinking about saying something to the same effect, but I have no knowledge of PCL's extracurricular interests...

I'm just kidding, man, I don't like the idea of Teamsters, either, but it was an easy shot...