AirTran Strike Vote...98 percent say YES!

[ATLplt]

Milwaukee 5/18/2010

My Fellow AirTran Pilots,

The results are in, and they are impressive. 96.2 percent of eligible pilots turned out to vote and a resounding 97.48 percent said YES!

This historic outcome validates what we already know: that we are unified in our demands for a contract that improves our pay, quality of life, job security and benefits. We have spoken as one, and we will not rest until management recognizes the contributions and concerns of this pilot group.

In a few hours, dozens of your fellow pilots will deliver the same message at the shareholders’ meeting in Milwaukee. We will stand proud and strong, knowing that behind us are 1,427 of the finest pilots in the world.

Brothers and sisters, this is our moment. We do not wish for a strike. Even more so, however, we do not wish to continue down the road we have been traveling. Something must give, but it won’t be our will.

We thank you for your support, and we thank you for giving your Negotiating Committee a true mandate at the table.



In service,


Linden Hillman, Chairman
ATN Master Executive Council


I gotta admit...I didn't think it would be that high of a turnout or "yes" vote. Way to go guys and gals! I'm pretty damn proud of my fellow pilots at AirTran.

 

[Britpilot]

It had to be done. Great result, better than I had expected.

 

[luckytohaveajob]

Go big or go home. Get'R'Done. Congratulations!

 

[Wesb737fo]

Somebody at the shareholders meeting needs to show up dressed like the Verizon dude and loudly ask CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW!

 

[DonVerita]

Absolutely outstanding results!!

That 4.5 magnitude earthquake recorded in MCO this morning, was Management's jaw hitting the floor.

 

[27 driver]

I don't think MCO headquarters is surprised at all. It was pretty easy to see this coming. The question is what are we going to do with the results. I wish I could be at the share holders meeting today.

 

[JerryLundegaard]

To quote Meg Ryan in "When Harry met Sally"...

"Yes"

"YES!"

"YES!!"

 

[Carl_Spackler]

It's just a strike authorization vote. It pretty much means nothing...it's just a an early section 6 move in the ALPA play book. Give it another year or two and they the mutual lawsuits will be filed for negotiation in bad faith. I think Pinnacles strike authorization vote was 98%. That was a few years ago and look at where we are now.

 

[Pilot Knob]

It's just a strike authorization vote. It pretty much means nothing...it's just a an early section 6 move in the ALPA play book. Give it another year or two and they the mutual lawsuits will be filed for negotiation in bad faith. I think Pinnacles strike authorization vote was 98%. That was a few years ago and look at where we are now.

Yeah....I'm gonna have to go ahead and disagree with you on that.

 

[DonVerita]

It's just a strike authorization vote. It pretty much means nothing...it's just a an early section 6 move in the ALPA play book. Give it another year or two and they the mutual lawsuits will be filed for negotiation in bad faith. I think Pinnacles strike authorization vote was 98%. That was a few years ago and look at where we are now.

I knew it wouldn't take long for the naysayers to crawl out from under a rock.

You worry about what went wrong with your situation at Pnnacle. It doesn't pertain to ATN.

And no, it's not an "early section 6 move". When done properly and by the book, a strike authorization vote comes at the end game, which ATN is in right now.

 

[Carl_Spackler]

The problem is that everyone always thinks they are at the "end game" when in reality you just never know how much longer it is going to be. The end game could easily take a year. I wish I didn't have to rain on anyone's parade, but if you ever get excited about any update you will be let down 99% of the time.

 

[Eagle757shark]

The problem is that everyone always thinks they are at the "end game" when in reality you just never know how much longer it is going to be. The end game could easily take a year. I wish I didn't have to rain on anyone's parade, but if you ever get excited about any update you will be let down 99% of the time.

Sir, I will tell you it will not be another year! Even the mediator is becoming annoyed with AirTran managements stalling and childesh actions. The pilots at AirTran are mad as HELL! They are tired of the abuse by scheduling, the intimidation on the line and being scrutinized for just doing their jobs! If you aren't willing to stand up and fight for something, then don't tell a AirTran pilot. We are ready to fight for a fair contract, even if it means going on strike!

Right now in Milwaukee, the AirTran pilots are picketing the Annual shareholder meeting. Along with the strike vote, this event is getting a lot of coverage in Milwaukee.

 

[Splert]

It's just a strike authorization vote. It pretty much means nothing...it's just a an early section 6 move in the ALPA play book. Give it another year or two and they the mutual lawsuits will be filed for negotiation in bad faith. I think Pinnacles strike authorization vote was 98%. That was a few years ago and look at where we are now.

Hawaiian voted for a strike in Sept 2009 and when did they not get a new contract?

March/April 2010.

Damn their 717 rates are higher than JetBlue's "3A" A320 rates plus retirement and health care and...and...and...and...

"But we are not Southwest" and neither is HAL.

 

[PRINCE AKEEM]

It's a great day to be a Tranny!

 

[Ih8AFYesmen]

98% is an impressive number. I really hope you guys will carry through and stay strong till the end. However, I have my doubts of how ALPA pounds it's chest like a large gorrilla and bends over like a chimp in the end.

 

[Carl_Spackler]

Sir, I will tell you it will not be another year! Even the mediator is becoming annoyed with AirTran managements stalling and childesh actions. The pilots at AirTran are mad as HELL! They are tired of the abuse by scheduling, the intimidation on the line and being scrutinized for just doing their jobs! If you aren't willing to stand up and fight for something, then don't tell a AirTran pilot. We are ready to fight for a fair contract, even if it means going on strike!

Right now in Milwaukee, the AirTran pilots are picketing the Annual shareholder meeting. Along with the strike vote, this event is getting a lot of coverage in Milwaukee.

I don't doubt for a second that AirTran pilots are mad as hell over the companies stalling tactics. But just being pissed off will not make a TA magically appear or cause you to get released. As far as the mediator goes, I'm not sure where you got your info from, but I would be very surprised if a mediator made it know that they were annoyed with a particular side. If they in fact are annoyed with the stalling tactics, your management will just give in a little to keep negotiations moving along at a snails pace.

I wish you guys had a fair contract yesterday, but as long as we are subject to the RLA these things will get drug out over and over again. For everyone's sake, including my own, I hope I am wrong.

 

[gt1900]

Well, I wish you were, but your not! While Im glad the vote was as high as it was, this really isn't anything the company didn't see coming. SK is a professional, who has been through this rodeo before. The only thing we can hope for is that the mediator does realize that this has been going on for 6 years now, even though its only been 1 year of negotiation with ALPA. Hopefully he is at the end of his rope as well, and motivates the company to finally start negotiating. Other then that, we are at the beck and call of the RLA..... Well, unless the AAI pilots decide to pull a UAL or ASA and finally say enough is enough. Nothing like a 40% ontime rate and lots of cancelled flights during peak summer flying to motivate the company.

 

[Frequency]

I knew it wouldn't take long for the naysayers to crawl out from under a rock.

You worry about what went wrong with your situation at Pnnacle. It doesn't pertain to ATN.

And no, it's not an "early section 6 move". When done properly and by the book, a strike authorization vote comes at the end game, which ATN is in right now.

What does ATN stand for? I have been a member for over a year now and get the ATN-MEC emails but no one has ever explained that to me... AirTran something? No one I have asked seems to know. They just shrug.

 

[RadioClash]

Congrats AirTran pilots!

 

[MILPILOT17]

All definitions for AIRTRAN AIRWAYS acronym or abbreviation have been removed or haven't been published yet.

http://www.all-acronyms.com/AirTran_Airways

 

[terrehautesux]

AirTranNocontract

 

[DonVerita]

What does ATN stand for? I have been a member for over a year now and get the ATN-MEC emails but no one has ever explained that to me... AirTran something? No one I have asked seems to know. They just shrug.

ATN is the 3-letter designator assigned by ALPA for AirTran Airways. Just as DAL is to Delta Airlines and UAL is to United Airlines.

 

[BILL LUMBERG]

Hey AT gang,

You need help walking the picket line? I'll be there. Anybody who votes a contract down and then walks the line gets my respect......

Even you Kharma!!!!

 

[waveflyer]

It's a good point- the mediators promote this snail's pace- I get that W had his labor agenda- an underfunded understaffed nmb under Obama is inexcusable. There are usually very small windows of profitability to get things done- these delay tactics are completely biased to one side and need to be stopped.

There better be one hell of a RETRO check included in this. And I hope every one on AT's property understands why retro is important- retro must equal the amount the contract would be worth if it were signed the day the old one became amendable or there is a huge financial incentive to delay. It needs to be value of contract plus interest if you have any desire to not be delayed to death next time

Good for you AT- you have my support as well

 

[njcapt]

Great results on the strike vote, guys. Stay strong.

 

[maxblast72]

if you have any desire to not be delayed to death next time

I think next time the Airtran pilots approach an amendable date to their contract, things will be alot different than 2005. I doubt there will be a failed TA, recall of union president and vice president, and the changing of unions during the middle of negotiations next time around. I doubt there ever would have been a 97.5% yes/96.2% participation for a strike vote under the NPA. I am not saying ALPA can or will cure all of our problems here at Airtran, but the structure and resources they have brought to our effort over the last 12 months are signficant.

 

[waveflyer]

True enough- my point was retro. I doubtthat your mgmt doesn't have a certain union busting law firm on retainer that knows how to divide a pilot group- part of the tactics is to get the union to bend over and put out TA's like that- the incompetent union, IMHO- I know it's not my airline- so you guys do your best and what's right for you, doesn't change the Retro argument. If you don't get a retro check equal to the amount it would be worth if it were signed on time- it rewards management. And incentized them to do it again. It should be simple math- not a negotiated item.

 

[Ludicrous Speed]

Think there's a lot of stuff y'all can accomplish with a 98% vote. Congrats Airtran pilots! Stay strong!

 

[no1pilot2000]

I admire AirTran pilots for showing unity in their strike authorization vote. Voting 98% to authorize a strike is amazing.

However, what will be the tipping point where the pilots say to AT management, the flying stops and walking the picket line, full time, begins?

 

[TurboAWD]

Just like previous performance is not a good predictor of upgrade times, what has happend with Section 6 negotiations over the last several years is not a good predictor of what is going to happen the next few years.

The NMB has changed. Great contracts will still not just fall out of the sky, but things ARE different.