Alaska Airlines arbitration

[SeaSlam]

It's been a while since I've heard anything from our "smiling eskimo" friends. I know the arbitrator is supposed to announce his decision by the end of the month but has anyone heard how it's been going and what it may mean in respect to future class dates? ~SeaSlam

 

[AK737FO]

standing bye to stand bye

I doubt we will hear anything until the end of the April, maybe even the last day of the month. The new contract will start May 1.

I believe that some of the big issues, like pension, will be left pretty much alone as the arbitrator simply does not have time to accomplish all the things the company is asking for - and that is assuming that he agrees with the company's side and wants to give them their request.

If the arbitrator wanted to give Alaska management everything they wanted, it would take him months, several month, to rewrite the contract. He is one man, with one month - there are about 13 sections to the contract - leaving him a touch over 2 days of time per section for a re-write. I don't see it happening...

He will nip a bit here, tuck a bit there, give us a pay cut around 12% and send us on our way.

In my opinion, Alaska will be hiring soon after the contract is settled. How many are hired depends on how deep the arbitrator cuts. If he hammers us, the company will grow (pilot funded growth plan - its the newest rage!) and they will hire a bunch. If he cuts the baby in half, they will still hire, just not as many as the pilot funded growth plan they wanted would have allowed.

Always remember, its just business. Don't take it personal. But... when they want me to take a 29% pay cut - it starts to get personal.

AK737FO

 

[flx757]

Of course anything I say is simply conjecture and repeating what I have heard...but every week during recurrent, we have the Fleet Captain come in and speak to the class. He answers questions and basically reports on what is going on.

During the last several weeks he has implied that once the company has a known cost factor with regard to the various contracts that are being negotiated, and not just with the pilots but other groups as well, there will be some kind of aircraft order because the 10% per year growth called for in the "2010" plan can't be accomplished without additional aircraft.

In addition, in anticipation of the hiring to come, we are in the process of arranging for the use of one of American's MD-82 sims at DFW to handle the expected overflow. So all indications point to at least some hiring later this year, and rumors have it that it may be significant hiring.

Again, this is all conjecture and rumor and the talk around the building...but there are definite wheels in motion in anticipation of this possible hiring. Stay tuned for more concrete information in the next few weeks.

 

[mach none]

More MDs along with Boeings. You heard it here first. They are cheap and burn lots of gas. But cheap being the biggest factor. I hear the MD is going to DFW. Something about lots of parts and maybe the AA MX can fix our jets.

 

[flx757]

Not sure about the "more MD" part ....but it's true the MD is going to DFW.

 

[psysicx]

How many legs a day are normal?And do you guys care about not flying oversee routes.It seems a lot would like to fly international.

 

[mach none]

Not sure about the "more MD" part ....but it's true the MD is going to DFW.

The MD "rumor" is starting here. I did just heard that Arbitor Kasher just cancelled the meeting tomorrow, 4/20. He is not happy with the company and how they have been throughout the whole process and their lack of info...other than we have always been #6 and should always be #6. That is straight from the MEC.

It is going to be a fun ride.

 

[AK737FO]

We are #6!

Don't get your hopes up Mach on any in house rumors. If the arbitrator wants to ever work again, he has to cut the baby in half. He may not like what the company is asking for, but he will still give them some of their requests, if for no other reason than to make sure he can find gameful employment as an arbitrator in the future.
Anybody have an idea on how much an arbitrator makes for doing a contract like this?

 

[mach none]

Don't get your hopes up Mach on any in house rumors. If the arbitrator wants to ever work again, he has to cut the baby in half. He may not like what the company is asking for, but he will still give them some of their requests, if for no other reason than to make sure he can find gameful employment as an arbitrator in the future.
Anybody have an idea on how much an arbitrator makes for doing a contract like this?

I don't have my hopes up. In fact, I think neither side will like what he decides. That will show that he resolved this in the best possible manner, neither side wins. I have always maintained we will have, at worse a 15% cut. He will not touch the pension and he will slightly modify each of the remaining items. His job is to drive both sides back to the table for a real agreement.

I believe the -900 arbitor made 1.3million from ALPA alone.

 

[SeaSlam]

Thanks for the info...what little there is. It's been a while since those of us in the pool have heard anything "official" from the company. A letter would do wonders for us poolies who have been treading water for over 2 years now. ~SeaSlam

 

[SneakyJake]

How many people are left in the pool?

 

[SeaSlam]

How many people are left in the pool?

I'm guessing there are approximately 15 of us left. Who knows for sure...I'm sure some people have elected to take jobs elsewhere. ~SeaSlam

 

[ClearRight]

Alaska Air reports first quarter loss of $80.5 million.



So, for those of us who are aching to get on and those in the pool... what does this mean for us? Are we blindly walking toward a sinking ship?

 

[mach none]

Alaska Air reports first quarter loss of $80.5 million.



So, for those of us who are aching to get on and those in the pool... what does this mean for us? Are we blindly walking toward a sinking ship?

I don't think so. I have been on 3 sinking ships and this is not one. We will be around for sometime. You must remember, every labor group is in contract talks. With us being the biggest. Our management has taken the opportunity to do a lot of "special" write offs. They are also showing our hedging as a loss, simply because the price per barrel dropped. I am not sure how they can do that. Maybe an accounting type can answer that one.

It will be interesting to see what abritration brings. There is no doubt the company is not going to get their grand slam from Mr. Kasher.

 

[SeaSlam]

There were quite a few one time write offs which affected the bottom line. Fuel hedging, the impending loss of the -200's, leather seats, etc, etc...Whether it was planned that way or just happened to coincide with the contract negotiations can only be answered by the bean counters and those above them. ~SeaSlam