ALPA votes 18 to 1 to throw out AAA/AWA award!

[LittleDeuce]

The ALPA Executive Board votes 18-1 to throw out the arbitration award. Details to follow........

 

[OnTheDole]

Details to follow........

famous last words...

 

[Doug Parker]

.


Little Doosh.........

It was not to throw out the award - don't get all ramped up about coming back above any active pilots.


.

 

[momalley81]

Nothing to see here. Move along.

 

[AutoBus]

The ALPA Executive Board votes 18-1 to throw out the arbitration award. Details to follow........

There is nothing about throwing out the award in the letter,

 

[BenderGonzales]

MEC CODE-A-PHONE UPDATE
May 25, 2007

This is MEC Chairman Jack Stephan with a Chairman’s message to the pilots for Friday, May 25, 2007.

On behalf of the entire US Airways MEC I want to update you on recent action by ALPA’s Executive Council.

Late last night ALPA's Executive Council took action concerning the Nicolau arbitration award. Shortly, we will post on our website the resolution passed by the Executive Council and the letter Captain Prater sent to me and AWA MEC Chairman John McIlvenna.

These documents lay the foundation for seeking to right the injustices of this egregious award. The resolution states that the Executive Council is acutely aware of the negative consequences that may result if the MECs fail to come together to explore consensual approaches that promote career protection and mutual success…..

Additionally it goes on to direct ALPA President, Captain John Prater to continue to employ all of the resources of the Association to assist the MECs in achieving these goals.

Make no mistake; although many people worked tirelessly for this outcome, it would not have occurred absent the show of resolve demonstrated by the over 400 US Airways pilots who made the effort to go to ALPA headquarters in Herndon on May 21. Your participation, whether in person at Herndon last Monday or taking the time to express your concerns to your union leadership, clearly provided a poignant reminder that the pilots of US Airways cannot be left behind in ALPA’s efforts to take this union back.

While our request to have the award voided was not directly addressed at this time, we are nonetheless encouraged that the Executive Council has taken ownership of the issue as we advocated in our presentation as well as the direction that they have laid out for us. We will be providing you more information on the process before us after I have spoken with Captain Prater regarding his specific request for information and/or action.

Your solidarity in letting your views be known provided the wherewithal to convince the Executive Council that they could not remain silent on the issue before us. Your continued solidarity in that manner will be instrumental as we move forward as a union to effectively address the ramifications of the Nicolau award. Rest assured that your MEC continues to remain solely focused on exhausting every means available to represent the US Airways pilots.

Thank you for your support during this difficult time. And as always, fly safe and thanks for listening.

 

[BenderGonzales]

May 24, 2007

Gentlemen:

Thank you for meeting with the ALPA Executive Council on Monday, May 21, and for the very professional and informative presentation in response to the Arbitration Award. Both presentations raised serious questions, concerns, and difficult issues. While both MECs, Merger Committees, and merger counsel have been intimately involved with each and every detail of the proceeding, the Executive Council had much to learn and consider.

After both presentations and Q & A periods were concluded, and during the next several days, the Executive Council deliberated over the very difficult issues. It became clear to all Executive Council members that the issues raised from both MECs are of critical importance to the AWA and AAA pilots, as well as all ALPA pilots and the piloting profession. Therefore, as stated in
the attached resolution, the Executive Council will require additional time and information to complete their deliberations.

The Executive Council requests that you advise your respective memberships of the Executive Council actions. I will be contacting each of you to discuss follow-up requests for information
and/or actions.
Fraternally,
John H. Prater
President


AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION, INTERNATIONAL
96TH REGULAR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

PROPOSED RESOLUTION
1 WHEREAS the AAA MEC, on behalf of the AAA pilots, has requested
2 that the Executive Council set aside the Opinion and Award in the
3 Matter of the Seniority Integration of the Pilots of US Airways, Inc. and
4 the Pilots of America West Airlines, Inc. (the “Award”) and resubmit
5 the matter to a new Arbitration Board sitting with a different
6 arbitrator, and
7
8 WHEREAS the AWA MEC, on behalf of the AWA pilots, has argued
9 that the Executive Council lacks jurisdiction to review or set aside the
10 Award and that, in any event, there is no basis for doing so, and
AI #35
11
12 WHEREAS the Executive Council, acutely aware of the importance of
13 these issues to the pilots of both airlines as well as to the entire
14 Association, desires to fully consider the views of each group and fully
15 deliberate all issues raised in order to effectively discharge its
16 responsibilities, and
17
18 WHEREAS the Executive Council is also acutely aware of the negative
19 consequences that may result if the MECs fail to come together to
20 explore consensual approaches that promote career protection and
21 mutual success, and achieve an acceptable single collective bargaining
22 agreement that improves pay, benefits, work rules and job security for
23 both pilot groups,
24
25 THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the President continue to
26 employ all the resources of the Association to assist the MECs in
27 achieving these goals, and
28
29 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that further consideration of this
30 agenda item is deferred to a special meeting of the Executive Council to
31 be called by the President to be held in June 2007.

 

[regionaltard]

Statement from the East.

 

[TWA Dude]

MEC Chairman's Update
May 25, 2007
Fellow AWA Pilots:
Last night, the AWA MEC received the decision from ALPA Executive Council regarding the AAA MEC’s presentation on May 21, 2007 to set aside the Nicolau Award. The decision of ALPA Executive Council was to simply delay deliberation until a special EC meeting scheduled for late June 2007. The cover letter from ALPA President Captain John Prater and the EC resolution are attached for your review. Additionally, I have sent Captain Prater a response and that letter is also attached.
I would ask that you please not read anything into this decision. We expect that the east will put out communications that will likely distort the true meaning of this resolution. After a lengthy conference call with our merger committee, and our merger counsel Jeff Freund, and EVP Russ Webber, all of your elected representatives and MEC officers have every confidence that ALPA Executive Council will follow ALPA Merger Policy and they will NOT overturn the Nicolau Award.
Unfortunately, the east JNC members informed us this morning that they will not be able to join us in negotiations next week. The AWA MEC, in consultation with the AWA MEC Negotiating Committee, is reviewing all of our strategic options to move ahead with both negotiations and implementation of this award.
I will have a more lengthy Chairman’s letter coming to you later this weekend detailing many of the issues that are rapidly changing, including what happened at the Executive Board with regards to the change in ALPA’s age 60 policy. In the meantime, please have a safe and secure Memorial Day weekend, and please follow the ALPA Code of Ethics when dealing with your fellow ALPA brothers and sisters.
I hope to see you on the picket line in LAS tomorrow as we continue our fight for a fair contract.
Fraternally,
Captain John McIlvenna
Chairman, AWA Master Executive Council

 

[TWA Dude]

The ALPA Executive Board votes 18-1 to throw out the arbitration award. Details to follow........

Liar. The proof has been presented.

 

[vetrider]

The east MEC would never distort anything, never, I'm ashamed that JM would say such a thing. Sarcasm off. No further comments.

 

[BenderGonzales]

I remember when Chris Beebe said, "Not one nickel. Not one job."

Good times...

 

[The Victors]

That's gonna blow when those 99 DOH guys move on into AWA left seats.

 

[PA-22]

May 24, 2007

AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION, INTERNATIONAL
96TH REGULAR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

PROPOSED RESOLUTION
1 WHEREAS the AAA MEC, on behalf of the AAA pilots, has requested
2 that the Executive Council set aside the Opinion and Award in the
3 Matter of the Seniority Integration of the Pilots of US Airways, Inc. and
4 the Pilots of America West Airlines, Inc. (the “Award”) and resubmit
5 the matter to a new Arbitration Board sitting with a different
6 arbitrator, and
7
8 WHEREAS the AWA MEC, on behalf of the AWA pilots, has argued
9 that the Executive Council lacks jurisdiction to review or set aside the
10 Award and that, in any event, there is no basis for doing so, and
blablabla

Let's say we go to another arbitrator, what if you don't like the new award?
Are you going to keep crying until you hear what you want to hear?
THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE. GROW UP GUYS.

 

[sleeves]

I am so disappointed with ALPA. WTF First they give up on age 65 then they do this? We had a legal process. It was followed and now because some old guys want to cry to their buddies they want to change the rules after the fact?

Us younger guys need to get more involved in the union.

 

[PositiveRate]

Without a mutual desire to fight for a better contract, we are all doomed to fail.

The reality is that this is the wrong fight for all of us. The award is binding and won't be thrown out. And while we haggle to no avail for what will surely be months, the chance for a joint contract will quickly pass us by.

If we were all fighting like heck together, within a year we'd likely have a contract with top line narrowbody pay around 170-180 for CA and 110-120 for FO's as well as 13-15% B plan, better workrules, etc. This would be a modest, but welcome improvement for the West and a huge jump forward for the East.

So, what do we want more? Money and power together or should we continue to offer our services on the cheap to management and make it as easy as possible for them to whipsaw us to their benefit for DECADES to come? The later is the road many seem scarily happy to be on at the moment.

 

[eaglefly]

Why not just keep the airlines seperate.

Let the east guys fly their routes with their planes and the west to do the same. Since U had no money to buy planes, any new aircraft should go to the west guys to fly routes not flown by east guys. As the old geezers of east retire or "fly west", than junior east guys can move into those seats.

Better yet, since U was a rotted carcass when that drunk Parker gave it CPR on a dusty desert trail, sell it (or just the assets) and let someone else deal with it.

Parker wouldn't be in this mess if he didn't have a snootful...............

 

[vtwin]

Liar. The proof has been presented.

I imagine you would be feeling much better if they told AAA to pound sand 14-1 though, huh? But they didn't did they? Hmmm, maybe they saw some merit in our opposition to your windfall? 14-1, interesting times.

 

[Hpilot]

I am so disappointed with ALPA. WTF First they give up on age 65 then they do this? We had a legal process. It was followed and now because some old guys want to cry to their buddies they want to change the rules after the fact?

Us younger guys need to get more involved in the union.

Don't be bothered by it. ALPA is just stringing along the East in hopes they'll pull their heads out of their @sses. All they said is "gee we'll look at this really good in June". Hasn't changed the fact they can't do anything. Poor ALPAs stuck between a rock and a hard place. If they obey the laws the East will try and make them pay. If they try and do anything then the West owns ALPA.

 

[vtwin]

Don't be bothered by it. ALPA is just stringing along the East in hopes they'll pull their heads out of their @sses. All they said is "gee we'll look at this really good in June". Hasn't changed the fact they can't do anything. Poor ALPAs stuck between a rock and a hard place. If they obey the laws the East will try and make them pay. If they try and do anything then the West owns ALPA.

And your point is what?

By the way Hpilot, AAA furloughed can and will be participating in the decertification vote if National is just trying to stroke us in answer to your earlier inquiry as to what us inactive pilots can do. Think that might mess up your plans a bit?

 

[Wiskey Driver]

And your point is what?

By the way Hpilot, AAA furloughed can and will be participating in the decertification vote if National is just trying to stroke us in answer to your earlier inquiry as to what us inactive pilots can do, think that might mess up
your plans a bit?

Ahh no it won't!!

You see, I am in favor of the EC interfering with this award that way when the 1900 DFR law suits are filed and ALPA goes bankrupt that will mark the end of corrupt unions. Every pilot for themselves just like sports figures. We can negotiate our own salaries and benefit packages. Prater's days are marked so start counting.

WD.

 

[vtwin]

Ahh no it won't!!

You see, I am in favor of the EC interfering with this award that way when the 1900 DFR law suits are filed and ALPA goes bankrupt that will mark the end of corrupt unions. Every pilot for themselves just like sports figures. We can negotiate our own salaries and benefit packages. Prater's days are marked so start counting.

WD.

Maybe you will prevail in your DFR suit if you get a judge like your favorite arbitrator to preside over it. Otherwise good luck, most outsiders recognize this lopsided award for what it is, a bank robbery.

 

[Hpilot]

Ahh no it won't!!

You see, I am in favor of the EC interfering with this award that way when the 1900 DFR law suits are filed and ALPA goes bankrupt that will mark the end of corrupt unions. Every pilot for themselves just like sports figures. We can negotiate our own salaries and benefit packages. Prater's days are marked so start counting.

WD.

Boy it really is a win-win situation for us isn't it. Hard to believe the East could have had a win-win situation if they'd just tried to play fair. Oh well, no chance of that.

 

[vtwin]

.


Little Doosh.........

It was not to throw out the award - don't get all ramped up about coming back above any active pilots.


.

What was it then? 14-1 telling AAA to get lost? Don't buy that captains house yet.

 

[Wiskey Driver]

Your right, this is not good for ALPA either and that is good.

Maybe you will prevail in your DFR suit if you get your favorite arbitrator to preside over it.

Ok but why would and arbitrator preside over a lawsuit?? No my uninformed friend this one will play out in the federal district court system. BTW AWA had no favorites as we have never been to this type of arb. The east chose Nicalou as they had a PRIOR working relationship with the man. They chose their neutral because they had a PRIOR working relationship with the man.

I'm hungry for the lawsuit, I would much rather watch the destruction of a corrupt union. T minus 10 on John Prater!!!!!

WD.

 

[vtwin]

Boy it really is a win-win situation for us isn't it. Hard to believe the East could have had a win-win situation if they'd just tried to play fair. Oh well, no chance of that.

The AWA delusion continues. Play fair? You stole our retirements from us, Nicolau should have utilized conditions and restrictions to prevent that from happening.

14-1(awa) saw a reason to look further into this award, I guess they are not playing fair.

 

[MK82Man]

Excellent Post Positive Rate. Here is the meat of the Resolution passed:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the President continue to
employ all the resources of the Association to assist the MECs in
achieving these goals, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that further consideration of this
agenda item is deferred to a special meeting of the Executive Council to
be called by the President to be held in June 2007

I read spin, delay, stall, get in the muddy middle, grey zone. ALPA is working so hard to listen to the cares and concerns of the East dudes -- get real. HQ ain't doing jack. They don't want to touch this thing at all. "We'll assist the MECs" to do what?? Nothing -- for how long 6-9 months. "we'll deferr to June for review" ok, yeah. Zip Zero NADA. I bet you get some sort of "after very careful review" ... nothing changes. Time heals it all. Any PR firm would say stall. There isn't one West guy who would vote to compromise anything -- we'll go our own way first. We negotiated for 18 months. All over.

Here is a read ahead. At some point Parker gets tired of waiting. He needs a list to get the company moving forward. He'll hire to the West -- we need crews. Not a new dude on property since the merger and the summer schedule is in jepordy if we don't absorb on the bottom soon. He will recall your East pilots to the West certificate and if they don't accept, he'll hire off the street to it. He will move new metal to the West, or sell off more 737s on the East side and then furlough/stop recalling East pilots if he has too much on that side of the house. The East is playing with absolute fire on thier side of the street. Parker is a West man and already has the US Airways certificate. Expect the West guys to open Section 6 and work on our own contract if the East doesn't want a new contract. Re-read Positive Rate's post. That is the real issue. All this "award injustice" is wasted breath.

 

[vtwin]

Ok but why would and arbitrator preside over a lawsuit?? No my uninformed friend this one will play out in the federal district court system. BTW AWA had no favorites as we have never been to this type of arb. The east chose Nicalou as they had a PRIOR working relationship with the man. They chose their neutral because they had a PRIOR working relationship with the man.

I'm hungry for the lawsuit, I would much rather watch the destruction of a corrupt union. T minus 10 on John Prater!!!!!

WD.

Of course an arbitrator won't.... You will need a judge who is as unhinged as your arbitrator or, find one you can bribe after catching him on film with farm animals to see merit in your DFR against alpa looking further into this debacle
and resolving it.

By the way, we expected him to follow the loosely scripted merger policy
of no windfalls for either group and, to preserve career expectations also. I doubt he would ever be picked to do another airline arbitration again, his old age aside, do I have to explain that also. By the way, what did you do with those pictures anyway?

 

[vtwin]

Excellent Post Positive Rate. Here is the meat of the Resolution passed:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the President continue to
employ all the resources of the Association to assist the MECs in
achieving these goals, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that further consideration of this
agenda item is deferred to a special meeting of the Executive Council to
be called by the President to be held in June 2007

I read spin, delay, stall, get in the muddy middle, grey zone. ALPA is working so hard to listen to the cares and concerns of the East dudes -- get real. HQ ain't doing jack. They don't want to touch this thing at all. "We'll assist the MECs" to do what?? Nothing -- for how long 6-9 months. "we'll deferr to June for review" ok, yeah. Zip Zero NADA. I bet you get some sort of "after very careful review" ... nothing changes. Time heals it all. Any PR firm would say stall. There isn't one West guy who would vote to compromise anything -- we'll go our own way first. We negotiated for 18 months. All over.

Here is a read ahead. At some point Parker gets tired of waiting. He needs a list to get the company moving forward. He'll hire to the West -- we need crews. Not a new dude on property since the merger and the summer schedule is in jepordy if we don't absorb on the bottom soon. He will recall your East pilots to the West certificate and if they don't accept, he'll hire off the street to it. He will move new metal to the West, or sell off more 737s on the East side and then furlough/stop recalling East pilots if he has too much on that side of the house. The East is playing with absolute fire on thier side of the street. Parker is a West man and already has the US Airways certificate. Expect the West guys to open Section 6 and work on our own contract if the East doesn't want a new contract. Re-read Positive Rate's post. That is the real issue. All this "award injustice" is wasted breath.

Your wet dream makes a lot of sense if the West was responsible for 80% of the profit margin and most of the revenue but it is not, so now what?

 

[Hpilot]

The AWA delusion continues. Play fair? You stole our retirements from us, Nicolau should have utilized conditions and restrictions to prevent that from happening.

14-1(awa) saw a reason to look further into this award, I guess they are not playing fair.

Stole your retirements? I've gone from a five year upgrade to total stagnation for the last three years. Meanwhile all the recalls have gone out east. Oh yeah, and you guys still have jobs. Talk about windfalls, go look in the mirror. On top of that you guys have the top 500 slots. The contract the company just offered is 80% improvements for the East. It's no wonder you guys got the industries worst contract shoved down your throats. You wouldn't negotiate. It's all "mine, mine, mine, gimme, gimme, gimme". All we have to do out west is sit back and watch you guys destroy yourselves. You sure are good at it.