An interesting tidbit about FOPA

[Frac Rat]

If you received the FOPA message on your bb and you click on the link the provided for the "FOPA flyer" and "FOPA handbook", the download file title will include the name of the person whose word processor they were written on. According to the seniority list, he's a medium seniority CW Beechjet capt, but the name kind of rings a bell to me. Isn't he one of the FLOPS ground instructors who does the company 135 and Company Manual ground training in Dallas?

 

[WakeTurb]

for those that didn't get the email....

What is eveyone view on this. I agree we need someone to represent us.....I think this would be a much better route than Teamsters.....

What is the Flight Options Pilot's Association?
The majority of Flight Option Pilots agree that a third party
communicator is needed between management and the pilot work force. There has
to be one point of contact from the pilots to management and vice versa.
The only option available for representation was the International
Brotherhood of Teamsters, a nation wide organization that represents 1.4
million people in different fields across different regions. Flight
Option pilots are not the Teamster's sole and primary interest, therefore,
the attention required by Flight Options' pilot work force will not be
met accordingly. The pilots need results quickly with a process
developed that will create fair working conditions, competitive compensation
and a communication process to voice concerns to management. This will
not be provided for a substantial amount of time with Teamster
representation. The Teamsters will only delay any improvements in working
conditions by prolonged negotiation techniques.
Therefore, a group of Flight Options Pilots have joined together to
create another option for representation. This group is initially
privately funded and consists of no management, solely Flight Option line
pilots. This organization is called the Flight Options Pilot's
Association, also called FOPA. The founders of FOPA will remain confidential
until the current IBT vote has finished being conducted in an effort to
avoid repercussions from management or the Teamsters. Once the Teamsters
vote fails, FOPA will announce its representatives and intentions to
management. This is also the first announcement to the management team
of Flight Options. The purpose of FOPA is not to create a wall between
management and the pilots but instead assist in organizing
self-representation and an effective communication channel between both parties.
How FOPA works?
DO NOT vote for Teamster representation. This may be achieved by NOT
calling the Teamster ballot telephone number. Once the Teamster ballot
has failed, the Flight Options Pilot's Association (FOPA) will announce
to management their intent to represent the pilot work force and the
names of the reps and their positions will be released. FOPA reps will
hold five temporary positions; one president and four pilot
representatives. The representatives will then begin formalization of FOPA per the
agenda and schedule discussed below. The initial plan after
announcement of the FOPA representatives will be to start a card campaign by
distributing cards to the pilot work force. During the distribution of
cards, Flight Options management may add or take away anything from the
flight crews. To prevent these changes, FOPA reps will approach
management with a copy of the Formalization Handbook and ask for an official
signed agreement to conduct operations within these guidelines. These
guidelines will solely establish practices that will protect FOPA
affiliates from termination or repercussions from management and give basic
guidelines to protect the pilot work force from mergers or acquisitions as
well as any deductions in current benefits or compensation. This
agreement will not change any current benefits and will be void upon a voted
contract by the pilot work force; these are just guidelines for
formalization of the FOPA organization. Upon managements agreement Bob Tyler
will be asked to release the compensation plan he wanted to announce
before the Teamsters filed with the NMB. If Bob Tyler will not announce
his plan or if no plan existed, FOPA will seek a new pay scale in
contract negotiations upon a passing vote with the NMB. If management will
not sign the Formalization Handbook agreement, FOPA founders will
continue with the card campaign and file with the NMB for an official vote
and except any repercussions imposed by Flight Option's management.
Upon receiving 35% of the pilot's cards, FOPA will file the application
with the NMB for an election. If the FOPA vote receives 50% plus 1 with
the NMB, FOPA will then officially represent the Flight Options pilot
work force. FOPA will then initiate a nomination period where any pilot
interested in representing the pilot workforce will be able to submit
their name. The applicants will complete the FOPA form 107, this form
will state their background and why they should represent the pilots.
The applicant information will be forwarded to the pilot group for
review. Upon the review deadline an election will be held within the pilot
workforce narrowing the representation group to 20 pilots (five pilots
per future fleet type) and 5 president applicants. Application forms
will be disseminated again. The pilot work force will then vote for 4
pilots to represent the pilot work force and one president to represent
FOPA and act as a liaison between FOPA and Flight Option's management.
Initially, the elected FOPA reps will represent a variety of fleet
types, as the company moves on with the go foreword plan of four aircraft
types the reps will stream line their representation to a specific type
of aircraft. The new FOPA representatives will then meet with the FOPA
founders to formalize the association and establish the pass over from
the founders to the elected positions. The association will then
compile a list of concerns and requests from the pilot work force. Once a
list of concerns is compiled the association will schedule an
orientation with management representatives. At this orientation, FOPA
representatives will begin negotiations with Flight Options management on a
formal contract. During negotiations, FOPA reps will take into
consideration all current competitive contracts.

continued to next post....

 

[WakeTurb]

FOPA Schedule:
FOPA will begin distributing cards for a 35% collection to the NMB -
March 6, 2006
Pilots apply to be FOPA reps - April 6, 2006
Pilots elect preliminary applicants - April 17, 2006 thru April 20,
2006
Pilots vote for final FOPA reps - May 1, 2006 thru May 4, 2006
Announcement of FOPA reps- May 8, 206
FOPA reps conduct orientation meeting - May 15, 2006. FOPA reps meet
with management at end of June, 2006.
This schedule is a proposal and dates may vary due to Teamster
activity. However, the time line for FOPA agreements is within 6 months of
being voted as the representation of Flight Option pilots, which is
excessively less than any Teamster contract negotiation. It may also take
longer than 30 days to complete a card campaign; however, this is the
initial goal of FOPA.
Benefits for choosing FOPA:
-One voice from pilot to management. One point of contact from
management to the
pilots.
-No drawn out negotiation between Teamsters and Flight Options
management
-Benefits and compensation packages will be created quicker
-Represented by line pilots that pilots will elect with no outside
political influence.
-Each fleet will have a point of contact to voice their opinion.
-NO initiation dues or expected donations to the organization, unlike
the Teamsters
- Southwest Airlines Pilot's Association (SWAPA) is an exceptional
union organization and is admired by many associations across the country.
The working relationship between management and the pilots is a model
for how FOPA intends to conduct operations.
FOPA dues:
Pilots will not pay dues until a contract has been voted on and
approved by the pilot work force. Pilots will also not have to pay any
initiation donations to FOPA. Dues will be collected at 1 percent of a
pilot's salary. The dues collected by FOPA will be placed into a banking
account and all account activity will be accessible by the pilot work
force. Dues collected will pay for the FOPA web site, attorney on
retainer fees, misc. office expenses, representative compensation and
additional costs occurred. Dues paid to FOPA will be solely for FOPA activity.
Unlike the Teamsters who use YOUR 1.5% dues for all their other
interests.
FOPA and Flight Options Management:
Flight Option's management has NO involvement in FOPA. The founders of
FOPA are not management and are line pilots that wish to have a long
term career with the company. This email is not from Flight Options
management, it would be illegal and against the NMB rules for the company
to issue representation that is against an organization that has a
current election with the NMB.
The Teamsters Vote:
The Teamsters are the union that has filed with the NMB, ANY vote for
representation, ANY call-in vote, ANY write in vote, automatically gets
counted for the Teamsters. ANY action requesting pilot representation
during THIS NMB filing goes to the Teamsters side of the ledger. The
Teamsters are the organizing activity that has made the current filing
and they are in control of the current circumstances. Therefore, FOPA
can not request to be added to the election nor may FOPA be a choice in
the election. The only way to vote for FOPA is to not call in or write
for representation on THIS current vote. The only way to vote NO for
the Teamsters in the up-coming election is to NOT vote.
Representation:
The self representation model works. The SWAPA, the Southwest Airlines
Pilot's Association is an excellent example and is the model for FOPA.
The SWAPA organization began in 1978 by a few pilots that wanted to
represent the 100 line pilots. The organization filed with the NMB and
was announced as official representation of the pilot's of Southwest.
SWAPA formulated a contract with management that was so good the pilots
voted the contract in for 12 years. The working relationship between
management and SWAPA is exceptional and is a true role model amongst many
associations across the country.
Teamster vs FOPA
FOPA is NOT an ANTI UNION attempt. FOPA is providing another option
for representation to the Flight Option's pilot work force. The pilots
will make their own choice of what will be the preferred representation
for them. The Teamsters will make comments and accusations against
FOPA, however, FOPA founders will not make any rebuttals or counter
arguments against the Teamsters. FOPA will state the facts, what FOPA can
offer and what benefits you will have under self representation. If you
are not sure about the info you are receiving, please contact us and
let us give you the facts about FOPA.
What now, how do we get this rolling and how can you help? DON'T CALL
the number the NMB is sending to you. This will give a vote for the
Teamsters and FOPA will not be able to do anything once the Teamsters are
the controlling representatives. Once the vote has failed for the
Teamsters, FOPA will make an official announcement of their campaign.
Conclusion:
We ask you to consider FOPA as an option for representation. Let
pilots that you elect represent you and your needs.
This is not a last minute attempt to organize an internal union. This
plan has been in development for awhile however, due to the brutal
tactics of the Teamsters, the founders elected to hold the announcement.
Due to the tactics used by the Teamsters and by many pro-union
activists, this email may get modified. To avoid that, the official FOPA flyer
release is attached. If you did not receive the attachment, please
email us directly for a copy.
Attached is the FOPA Formalization Handbook, which sets the guidelines
for FOPA standard operating procedures and processes. This document is
DRAFT form, however pilots may have access to this handbook to ensure
process are developed. The final version of the handbook will be
released upon FOPA's card campaign.
In closure, IF YOU WANT FOPA REPRESENTATION, do not make any contact
with the NMB no matter what propaganda is used by the Teamsters. Any
contact at all may be used as a vote for Teamster representation.

 

[Fozzy]

Wow, that is a mouth full. Boy that sounds a lot like the group that Flex has that speaks for the pilots to the company. And look at all they have accomplished .

Drawn out negotiations huh? That sounds like company rhetoric to me. It took IBT 1108 NINE months.

This sounds like a company ploy. Not sure who these jokers are, but I am sure they will not have the tools needed to get a contract you will happy with.

And BTW, I am VERY happy with the IBT. They have helped 1108 out every time we asked. I know it is fun to poke fun at them, but they have been will worth the money.

Ignore this FUD. Vote for 1108.

 

[Schmeddley]

FOPA sounds like a great idea. Lets make it happen!

 

[luvu]

ALL FOPA supporters-Write in FOPA when selecting choice of representative

FOPA writes:

"The Teamsters are the union that has filed with the NMB, ANY vote for
representation, ANY call-in vote, ANY write in vote, automatically gets
counted for the Teamsters. ANY action requesting pilot representation
during THIS NMB filing goes to the Teamsters side of the ledger."

The Truth

The way the election actually works is as follows, despite the above attempt at misrepresentation. (No. I'll call it like it is. FOPA ground instructor is OUTRIGHT LYING about this. Not a good way to begin a campaign to gain pilots' trust)

When the ballots are added up, if 50%+1 of eligible voters vote for any union then Flight Options pilots gain representation.

The union that actually wins the right to do that representing depends on which union gets the majority of votes.

A vote for "FOPA" does not "automatically" count as a vote for ASAP as the Dallas ground instructor would have you believe.

So if you want "FOPA?" Vote for "FOPA" as a write in. If you want ASAP, vote for ASAP which is legitimate enough to actually have bothered to register themselves with the NMB as a legitimate candidate and has therefore earned the right to be on the ballot, having collected enough cards.

Now if the Dallas ground instructor behind FOPA doesn't think he started the game early enough to play catch up, he has another choice.

After ASAP wins representation for Flight Options pilots, FOPA can busy itself in the following months collecting cards to petition for an election to unseat ASAP and replace them as the pilots' representative.

This way the pilots at least have some protection in the interim. What the Dallas Ground instructor is recommending is similar to recommending that you and your family "go bare" without any health insurance, is it not?

Now, how responsible is that?

Flight Options pilots should not "go bare" any longer. They need the insurance that comes with legal representation. ASAP

Schmeddley, Join Date January 2006? Church Lady, "Isn't that Special?"

 

[waka]

FOPA sounds like a great idea. Lets make it happen!

just a reminder that Schmeddley is a management lackey that signed up just to post his propaganda on this board

 

[waka]

Hey WakeTurb. You left omitted the fact that this originated from a yahoo address.

They obviously don't the NMB rules and haven't named any of the leadership. These are the people that are supposed to represent us in contract negotiations??
:laugh:

 

[Wyatt]

FOPA sounds like a great idea. Lets make it happen!

Jeeze....whatta tool!...somebody get me a rope. :laugh:

 

[PigPile]

another side

anti-union pilots try a "flight options pilots association trick"
In corresponding with Bob Tyler, and the anti-union law firm Ford & Harrison, it is clear that a couple of our anti-union brethren have decided to try to cause a chink in the armor of the 1108 union drive by trying to announce an in-house "pilot's assocation".

This e-mail was obviously sent with the help of management - it was sent to all the dispatch rows. The e-mail was sent from an anonymous person at a yahoo e-mail address.



Time to pick this e-mail apart, and make sure that our pilots truly understand how uneducated this person(s) is regarding the Railroad Labor Act.


Here we go!




This email is to notify you that the Flight Options Pilot’s Association has been formalized in an effort to represent the Flight Options pilot work force.

What is the Flight Options Pilot’s Association?
The majority of Flight Option Pilots agree that a third party communicator is needed between management and the pilot work force.


You got that right. Over 70%, and the cards keep coming in.



There has to be one point of contact from the pilots to management and vice versa. The only option available for representation was the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, a nation wide organization that represents 1.4 million people in different fields across different regions. Flight Option pilots are not the Teamster’s sole and primary interest, therefore, the attention required by Flight Options’ pilot work force will not be met accordingly.


Nice try. In reality, the Teamsters are just the financial suporters. The union will be 100% ran and operated by Flight Options pilots elected by Flight Options pilots. 78% of all the dues that Flight Options pilots pay (after ratification of our first contract) stay in the union. "The Teamsters" will not make any money on Flight Options.

Also, I believe if you look at the contract that Net Jets pilots received, you will see that fractional aviation is the ONLY interest of the union. 1108 has nothing to do with any other labor fields.


The pilots need results quickly with a process developed that will create fair working conditions, competitive compensation and a communication process to voice concerns to management. This will not be provided for a substantial amount of time with Teamster representation. The Teamsters will only delay any improvements in working conditions by prolonged negotiation techniques.



Let's see. 1108 did it in 10 months. How does this person think they could do it any faster? Especially without national support from the best labor lawyers in the country? I put my faith in 1108 over some "yahoo" that we don't even know who they are, and they have no support from anyone.



Therefore, a group of Flight Options Pilots have joined together to create another option for representation. This group is initially privately funded and consists of no management, solely Flight Option line pilots.



Who? Who are these pilots who want to represent us without any union affiliation?




This organization is called the Flight Options Pilot’s Association, also called FOPA. The founders of FOPA will remain confidential until the current IBT vote has finished being conducted in an effort to avoid repercussions from management or the Teamsters.



A fair statement, however asking the pilots, who have with an overwhelming majority of support for the 1108 and all we've done, to just "give it all up" for pilots who won't even put a name to their face like we have, does not instill our trust. We KNOW what is at stake, here, and if the vote were to fail, their little pilots' association would not have any clout. We will go into that in a few.


Once the Teamsters vote fails, FOPA will announce its representatives and intentions to management. This is also the first announcement to the management team of Flight Options. The purpose of FOPA is not to create a wall between management and the pilots but instead assist in organizing self-representation and an effective communication channel between both parties.


Does anybody else smell a Barry Hanchett maneuver? "Let me lead you! I know what you want! You young guys don't know what you want, let me lead you!"

Do not let the serpent beguile you.



How FOPA works?

DO NOT vote for Teamster representation. This may be achieved by NOT calling the Teamster ballot telephone number. Once the Teamster ballot has failed, the Flight Options Pilot’s Association (FOPA) will announce to management their intent to represent the pilot work force and the names of the reps and their positions will be released. FOPA reps will hold five temporary positions; one president and four pilot representatives.
The representatives will then begin formalization of FOPA per the agenda and schedule discussed below. The initial plan after announcement of the FOPA representatives will be to start a card campaign by distributing cards to the pilot work force. During the distribution of cards, FOPA reps will approach management with a copy of the Formalization Handbook and ask for an official signed agreement to conduct operations within these guidelines.




This is where things really start to fall apart. What these people (we believe being coached by Ford & Harrison) want, is to have an in-house association and have you sign a petition authorizing them to be your leaders, with NO ELECTION. Unfortunately, for them to represent us and create a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), they would have to wait 12 months from the previous vote before the NMB would hold a vote to have them participate. They seem to think that with different wording, that they could circumvent the RLA on this. They can't. Even if we all were to agree to this crazy plan, we would have to wait another 12 months after March 2, 2006 before we could hold another vote to allow them to represent us and work on a CBA.