ASA negotiations update

[Tomct]

Well, perhaps if members of the CNC weren't running their mouths in the crew lounge and on the jumpseat, then guys like me wouldn't know these things? And I would hope that our CNC is being honest and forthright with us. We have a right to know what's going on, and to know that our reps are doing what we elected them for. They need to be sure they respond to the changing goals and needs of our pilot group, not hold fast to a strategy designed 5 years ago.

I fail to see what the big secret is anyhow. Do you truly believe it's not known to management that we're at the endgame of what each side can give up? The endgame is always settled by horse trading.

Nobody said anything about WHAT the MEC was willing to give up. ASARJMAN claims the MEC isn't willing to give anything up from our table position, and I believe him. I opined that perhaps they should focus on scope plus what's on the table instead of a huge pay raise with retro.

That's nothing that's going to "sink negotiations", unless you're still holding out for a huge -700 pay increase, Hoser. Let's have a show of hands of how many pilots think that's possible and practical at this point.

John, do you know how far apart we are in pay with the company? 10 mill! That is "toilet paper money" to this company. They waste more than that every month on hotels in SLC and DHing our crews back and forth between LAX and SLC. They are just hoping that a few more pilots...such as yourself, will be willing to take LESS! I agree that scope is important and if you are so "experienced" you should know that the money we are apart is nothing...just a delay tactic! I would love to get scope...but it is kind of hard to make that happen without anymore sessions. I believe that JA's intention is to merge the lists and get things squared away. I think that it has gotten bad enough here that Delta is now being "slurred" with our horrible performance. ie bags, ontime etc. They cannot afford to have that kind of showing just prior to their exit from bk. Not good for business! We'll see!

 

[John Pennekamp]

I have talked to quite a few ALPA reps and this is actually their possition on retro pay. We, as a pilot group, need to voice our disapproval of this viewpoint. Let your reps know or else we will find ourselves on strike because of this. I am more in favor of a bonus, myself.

I've talked to all of the ALPA reps and they've all said there will be no retro for those that have left ASA. How about initials of ALPA reps that told you otherwise?

 

[John Pennekamp]

John, do you know how far apart we are in pay with the company? 10 mill! That is "toilet paper money" to this company. They waste more than that every month on hotels in SLC and DHing our crews back and forth between LAX and SLC. They are just hoping that a few more pilots...such as yourself, will be willing to take LESS! I agree that scope is important and if you are so "experienced" you should know that the money we are apart is nothing...just a delay tactic! I would love to get scope...but it is kind of hard to make that happen without anymore sessions. I believe that JA's intention is to merge the lists and get things squared away. I think that it has gotten bad enough here that Delta is now being "slurred" with our horrible performance. ie bags, ontime etc. They cannot afford to have that kind of showing just prior to their exit from bk. Not good for business! We'll see!

Actually, it's $10.6 million, not counting retro pay.

I agree it isn't that much to Skywest Inc, but it's more than toilet paper money. And yes, Jerry could pry open his checkbook and sign if he really wanted to. But he won't until he has to. What are we going to do about that?

I believe we will get more sessions after the company talks to the NMB on the 11th. And if the contract isn't settled in those sessions, we will get another 3 month delay. The MEC is in the drivers seat. Do our pilots really have the stomach for another 1% move followed by another 3 month delay? I don't think so.

As for "merging the lists" and getting things "squared away", if you think he going to wave his magic wand and make it happen, you're severely naive. That is the nuclear option, and Jerry is saving it for last resort. He will probably make the announcement the day we announce a TA so that he can drag its implementation out a few more years while we fight the skywest pilots over seniority and representation. There is a group circulating a petition to ask the MEC to file single carrier and speed this along before Jerry can hijack us. I support this effort. Do you?

Your comments on Delta demonstrate a fundamental misunderstanding of how things work in the Big Red Brick Building. Delta has had so much bad press over the years, that they should have been out of business years ago. But the passengers keep coming. Why? They operate near monopolies in all three of their major hubs, and many outstations. Delta couldn't care less how much bad press they get, because they can always put out a press release either shifting blame or explaining what they're doing to fix it. Then nothing else happens after a few days when the ADHD affected news media and general public lose interest in the issue.

The fact is, as long as the money keeps coming in Delta DOES NOT CARE what anyone thinks of them. All of the rhetoric contrary to that is lip service.

 

[Tomct]

Well John, the easy part about merging the lists...all Jerry has to say is that it is DOH and what can the Skywst pilots say....NOTHING! They have NOTHING to protect them either way. Jerry is going to make it happen if it means more money in his pocket...which it will and just get on with the "Side Show."

The mediator knows that we are as low as we can go and the Union moved almost 8% on this last deal. He believes that it is the companies turn to move to our position. It will have to be a significant move...not just 1%. I hope to see it happen before I leave...I could use the retro money!

If the NMB decides to give the company a deadline "to move things along" then that is what we are looking for. I am trying to be optimistic about that! If that were the case, then we would have a deal THAT DAY!

Yes, I would be in favor of a single carrier petition. We will see what happens on the 11th.