Breakthrough at Comair?

[crjdxr]

Leaders of Comair’s pilots union will vote tonight on an agreement that would temporarily avert a strike of the regional airline’s 1,600 pilots.
A lawyer for the airline, John Gallagher, reported during a hearing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court this afternoon in New York City that Comair and the union had made progress in negotiations. He asked Judge Adlai Hardin to delay a decision about whether to block pilots from striking.
J.C. Lawson, the chairman of the union, said the measure to be reviewed by the union’s governing committee was not a new contract for the pilots but rather a time extension to negotiate further. He declined to give further details until later today.

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061228/BIZ01/612280315/1076/BIZ

 

[crjdxr]

More....

http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.aspx?feed=AP&Date=20061228&ID=6150342

If the union -- the Air Line Pilots Association -- ratifies the tentative agreement Thursday evening, the judge's ruling on whether to block a strike may be moot for now. If it does not, Gallagher asked Hardin to expedite a ruling Friday morning.
The tentative agreement calls for a deferral of 45 days as the sides negotiate and allows Comair to erase a $3.5 million obligation to a defined-contribution plan. It also leaves pilot pay at its current level for the 45-day period.

 

[spinproof]

Sounds to me they pretty much have a deal. They just need time to do road shows and vote plus let the company "slide" on the "snap-back".

 

[wmuflyguy]

Word is it is not a TA, just the union letting the company slide on the Snapback and the DB contribution for 45 days while more negotiations take place.

It is BS, this thing needs to end now. They have had 8 months to do this, they don't need another 45 days to good off. Either way, impose and see what the judge has or get a full TA.

Just another 45 days so DL can farm out more fo the flying CMR does, so if we ever strike they already have other airliens on the route so it won't get stuck as "struck work".

 

[ex j-41]

Just another 45 days so DL can farm out more fo the flying CMR does, so if we ever strike they already have other airliens on the route so it won't get stuck as "struck work".

Bingo

This is all code for "We need 45 days to get skywest to do our flying".

 

[stratus72]

Sounds like your union caved. Why not just strike?

 

[FDJ2]

Sounds like your union caved. Why not just strike?

Because the judge, given recent judicial decisions, will in all likelihood impose an injunction against any strike. Unfortunately, the bankruptcy code and RLA will be used to allow the company toss out the Comair pilot contract, allow the company to then impose terms of employment and then prevent the union from striking. It is really a pathetic situation which can only be resolved through judicial action.

If pilots want to do something about this situation they are going to have to realize that politics is an important part of defending our profession and we need give financial support to pro labor politicians by supporting ALPA-PAC and electing pro labor congressmen and senators.

 

[9rj9]

good idea

old JC and his infinite intelligence. Lets push this into the slow travel season and then try negotiating. They might just have it all farmed out by then.

 

[Traumahawk]

If pilots want to do something about this situation they are going to have to realize that politics is an important part of defending our profession and we need give financial support to pro labor politicians by supporting ALPA-PAC and electing pro labor congressmen and senators.

And flying "Safe"...
If you intend to strike, and would shut down the company anyway, why not play the few cards you hold as they play theirs every single time???
Sickouts, by the book operations to a T, stop cell phone use and stop picking up overtime(if you have a lot of people doing it).

T-Hawk

 

[crjdxr]

Just my opinion - This could also be a play to hold off the war until the judge in the NW F/A appeal makes his (her?) ruling. The hearing for that appeal was on Nov. 28, IIRC. If the judge rules in favor of the NW F/A's, then the strike card is back in play with a much lower chance of judicial interference.

Also, according to the deal, the Comair pilots get to hold on to their current pay until a deal is reached ("Union leaders agreed late Thursday night to a deferral until Feb. 2, and both sides will continue to negotiate in an effort to reach a consensual deal. The agreement also leaves pilot pay at its current level during the deferral period."). 45 days at current pay might help soften the impact of a work action if it comes to that.

http://www.forbes.com/technology/feeds/ap/2006/12/29/ap3287311.html

Although, on the T.V. news last night, Denke did say that the union was not sure of management's motivation for putting this deal on the table (as in the union doesn't know the "why" behind the deal).