Can Mesa pilots strike?

[Jack Mehoff]

If mesa's contract is up and managment will not release the union guys to start negotiating the contract do the pilots have grounds to strike? I know ASA has dragged out forever. Whats to stop Mesa from just keeping the guys flying the line indefinitly due to low staffing?

 

[dispatchguy]

The NLRB hasnt released the pilots at MAG to a 30-day cooling off period, so any "self-help" by the pilots (which is what a strike is called) would be illegal.

Once a 30-day clock has started, once it expires, it would be strike time.

 

[Jack Mehoff]

How much longer until the pilots would be released from the 30 day cooling off? I am long gone from Mesa but I would love to see the company grind to a halt.

 

[eaglefly]

Haven't they been "negotiating" for something like 3 years ?

 

[BCpilot81]

More that likely there will be any more releasing as long as we have this administration. That is just being realistic. Did they already have a strike vote? If so, what did it pass by?

 

[JoeMerchant]

Mesa's only been negotiating since late summer I believe..... It will be years before they wrap things up....

 

[T-prop]

Mesa's only been negotiating since late summer I believe..... It will be years before they wrap things up....

I believe Septemberish.

 

[rfa]

so any "self-help" by the pilots (which is what a strike is called) would be illegal.

Ok, this might a stupid question and I am prepared for the usual FI barrage of "flames", but what exactly could happen to pilots who strike illegally? Sure, I know the management can fire them, but is there anything else that could happen to them (like government action)?

 

[khsgt]

Ok, this might a stupid question and I am prepared for the usual FI barrage of "flames", but what exactly could happen to pilots who strike illegally? Sure, I know the management can fire them, but is there anything else that could happen to them (like government action)?

MEC can be thrown in jail and ALPA fined heavily.

Mesa is a long way from being released for a 30 day cooling off period. This is gonna drag on FOREVER! It is highly debatable as to whether the company will be around for another contract. It is sad to say, but Johnny Boy has substantially greater problems then a bunch of pissed off pilots.

 

[DoinTime]

The NLRB hasnt released the pilots at MAG to a 30-day cooling off period, so any "self-help" by the pilots (which is what a strike is called) would be illegal.

Once a 30-day clock has started, once it expires, it would be strike time.

I believe your reference was to the NMB not the NLRB. If we worked under NLRB rules none of this B.S. would be necessary.

 

[Fly2AK]

Either way if the mesa pilot group wants to gain any sort of respect in this industry, the mesa pilot group will have to fight for a industry standard contract and that will only happen if they strike. Other pilot groups including my old one is tired of hearing "here's mesa's contract get down to it or some of your flying will be transferred to them". What do the pilots really have to lose? Nothing, there are plenty of other regionals out there that would hire them and they would be better off than settling for another JO POS contract. The only way we will get our careers back is if the pilot pull together and take it back, and mesa is a perfect place to start.

 

[PooPooPants]

There are things you can do without striking to get the ball rolling. Mainly, fly by the book and fly SAFE. And DO NOT go out of your way to help the company out!!! It may take a while (us at ASA) but eventually mangt will open their eyes. Good luck!

 

[relief tube]

let's be realistic, do you think the many 22 year old ex-flight instructors that Mesa has would even think about striking. I bet they still love saying that they fly a jet for a living, no matter how few days they're home.

 

[A-V-8]

Mesa management will not release our negotiating team to even negotiate. They have no reserves to fill in the gaps.

Attrition is still soaring. Around 1800 in our pilot group. Somewhere over 800 in attrition for the year.

Strike will not happen soon because you have to attempt to negotiate with your management before you can get a mediator. No mediator for us. The mediator releases us for the cooling off period. We will not cool off at all only boil over if or when released. No law requires that the NMB send a mediator. If they don’t send one you are SOL. Welcome to aviation.

Company wants to change some hiring bonuses and first year pay without changing anything else. Union says that takes a contract amendment. And then says good luck staffing this place.

So back to the strike. Dude nearly 50% of us are on strike right now. Voting with their feet. They can’t keep you from resigning. This is far more leverage than a strike. In a strike the company can hire replacement workers under any terms they desire. Under the strike by attrition method we have strike type leverage and scope protection.

O yea if I haven’t mentioned it before I am a 3.5 year F.O. with no upgrade class date as of yet. Steer well clear of here in your job search.

 

[Poahi]

Mesa's leadership will run out the Section 6 clock to its absolute end and would rather shrink the company than make peace with the pilot group.

Two plus years from now the company is going to be so junior, they will get a deal at terms that will nauseate everyone on this board and the resulting consequence will be a new code share agreement.

Mesa’s board of directors assured this last week and wall street validated it.

 

[J and E's Daddy]

MEC can be thrown in jail and ALPA fined heavily.

Maybe they should see these videos first

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxDJLZJswRw

or

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amejHo1q_28

 

[J and E's Daddy]

In all seriousness. Mesa needs to stand up to Ornschmuck (Ornstein) and demand a contract that's in par with everyone else. I hope Mesa pilots do NOT crumble like they did 5 years ago. Even if it requires informational picketing and strike preparation. It will be hard to strike with the current regime in the Whitehouse, but the idiot has less than a year to go until we can elect somebody who gives a sh*t about the American worker.

 

[Salukipilot4590]

In all seriousness. Mesa needs to stand up to Ornschmuck (Ornstein) and demand a contract that's in par with everyone else. I hope Mesa pilots do NOT crumble like they did 5 years ago. Even if it requires informational picketing and strike preparation. It will be hard to strike with the current regime in the Whitehouse, but the idiot has less than a year to go until we can elect somebody who gives a sh*t about the American worker.

You dont think thats actually going to happen though do you? I mean the American people elected said idiot twice...

I'm prayin like you but it looks bleak...

Good luck to everyone over at Mesa, fight the good fight!

 

[Dirty Sanchez]

No group working under the RLA will be able to strike.

 

[eaglefly]

The children at Mesa would rather live on their knees then risk dying on their feet.

As such, they get what they allow.

First backboards (appropriate, because they're spineless) and now kneepads.

Bu early next year it will be water bottles to wash J.O.'s spunk out of their mouths as they work their heads back and forth with slef-hopelessness.

 

[johndog]

The children at Mesa would rather live on their knees then risk dying on their feet.

As such, they get what they allow.

First backboards (appropriate, because they're spineless) and now kneepads.

Bu early next year it will be water bottles to wash J.O.'s spunk out of their mouths as they work their heads back and forth with slef-hopelessness.

Idiot.

 

[dooork]

Either way if the mesa pilot group wants to gain any sort of respect in this industry, the mesa pilot group will have to fight for a industry standard contract and that will only happen if they strike. Other pilot groups including my old one is tired of hearing "here's mesa's contract get down to it or some of your flying will be transferred to them". What do the pilots really have to lose? Nothing, there are plenty of other regionals out there that would hire them and they would be better off than settling for another JO POS contract. The only way we will get our careers back is if the pilot pull together and take it back, and mesa is a perfect place to start.

That is B.S. MESA could not take any more flying. Dont use that as your excuse.

 

[BOOZENEWS]

With the dems in control of both houses, and the possibility of a dem in the WH soon, is there any talk of ALPA using PAC money to encourage ceratin politicans to introduce a bill that would allow us to negotiate outside the RLA or maybe sneak this in an already existing bill.

I know it is a dirty game but if it is the only choice to have a fighting chance. Best to use it to all pilots advantage.


It might just pass with dems in control of house and Sen and WH.

 

[rickair7777]

let's be realistic, do you think the many 22 year old ex-flight instructors that Mesa has would even think about striking. I bet they still love saying that they fly a jet for a living, no matter how few days they're home.

Don't insult CFI's you tool. Few junior mesa FO's are CFI's...they are mostly either pilot-academy grads or wet commercials.

In this environment, a 1000 hour CFI can write his own ticvket, and most know better than to consider mesa.

 

[eaglefly]

Idiot.

The truth is painful, ain't it................get the water on sale.

 

[Soverytired]

Mesa pilots will never strike. Even though I think ALPA is a disaster, I'd back them to the hilt if I was still at Mesa, and push, push, PUSH for a strike at the earliest opportunity.

Fact is, the membership is far too fluid and the MEC is constantly changing as pilots leave for greener pastures (re: anywhere else) to have any kind of coherent strategy. It's management's wet dream.

Besides, if they didn't strike last time around when they weren't dealing with huge attrition and the (marginal) threat of a scope airline, they sure as hell won't this time.

 

[eaglefly]

Mesa pilots will never strike. Even though I think ALPA is a disaster, I'd back them to the hilt if I was still at Mesa, and push, push, PUSH for a strike at the earliest opportunity.

Fact is, the membership is far too fluid and the MEC is constantly changing as pilots leave for greener pastures (re: anywhere else) to have any kind of coherent strategy. It's management's wet dream.

Besides, if they didn't strike last time around when they weren't dealing with huge attrition and the (marginal) threat of a scope airline, they sure as hell won't this time.

Correct.

We'll all have to hope for the fast occurance of the inevitable.........a Mesa liquidation.

Hopefully, Aloha will drive the final nail in this foul smelling carcass of an airline for the betterment of all present and future airline pilots.

IMO, Mesa is unworthy of carrying a single passenger and will end up killing some of them unless they're shut down soon.

 

[johndog]

Correct.



IMO, Mesa is unworthy of carrying a single passenger and will end up killing some of them unless they're shut down soon.

Wow. Its statements like this why I avoid the commuter board. Profound idiocy as demonstrated by your two posts. Truly I'm speechless by your venom. You must be fun to fly with.

I'm gonna go back to the major and cargo board where the adults are. Enjoy spending the rest of your career with no jet way, lifer.

 

[T-prop]

Wow. Its statements like this why I avoid the commuter board. Profound idiocy as demonstrated by your two posts. Truly I'm speechless by your venom. You must be fun to fly with.

I'm gonna go back to the major and cargo board where the adults are. Enjoy spending the rest of your career with no jet way, lifer.

You went to MAPD, like a turd in a punchbowl you'll float right to the top as a checkairmen or chief pilot at Mesa. You should focus on staying there.

 

[eaglefly]

Wow. Its statements like this why I avoid the commuter board. Profound idiocy as demonstrated by your two posts. Truly I'm speechless by your venom. You must be fun to fly with.

I'm gonna go back to the major and cargo board where the adults are. Enjoy spending the rest of your career with no jet way, lifer.

Actually, I'm quite peaceful. I just call 'em as I see 'em.

My advice is, get as much info there as possible. Your best bet is to unass Mesa before it unasses itself. A jetway isn't going to save Mesa.

You hitched your horse to that pathetic cart and you'd be smart to unhitch it fast. IMO, Mesa is a menace to professional aviators worldwide and is the quintessential "sweatshop" and thankfully I can walk through a terminal without the knowledge my uniform ties my to a corrupt CEO, pornobator CFO and clueless BOD.

For now, hold your head high.............er, scratch that.

Your better off staying low and scurrying along the baseboards.

Good luck.