Chq Strike....

[350DRIVER]

I am very curious about a few things that I cannot seem to "verify" or get any answers to anywhere and would appreciate the input from the CHQ guys if they have the time to post.

1) Should a "new hire" be concerned about the possibility of loosing his job IF CHQ does strike and management takes the offense.?

2) What can/will happen to someone who is in training at the time of the "strike" IF this does happen.? Do they stop the training or what exactly is going to happen.?


3) What is the worst case scenario that a new hire can/will be faced with should a strike happen..?

I appreciate the information and heads up from the pilots who are working hard to put the food on the table for the family. I am just out of this loop and would like to know about the above.

thanks ahead of time for the replies and a good weekend to all-


3 5 0

 

[embraerdriver]

yes and you would probably loose your job.(on probation)

If you had to ask.....

 

[LearLove]

Anything can happen in the event of a strike. More than likley what will happen is management will be pissed and anyone on training and on porbation will be fired. However, when the whole thing is solved and a contract is in place part of the "back to work agreement" will be to rehire all thoes fired. It all depends on how the union negotiates though.

Also in the unlikely event of a strike, said company may loose bussiness interms of who they provide feed to. So say you had a contractor airline that provides for say Ziggy Airways, Wiggy Shuttle and Biggy Discount Express all of these being 3 seperate major airlines. If Wiggy Shuttle says hey you guys aren't doing your job (because your on strike) we're cancelling the conrtact/agreement we have and are going to use Bend Over Feeder Air in place of you. Now when the strike is over instead of providing feed for 3 majors you only have 2 contracts therefore aircraft are still parked and not all the pilots get called back.

In reality anything could happen.

 

[Palerider957]

On a serious note, whatever happens when you're a new hire....don't EVER cross a picket line, even if it means potentially losing your job.

 

[megreene]

I was with comair when they went on stike. I had just finished the sim ride, but had yet to do IOE in the airplane and boom, strike. Since some of the ground school instructors were not pilots, they didn't strike. Since I was not protected by the union (by those particular rules for ALPA, we had to do IOE first) I had to attend this little odd ground school. Very shortly, the company let us all go (once again, those not protected by the union). I am now with CHQ and it looks like we are headed in that direction. I am not really sure if it is union membership that protects you or if it is probationary status that protects you (now I tend to think the latter). However, once comair resolved its issues, they were back on track for growth and needed every pilot back (thats where I had already gone to CHQ and had been online for a month or two). If you loose you job at CHQ due to a strike, get unemployment, or a job and wait it out, there would be a good chance that CHQ would bring you back if all was resolved. These are just my opinions and thoughts, don't take them as factual.

 

[Brother Francis]

On a serious note, whatever happens when you're a new hire....don't EVER cross a picket line, even if it means potentially losing your job.

http://www.stickerbur.com/Scabs by Company.pdf

 

[Skull-One]

You won't lose your job. Anyone who gets fired will be rehired. The only real way a probationary pilot will lose his job is if everyone else loses theirs, too, i.e. the airline is shut down. Probationary folks are at no increased risk of termination due to a strike. You are fully protected under the contract, etc. etc. etc..

What you may consider is what will happen if the Holding Company transfers flying to Republic in the future. You may keep your job for the short term if we don't strike, but unless all the flying stays at CHQ you junior guys may wind up on the street shortly.

I cannot tell you how to vote, but you must consider the ramifications of an alter-ego airline starting up to compete with CHQ. Stopping/Restricting that abomination is imperative, IMHO, and you must vote carefully. Do not live in fear of losing your job if a strike comes to pass just because you are on probation. That is really a non-issue.

 

[WhiteCloud]

You won't lose your job. Anyone who gets fired will be rehired. The only real way a probationary pilot will lose his job is if everyone else loses theirs, too, i.e. the airline is shut down. Probationary folks are at no increased risk of termination due to a strike. You are fully protected under the contract, etc. etc. etc..

What you may consider is what will happen if the Holding Company transfers flying to Republic in the future. You may keep your job for the short term if we don't strike, but unless all the flying stays at CHQ you junior guys may wind up on the street shortly.

I cannot tell you how to vote, but you must consider the ramifications of an alter-ego airline starting up to compete with CHQ. Stopping/Restricting that abomination is imperative, IMHO, and you must vote carefully. Do not live in fear of losing your job if a strike comes to pass just because you are on probation. That is really a non-issue.

I don't mean to be disagreeable here because this "may" be the case. It may not in this particular situation though too. Under no circumstances cross a picket line even if it means losing your job. That's exactly what the striking pilots are risking. Pilot groups AND management understand your predicament. I'd venture to say some management pilots and administrators do sympathize with pilots also, but they have their jobs to do too. The could lose their jobs by displaying some overt sympathy. As a new hire, I'd stay away from the line or big talk in the halls.

 

[dav8or]

Since you are not an employee until you finish your check ride , you may be able to continue training until that point but you would not be allowed to do IOE since that would be struck work. It depends on how long the company thinks the strike will continue whether or not they terminate your training.

 

[mckpickle]

Why aren't the Freedom pilots on that list?

If it happens I would proudly walk with you.

 

[350DRIVER]

I appreciate all of the replies and opinions that have been expressed with regards to my post.

What do you think the probability of a strike materializing is present day in your opinion.? It doesn't seem like management is going to give in, and the strike ballots have already been sent out so obviously I think there is a "decent" chance of a strike happening BUT I am nieve to this issue so I hope I am completely wrong and not well versed enough to make that comment...


any other opinions or feelings would be appreciated- Thank you for your time.


c h e e r s

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[Brother Francis]

98% of these disputes are settled at the 11th hour. If it goes to 12, all bets are off. Hour 11 (or 12) is still a couple months away.

Best case: A settlement prior to self-help that is agreeable and reasonable to both sides

Worst case: CHQ strikes or management imposes a lockout, the flying is picked up by replacement workers (insert "S" word here) at CHQ, Republic or elsewhere for even less than the substandard pay CHQ gets now, and CHQ goes away forever.

The only thing for sure is that the CHQ pilots aren't backing down. Courage is not the absence of fear; it is the ability to act in the face of fear. This is one determined group. We will get a fair contract or die trying.

 

[Palerider957]

Brother Francis:

Forgive my ignorance, but what is management asking of CHQ pilots that has spurred the possibility of a strike. I assume it has something to do with concessions, work rules., etc.

We're in contract negotiations right now, and this whole concessions bit seems to be going aorund like the flu.

Thanks for the input.

 

[350DRIVER]

Out of "curiousity" > a new hire or someone in training cannot be forced to fly for Republic against their will should CHQ strike while you are still in training.?

How are they anticipating filling the positions at Republic? How could this all transpire?



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[Brother Francis]

Palerider-

See the thread on the "general " board entitled "CHQ Strike Vote, Synopsis of the issues." http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18539 Admittedly, that is the "labor version of the dispute, so take that for what it is worth, but I personally know the author of the cut/paste and as such, do not doubt his veracity. Make your own determination and should you choose to support us, you will do so with our sincere thanks.

350-

Would that be a BE-350?

In answer to your question, it would be your choice whether or not to fly for Republic. However, there is a certain word beginning with "S" with which a pilot would be branded for life if he or she were not very, very careful in their assessment of whether an out of work former pilot for the now defunct CHQ used to fly the route that that Republic pilot is now flying for lower wages.

Answers to your other questions are contained within the post I referenced to Palerider above.

 

[mckpickle]

Brother Francis:

Forgive my ignorance, but what is management asking of CHQ pilots that has spurred the possibility of a strike. I assume it has something to do with concessions, work rules., etc.

We're in contract negotiations right now, and this whole concessions bit seems to be going aorund like the flu.

Thanks for the input.

Brother Francis will correct me if I'm wrong but besides the LONG contract negotiations and pay and work rules, its Wexfords intention to start up Republic that may cause a strike. An ALTER EGO carrier. AKA Freedom from the Mesa debacle. If Republic is allowed to start up it totally destroys not only CHQ's leverage but other regionals leverage in general. And then SA will be put on the hot plate to conform or be eliminated.

History folks. This situation is NO DIFFERENT than Lorenzo and EAL and CAL in the late 80's. One company holding 2 (or more) certificates and transfering flying from one to another in order break the union. The key here is if CHQ walks there can, 1 NOT BE ANY SCABS, and 2, Shuttle America must NOT FLY ANY OF THOSE ROUTES. THEY WILL BE SCABS IF THEY DO.

Any chance of SA being brought under the CHQ umbrella?

I have talked to many friends and if it happens MANY of us will walk the line to show our unity. I also am voicing my YES vote for ANY assesment to help out. I know you guys aren't ALPA but this WILL effect all ALPA regionals.

 

[Brother Francis]

For the record, Mcpickle, you may recall how we first made our internet aquaintance: I stand humbly corrected. That being said, you have an accurate grasp of the current situation.

Furthermore, the support you (and others) are showing has had a tremendous impact on the morale of the CHQ pilots and will be an indispensible asset (both objectively and subjectively) in the days and weeks to come. Language fails to adequately describe our appreciation.

To all: This is not just about Wexford, CHQ, SA and Republic. This is precedent. As I said in another post, CHQ is carrying the standard. We will make a stand that will either benefit us or spell our demise, but regardless of the outcome, we are sending the message that the "race to the bottom" ends now.

 

[mckpickle]

Good for you and good luck. Just let the rest of us know how we can further help.

 

[350DRIVER]

Would that be a BE-350?

Ahhh..... The Super King Air 15,000lb MTOW "350"

(or mini-1900 as some would claim) nice bird but props are still for boats



3 5 0

Thanks for the information, opinions, and insight Brother Francis..
I guess this may be a long ride for all involved but in a way I guess that is good because it sure seems that what happened to Mesa will not happen or be "tolerated" at CHQ if you have your way... Just hope this works out and no jobs will be lost