colgan union-------question

[Lear70]

1) Has anything changed for the worst since pinnacle took ownership of us? No, infact things have only changed for the better.

Oh, so you're one of those "me me me" people.

Information has been disseminated quicker then ever before, more Saab aircraft are being introduced as well as routes and bases, and a larger airframe (Q400) is in the works.

You'll probably grow even more than that in the next few years, especially with no contractual protections and the ability for management to schedule you right up to 16 hour duty days, 8 hour block days, reduced rest, and 30/7 and 100/1 limitations.

Then, when you finally get rid of the abuse and spend another YEAR voting in a union, then ANOTHER 3 YEARS getting a contract, they'll shrink YOU and go find a new small airline to purchase and grow.

But you don't care, you're just here for your 1,000 PIC, right? uke:

These are only a few examples. Untill something disasterious happens there isn't a reson to lose money out of are paychecks to support a organization that would have no purpose but to profit off a company that we worked our butts off to build.

Again. If you WAIT to organize until AFTER bad things have happened, you're screwed because:

A.) The bad precedents set the bar for negotiations. ALWAYS harder to undo something than it is to get it right the first time.

B.) Organizing takes up to a year.

C.) Negotiations for a new contract take 2-5 years, depending on how deep your pockets are and how deep management is in bed with whoever the appointed mediator is.

Waiting would be incredibly stupid.

3) If the need for a union does become apparent we are going to have to consider an organization different than Pinnacles ALPA. We would need to protect ourselves from both management and the few radicals in the Pinnacle pilot group if we are to remain an independent airline.

Whether you remain independent or not isn't your decision to make. It's the PCL BOD's.

From talking to many Colgan pilots I feel that they do not understand the impact this will have on all of our lives. They more or less want a union so they can ware the ALPA lanyard and be respected by Mesa pilots in the crew-room at IAD. Lets not rush and wait and see what develops.

Hmmm... "many" Colgan pilots feel differently than you. Maybe it's YOU who's out of step.

Just a thought.

To answer the original question,before this thread fills up with Pinna$$holes, there are really only two reasons for a union at 9L (that's Colgan's identifier, for you that don't know).

1. Block intergration of the seniorioty lists.

2. Block another Pinnacle Airlines Corp. subsidiary from inposing their scope on us.

I couldn't give a rat's a$$ about anything else right now and couldn't care less if these were the only two clauses in any contract we signed.

If it weren't for one or two of your more level-headed coworkers, I'd start watching the interview lists here a lot more closely for "Colganites".

Definitely don't want to have to share the cockpit with someone like you for a single day, much less a longer trip or a whole month.

 

[n32jk]

Pinnacle pilots want one seniority list for all. 9E is about to announce 40-60 new jets for delta, which we can all enjoy together. Why do you think you need protection from us?

If PCL got that contract, I imagine they would try to find another small non union airline to buy. OR they would form a new company as they have been stating their desire to do for a couple of years. They want non union, first year pay for everyone. With no work rules they can let the pilots pay for the operational mistakes they make. And if the Colgan pilots expect too much for flying the Q400's ,,,,they can just give that flying to the NEWCO and be done with all this longevity pay crap ......DON'T LAUGH...... REALLY,,,,,could happen......when they bid the CO EMB contract a year or so ago...their intent was to staff it with a new airline they were trying to form.....

 

[Lear70]

And now for something COMPLETELY different.

We had some hotties at PCL in the cockpit (even though one of them was a complete b*tch), but here's something to ponder:

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=93644

 

[ifly34]

My personal take (for what it's worth):
Unions were created to counteract mistreatment of employees by employers. That is their reason for existence. If this management has not treated us bad, why do we need a union?

If it takes 3 to 6 years to get representation and a contract (from Lear 70's estimate), what is waiting another 6 months really going to hurt?

If we have a union, is it really going to keep the company from screwing us? According to Lear 70, PNCL has the most greivances of any airline. PNCL pilots on this board have done a lot of squaking about how management never goes by the contract anyway.

Has anyone read the Dispatchers board? The PNCL dispatchers have done a lot of talking about their new contract efforts. They don't seem to be happy with their choice to unionize. They also give the impression that they were treated better before they voted the union in.

ALPA will not keep us from integrating lists. I think they would encourage it. If you don't want to integrate, ALPA should be your last choice.

I think we need to wait to see what Pinnacle Corp does. If we get a decent rate on the 400, if second year FO pay gets raised (which was already in the works when the purchase occurred), if 9E gets a decent contract (and before March 31st), if 9E gets more flying and both sides grow, then I think management is living up to their word and a union is not necessary. If we get a poor pay scale for the 400, if second year pay stays as poor as it has, if 9E contract negotiations turn ugly, if 9E starts losing aircraft, if they try to put jets on Colgan certificate, then we will need to do something. And if organizing is what needs to be done, then OK.

Alright, blast away. That's what I get for staying up too late.

PS Lear, thanks for the breath of fresh air with that change of subject. I think we all needed it. We all owe you a shot with the first round of drinks.

 

[suupah]

You never wait for an accident to buy insurance.

 

[ifly34]

Insurance is designed to prepare for unforeseeable events.
Unions are designed counteract a known threat.

I wouldn't deice in 80 degree weather either.

 

[Mr Wu]

Insurance is designed to prepare for unforeseeable events.
Unions are designed counteract a known threat.

I wouldn't deice in 80 degree weather either.

Not even on a MD80 in high humidity? Never say never.....

 

[ifly34]

Mr. Wu,
I at least hope you got the point I was making.

 

[Fred Rogers]

we (cjc pilots) are going to get hosed if we don't get actual real live representation