FedEX, Pilots mediated talks proceed...

[skykid]

No doubt the mystery of the freight terminal and often night flights deter many from trying to commute on FedEx. Crashpad ought to think about the millions FedEx spends on airline tickets, including his airline, before starting rants like this. The amount of deadheading going on to start and end trips is incredible, and helps your bottom line.

 

[crashpad]

Learning is a change in behavior as a result of experience and I am enlightened. I just wish I could climb and bank the way you do on take off.

 

[stonewall]

FEDEX...WHEN IT ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY MUST BE DESTROYED OVERNIGHT.

I don't get it. What are you trying to say? That FDX pilots are destroying our airline? Weak attempt to be witty?

 

[RS6]

More mumbo jumbo from management. My MEC speaks for me.

Ok KC10, what is your MEC's #'s for average pilot pay?

 

[stonewall]

RS6, we have 4500 pilots, and the pay scales are available on line. You look at 'em and tell me how the "average pilot" makes 175K. I won't come within 80K of that this year, and neither will the overwhelming majority of the pilots. The median salary might be 175K, but without more data from the company I can't be sure. Notice that in all the articles, they just throw that out there without any supporting data.

 

[klhoard]

FEDEX...WHEN IT ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY MUST BE DESTROYED OVERNIGHT.

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Dude, just sit down, shut up, hang on, and enjoy the ride. . .
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[RS6]

RS6, we have 4500 pilots, and the pay scales are available on line. You look at 'em and tell me how the "average pilot" makes 175K. I won't come within 80K of that this year, and neither will the overwhelming majority of the pilots. The median salary might be 175K, but without more data from the company I can't be sure. Notice that in all the articles, they just throw that out there without any supporting data.

I hear ya magnum, but the figures on the paper don't come close. You'd need to know how many pilots at what rate, etc..

But you can bet your behind that your MEC knows EXACTLY what the average salary was last year for the pilot group, as well as the median. In addition to the average and median total compensation.

That's what the braniacs in teh MEC finance office do. So if Mgt is spewing dodo, let's hear the MEC's version of the dodo ;-)

 

[Deuce130]

http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/business/article/0,1426,MCA_440_4231636,00.html
FedEx and pilots go into mediation
Negotiations over health care costs and job security have not been fruitful

By Jane Roberts
Contact
November 13, 2005

FedEx Corp. and its pilots have begun their latest round of talks, this time
under the eye of the National Mediation Board, the independent federal
agency that steps in when railroad and airline negotiations are at an
impasse.

While industry watchers have no idea how long the talks will last, they say
mediation is positive because it means both sides are still talking.

"They call these people mediators; they are really magicians trained to find
holes where no one else could," said Michael Boyd, aviation consultant at
The Boyd Group.

The mediator assigned to the FedEx case is John Livingood, whose most recent
assignment has been finding common ground between UPS and its pilots. The
sides have been in mediation since summer of 2004.

FedEx expects a long session because the pilots' union has already rejected
two offers without taking them to the membership for a vote.

"The NMB process is not short," said FedEx spokeswoman Kristin Krause. "It
takes months; it can take years. We hope their experienced hand can help the
process."

At the top of the agenda are health care and job security, sticking points
for the pilots since negotiations began 20 months ago.

Because FedEx is expanding dramatically, it is leasing planes and pilots to
cover the load, and paying the union penalties for the lost work.

To date, FedEx says it owes the union $2 million -- on top of the $300,000
it has already paid -- because it began leasing planes earlier this year and
will have to continue beyond the four-month lease period allowed in the
contract.

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Just out of curiosity, what does the union do with the money Fedex pays them for leasing non-company planes? Anyone know?

 

[sandman2122]

Divide it among the membership AND (for reasons I still don't agree with) non-member free loading scabs like FoxHunter.

 

[PurpleTail]

non-member free loading scabs like FoxHunter.

FoxHunter is not a FedEx pilot, he is FedEx flamebait.

 

[SWPA Pilot]

Divide it among the membership AND (for reasons I still don't agree with) non-member free loading scabs like FoxHunter

When do they divide it among the pilots? Not that it is as important as getting a contract.

Why do the non-members get any? Do those cheap jerks really need more money?

 

[FoxHunter]

FoxHunter is not a FedEx pilot, he is FedEx flamebait.

Sorry PurpleTail, no flamebait, just the truth. I guess it would be better if ALPA could force the management to be more like the folks found at UAL, DAL, NWA and others so they could throw money at us rather than investing in all those new wide bodies.

Why did you vote for ALPA in the first place? I tried to argue that it was weak, ineffective only interested in the revenue stream the FedEx pilots could provide. ALPA was/is a "Paper Tiger". I was countered by those that argued we needed ALPA because they had "deep pockets". The common expectation among the new ALPA members at FedEx was a 30% pay rise with the new contract. Where are we now? 7% or 8%. Just wait till you see the final TA sent to you. You'll be impressed. There will be a great explanation why things are not as expected. Just keep saying to yourself that your MEC speaks for you. It may help make you feel better.

 

[FoxHunter]

When do they divide it among the pilots? Not that it is as important as getting a contract.

Why do the non-members get any? Do those cheap jerks really need more money?

I was a member when that last check was sent out. I really needed that check for $70.98. Thanks ALPA.

 

[Echopapa]

Why does any FedEx UNION member care what the company publishes as our pay, accurate or not?

The union has absolutely no need for "public opinion". The public is not voting on our contract, only our membership votes. My neighbor is not going to vote for a contract or for a strike because he is not a FedEx pilot. So let him think whatever he wants.....If everyone thinks we are greedy, so what....the only thing that matters is what each individual UNION member believes.

I emphasized Union Member becuase Non-members (3%rs) have no right to vote on our contract because they have chosen to opt out of the collective barganing process. In doing so, they have eliminated the value of their opinion and preferences in the UNION-COMPANY negotiation. Perhaps each non-member could negotiate their own individual set of work rules and pay rates with management.

FedEx on the other hand is very sensative to public opinion. This is where we have a huge advantage. People pay a price premium to send packages by Fedex. They pay that premium based on the assurance that it will be delivered on time. If that assurance is erroded then so will our customer base.

The only reason FedEx posts pay numbers is to try to pressure union members, through neighbors and friends, into accepting a concessionary contract. Lets not let them. If we as a membership can recognize their intention, and insulate ourselves against these unimportant opinions, then we can immunized ourselves against that type of company negotiation tool.

I for one am proud of how much I EARN and am not ashamed to EARN more. My company is extremelly profitable and it is not unreasonable to expect that profitablity to be extended to the employees.

 

[Goose17]

excellent post Echopapa!

I'll drink to that.

Goose17