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Now back to your regularly scheduled FLOPS discussions..........
Just heard NetJets has hired Flops Pilots who were anti-union, Non members in good standing????? Is there any truth to this? Very disapointing if it is true. How many members in good standing have they turned away? The guys they hired also have the rep of being hard to get along with.
So let me get this straight... Please do as a serious correction is needed in your thinking. Now that our company has been run into the ground, (implying the NJ pilots are somehow involved is absurd) we are going to be left high & dry (false accusation) by those who "wanted nothing more than to help us unionize with them"? Voice's sarcasm is inappropriate and a slap in the face to those who helped bring the Options pilots to the bargaining table. Well, the competition is taken care of, time to move on...I called that one WAY back. Wrong then and now. Still have the utmost faith in OUR OWN union leaders, (who don't share his opinion) but I saw the writing on the wall from the others early on. Obviously needs glasses... Really, did anyone think they were "helping" out of the goodness of their hearts? Acting out of respect and concern for peers who share common interests in the industry is far from the ugly selfishness implied here. Keep your friends close, your enemies closer, destroy them, then move on with your segment of the industry now secured. Priceless. Hardly. Cheap shot is more like it. Here's a better quote for this post. With friends like that (VOR) who needs enemies. Luckily, VOR speaks only for himself and not the Options pilotgroup/leadership because he's way off target.
Clearly that kind of serious money came from the saved dues of the NJA pilots.
I, for one, am appreciative of the efforts put forth by S.U. and the NJA pilots that have made 1108 and ASAP a reality. Thank you all.
But this seed money(?) could be viewed as ASAP "paying it forward", if you will. As I understand it, it was at a very critical time in NJA negotiations when S.U. received a substantial sum of (much needed) money from a "well heeled" benefactor. Using this analogy, we can view our NJA brethren as our "well heeled" benefactor.
I look forward to the day when we at FlOps have our opportunity to "pay it forward".
Fisch and Grump called it right when pointing out that the Options pilots have been left with far more money than they could raise on their own right now. (NJ folks know that's to be expected given the circumstances). Contract negotiations are a good example of the saying --it takes money to make money. To obtain a contract you have to get specialized help and make your situation known. Not only are NJA pilots providing the money, they're sharing their experience and connections with experts, too. Simply put, NJ pilots have invested in the Options pilotgroup. The goal is job security and a better future for both sets of aviators.
On March 10th a pilot in the position to know posted about the current situation: Cast of Thousands reported: Local 1108 just signed extended agreements with its Washington DC Legal Counsel (Roland and Bill Wilder), Lead Negotiating Counsel (Jon Wentz), and Professional Bargaining Consultant (Rick Dubinsky). In addition, Local 1108 just allocated additional funds to the Flight Options Pilot Negotiating Committee and set aside a large sum of cash for a Public Relations Campaign. (Note: PR efforts were very instrumental is settling the NJA contract in 2005).
Clearly that kind of serious money came from the saved dues of the NJA pilots. It will make a big difference for the Options pilots and cannot in any reasonable way be defined as the NJ pilots leaving the FO pilots "high and dry"... (That idea deserves the black boot). The NJ pilotgroup offered help out of a strong sense of fairness and a desire to see the bar raised across the industry. Actually, there was a lot of goodness involved and much time and effort donated by those from NJ that reached out to their industry peers. NJ folks continue to be concerned about the Options pilots, but they know that stepping out front again is in the best industry of the industry. Think of it like this: The fracs share the same neighborhood. If the NJ families can refinance their loans; they will have more available funds to support causes that will benefit the entire neighborhood. They will be out from under the restrictions of a landlord that doesn't share their concerns. The NJ folks will then be able to attend conferences and promote the interests of the whole subdivision, making it a better place for everyone, while their neighbors are still working on getting their own houses in order-- with lots of free advice and encouragement from those who have gone before them.
Turbo and Dash, I'm glad to see that y'all understand what has taken place in the recent past and can also objectively see what potential job security gains are ahead for all of our frac families as NJASAP continues the StrongUnion tradition of setting the bar higher in professional representation for frac pilots. The StrongUnion innovative, visionary approach to solving problems that beset the industry is still leading the way and is the best option for all of us--Options pilots, included. I'm relieved for their sake that their Union leaders recognize this and are also giving due credit that the Ops pilots have grown strong enough as a unified, determined group to stand up and fight for themselves--as Union peers, not dependents. Your progress is, rightfully so, a source of pride to many. NJA pilots and Options pilots are ready to solo. My respect and congrats to both groups! NJW
Let me simplify all of NJW rants in one quick sentence:
"Hey Y'all, Watch this!"