Flight Options Union Drive Strengthening

[Heavy Set]

Copied from AIN Online:

Flight Options Union Drive Strengthening
Three of the five pilots for Cleveland-based fractional aircraft operator Flight Options who are trying to organize pilots under International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 1108 (the same union that represents NetJets fractional pilots) told AIN that they soon expect to have enough organizing cards to call a vote. They claim to already have 400 cards from Flight Options pilots, though they need 550–or 65 percent of the 848-strong pilot workforce–to call a vote. The organizing group is confident that the NetJets tentative agreement struck earlier this month (and scheduled for a vote on November 21), which “shows what a union can do,” will influence at least 150 “fence sitters” to send in their cards.

 

[Booger]

My Thoughts!

Lets GET ER DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is time to end the madness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Heavy Set]

What could the remaining 484 pilots at FLOPS like about the current situation? I'd say that most aspects of FLOPS have gotten much WORSE over the last 6 months. Why the delay in sending in their cards?

 

[dime line]

"Why the delay in sending in their cards"

Flying with new guys who are under 2000hrs, first jet, and think this job is the best. The ones that have been here any length of time are looking to get out.

 

[ultrarunner]

Three of the five pilots for Cleveland-based fractional aircraft operator Flight Options who are trying to organize pilots under International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 1108 (the same union that represents NetJets fractional pilots) told AIN that they soon expect to have enough organizing cards to call a vote.

Why in the world would you go with IBT, or any other "union", as opposed to your own union?

What IS the advantage?

 

[dime line]

"Why in the world would you go with IBT, or any other "union", as opposed to your own union"

Ummmm NJ TA sounds pretty good to me, not the best but sure on the right track

 

[DX Rick]

Not trying to be a smart ass here, but arent the NJ guys sorry they voted in their union?

 

[Grizz]

Rick,

Not at all. Last November we formed our own local and things have improved 1000% since then. Granted, we're still learning and making mistakes. The difference with this group is that our leadership is firmly committed to making our union the best in the industry. I think if you ask most of our pilots, they will tell you that they are impressed with how far we've come in a year.

 

[jetwash]

Why in the world would you go with IBT, or any other "union", as opposed to your own union?

What IS the advantage?

WHY ???????????



For me I would be working one less day a week, and making over $28,000 a year more with the same contract the IBT got Net jets.

I don't know how to explain it any simpler to you.

Maybe using crayons and big letters you might be able to see why a union at Flight Options is needed!!!

 

[Dep676]

Because we are sick of waking up or landing and turning on our BB's and getting another e-mail from management that changes our QOL. We have recourse now atleast with the IBTor any other union that would not be able to change stuff like that on a whim.

Simple enough?????????????

 

[greygoose]

Flying with new guys who are under 2000hrs, first jet, and think this job is the best. The ones that have been here any length of time are looking to get out.

Let them leave, one less person complaining.

 

[ultrarunner]

WHY ???????????



For me I would be working one less day a week, and making over $28,000 a year more with the same contract the IBT got Net jets.

I don't know how to explain it any simpler to you.

Maybe using crayons and big letters you might be able to see why a union at Flight Options is needed!!!

Jetwash, you better call the Southwest pilots and tell them they made a huge mistake then by forming their own union...

Holy $hit Francis, relax.....

 

[dime line]

Greygoose did you actually think that was a worthy post, kinda makes me think your not an FO pilot or you an idiot, or maybe both.

 

[jetwash]

Jetwash, you better call the Southwest pilots and tell them they made a huge mistake then by forming their own union...

Holy $hit Francis, relax.....

Everyone does what it best for them. For the Southwest pilots that is the best for them as it is for the American pilots. In the fractional business the IBT got Net jet pilots the best deal in the frac industry, Why would we not want the same deal?
Or should we wait for management to send out another $26 fuel savings gift card?

If you want to organize an inhouse union go ahead and start doing all the leg work and finance it yourself on your 7 days off.

For now the IBT is the best game in town and we should get in on it ASAP

 

[cosmotheassman]

Yeah, unionize Flight Options. This union has done such wonderful things for NJA; and not to mention, in record breaking time...

 

[Guitar Guy]

Yeah, unionize Flight Options. This union has done such wonderful things for NJA; and not to mention, in record breaking time...

Check the record on 1108. Even before the TA, they've gotten some sizable grievance awards for members. And this from a group that was voted in to office less than a year ago and also managed to get us our own local.

I think the current MEC and Strong Union leadership have done a great job. I can't say the last Teamsters local did much for me at my last company but this group has been much more capable and produced tangible results.

Cosmo - do you work for NJA or a different frac?

 

[FLYLOW22]

Jetwash, you better call the Southwest pilots and tell them they made a huge mistake then by forming their own union...

Holy $hit Francis, relax.....

My guess is that the waste of resources on things like fighting grievances, conducting SBA, negotiating constantly for 4 years, and paying for arbitration are things the SWAPA pilots have not had to foot the bill for as an independant Union. NetJets pilots now do all of these things and it is costly. It helps to have a Union with deeper pockets and resources than an independent. It helps alot.

The plots of SWA have a MUCH different working relationship with their management team. NJA "management" has issues.

 

[Grizz]

Cosmo - do you work for NJA or a different frac?

He works for Flex and has an island sized chip on his shoulder. Leave him be...

 

[merlindrvr88]

I don't know Grizz

Rick,

Not at all. Last November we formed our own local and things have improved 1000% since then. Granted, we're still learning and making mistakes. The difference with this group is that our leadership is firmly committed to making our union the best in the industry. I think if you ask most of our pilots, they will tell you that they are impressed with how far we've come in a year.

I am not saying you are a liar, but every day I run into an unhappy NJ pilot. Not that you cannot run into an unhappy pilot every day, but I have yet to meet a happy NJ pilot. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[gunfyter]

Well if they are unhappy in the union shop... what stops them from going over to the non union fracs?

 

[gutshotdraw]

Maybe because some people would be unhappy no matter where they were.

You remember the difference between pilots and puppies....

 

[Diesel]

Puppies get their balls cut off?

 

[TonyC]

Why in the world would you go with IBT, or any other "union", as opposed to your own union?

What IS the advantage?

Resources, and experience, to name two.

Larger groups can afford more resources. Why buy a table saw that you'll only use once every three years if you can borrow the neighborhood table saw? In addition to the table saw, you'll want lawyers, accountants, safety specialists, negotiating experts, contract amdinistration experts, ... the list goes on and on.

Experience - - why reinvent the wheel? It's far less painful (and expensive) to learn from the mistakes of others than to learn from making the same mistakes yourself. Sure, you can go out and shop for your own saw, but wouldn't it be better to take advantage of the experience your neighbor has obtained by going through the process himself? It could save you from making a costly mistake.


Whether it's local or affiliated, it still boils down to the people at home. No national union will do the work for you. It's your locally-elected representatives that make it happen on a day-to-day basis. Whether Capt Joe Blow is the President of the In-House Union, the President of the Local, or the President of the MEC, he's still the guy that goes to The Company to "git-er-done." It's the PEOPLE that make the difference.



.

 

[HerculesPilot]

I am not saying you are a liar, but every day I run into an unhappy NJ pilot. Not that you cannot run into an unhappy pilot every day, but I have yet to meet a happy NJ pilot. I wish you the best of luck.

Griz doesn't lie. It's been a very turbulent time for all of us at NJA. The union is the BEST thing that has happened! The TA isn't perfect, but it saves me a 3 hour drive each way and nearly doubles the wages of a significant number of pilots. I was at Eagle for 6 years and I believe that just about every pilot group (minus SWA) is unhappy-depending on who you talk to. I'm actually pretty happy now.

 

[HotelMonkey]

Thanks to 1108, I am now hanging my hat (if I had one) at NJA. I have always said the people were great here and now the money aint to bad either. The job is actually pretty fun and the amount of time off makes it even better. Best of luck to FLOPs, you guys and gals deserve stronger tailwinds!

 

[choppengruven]

WOW! How does a Flight Options post become a Netjets post so quickly? quick somebody squak 7500 we been hijacked.

 

[choppengruven]

thanks for the kind words. We have a long way to go and it's all uphill.

 

[Phoenix]

For those visually challenged

For those of you that have chosen not to read NJ new TA I'll try and splane it to you.

I have been putting together a side by side comparison of what the TA provides the NJ pilots compared to what the Options pilots have for the same benefit or chapter. Its an extremely one sided comparison that even a person that dose not read could discern from the extensive letters in one column and the near lack of the same in the other. For every chapter of the TA the Options pilots either have nothing to compare or are miserably below what the TA provides to the NJ pilots.

So for those of you that want to take shots at the IBT or the 1108 or somehow want to diminish what the benefits of the TA are to the NJ pilots, you nee to first read it, second compare it chapter by chapter to what Options and all the other fractional pilot groups have. Once you have done that come back here and give specific subjects or chapters that do not measure up to what any other fractional pilots group has.

I will be willing to bet that there will be nothing for you to come back here with.

Options pilots GET THOSE CARDS IN ASAP

Phoenix
CONTRACT ASAP

 

[ultrarunner]

For those of you that have chosen not to read NJ new TA I'll try and splane it to you.

I have been putting together a side by side comparison of what the TA provides the NJ pilots compared to what the Options pilots have for the same benefit

....blah....blah...blah...


that's the spirit Phoenix...a union will save you...

Netjets gets a TA, that's not even ratifed yet, and all the world is good...


...you are WAY behind on your current events as it pertains to union representation, and how good it's been for employee groups as of late....

but that's ok....

...you belive what you want to believe...

I'll give you the benefit that you're simply ignorant....


night night

 

[gunfyter]

Well Runner,

I guess he should just cast his fate to the hands of management...

"And then the Vulture eats you..."

You should recognize that as an Ultra-marathoner