FLOPS in AIN

[FR8DOG777]

Hot off the press is an article in AIN magazine. I hope everyone sees how horrible this place is getting. Pilots, employees, and owners alike.
http://www.ainonline.com/Publications/nbaa/NBAA_06/d2_FlightOptions49.htm

 

[choppengruven]

Flight Options pilots protest unfair contract negotiations​

By Mark Huber / NBAA Convention News October 2006​

The union representing some 760 Flight Options pilots is charging that the Raytheon-owned fractional share company is engaging in a pattern of harassing and hostile behavior as both sides continue negotiations toward an initial contract. Under terms of the National Labor Relations Act those talks can continue through August 2007 before a strike could be called.

International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) Local 1108 was planning to publicly air its grievances here at NBAA through a series of informal media briefings and by flying a banner-tow aircraft over the static display yesterday and today at Orlando Executive Airport. On March 2, 67 percent of Flight Options pilots approved union representation.

Representatives of Local 1108 are charging that Flight Options, the most unprofitable of all fractional share companies, is enforcing a policy of forced vacations, 14-hour duty days, mandatory overtime, widespread layoffs and arbitrary pay cuts by forcing pilots into aircraft with lower compensation structures as the company consolidates its fleet offerings from 12 aircraft types to four. Flight Options also recently cut health care benefits, shifted crew lodging to lower quality hotels and cut the number of meals that could be reimbursed, according to the union.

Management is also threatening pilots who write up aircraft maintenance squawks with disciplinary action, according to Local 1108 president Bill Olsen. Olsen said the company rejected the union’s request to implement an interim grievance procedure while contract negotiations continue.

Local 1108 also represents 2,400 pilots at competing fractional share provider NetJets. Olsen said the union’s goal is to obtain a contract for Flight Options pilots that is “equal to or better than” the one it negotiated in October 2005 for the NetJets’ pilots. That contract raised wages an average of 40 percent and provides first-dollar health care coverage.

Flight Options spokeswoman Kate Barth declined to comment on the union’s charges. “Negotiations between Flight Options and the IBT began several months ago and are progressing,” Barth said​

 

[Jetz]

Sounds awful.

Flight Options pilots protest unfair contract negotiations​

By Mark Huber / NBAA Convention News October 2006​

The union representing some 760 Flight Options pilots is charging that the Raytheon-owned fractional share company is engaging in a pattern of harassing and hostile behavior as both sides continue negotiations toward an initial contract. Under terms of the National Labor Relations Act those talks can continue through August 2007 before a strike could be called.​

International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) Local 1108 was planning to publicly air its grievances here at NBAA through a series of informal media briefings and by flying a banner-tow aircraft over the static display yesterday and today at Orlando Executive Airport. On March 2, 67 percent of Flight Options pilots approved union representation.​

Representatives of Local 1108 are charging that Flight Options, the most unprofitable of all fractional share companies, is enforcing a policy of forced vacations, 14-hour duty days, mandatory overtime, widespread layoffs and arbitrary pay cuts by forcing pilots into aircraft with lower compensation structures as the company consolidates its fleet offerings from 12 aircraft types to four. Flight Options also recently cut health care benefits, shifted crew lodging to lower quality hotels and cut the number of meals that could be reimbursed, according to the union.​

Management is also threatening pilots who write up aircraft maintenance squawks with disciplinary action, according to Local 1108 president Bill Olsen. Olsen said the company rejected the union’s request to implement an interim grievance procedure while contract negotiations continue.​

Local 1108 also represents 2,400 pilots at competing fractional share provider NetJets. Olsen said the union’s goal is to obtain a contract for Flight Options pilots that is “equal to or better than” the one it negotiated in October 2005 for the NetJets’ pilots. That contract raised wages an average of 40 percent and provides first-dollar health care coverage.​

Flight Options spokeswoman Kate Barth declined to comment on the union’s charges. “Negotiations between Flight Options and the IBT began several months ago and are progressing,” Barth said​

​

Hang in there Pilots. Good luck. Hopefully after the battle is over there will still be a Flight Options left...

 

[Some guy]

Management is also threatening pilots who write up aircraft maintenance squawks with disciplinary action, according to Local 1108 president Bill Olsen. Olsen said the company rejected the union’s request to implement an interim grievance procedure while contract negotiations continue.​

​

They cannot do this. We went through this last year and as hard as it was on the AMCC controllers, we dealt with it. They cannot tell you not to squawk something. What would the FAA think if any company disciplined its pilots for writing up an aircraft discrepancy?

 

[BombJet45]

You guys might want to bring a camera with you to take pictures of anything that breaks to CYA.

 

[jetwash]

I hear there is a tape recording of a conversation between a Flight Opts program manager and a pilot where he was recored telling the pilot to wait until he gets to a MX base to write up a problem.

:0

 

[johnsonrod]

All of the other fractionals are hiring. I would suggest you update your resumes.........

 

[FLYLOW22]

It's like Vu ja de... all over again.

HIT IT!!!

 

[ProFracPilot]

You guys might want to bring a camera with you to take pictures of anything that breaks to CYA.

One could do this, but then you would be subject to termination for violating the company's "No Recording Policy":

No Recording Policy​

Employees are prohibited from utilizing audio or video recording equipment (including cell phones for such purpose) on Company property or when Company business is being discussed, except where such audio or video equipment is provided by the Company and then only for purposes the Company has authorized. Still photography of aircraft, flight equipment and company premises, except as a background for photos of employees, requires management approval and then can be used only for the approved purpose. As with any other Company policy, violating this policy could result in disciplinary action, including termination.​

There's a whole lotta "CYA" goin' on...

 

[Phoenix]

One could do this, but then you would be subject to termination for violating the company's "No Recording Policy":

No Recording Policy​

Employees are prohibited from utilizing audio or video recording equipment (including cell phones for such purpose) on Company property or when Company business is being discussed, except where such audio or video equipment is provided by the Company and then only for purposes the Company has authorized. Still photography of aircraft, flight equipment and company premises, except as a background for photos of employees, requires management approval and then can be used only for the approved purpose. As with any other Company policy, violating this policy could result in disciplinary action, including termination.​

There's a whole lotta "CYA" goin' on...

Brother you got that right. When upper management has to worry about program managers, chief pilot and others in OCC, making comments, giving instructions, making demands, and directing pilots, in violation of FAR's, SOP, and common safety practice, its a huge liability. These middle managers have been operating this way for so long that it is going to be hard if not impossible for them to change to operating in a safe legal manner.

Regardless of the official company policy, recording and photo documentation is going on more then you can imagine. All that is coming in is creating quite a library. The sad thing is much of it implicates simple worker bees in OCC that are just doing what they are being told by their managers.

Hopefully none of it will ever be used.

 

[BombJet45]

Of course the picture that you take would not be used unless you were already terminated. Make sure your face is in it so the write-up just happens to be in the "background."
That being said I am not for illegal job actions (changing of status quo, bogus write-ups), but against wrongful termination.

 

[netjetwife]

Congrats to the Options Pilots!

I just watched the NBAA video clip that was posted on the NJ board--thanks for that! Thanks for the phone call heads-up, too... Watching those banners being towed brought back how excited the NJ families were when we were at that point in our contract battle. The momentum is picking up! Companies don't like being publicly embarassed... should have thought about that before hand... No comment from their side--like that was a surprise. Actions speak louder than words anyway, and I do rather think raising the health care cost by 159% just about said it all. Congrats on pushing back! Every step forward takes you closer to your goal of professional compensation/treatment.

Congratulations on this big step! NJW

http://www.bluemountain.com/view.pd?i=150188534&m=1932&rr=y&source=bma999

 

[clickclickboom]

I just watched the NBAA video clip that was posted on the NJ board--thanks for that! Thanks for the phone call heads-up, too... Watching those banners being towed brought back how excited the NJ families were when we were at that point in our contract battle. The momentum is picking up! Companies don't like being publicly embarassed... should have thought about that before hand... No comment from their side--like that was a surprise. Actions speak louder than words anyway, and I do rather think raising the health care cost by 159% just about said it all. Congrats on pushing back! Every step forward takes you closer to your goal of professional compensation/treatment.

Congratulations on this big step! NJW

[URL="http://www.bluemountain.com/view.pd?i=150188534&m=1932&rr=y&source=bma999"]http://www.bluemountain.com/view.pd?i=150188534&m=1932&rr=y&source=bma999[/URL]

Can you please post the link of the banner tow vid??

 

[choppengruven]

Sure here it is. The interview is about 3:10 into a 6 minute video.
Click Here

 

[FLYLOW22]

One could do this, but then you would be subject to termination for violating the company's "No Recording Policy":

No Recording Policy​

Employees are prohibited from utilizing audio or video recording equipment (including cell phones for such purpose) on Company property or when Company business is being discussed, except where such audio or video equipment is provided by the Company and then only for purposes the Company has authorized. Still photography of aircraft, flight equipment and company premises, except as a background for photos of employees, requires management approval and then can be used only for the approved purpose. As with any other Company policy, violating this policy could result in disciplinary action, including termination.​

There's a whole lotta "CYA" goin' on...

Huh. Intersesting.

At NJA we have a NO RECORDATION policy. Dunno who perfected the spelling on that one.

It's funny how when something breaks hard on our airplanes here (today) the company is eager to see if one has a phone camera and wouldn't mond sending in an image to help them get a "clearer picture".

In examining the above underlined exerpt of this company policy I would make sure that you put your foot or hand in the foreground of the photograph of the image. That way you are sure to capture any image of an aircrat in the background of the entire photo.

You can only combat lunacy with moon cheese.

 

[dash_trash]

Njw - 300% +/-

Healthcare for my family is going from about $142 a month to just over $470 a month. I'm afraid that is not 159%, but more like just over 330%.

Very impressive for the company. I thought MS's changes in the Express division of USAir were bad (done that), this takes the cake.

 

[gunfyter]

Huh. Intersesting.

At NJA we have a NO RECORDATION policy. Dunno who perfected the spelling on that one.

.

Ford and Harrison learning to spell?

 

[Some guy]

Huh. Intersesting.

At NJA we have a NO RECORDATION policy. Dunno who perfected the spelling on that one.

It's funny how when something breaks hard on our airplanes here (today) the company is eager to see if one has a phone camera and wouldn't mond sending in an image to help them get a "clearer picture".

#136 of the policy manual:

NetJets does not condone the interception or recordation of conversations by, between, or among employees concerning the business of NetJets, whether such conversations are in person or over the telephone. Accordingly, no employee shall intercept or record, attempt to intercept or record, or procure another person to intercept or record any in-person or telephone communications by, between, or among NetJets employees and relating in any way to the business of NetJets.
Consent for interception or recordation of in person or telephonic conversations may be granted by NetJets personnel at or above the level of Executive Vice President or President or a designee thereof. The granting of such consent is at the sole discretion of the Executive Vice President, President or his or her designee. In those instances where consent is granted, it shall be provided in writing.

I think this policy is just referring to phone traffic. The company doesn't want anyone (including our pilots) being incriminated for a simple phone conversation.
Asking for and getting pictures of a discrepancy (such as a birdstrike or other damage) many times is beneficial to the company because we can sometimes have a better understanding of what we are dealing with. In most cases our pilots are helpful when asked to do so and we are grateful for it.
SG​

 

[netjetwife]

Healthcare for my family is going from about $142 a month to just over $470 a month. I'm afraid that is not 159%, but more like just over 330%.

Very impressive for the company. I thought MS's changes in the Express division of USAir were bad (done that), this takes the cake.

Thanks for the reminder that the figure is for one pilot and doesn't include his/her family. That makes it even more disgusting and causes one to dig in their heels all the more. Talk about a slap in the face! Watch yourselves out on the line. Financial worries can be very fatiguing...and that's a huge paycut!

Dirty fighting like that has a way of backfiring and strengthening the resolve of the group being attacked. I think it's very penny wise but pound foolish. My sympathy and admiration to the Flt Ops pilots and their families!
Netjetwife

 

[ProFracPilot]

In most cases our pilots are helpful when asked to do so and we are grateful for it.

Perhaps sometime in the not too distant future, FltOps pilots will likewise be helpful when asked to do so.