NavinRJohnson
Registered Gorer
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2004
- Posts
- 144
From the Union:
That Sucks the Big One. And I thought we were lean already....
Navin
07-21-09
Earlier today Continental management announced that they would be reducing jobs at the airline by an additional 1700 employees. Although there was no mention of pilot positions in the announcement, ALPA was notified late this afternoon that the company will be sending out as many as 308 letters to pilots notifying them of a possible furlough. These letters are required by New Jersey state law.
Make no mistake about it; your Union feels that job cuts among the pilot ranks are not necessary, nor are they prudent. While scheduling struggles to staff flights each day as evidenced by their continued manipulation of our work rules, there can be little doubt that we are far from over-staffed, or even well-staffed. Cutting pilot jobs at this time, as the FAA is in the midst of rewriting the flight time and duty regulations which could have a significant effect on our staffing needs simply makes no sense. Given that crew fatigue was the impetus for the rulemaking, there is little doubt that the rest rules will likely generate the need for more pilots not less.
Further, we will be joining the Star alliance this fall as an immunized partner. The anticipated growth from this move alone would be indicative of maintaining or even increasing our pilot ranks.
Keep in mind that during the last furlough event, CAL sent out 500 letters to pilots warning of possible furlough, but in the end only furloughed 148. The notices being sent out are a state requirement that carries stiff penalties if underestimated. While CAL has notified us that 308 letters will be sent this time to meet the legal requirements, we have not been informed of the actual number of pilots to be furloughed. However, we expect that shoe to drop soon; when it does, you can be assured that our voice will be heard loud and clear: pilot furloughs are not the way to go. We will continue to fight for your jobs.
Earlier today Continental management announced that they would be reducing jobs at the airline by an additional 1700 employees. Although there was no mention of pilot positions in the announcement, ALPA was notified late this afternoon that the company will be sending out as many as 308 letters to pilots notifying them of a possible furlough. These letters are required by New Jersey state law.
Make no mistake about it; your Union feels that job cuts among the pilot ranks are not necessary, nor are they prudent. While scheduling struggles to staff flights each day as evidenced by their continued manipulation of our work rules, there can be little doubt that we are far from over-staffed, or even well-staffed. Cutting pilot jobs at this time, as the FAA is in the midst of rewriting the flight time and duty regulations which could have a significant effect on our staffing needs simply makes no sense. Given that crew fatigue was the impetus for the rulemaking, there is little doubt that the rest rules will likely generate the need for more pilots not less.
Further, we will be joining the Star alliance this fall as an immunized partner. The anticipated growth from this move alone would be indicative of maintaining or even increasing our pilot ranks.
Keep in mind that during the last furlough event, CAL sent out 500 letters to pilots warning of possible furlough, but in the end only furloughed 148. The notices being sent out are a state requirement that carries stiff penalties if underestimated. While CAL has notified us that 308 letters will be sent this time to meet the legal requirements, we have not been informed of the actual number of pilots to be furloughed. However, we expect that shoe to drop soon; when it does, you can be assured that our voice will be heard loud and clear: pilot furloughs are not the way to go. We will continue to fight for your jobs.
We will keep you informed during the days to come as events unfold.
That Sucks the Big One. And I thought we were lean already....
Navin
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