Future hiring of Skywesters

[DontFeedTheBear]

Jumpseating to work the other day on SWA and was able to chat with a "hiring board captain" and a SWAPA rep. His exact words were,

"Well we are carefully following the current Skywest ALPA drive. Our union feels that it would be in the best interest for Skywest to vote a union in. We have always really liked hiring from Skywest, and will probably continue to do so in the future, but my hands would be tied if our union and hiring board take a position to the fact that they are really starting to be known as an anti-union group. It may very well affect the hiring of them in the future, but I think it may be more a reducuction in interview numbers (of skywesters) and not necessarily the hiring percentage. I must admit that our actual hires out of Skywest has dropped as we have interviewed many and only a few were hired. We will have to see how the drive turns out, only time will tell on this one. I do strongly sugest that they do vote ALPA in, it can only help the hiring of them industry wide. Many boards are made up of pilots, the same pilots who want better QOL, work rules, pay and so on. It is in thier best interest to hire from a group a people that stand to uphold the same desires, and not from a group that will roll over to management."

I know some of you will flamebait this, but whatever, take it for what it's worth. I was there and I did not vote for union on previous drives, but I sure would right now. You have no idea what the security of a union feels like until you have it.

Yogi

 

[auspac]

If they like ALPA so much then why aren't they members? Perhaps we should try to get representation from SWAPA, looks like they do a better job.

 

[Speedtape]

If they like ALPA so much then why aren't they members? Perhaps we should try to get representation from SWAPA, looks like they do a better job.

I think you are missing the point. SWAPA is supporting ALPA in this drive. APA feels the same way. Make your own decision, but it sounds like others are watching.

 

[John Pennekamp]

I don't think SWAPA is the only one. I foresee a lot of union groups avoiding Skywest pilots if the drive fails. No pilot based hiring board wants to take on a bunch of anti union management koolaid drinkers who will work to subvert the union.

 

[viper548]

Most of the anti-union folks at skywest are lifers or new-hires. Neither would be interviewing at SWA anyways. Guess that would screw the pro-union people trying to move on

 

[rickair7777]

Every time I start really leaning towards voting for alpa some asa toolbox comes up with a statement like this and pisses me off to the point of voting no out of spite....

I know GD well that major pilot groups don't even care about regional scabs and alter-egos...why would they worry about whether a regional that is in the top 20% compensation bracket votes in a union? That's right, they don't...

I'll debate the merits all day long...BUT DON'T F*CKING TRY TO INTIMIDATE ME! I'M NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR ORGANIZED CRIMINALS! If I wanted to be part of that, I'd be a teamster and hijack delivery trucks on my days off.

COUNT ME AS ONE MORE CONFIRMED NO VOTE! And I'm going to call RIGHT NOW so I don't change my mind later!

 

[viper548]

Maybe you should wait and see if KB sends out any more of his "inspiring" emails before you vote

 

[Texx]

I know GD well that major pilot groups don't even care about regional scabs and alter-egos...why would they worry about whether a regional that is in the top 20% compensation bracket votes in a union? That's right, they don't...

Well I know of one that has and does care. This group has very close ties to HR so much that HR called the union office and told them that there was a former EAL pilot just hired and look very carefully at the DOH at EAL.

Let's just say that the pizza and beer get together was not pretty when it came to applying for membership.

 

[Texx]

I'll debate the merits all day long...BUT DON'T F*CKING TRY TO INTIMIDATE ME! I'M NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR ORGANIZED CRIMINALS! If I wanted to be part of that, I'd be a teamster and hijack delivery trucks on my days off.

Intimidation is only what you allow it to be. And when you use such language as you have above it weakens your position and people don't take you seriously.

 

[John Pennekamp]

Every time I start really leaning towards voting for alpa some asa toolbox comes up with a statement like this and pisses me off to the point of voting no out of spite....

I know GD well that major pilot groups don't even care about regional scabs and alter-egos...why would they worry about whether a regional that is in the top 20% compensation bracket votes in a union? That's right, they don't...

I'll debate the merits all day long...BUT DON'T F*CKING TRY TO INTIMIDATE ME! I'M NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR ORGANIZED CRIMINALS! If I wanted to be part of that, I'd be a teamster and hijack delivery trucks on my days off.

COUNT ME AS ONE MORE CONFIRMED NO VOTE! And I'm going to call RIGHT NOW so I don't change my mind later!

So vote no. I really don't care what you think, "toolbox". It's your career.

And if this is the deciding factor for you, you're really more ignorant than I thought.

 

[DontFeedTheBear]

Most of the anti-union folks at skywest are lifers or new-hires. Neither would be interviewing at SWA anyways. Guess that would screw the pro-union people trying to move on

Not true, there are a few guys at the top who are lifers and are in full support of the drive. I was at Skywest for years and still speak to some of the lifers.

 

[Speedtape]

I'll debate the merits all day long...BUT DON'T F*CKING TRY TO INTIMIDATE ME! I'M NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR ORGANIZED CRIMINALS! If I wanted to be part of that, I'd be a teamster and hijack delivery trucks on my days off.


Hmmm! I think the Teamsters could have a problem with your allegations! But, this raises the question! Did you vote SAPA? If you vote No, that answers the question! That raises the other question--what organized group do you think can best serve the needs of your pilot group? Is it SAPA?

What did SAPA get for you when the company crammed PBS down your throat? What did SAPA do for the pilot, unjustly terminated, that won his job back? Do you have a grievance process when the company does not follow their own rules and violates your quasi contract? In your career, does the company represent you, should you unintentionally have an FAA issue? If the company came in tomorrow and said we need 10% pay cuts to stay competitive, who will represent the pilot group before they change it 24 hours later? That can happen without real "Union" representation. Who represents the pilot group if an investment firm or some other airline buys you in the future? There is one thing that is constant in this industry--change!

ALPA is not perfect--no one will tell you different if they are honest! ALPA is hands down better than SAPA--even for free! A vote NO, is not a vote for ALPA, but, it is a vote for SAPA! SAPA is a management scheme to control your pilot group. You do not have representation! In fact, you have something much worse! You and your pilot group are YOKED by management through their self created management scheme of SAPA--a rubber stamp! It's costing you alot more than ALPA dues!

Think about it! The real goal should be to give authority to some bargaining group that can best represent and protect you and your pilots, now, and into the future of a dynamic industry. This is a long term decision, not a decision on the way things have been or the way they are today! Is the best bargaining agent for you and your pilot group Management and SAPA?

Do you think the company will always look out for you and your pilot group's best interest? No, they only have that obligation to their major stockholders. There lies a conflict, if it is not balanced--and it never is because he who has the gold, unchecked, makes the rules!

Sorry for the intimidation that you feel. I have serious heart burn with that approach also! But, have you ever had intimidation in your work envioronment when managegment does something wrong and you have to swallow their decision, or risk your employment? Is that intimidation or corporate terrorism at it's best? The management person that fired that pilot is a good example! One person had way too much authority and maybe a personal vendetta, and abused his power at the expense of this pilot and his family! However, the example made of this pilot to your pilot group was meant to intimidate all other pilots! Intimidation in our company world is "Pilot Pushing!" Did SAPA come to this pilot's rescue?

In closing, who do you want representing you and your pilot group in the uncertain future? Is it SAPA or ALPA? That is the question! Your vote, or your final vote, is the answer!

 

[Snapshot]

J His exact words were, ..........

Yogi

His exact words? Do you travel with a tape recorder? Quite a speech he was supposedly able to come up with off the cuff and you were able to memorize after hearing it once.

 

[OARfan]

What the.......?

Hmm, been averaging 20 pilots/mo. attrition. for 2 years straight now. They've all been going to the same places as everyone else. Skywest is my second regional airline after working for an ALPA one previously. Pilots at both airlines are highly skilled, professional group of guys for both companies. No difference. I didn't even consider the fact Skywest was non-union before interviewing. Work rules, compensation, opportunity, QOL, bases, etc. were my deciding factors. Biggest whores in the industry are Mesa and GO Jets, both union. Mesa is ALPA, so it must be ok to work there now eh?

 

[waterski45]

I seriously hope no SkyWest pilot is dumb enough to let some story like this sway their vote.

Even if this was true (not the story, the fact that your career might be harmed) no one should be intimidated by such crap. Besides, voting no does not make someone "anti-ALPA" or "anti-union." The decision to be made is whether or not we here at SkyWest feel we need a collective bargaining agent.

No one's vote should be influenced by intimidation stories or even the rants of people from other companies telling us why we "need" to vote yes.

 

[Bako Cap]

I don't think SWAPA is the only one. I foresee a lot of union groups avoiding Skywest pilots if the drive fails. No pilot based hiring board wants to take on a bunch of anti union management koolaid drinkers who will work to subvert the union.

Attitudes like this screws all the pilots who are not "koolaid drinkers" and DO vote yes and the union fails. It also bolsters the hiring potential of the real anti-union "koolaid drinkers" if SkyWest becomes a union shop. It is sad that idiots like this SWA captain cannot see past his own ass and hire based on the qualifications of an applicant instead of emotional response.

 

[Steveair]

I suppose that the last time ALPA was voted down no one was hired either... idiot.

 

[DontFeedTheBear]

I suppose that the last time ALPA was voted down no one was hired either... idiot.

This is the first time OTHER unions have become involved, put in the spotlight, and supported the drive. He did not say that they won't hire Skywesters, he just said it could affect. I am not saying that it is right, but it is something you all at Skywest need to think about.

 

[scarlet]

No different than Gojets to me, they can just think us for what the do have !!! I don't care how you vote!!

Will be funny if ALPA national sends out notification to the hiring pools of the no vote and they don't want anything to do with ALPA...

ALPA has more money and they will get the last laugh!!

 

[waterski45]

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