Gemini new pay scale

[FlysFred]

Divide and Conquer

Mgt tries to inject as much emotion into the negotiating process as possible. Two emotions are highly prized; Fear and Greed.

With fear and greed mgt can get any TA to pass. It breaks down into thirds.

Mgt uses fear on the bottom third. They say, "vote yes or you'll lose your job". So the bottom third, fearfull for their job and ability to put food on the table vote yes on a crap contract.

Mgt uses greed on the top third. They say, "vote yes and we'll get bigger planes, or we'll get MORE bigger planes so you'll get better trips and make even more money." So the top third, greedy to make even more money to put even more food on the table vote yes on a crap contract.

That only leaves the middle third to think clearly and vote properly, NO to a crap contract.

My only point is beware of emotions in contract negotiations and leave emotion out when voting. Don't be too affraid or too greedy to vote NO.

Glass Pilot...you've got it right, the latest email from BJ plays on fear...vote for the TA or loose your DC-10 job and greed...we've got this great deal for you...$5 IRO pay.

MGT is trying to use these 2 emotions to devide and conquer. They're trying hard to sell it...why? Because its a great deal for them.

Stay United...Vote NO.

 

[FlysFred]

Just the facts...

I put our existing pay scale and the new TA's proposed pay scale into a spread sheet and let excel perform some calculations:

New average annual increase 3%
Old average annual increase 5%

The new TA will provide everyone with an average hourly wage cut $11.91 or 11% less

At the 65 hour guarantee that comes to $9,292.28 less per year than the existing pay scale.

Combine this with the loss of carry over days, increase health care costs, and pro-rating work days...its no wonder the company is pushing so hard for us to ratify it.

Ahh, but then there is that retired ID card perk...

Vote NO.

 

[monyetbesar]

Putting this out on this thread.. more views..

""""Folks, I would like to give you a few thoughts on the Tentative Agreement (TA) which is now being placed before you all for your consideration and your approval.
First, I think it is of utmost importance for everyone to consider the environment in which these negotiations were conducted. Gemini entered into a Bankruptcy Action just as we were getting the negotiations underway. This was the proverbial 800-lb Gorilla that was in the room with us at all times whose presence completely colors the possibilities and outcomes of the evolution.
Second, please remember that this was a two-year reopener on a five-year contract. It was put in place when we originally negotiated the contract back in 2004 primarily in order to have the opportunity to deal with one nagging matter...the longevity freeze. We were able to accomplish the task of eliminating that freeze during these negotiations.
Third, this negotiation was conducted by a group of five Gemini aviators...three from the union and two from management. Yes, there was advice and counsel offered by some other individuals, but the proposals, discussions, agreements, disagreements, suggestions, solutions, and ultimately the decisions were made by five guys who all wear the very same wings that you wear on your chest. That is an important fact to understand because there was nobody negotiating in opposition to the pilot group or in opposition to management. What we had was five Gemini pilots all trying to arrive at a solution to what was an extremely thorny problem set, and who were ALL negotiating on behalf of Gemini Air Cargo in a spirited but positive manner. Just so you know, I rejected the services of a particular outside labor attorney because in my judgment he was far too into an adversarial mindset. He had recently worked on the USAir negotiations and was full of the "piss and vinegar" of that experience. I didn't want him on my team, as Gemini is a far, far different company and operates in a far, far different environment than the mindlessness I have seen among the majors, most of whom have been in Chapter 11 and most of whom opted for an "1113 action" to entirely dissolve their labor contracts. We simply were not having any of that going in to these negotiations.
Fourth, you all need to understand the business environment in which we are currently operating. The DC-10 fleet in particular is very much under the gun. The competition in Miami for the SoAm market is fierce, and our direct competitors there had a much lower wage scale than we did going into these negotiations and even as we do coming out of them. If we cannot compete directly head-to-head on a cost basis with them day-in and day-out, our DC-10 operation is severely threatened. If we lose some of our major DC-10 customers due to our cost structure being misaligned with the market forces, it is not at all inconceivable that the DC-10 fleet would be dry-leased to those who are looking for DC-10 airframes. And, just to put an exclamation point on that issue, we have already been approached by several just such outfits inquiring about dry-leasing our DC-10s. ("Dry-leasing", for those who are not familiar with the term, means leasing just the airframe, as opposed to "wet-leasing" which would include aircrews, among other things.) So the ominous implication was and is starkly clear...if we did not make some adjustments, which were modest in this case, the threat of our DC-10s and DC-10 aircrews going away in short order was clear and present. Realistically, you all need to understand that the same issue is still right outside the door should the the TA not be ratified. That would be a huge and potentially catastrophic mistake that I trust you are all far too wise to make.
Fifth, in the area of health care, Gemini went to an outside agency who deals every day in these matters, and who had recently conducted a survey of 500 companies as to their health care benefits. We found some rather sobering news in looking at their survey. Gemini was simply way out of line with what successful companies are paying as the company-funded portion of health care premiums. The ratio of 70% company payments-to-30% employee payments as it stood was simply unaffordable. This is an area where the crewmembers will be treated exactly the same as the rest of the employees and will not pay a dime more than anyone else employed by Gemini. The maximum amount of adjustment under the TA before you is a 10% change which would swing the ratio to a still-generous 60% company funded-to-40% employee funded premium structure. This is the direction the entire world is moving, and we opted to make a modest adjustment in this area that will apply to all Gemini employees.
Sixth, this reopener gave us the opportunity to clear up some areas where the original contract had left some gray areas and questions due the way the original language was crafted. We tried to make some positive changes which would make clearer to everyone the original intent of the language. These were not changes in how we operate, but rather simply represented the opportunity to tighten up the language where that was appropriate. I think that was accomplished by both teams in these negotiations.
Seventh, some vacation protection language was put into place which will accrue to the benefit of the crewmembers.
Eighth, nobody in Gemini's crew force will take even a penny of pay cuts, and in fact, most will get an immediate 3% pay raise. Everyone who was affected by the longevity freeze will have their original longevity restored by this TA. I do not think there is another company in Chapter 11 that has ever accomplished such a feat. If I am wrong about that, I would like to know what other company was able to do what we did here in our TA.
Ninth, we added a new $5/hr pay override for those MD-11 First Officers who are qualified IROs and who are so designated on the flight release to perform those duties for a particular leg. The represents a recognition of those who perform at this higher level of cockpit qualification, and can amount to a fairly sizeable addition to a monthly paycheck. Once again, I do not think any such additional payments have ever accrued to the crewmembers of a company in Chapter 11.
Tenth, and lastly, I want to strongly emphasize that the pilot group was very well and capably represented by the Negotiating Committee consisting of Capt Centrella, Capt Weichbrodt, and F/O Raufflet. The were disciplined, aggressive, creative, thorough, competent, innovative, and never for a second lost sight of the fact that they were representing the best crew force in the industry. That we worked hard together to accomplish the impressive results of this contract reopener under the very black cloud of Chapter 11 is testimony to their professionalism, dedication, and hard work.
I would ask you all to give the most careful consideration to these ten points as you contemplate your vote on the TA before you. I would not put my signature on any such TA if I did not think it represented the very best that we could do for you, our outstanding crewmembers. I will be more than happy to discuss any aspect of this TA or these negotiations with any of you at your convenience. It is now time to press forward and work together as a unified team to make Gemini the success we all know it can be as we emerge from our bankruptcy proceedings."""""


From the company to GAC crewmembers..

new terms
"reopener"

ideas

2/3 of the force may be out of a job... company will dump them..all F.E.'s DC-10 etc..

Not the "thanks for years of service" and sacrifce...hell I thank the company, have been caring in doing my duties. I will continue to care.. I plan to carry myself above all this...
WE care for the equipment and schedule, we have for years.. really give a dang.. I am sick that they threaten this.. God, we are more professional in our care for the company.. and this is the thanks..
Boy, I know where we stand.. I guess I am waking up late..Still care about the task and the company.. but this guy with 10 years.. at GAC.. finally understands what I, we are worth.. man sick to my stomach..a ploy? reality? little of both?.. all the same, to play the card, just a crappy way to treat people who have and continue to be professional and part of GAC's future..

Finally, of course this puts the DC-10 people against the MD-11.. divide the forces.. hell we have been working as a team.. and I've always thought the world of the DC-10 folks.. hell I was one of them.. it's the peope not the aircraft.. I like those people. they are friends. and no one is better or worse..