Here we go FedEx guys...

[FedEx1]

No, I didn't have the last 18 months to build up my war chest. I have not been on the property that long. (First year pay really didn't make me a millionaire.) I was not at the hub meeting last night (never saw the email about it) but having flew an 8+ hour leg inbound, I doubt I could have stayed awake. I did walk around the Peabody in circles for 2 hours last month. Please do not question my loyalty.

When I asked my ALPA Pilot 2 Pilot rep about flying AVA and draft, he said it was ok. That was not the official ALPA statement of "yeah, sure guys, don't change a thing." This was his advice as the future is looking uncertain. I need to make it possible for me to do whatever it takes to get this contract. And that means save money now so I can weather the storm, if there is one. It sounds really glorious to walk out and strike if need be, but other people in the world rely on me. I need to make sure we are ok if it comes to that.

If you need someone to pick on, look up the guys that picked up disputed pairings from open time. No excuse for that.

 

[Mr Zog]

This has always been a touchy subject. In the long run draft trips and AVA are detrimental to the entire crew force. They allow the company to fly the schedule with less pilots, and hence slow progression and upgrades. But AVA and draft also allow pilots the flexibility to earn a little more cash on occassion. No one wants draft and AVA to go away. But at the same time what tools do we have to express our displeasure with contract negotiations? Why wait to the last minute (i.e. strike vote) when we have the perfect opportunity upcoming with peak. It doesn't take a "rocket scientist" to know that the company is depending on a lot of DFT and VLT to make it through peak (AVA for every position for November, if I recall correctly). this is our time as pilots to say "You want our help? Then come to the table with a descent proposal." I for one want a quicker end to negotiations. This is a tool and time to bring that about. The catch --- It requires the entire crew force.

 

[FedEx1]

Fair enough Zog. But just for the record, I haven't done any AVA or draft. And if I do, I am not whoring myself out- just a little schedule tweaking with some extra dollars for the bank.

 

[Mr Zog]

Hey I have done it all. Draft, VLT, and AVA. Nobody should ever criticize someone for that. Just right now I am a bit perturbed with the company. And it happens to be at a time when they depend a lot on our "generosity" in flying to fill the schedule. Hard to be generous after getting slapped in the face.

I may be in the minority, but I am ready to just skip to the end. It is obvious the company will not negoitiate with us under fair terms. If that is there "best and last" offer. Vote on it, and at the same time have a strike vote. I am confident in our crew force that our results would be similar to UPS. And then the next day say "See you later." However, we operate under the RLA and must go through the process. And I am willing to exhaust all options in getting "fair negotiations", I just don't see that happening. I have to hand it to the negotiation committee, they have to be the most patient people in the world to keep banging their heads against a brick wall.

 

[SWPA Pilot]

No, I didn't have the last 18 months to build up my war chest. I have not been on the property that long. (First year pay really didn't make me a millionaire.) I was not at the hub meeting last night (never saw the email about it) but having flew an 8+ hour leg inbound, I doubt I could have stayed awake. I did walk around the Peabody in circles for 2 hours last month. Please do not question my loyalty.

I think you read into my last post a little too much. At no point did I question your loyalty. I did not get an e-mail about the meeting last night either, just saw a bunch of guys in the TV room and went to check it out. I don't doubt that your P2P rep said in the past to fly all of the draft and AVA to save money in case of hard times. But has he said it since this latest change of events. I have done AVA in the past. But that is the past and the current situation calls for and end of that for all people if we want to see a new contract. Once we get that contract, we can all fly overtime at our new pay rates.

It sounds really glorious to walk out and strike if need be, but other people in the world rely on me. I need to make sure we are ok if it comes to that.

There is NOTHING glorious about a strike. All sides lose. I flew with an ex-Eastern pilot who told me a strike is the absolute last resort. A union can do more damage on the inside than the outside. Right now the only way to put that pressure on the company is to stop draft and AVA. I don't think anyone wants to hurt the company, but that is a needed step to complete our objective.

We all have people who rely on us. But right now, as a group, we need to sacrifice short term personal gain so that we can have long term personal gain for the group.

If you need someone to pick on, look up the guys that picked up disputed pairings from open time. No excuse for that.

I hope you aren't insulted by any of this, that is not the intent. We are on the same team. We all have the same objective and all pilots need to stick together through this. Ben Franklin said, "We must all stand together, or we will hang seperately". Not that we will be hung, but you get the picture.

 

[mongopilot]

No, I didn't have the last 18 months to build up my war chest. I have not been on the property that long. (First year pay really didn't make me a millionaire.) I was not at the hub meeting last night (never saw the email about it) but having flew an 8+ hour leg inbound, I doubt I could have stayed awake. I did walk around the Peabody in circles for 2 hours last month. Please do not question my loyalty.

When I asked my ALPA Pilot 2 Pilot rep about flying AVA and draft, he said it was ok. That was not the official ALPA statement of "yeah, sure guys, don't change a thing." This was his advice as the future is looking uncertain. I need to make it possible for me to do whatever it takes to get this contract. And that means save money now so I can weather the storm, if there is one. It sounds really glorious to walk out and strike if need be, but other people in the world rely on me. I need to make sure we are ok if it comes to that.

If you need someone to pick on, look up the guys that picked up disputed pairings from open time. No excuse for that.

Hey Fedex1, if you own a home go to USAA and get an Equity line of credit. It didn't cost me anything and now I have $$$ standing by incase anything happens. I hope I don't have to use it, but it does give me some peace of mind.

For those of you who were not here in 1998, this is the same script. I know it's hard to be patient, but we CANNOT let this get to us and start fracturing the group. We are in the best position we have ever been in and as long as we stand together we will get a fair contract. Mind you, it might take a while, but it will happen. Fedex has quite the PR machine. The crap that they put out can be mind boggling, but it is crap. They most definitely do not let the truth stand in the way of a good spin job. Anyway, my 2 cents worth. Hang in there brothers!

 

[semperfido]

Our Company seems to disagree with your sentiment. You see, the market forces facing our employer have resulted in record profits quarter after quarter after quarter, yet the employees have been quite insulated from any sort of increased pay or benefit.


Do you think we should ask for a pay cut because some airlines are in bankruptcy?







.

no - i think you should get what you can. your company is on the right side of the curve now. hope for the best, plan for the worst. good luck.:beer:

 

[Falconjet]

FedEx would not be in the envious position it is in business and profit wise if it was run by a bunch of idiots. It is simply in the company's best interests to delay the signing of a new contract because the longer it takes the longer they can pay us at the old rates. It is smart business for them to drag their heels and wear us down. If you thought the company would just cave then you haven't given the management enough credit.

The only possible downside to their delay tactics is the retro pay we will get, and perhaps some loss of confidence in our service from our customers and investors. I think they can continue to delay for quite a while until those issues cause enough economic damage to overcome the advantages of paying us the old wages.

The negotiating committee has been telling us to expect this to take some time, and although even they appear to be showing signs of dismay and stress, we must stand firm and be prepared for the long haul. I don't think this will be resolved by peak, maybe not even peak of '06. I hope I'm wrong, but either way we just have to be patient, fly the contract and let our negotiating committee speak for us.

Business is business. We'll get it back in retro pay. Stand firm and be patient.

Oh yeah, did I mention fly the contract?

FJ

 

[Huck]

You guys haven't SEEN footdragging until the federal mediator is driving the bus.

I was in mediation once for 18 months. We finally got a TA and put it to a vote, and the membership voted it down by 96%. The mediator (the infamous Maggie J.) said that she thought the TA was reasonable, and therefore she'd let us talk for another YEAR before we'd get released (we were already at the 3 year point).

Bear in mind that Maggie was appointed by Bill Clinton, a supposed friend of labor. Can't wait to peep the dude W sends down to us....

 

[FedEx1]

There aren't any hard feelings, guys. But there are a lot of hot heads walking around the system, spouting off their 2 cents about how I should run my life. And I make my decisions along the lines as supported by ALPA.

Happy Flying

 

[Sluggo_63]

How come we haven't heard the specifics of the company's offer last week. I figured I would have at least gotten an email from ALPA telling me what the company offered and why we don't want it.

 

[TonyC]

How come we haven't heard the specifics of the company's offer last week. I figured I would have at least gotten an email from ALPA telling me what the company offered and why we don't want it.

Patience, my friend. Friday's message line and VP message stated that we will be hearing details of the so-called offer this coming week.

The description of the events in Annapolis with the Facilitator Mr. Harris leads me to believe that there was not much in the offer to talk about.


Recall that FedEx and the press described the "offer" of a pay rate increase and a signing bonus with NO, ZERO, ZILCH, NADA changes to the CBA as a "comprehensive" offer. Don't be fooled by their rhetoric. The instant the Negotiating Committee recieves an offer that can be ratified by the pilots we'll be hearing about it. Until then,

My Negotiating Committee Speaks For Me.





.

 

[ThisistheDream]

Considering what has happened to the pilot profession, I would be happy to just keep the current contract at FEDEX

 

[TonyC]

Considering what has happened to the pilot profession, I would be happy to just keep the current contract at FEDEX

Considering what has happened at FedEx, I would NOT.




.

 

[FNG_that's me]

Considering what has happened to the pilot profession, I would be happy to just keep the current contract at FEDEX

Sorry man, but it's this attitude that will ruin what is left of the industry. This company is making money hand over fist, thanks in large part to the pilots group.

Hopefully they've learned from the pax industry and they won't break the bank...but making some positive movement will help us all. Same goes for the UPS guys/gals.

Good luck!

 

[ThisistheDream]

In a perfect world I would agree with you, but in reality I see the whole the pilot profession being restructured whether we like it or not. The passenger airline pilots are being hit hard 1st, and evenetually it will reach the current untouchable this doesnt effect us FEDEX, UPS. I am not being negative but being realistic. Right now some cargo companies make millions, but they could make more, with less labor costs!!!!!!! and thats the botton line with mgt.

 

[Mr Zog]

In a perfect world I would agree with you, but in reality I see the whole the pilot profession being restructured whether we like it or not. The passenger airline pilots are being hit hard 1st, and evenetually it will reach the current untouchable this doesnt effect us FEDEX, UPS. I am not being negative but being realistic. Right now some cargo companies make millions, but they could make more, with less labor costs!!!!!!! and thats the botton line with mgt.

Go to www.fedexlabortalks.com. If the bottom line with FedEx is profitablity maybe some of management should ensure there compensation and stock options are more in-line with comparable companies. The problem with the airline industry is not labor costs, it is mismanagement and the perception that labor is SOLELY a cost. Labor is a source of revenue and once companies realize that the airline industry will finally get out of the dark ages. FedEx is profitable and we are not asking for that much. I know of no other profession that is willing to belittle its worth so quickly.

A comparison in the corporate culture of Microsoft and FedEx. Bill Gates when he started Microsoft realized the contibution of his employees; at one-time Microsoft had produced more millionaire employees that any other company. FedEx on the other hand, over the past five years has grown tremendously. How have they shared the profitability with the employees? Bonuses? No. Profit Sharing? No. Stock Options or Stock Discount Purchase Programs? No. Dividends to Investors? YES. FedEx is concerned about one thing and one thing only - STOCK PRICE. I guarantee Mr Smith is aware at all times what the share price is and is in constant communication with institutional investors. The investors have received a large return on their investment because of the contributions of all FedEx employees. The first day of negotiations, FedEx issued a press release saying that we would receive a pay raise. 3% is NOT a pay raise. It is not even a cost-of-living adjustment.

 

[Mr Zog]

In fact, I am willing to bet anyone on this board on the following occurences regarding FedEx. If the contract negations go into the later half of next year, which all indications are that they will. In the first half of the year, FedEx will increase their dividend to investors again and/or announce a stock repurchase. Any takers?

 

[PurpleInMEM]

Ready

Folks I don't know about the rest of you but I'm ready to walk when the time comes. That time is rapidly approaching.

I've got money put away, a credit line on my house, clear credit cards and most importantly a part-time job. I don't fly DRF, VLT or AVA and I don't sell back vacation.

When the time comes I will walk away from this place like I've never worked here and will plan on never coming back. If a contract gets signed, great! If not, well then I guess it's time to find something else to do. Neither this job nor this corporation is the end game for me, even if it means a substantially lower standard of living.

This is the kind of resolve it's going to take to force the corporation to negotiate, and force them we must.

 

[AdlerDriver]

Folks I don't know about the rest of you but I'm ready to walk when the time comes. That time is rapidly approaching.

I've got money put away, a credit line on my house, clear credit cards and most importantly a part-time job. I don't fly DRF, VLT or AVA and I don't sell back vacation.

When the time comes I will walk away from this place like I've never worked here and will plan on never coming back. If a contract gets signed, great! If not, well then I guess it's time to find something else to do. Neither this job nor this corporation is the end game for me, even if it means a substantially lower standard of living.

This is the kind of resolve it's going to take to force the corporation to negotiate, and force them we must.

Your resolve is admirable and hopefully will not be required. Unfortunately there are many pilots at Fedex that don't share your views.

The rest of this post is just a general post to the masses who will listen.

I think it's important to realize, however, that a strike is a last resort. If you haven't read the latest issue of "Positive Rate", please do. It should be required reading for all Fedex pilots right now. It details the events of the 1985 strike at United. As a former UAL guy, it was sent to me this past spring and I read it cover to cover. I had hoped ALPA would send it out to the Fedex crew force. With the benefit of 20/20 hindsight and interviews of critical individuals from ALPA and management, they were able to accurately re-construct the events of the strike, day by day (sometimes hour to hour).

What really hit me was the amount of bad information that was used to make critical decisions by both sides during the strike. The other eye opener was that management really thought they could break the Union. It was their goal to remove ALPA from the property. Think anyone here at Fedex might get the idea that breaking ALPA is the way to go? If it comes to a strike, they will use every underhanded tactic they can. The lies to the press (they’re already doing that), phone calls to your wife, your kids, misinformation to co-workers, other labor groups, you name it.

If we strike, there will be SCABs. That in itself will forever change your work experience at Fedex. I’ve seen (and carried) a company scab list with details of every UAL pilot who scabbed. I’ve flown trips with them, heard them try to explain themselves and seen what a miserable existence they live. It’s not a good trip in a Boeing when the F/O and S/O don’t say anything to the Capt other than checklist responses and operational related stuff. A two person crew is even worse. Actually, we already have a few scabs here. They are on the nationwide Master Scab list. They scabbed at Braniff, Eastern, and others and seem to stay under the radar here. I know who they are and if you don’t, you should.

The bottom line is: A strike will $uck and will change Fedex forever. If it comes to it fine. Everyone better be able to look themselves in the mirror and know they did what they could to help avoid it. Not everyone is going to volunteer to do ALPA work. One of the only tools we have during negotiations is our contract. Now that we appear to be entering mediation, that becomes even more critical. We can’t violate the “status quo”. That means ALPA cannot come out and say “Only fly the contract, don’t accept draft, don’t sell back vacation, etc. THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED TO DO!! You as a crewmember can use your contract, legally, to pressure the company long before a strike it necessary. At this stage of the game, “building your warchest” is BS. I’m new too but I ain’t doing it. If you need to, do it with a second job. The guys out there doing the extra flying and making the deals are kidding themselves and hurting our overall effort. It might hurt the wallet a little now, but not as much a strike will. Guaranteed.

We could force the company to the table with a real offer if we just flew and worked to the contract. No drafts, no deals, no vacation sales, no extra flying, NO NOTHING. If we did that, we wouldn’t need to strike. They would watch reliability and customer satisfaction go out the window. That’s going to get their attention well before we get to the point of going out on strike.

Just my .02 – Thanks