I am not on the EXCO, but here it is:
Fellow RAH Pilots,
I have been asked about my response to this RPC campaign. Many of you have seen our initial response, I figured I should break it down in an effort to have an informed discussion. I had the RPC pitch forwarded to me, I will break it down and respond below:
We offered them a Transitional Executive Council (TEC) who would administer their contract. We told them we have intentionally delayed our E-Board elections so they would be eligible to run. Regardless of what you may hear, they are eligible to run per our bylaws, there is a carve out for merging members; we made sure of it for this reason.
Implement the Eischen Award – Binding arbitration says it will be implemented 60 days after the representative body is determined (approximately August 26). What does the RPC “making an effort” have to do with this?
Prevent litigation – So, a threat? If we don’t vote for RPC they will continue to litigate? Duty of Fair representation issues, not sure what that means.
Develop provisions to prevent whipsaw? That’s called one union, joint CBA. You can’t prevent a whipsaw with two bargaining agents. It’s called the fundamental theory of a union.
Common basis for scope and struck work? Simple…IBT 357 wants scope for everything, FAPA (RPC) wants to outsource below 120,000 lbs. IBT 357 wants to be the envy of the industry while FAPA (RPC) wants to follow in the footsteps and make the same mistakes as the legacy airlines. Struck work should not be a question; we should be one union, one list, one voice. Why do they care about struck work unless they are thinking about crossing a picket line?
Coordinate efforts of committees? This is something I have been accused of. I was told I was divisive by telling our committees they could work together. I have supported this idea from day one, we don’t need RPC to make this a reality, we just need cooperation.
Fellow RAH Pilots,
I have been asked about my response to this RPC campaign. Many of you have seen our initial response, I figured I should break it down in an effort to have an informed discussion. I had the RPC pitch forwarded to me, I will break it down and respond below:
RPC wrote:The Republic Pilots Council (RPC) is an umbrella joint Council that would be certified by the NMB as the designated bargaining representative for all Republic Airways Holdings pilots under the Single Transportation System if it prevails in the coming election. The RPC members will initially consist of
equal representation from the current FAPA and Local 357 leadership.
Does the RPC have bylaws? Is this in writing? How do we all know there will be equal representation? If the RPC is certified on June 27th, what happens on June 28th? Is there a President? Who is in charge of this thing? Who will put together the group? Clearly I have a lot of questions…equal representation from the current FAPA and Local 357 leadership.
RPC wrote:Underneath the RPC, the pilots flying on the Republic, Shuttle and Chautauqua certificates under the Chautauqua CBA would be
represented by one organization designated by the RPC specific to their needs and of their choosing (Local 357, or an independent); and the pilots flying on the Frontier certificate under the FAPA CBA would be represented by FAPA, as designated by the RPC.
The “Native RAH Pilots” would be represented by one organization designated by the RPC? We are told the RPC will be equal representation and they will designate the organization? They do say the native RAH pilots can choose to keep Local 357. Unfortunately, under the law, if RPC were to be certified as the bargaining representative, the Teamsters would no longer have any say. I suppose we could adopt the name Local 357 as an independent union, but we would not remain a part of Teamsters. They do state the Frontier pilots would still be represented by FAPA. Funny how this coalition knows who will represent the Frontier pilots…who is driving this ship?represented by one organization designated by the RPC specific to their needs and of their choosing (Local 357, or an independent); and the pilots flying on the Frontier certificate under the FAPA CBA would be represented by FAPA, as designated by the RPC.
RPC wrote:Local 357 leadership claims that we all need to work together, but even they have stated that there are different priorities in representation and bargaining between the branded operation and fee-for-departure operation. The greatest chasm between the groups right now is
obviously the SLI. If the RPC is elected, FAPA will take the first step forward in unity by supporting the joint members of the RPC in negotiating successful implementation of the SLI.
I’m unsure of how the RPC will negotiate implementation of the SLI. The fact is the SLI will be implemented 60 days after the representative body is certified by the NMB, per the Eischen award. How is it that FAPA will take the first step toward unity, but only if RPC is elected? Is FAPA saying they will not support unity if RPC is not elected?obviously the SLI. If the RPC is elected, FAPA will take the first step forward in unity by supporting the joint members of the RPC in negotiating successful implementation of the SLI.
RPC wrote:Why a Joint Council?
RPC = Republic Pilots representing Republic Pilots. This structure gives both groups what they desire: a common organizational structure for unity and common efforts, as well as a structure that protects the unique priorities and interests of both groups.
The pilots of Frontier Airlines have been very happy with their representation by FAPA. That is who they chose for their representation for the past 13 years and they are very upset about the possibility of
another organization stripping this from them. Recent polling showed that not one Frontier pilot, of the hundreds asked, supported IBT as their bargaining representative. Forcing IBT representation on the
Frontier pilots through the greater number of Republic pilots will create animosity and division – NOT a unified front for RAH pilots’ interests.
This is not Republic Pilots represented by Republic Pilots, this is FAPA saying they hate IBT. The IBT has never backed the idea of forcing ourselves on them. We have actually offered them a structure that would keep their leadership involved, but they told us, “that won’t work for us.”RPC = Republic Pilots representing Republic Pilots. This structure gives both groups what they desire: a common organizational structure for unity and common efforts, as well as a structure that protects the unique priorities and interests of both groups.
The pilots of Frontier Airlines have been very happy with their representation by FAPA. That is who they chose for their representation for the past 13 years and they are very upset about the possibility of
another organization stripping this from them. Recent polling showed that not one Frontier pilot, of the hundreds asked, supported IBT as their bargaining representative. Forcing IBT representation on the
Frontier pilots through the greater number of Republic pilots will create animosity and division – NOT a unified front for RAH pilots’ interests.
We offered them a Transitional Executive Council (TEC) who would administer their contract. We told them we have intentionally delayed our E-Board elections so they would be eligible to run. Regardless of what you may hear, they are eligible to run per our bylaws, there is a carve out for merging members; we made sure of it for this reason.
RPC wrote:On the other hand, we appreciate that there is significant support for the new Local 357 EXCO and that the pilots of Republic/Shuttle America/Chautauqua may be very happy to continue being represented by
those EXCO members and even the IBT. The Republic pilots should therefore be free to maintain their representation as well, rather than have it imposed on them by another group.
This Joint Council will serve the interests of ALL the pilots at Republic Air Holdings.
Local 357 has support of the pilot group and we look forward to bring both groups together as one. We don’t want to be separate, but equal; we want to be UNIFIED as one group.those EXCO members and even the IBT. The Republic pilots should therefore be free to maintain their representation as well, rather than have it imposed on them by another group.
This Joint Council will serve the interests of ALL the pilots at Republic Air Holdings.
RPC wrote:How will it work?
The RPC will provide a common, unified platform to ensure cooperative efforts between all the pilots at RAH. The RPC will initially consist of equal representation from the current FAPA and Local 357 leadership. Under the RPC, a Bargaining Agent will be designated for Frontier pilots and Republic pilots (e.g. FAPA and Local 357 respectively). Each Bargaining Agent under the RPC will collect and manage its own dues at the rate to be determined by its respective members. The RPC will oversee the objectives of
each group, coordinate communication and cooperation between committees, and ensure all RAH pilots’ interests and actions remained aligned and consistent.
So the RPC will have equal representation, initially? What happens after “initially?” Where is it in writing that we will have equal representation, other than a web board post? Dues will be separate, doesn’t sound like unification to me…The RPC will provide a common, unified platform to ensure cooperative efforts between all the pilots at RAH. The RPC will initially consist of equal representation from the current FAPA and Local 357 leadership. Under the RPC, a Bargaining Agent will be designated for Frontier pilots and Republic pilots (e.g. FAPA and Local 357 respectively). Each Bargaining Agent under the RPC will collect and manage its own dues at the rate to be determined by its respective members. The RPC will oversee the objectives of
each group, coordinate communication and cooperation between committees, and ensure all RAH pilots’ interests and actions remained aligned and consistent.
RPC wrote:The RPC will make all efforts to:
• Implement the Eischen Award
• Prevent continuous litigation regarding SLI implementation or Duty of Fair representation issues
• Develop joint provisions to prevent “whipsaw” of the two groups by RAH management
• Develop a common basis to address issues such as scope and struck work to allow the pilots of each
group to respect the legitimate rights of the other
• Coordinate the efforts of each organization’s committees for the betterment of the entire pilot group.
All efforts to?• Implement the Eischen Award
• Prevent continuous litigation regarding SLI implementation or Duty of Fair representation issues
• Develop joint provisions to prevent “whipsaw” of the two groups by RAH management
• Develop a common basis to address issues such as scope and struck work to allow the pilots of each
group to respect the legitimate rights of the other
• Coordinate the efforts of each organization’s committees for the betterment of the entire pilot group.
Implement the Eischen Award – Binding arbitration says it will be implemented 60 days after the representative body is determined (approximately August 26). What does the RPC “making an effort” have to do with this?
Prevent litigation – So, a threat? If we don’t vote for RPC they will continue to litigate? Duty of Fair representation issues, not sure what that means.
Develop provisions to prevent whipsaw? That’s called one union, joint CBA. You can’t prevent a whipsaw with two bargaining agents. It’s called the fundamental theory of a union.
Common basis for scope and struck work? Simple…IBT 357 wants scope for everything, FAPA (RPC) wants to outsource below 120,000 lbs. IBT 357 wants to be the envy of the industry while FAPA (RPC) wants to follow in the footsteps and make the same mistakes as the legacy airlines. Struck work should not be a question; we should be one union, one list, one voice. Why do they care about struck work unless they are thinking about crossing a picket line?
Coordinate efforts of committees? This is something I have been accused of. I was told I was divisive by telling our committees they could work together. I have supported this idea from day one, we don’t need RPC to make this a reality, we just need cooperation.
RPC wrote:How does the RPC benefit the Republic Pilots?
Rather than a national organization with minimal airline experience and widely varying priorities and expenses, the Republic Pilots can benefit from a unique opportunity to be represented by an independent organization of their choosing that is specifically designed for pilots. However, if they want
to keep IBT Local 357 as their Bargaining Agent, they are free to do so.
The RPC structure also gives the Republic Pilots an opportunity to address their unique needs, CBA negotiations, and economic issues cooperatively with the support and experience of FAPA and the Frontier pilots. The Chautauqua CBA has been amendable without resolution for too long and the RPC will work aggressively to move that process forward.
The national organization has more airline experience than they know. They say we can be represented by the experience of FAPA. This is the organization currently negotiating concessions with RAH. They have given up the snapback and are working on reducing work rules. IBT 357 is pushing forward with mediation while FAPA is negotiating concessions. Seems like the RPC would not be much of a benefit to the native RAH group.Rather than a national organization with minimal airline experience and widely varying priorities and expenses, the Republic Pilots can benefit from a unique opportunity to be represented by an independent organization of their choosing that is specifically designed for pilots. However, if they want
to keep IBT Local 357 as their Bargaining Agent, they are free to do so.
The RPC structure also gives the Republic Pilots an opportunity to address their unique needs, CBA negotiations, and economic issues cooperatively with the support and experience of FAPA and the Frontier pilots. The Chautauqua CBA has been amendable without resolution for too long and the RPC will work aggressively to move that process forward.