ual321
Former Tilton Monkey
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2006
- Posts
- 90
Fellow IPA Crewmembers,
This is IPA President Bob Thrush with the first of several communications that will discuss the potential furlough of IPA crewmembers and the procedures and policies the Executive Board recommends to protect our careers and our fellow crewmembers.
First, I want to reassure our most junior crewmembers that you are not forgotten by the EB and your fellow crewmembers nor have we neglected due consideration to your current situation. We are continuing to discuss options to provide for the welfare of you and your families in the event you are furloughed. We believe this Association, as always, will step up and provide the means necessary to accomplish the recommendations of the EB in the best interest of the solidarity of our entire group.
The EB has spent countless hours working to find voluntary cost savings proposals that the Company would accept in lieu of furloughing IPA crewmembers. The voluntary cost savings measures the Board proposed to the Company, along with a new variable buy out severance option (which the Company indicated they may accept), would meet or exceed the Company's savings goals through the year 2015. The Company had indicated as late as last Thursday evening that they were preparing a counter to our last proposal and they would be running a large system wide realignment and displacement bid and presenting this to us at the Monday meeting. Their actual intent turned out to be much different than what they had previously indicated.
In the end, the Company made it clear that only items of a concessionary nature would be acceptable. They stated emphatically that they were no longer interested in any voluntary programs and wanted cost savings that were guaranteed and they could "wrap their hands around."
Make no mistake, the Executive Board is unanimous that we WILL NOT open our contract nor will we consider concessionary measures for the entire group to mitigate the possibility of furlough. Doing contract givebacks to a Company earning more than 1.2 billion operating profit per quarter is ludicrous, especially when we can meet the Company cost savings goals through voluntary programs.
Now let me be clear about a few things; Considering the furlough and Reduction In Force bid that was just announced, there is plenty of justified anger and resentment to be had by many crewmembers towards UPS. That anger and resentment should not be misdirected or misguided toward our fellow IPA crewmembers - for whatever reason. The last thing we need right now is internal strife and fighting within our group. What we need right now is to pull together; To tighten our collective belts and come together as one with a single mind and direction.
Regarding the current policy on Open Time and JA; I am asking crewmembers who are doing internal policing to make sure your zeal is not misdirected. A number of crewmembers picked up open time prior to and even on the day the policy came out and they will be required to fly those trips. We need to act together but we need to act smart and do it in accordance with policies and guidelines outlined by the EB.
We all need to take a collective deep breath and think twice before we take any action in an attempt to administer justice to UPS. Acting outside of the guidance of the Executive Board is not condoned and you may be putting your career and that of a fellow crewmember at risk. Act only in accordance with EB policies and directives and stay completely within the guidelines of the contract.
Regarding the contract, every IPA crewmember needs to educate themselves and get into complete compliance. There should be no reason to waive the contract to help the Company or to help yourself. Most recently the Company has been calling reserve crewmembers in ANC outside of their reserve call windows or early in their call window to put them into rest so they can report and operate at a later time that is outside of their reserve callout and duty windows. This is illegal IAW with the contract. In fact, the language is clear that a Crew Scheduler may not even contact you to ask if you will do this. And in no case should you be willing to accept an assignment outside your normal reserve window nor should you waive the contract. You are required to do your job in accordance with the contract - you are not required to violate or waive the contract.
Effective Monday we are activating the Special Operations Center here in Louisville and we will be activating a similar center in ANC. Any questions about the furlough, the bid process, contract compliance or family assistance may initially be directed there.
We all understand that the Company is testing us. Should the company follow through with the furlough we will be facing the most difficult time ahead as a group and as individuals that we have ever faced as a union. There will be distractions, anger and resentment. Do not let these affect your professionalism or your margin for error. Make sure you show up for work fully rested and fully prepared. Make sure everything you do and every task you accomplish is done within approved procedures and safety in mind. Follow the check-list, the AOM, the FOM and the FAR's. If there is a question, make sure that question is resolved before continuing.
Your Association speaks for you. Management personnel will attempt to drive a wedge between you and the Union. Do not let this happen; calmly tell them "My Association speaks for me."
Stay focused on task, stay informed and most of all remain united
100% IPA
This is IPA President Bob Thrush with the first of several communications that will discuss the potential furlough of IPA crewmembers and the procedures and policies the Executive Board recommends to protect our careers and our fellow crewmembers.
First, I want to reassure our most junior crewmembers that you are not forgotten by the EB and your fellow crewmembers nor have we neglected due consideration to your current situation. We are continuing to discuss options to provide for the welfare of you and your families in the event you are furloughed. We believe this Association, as always, will step up and provide the means necessary to accomplish the recommendations of the EB in the best interest of the solidarity of our entire group.
The EB has spent countless hours working to find voluntary cost savings proposals that the Company would accept in lieu of furloughing IPA crewmembers. The voluntary cost savings measures the Board proposed to the Company, along with a new variable buy out severance option (which the Company indicated they may accept), would meet or exceed the Company's savings goals through the year 2015. The Company had indicated as late as last Thursday evening that they were preparing a counter to our last proposal and they would be running a large system wide realignment and displacement bid and presenting this to us at the Monday meeting. Their actual intent turned out to be much different than what they had previously indicated.
In the end, the Company made it clear that only items of a concessionary nature would be acceptable. They stated emphatically that they were no longer interested in any voluntary programs and wanted cost savings that were guaranteed and they could "wrap their hands around."
Make no mistake, the Executive Board is unanimous that we WILL NOT open our contract nor will we consider concessionary measures for the entire group to mitigate the possibility of furlough. Doing contract givebacks to a Company earning more than 1.2 billion operating profit per quarter is ludicrous, especially when we can meet the Company cost savings goals through voluntary programs.
Now let me be clear about a few things; Considering the furlough and Reduction In Force bid that was just announced, there is plenty of justified anger and resentment to be had by many crewmembers towards UPS. That anger and resentment should not be misdirected or misguided toward our fellow IPA crewmembers - for whatever reason. The last thing we need right now is internal strife and fighting within our group. What we need right now is to pull together; To tighten our collective belts and come together as one with a single mind and direction.
Regarding the current policy on Open Time and JA; I am asking crewmembers who are doing internal policing to make sure your zeal is not misdirected. A number of crewmembers picked up open time prior to and even on the day the policy came out and they will be required to fly those trips. We need to act together but we need to act smart and do it in accordance with policies and guidelines outlined by the EB.
We all need to take a collective deep breath and think twice before we take any action in an attempt to administer justice to UPS. Acting outside of the guidance of the Executive Board is not condoned and you may be putting your career and that of a fellow crewmember at risk. Act only in accordance with EB policies and directives and stay completely within the guidelines of the contract.
Regarding the contract, every IPA crewmember needs to educate themselves and get into complete compliance. There should be no reason to waive the contract to help the Company or to help yourself. Most recently the Company has been calling reserve crewmembers in ANC outside of their reserve call windows or early in their call window to put them into rest so they can report and operate at a later time that is outside of their reserve callout and duty windows. This is illegal IAW with the contract. In fact, the language is clear that a Crew Scheduler may not even contact you to ask if you will do this. And in no case should you be willing to accept an assignment outside your normal reserve window nor should you waive the contract. You are required to do your job in accordance with the contract - you are not required to violate or waive the contract.
Effective Monday we are activating the Special Operations Center here in Louisville and we will be activating a similar center in ANC. Any questions about the furlough, the bid process, contract compliance or family assistance may initially be directed there.
We all understand that the Company is testing us. Should the company follow through with the furlough we will be facing the most difficult time ahead as a group and as individuals that we have ever faced as a union. There will be distractions, anger and resentment. Do not let these affect your professionalism or your margin for error. Make sure you show up for work fully rested and fully prepared. Make sure everything you do and every task you accomplish is done within approved procedures and safety in mind. Follow the check-list, the AOM, the FOM and the FAR's. If there is a question, make sure that question is resolved before continuing.
Your Association speaks for you. Management personnel will attempt to drive a wedge between you and the Union. Do not let this happen; calmly tell them "My Association speaks for me."
Stay focused on task, stay informed and most of all remain united
100% IPA
