Jet Blue Pilots Files with N.M.B. for ALPA Representation

[ultrarunner]

I'd be OK with ALPA representation if they agreed not to represent pilot groups in an effort to take my flying. Did you ask them that?

At the end of the day, it's best to have a group that ONLY works for the interest of the group, and indirectly the company.

ALPA national has their own agenda, which is fine. You do get what you pay for. It's too bad the internal campaign got hosed.....oh well....

Good luck guys....

 

[JJthejetplane]

A lot of bad things happened over the last decade that was detrimental to the airline industry. Without a doubt, there were some losers--many pilots lost jobs, were downgraded, lost pensions, etc. However, I don't believe that ALPA were the ones that approached management and asked for concessionary contracts, furloughs, and to dissolve pensions. Times were tough, and many management teams were not up to the task. For those of you that say ALPA didn't help "me" or ALPA caused this mess, think about what the outcome would have been if ALPA wasn't there. What if management had free-will to do what ever they wanted to their pilot groups. Although ALPA isn't anywhere close to perfect, I would rather have them protecting me than putting my future in the hands of a management team whose job is ultimately to increase the wealth of the shareholders. There will be future furloughs in this industry, along with other challenges that we haven't even thought of at this time, so do you trust management to stand up and fight for you?
Let's say ALPA is in it only for the money . . . well, that is incentive for them to fight for our jobs and increase pay. What is management's incentive? Minimize labor costs; this can be accomplished by lower pay and fewer workers.
Can you really not vote for ALPA simply because you got screwed at TWA or USAir? ALPA did lose those battles along with many others, but at least they were in the battle. What would be different now if there were no union for TWA and/or USAir. Would you be better off now? Would you still be employed with a fair compensation package?

 

[BLUE BAYOU]

Blue Bayou make over $384,000/year?

No but I did make 250K last year. More than most ALPA pilots in my year group and aircraft. That $7500 is including the assessments that will be laid on us after the TWA lawsuit. It might be even more to cover the fixed costs of ALPA when DAL and UAL pilots leave to form their own in-house unions. Oh yeah, don't forget the 1700 pilots from Airtran who will be going to SWAPA too...

 

[Dan Roman]

No but I did make 250K last year. More than most ALPA pilots in my year group and aircraft. That $7500 is including the assessments that will be laid on us after the TWA lawsuit. It might be even more to cover the fixed costs of ALPA when DAL and UAL pilots leave to form their own in-house unions. Oh yeah, don't forget the 1700 pilots from Airtran who will be going to SWAPA too...

Just curious, is that the norm for JetBlue pilots or what YOU made and most don't make that? Should everyone cast their vote based on what YOU made? Are there others not being compensated as well but should not vote for a union because YOU made that?
A union, any union, is about trying to represent all pilots and trying to keep it as fair as possible for everyone. It also is about trying to prevent opportunists from taking advantage of others.

 

[Dizel8]

My math might be a bit off, secondly not sure what BB included in his pay, but if it is just pay, he averages about 110-120hrs credit a month. Certainly not the norm.

 

[Dan Roman]

My math might be a bit off, secondly not sure what BB included in his pay, but if it is just pay, he averages about 110-120hrs credit a month. Certainly not the norm.

And certainly nothing to be proud about. Pushing the boundaries of "productivity" for money at the expense of safety is not good. Some people have a lifestyle that allows for flying their arse off and trying to make as much money as they can as quick as they can. But as an industry norm it's asking for trouble. It will eventually backfire, fatally.

 

[B6Busdriver]

No but I did make 250K last year. More than most ALPA pilots in my year group and aircraft. That $7500 is including the assessments that will be laid on us after the TWA lawsuit. It might be even more to cover the fixed costs of ALPA when DAL and UAL pilots leave to form their own in-house unions. Oh yeah, don't forget the 1700 pilots from Airtran who will be going to SWAPA too...

How does it feel to be a slave?

 

[Dizel8]

That $7500 is including the assessments that will be laid on us after the TWA lawsuit.

I guess you are psychic as well, since the lawsuit hasn't been settled. Further, since I did ask that question of ALPA, the answer is that you would not be paying for a judgement against ALPA should it come to that.

 

[waveflyer]

Hey seriously.

WHO NEGOTIATES FOR JETBLU PILOTS NOW??

 

[145 Lawndart]

Hey seriously.

WHO NEGOTIATES FOR JETBLU PILOTS NOW??

NOBODY!!!

The PVC does not negotiate, they make suggestions then mgmt say's "no we can't afford it" or on the topic of scope they say "We can't restrict the company from taking advantage of future opportunities" or "Trust us we don't have any plans to outsource pilot jobs"

 

[sayagain?]

Blue Bayou is a BOOB! Probably talks to the good DR. Craine everyday!

 

[waveflyer]

NOBODY!!!

The PVC does not negotiate, they make suggestions then mgmt say's "no we can't afford it" or on the topic of scope they say "We can't restrict the company from taking advantage of future opportunities" or "Trust us we don't have any plans to outsource pilot jobs"

Who and what is the PVC??

There's a Point to this, I promise.

 

[145 Lawndart]

Who and what is the PVC??

There's a Point to this, I promise.

Ok I will play along for a bit.

Pilot Values Committee

It is a company sponsored committee that acts as an intermediary between the pilots and management to hear the concerns of the pilots. (not what it was originally intended to do but what it has evolved into)

 

[BeachBummer]

The pvc is the door mat on the way through the direct relationship.

 

[waveflyer]

The pvc is the door mat on the way through the direct relationship.

Ok- so the line is that each pilot negotiates directly, but the PVC really works out the details-

If the shoe fits- company sponsored CBAs are illegal under the RLA:
http://www.nmb.gov/documents/rla.html


§ 152. General duties
Fourth. Organization and collective bargaining, freedom from interference by carrier, assistance in organizing or maintaining organization by carrier forbidden; deduction of dues from wages forbidden

Employees shall have the right to organize and bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing. The majority of any craft or class of employees shall have the right to determine who shall be the representative of the craft or class for the purposes of this chapter. No carrier, its officers, or agents shall deny or in any way question the right of its employees to join, organize, or assist in organizing the labor organization of their choice, and it shall be unlawful for any carrier to interfere in any way with the organization of its employees, or to use the funds of the carrier in maintaining or assisting or contributing to any labor organizabion, labor representative, or other agency of collective bargaining, or in performing any work therefor, or to influence or coerce employees in an effort to induce them to join or remain or not to join or remain members of any labor organization, or to deduct from the wages of employees any dues, fees, assessments, or other contributions payable to labor organizations, or to collect or to assist in the collection of any such dues, fees, assessments, or other contributions: Provided, That nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit a carrier from permitting an employee, individually, or local representatives of employees from conferring with management during working hours without loss of time, or to prohibit a carrier from furnishing free transportation to its employees while engaged in the business of a labor organization.

=================================

There are a host of non union airlines who create these "student councils" to intermediate between the company and pilots- it IS illegal, but must be challenged in court.
Like I said, if the shoe fits.