Judge blocks strike at Mesaba

[n25na]

former xj'er here at QX...there is a lil bit of hiring going on here...if anyone is interested you can PM me..you can expect a slow upgrade, but is as stable as it can get (for now ), for what that is worth...

 

[Dirty Sanchez]

If you are going to quit, you might as well do it at an outstation. Just don't tell anybody. Get a rental car and drive you letter of resignation to the office.

Good luck.

 

[Swaayze]

if you quit, come to eagle, they need ya!

http://forums.eaglelounge.com/showthread.php?t=8464

Yeah, I bet Eagle would hire the vast majority of you guys yesterday.

 

[CFIT]

SkyWest is hiring big time. Junior base is ORD, not far from MSP for commuting. Many former Mesaba guys here and they seem to like it.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Lear,

It's easy for you to run your mouth when life is pretty good where you are. Most people at Mesaba are working on going someplace else, but most people don't have so much disposable income to just walk away. They have people that rely on them. I find it much more honorable to feed your family and keep a roof over there head, then to try and point out what most airline pilots already know... WE ARE PROFESSIONAL!

Why not a majority if not all of XJ pilots give TW your resignations letters. Then he can go to managment sit down with the stack and say let's talk. It would not be illegal, rather just pilots quitting.

 

[Freight Dog]

I can see and understand that most of you have mortgages, families, etc.

But here's what I DON'T understand:

You were willing to strike by a huge margin. The management was saying that it would have ended Mesaba. Yet, you didn't care. What's the difference between striking vs. walking off your job right now?

It seems that nobody can answer that. This is why strike votes are worthless even if they pass with 100% because people don't have the will to back it up one way or another.

 

[W&BWiz]

Unemployment... strike pay... a little money to keep the food on the table vs. nothing at all.

 

[JoeMerchant]

Well if ALPA hasn't put out a statement, at least APA has....

Press ReleaseSource: Allied Pilots Association

Allied Pilots Association Issues Statement on Court's Decision Denying Mesaba Pilots' Right to Strike
Tuesday October 24, 3:57 pm ET 'Decision Departs from Well-Established Legal Precedent and Basic Concept of Fairness'
FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Allied Pilots Association (APA), collective bargaining agent for the 13,000 pilots of American Airlines (NYSE:AMR - News), has issued a statement in response to U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Gregory Kishel's Oct. 23 decision denying Mesaba's pilots their right to strike if that carrier's management imposes terms of pay and working conditions.
"Judge Kishel's seriously misguided decision departs from decades of well-established legal precedent and violates the basic concept of fairness. The right to strike is an essential component of collective bargaining, which in turn is one of the fundamental tenets of a free and democratic society.
"APA strongly supports the pilots of Mesaba in appealing the court's decision. We likewise support our fellow professional pilots as they continue to seek a consensual solution to the impasse they have reached with their airline's management. Accordingly, we have communicated to the leadership of the Mesaba master executive council of the Air Line Pilots Association our willingness to help in whatever way we can to bring about a satisfactory resolution to the Mesaba pilots' outrageous predicament. Their struggle is our struggle."
That is the full text of the pilot union's statement.
Founded in 1963, APA is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. There are currently 2,852 American Airlines pilots on furlough. The furloughs began shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Also, several hundred American Airlines pilots are on full-time military leave of absence serving in the armed forces. The union's Web site address is www.alliedpilots.org. American Airlines is the nation's largest passenger carrier.


Contact:
Allied Pilots Association, Fort WorthCaptain Denis Breslin, 817-302-2350/619-980-8941orGregg Overman, 817-302-2250/817-312-3901</SPAN>Source: Allied Pilots Association

 

[XJohXJ]

ALPA Has put out a statement:

From the public access side of the ALPA website:

http://www.alpa.org (the full link is too long to post)


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Release #06.MSA11
October 23, 2006

Court Denies Mesaba Unions’ Right to Strike – Pilots Outraged

BLOOMINGTON, MINN – Mesaba pilots are infuriated by the Bankruptcy Court’s decision to strip them of their legal right to strike if Mesaba management imposes terms of pay and working conditions that would put Mesaba employees below industry standards. The court’s decision, which is a complete departure from well-established legal precedent, will be appealed by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA).

“The court’s decision today exposes just why the United States – the home of democracy – is on the Human Rights Watch List. In no country in the developed world have basic workers’ freedoms been so completely undermined,” said Captain Duane E. Woerth, ALPA’s president. “The Bankruptcy Court, with its decision, is trampling on the basic rights of workers and the foundation upon which this nation was built. ALPA will spare no effort or resource to reverse this decision and protect our pilots’ fundamental rights.”

“We will not stand for this injustice,” Captain Tom Wychor, chairman of the ALPA unit at Mesaba, said. “Under the law, if your contract gets rejected, you don’t have to perform under that contract. No bankruptcy court has recognized any exception under the statutes until today.”

Mesaba pilots had planned to strike if management imposed its terms, in an effort to compel management to negotiate a consensual agreement. “We will follow the court's order today, but we will aggressively appeal the edict,” Wychor assured.

“Mesaba pilots will not be ‘shackled to their aircraft’ by this court decision,” Wychor said. “Management cannot force people to work under imposed terms. Our professionals will work elsewhere, and to that end we have scheduled a job fair. The turnover rate at Mesaba is already a liability to Mesaba’s future success – and if they choose to impose now, it will be the airline’s undoing.”

The Air Line Pilots Association, along with Mesaba Labor Coalition partners, the Association of Flight Attendants – CWA and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, implore Mesaba management to stay the imposition of terms and come to consensus with its unions.

“Even in the face of this appalling verdict, we are ready and willing to continue to negotiate with Mesaba management on a deal because that is the only way this airline will survive,” said Wychor.

Founded in 1931, ALPA celebrates its 75th anniversary this year representing 61,000 pilots, including 850 Mesaba pilots, at 40 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org for more information.

 

[QXpeon]

Vote pro labor on the 7th.

Vote Democrat.

 

[labbats]

So Duane Woerth's big surprise is a job fair? :smash:
What are the consequences of a strike against the judges wishes?

 

[ReverseSensing]

What are the consequences of a strike against the judges wishes?

The parties may do with the results what they may. This is an injunction issued by a federal court, enforceable as appropriate.

There is still hope for this company, but turning that to reality is once again up to the Debtor and the Unions alike.

I don't know what "...enforceable as appropriate" usually means.

 

[XJohXJ]

I know that members of our MEC are personally named in the injunction, so beyond the almost certainty of going to jail, they would be financially liable for any action they order to the contrary of the judge's injunction. We're talking millions of dollars here. In other words, they wouldn't survive this.

Despite what any of us feel is right, we can not ask our MEC to disobey this order. The system is 100% against us. And yes, Clinton was no saint, but the current administration flat out despises and disrespects labor.

This is not the USA any of us grew up in folks, it's been hijacked.

 

[fofornow]

Vote pro labor on the 7th.

Vote Democrat.

uke:

 

[Freight Dog]

Unemployment... strike pay... a little money to keep the food on the table vs. nothing at all.

I'm pretty damn sure that there would be an ALPA-wide support for your pilots in terms of money and other things for standing up to this decision. In any case, one can work at McDonald's or Home Depot and probably make more money than Mesaba pilots.

 

[pilotdiscretion]

Can first officers afford to work at Mesaba?

 

[XJohXJ]

Can first officers afford to work at Mesaba?

No, they can't.

 

[big shacks]

It's hard to afford anything as a 3 year FO at XJ now. Do we have pay union fees still? For what!

 

[Lear70]

Lear,

It's easy for you to run your mouth when life is pretty good where you are.

We are in negotiations now and life being "pretty good" where I am could change any second. I would take the same actions here if the shoe were on the other foot.

Most people at Mesaba are working on going someplace else, but most people don't have so much disposable income to just walk away.

Disposable income? I'm 6 months on probation on 1st year pay here, I don't have "disposable income", but I DO have other jobs I could go do if a strike ever came to pass here (or the need to walk away).

They have people that rely on them.

I know, I'm good friends with a couple of your pilots, one lives right down the road from me, our kids go to school together. I have kids as well and I'm well aware of what this entails --- I'm pretty sure he plans on quitting as soon as the pay cuts are finalized and getting a job here locally.

I find it much more honorable to feed your family and keep a roof over there head, then to try and point out what most airline pilots already know... WE ARE PROFESSIONAL!

Of course you do. You're of the "ME ME ME" generation.

Just a decade or two back and people's families were going to strike meetings and all preparing budgets and 2nd jobs TOGETHER, AS A FAMILY in order to preserve the industry.

Many of your coworkers are ready to do the same, as evidenced by your strong strike vote turnout and your last negotiations. Unfortunately it appears you're not one of them.

Good luck to the rest of you over there,,,

p.s. Rez, you're absolutely right. A walkout would be the better way to do it but, unfortunately, I don't know anyone over there who's willing to stand up and organize it, and it would HAVE to be organized over a short period of time to be effective, otherwise the people who won't go will just upgrade and be happy they're building PIC time now... uke:

 

[Flyer1015]

Spanjers is probably rubbing off a wet one tonight for his victory in court...











*

 

[XJohXJ]

Spanjers, Foooley, and Judgiepoo Kishey......

 

[Flyer1015]

Spanjers, Foooley, and Judgiepoo Kishey......

Together? EWWW

 

[sammy777]

Eagle is hiring like crazy thanks to the AA recalls!
Guys if you need any help pm me..


Good Luck guys
May God help us and our industry

 

[XJohXJ]

Eagle is hiring like crazy thanks to the AA recalls!
Guys if you need any help pm me..


Good Luck guys
May God help us and our industry

How easy is it to get ORD, or anything fairly central/midwestern?

 

[SBD]

I went through DTW today on a trip ending in CVG. I saw you guys at the A concourse. Good luck, and I hope everything works out.

 

[ex j-41]

Our Federal goverment taught us an important lesson.

Negotiate, try negotiate again then bomb the crap out of them.

So we need to negotiate, negoatiate again, then hire some Italians.
We NEED to go back to basics, Management needs to be scared of
the concequences.

 

[MECH]

It's hard to afford anything as a 3 year FO at XJ now. Do we have pay union fees still? For what!

This is not a union issue. This an issue with our elected officals. The people we have elected to be our judges and our senators etc. These elected officals have decided to rule in the favor of big business. It is no different now, then the 1920's when the labor movements were just starting. We(labor) must take back our governement. If we ever want to see our standard of living increase or at the very least stay the same.

Lou Dobbs is correct it is an all out WAR on the middle class in our country!

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

This is not a union issue. This an issue with our elected officals. The people we have elected to be our judges and our senators etc. These elected officals have decided to rule in the favor of big business. It is no different now, then the 1920's when the labor movements were just starting. We(labor) must take back our governement. If we ever want to see our standard of living increase or at the very least stay the same.

Lou Dobbs is correct it is an all out WAR on the middle class in our country!

CAPA-PAC and ALPA-PAC

 

[sammy777]

How easy is it to get ORD, or anything fairly central/midwestern?

Its very easy. There is always vacancy for ORD DFW

 

[N590MA]

Why anyone would want to stay at XJ under the current book is beyond me. Those that stay if new terms are imposed are just plain lazy and deserve the treatment that will be served to them by others in the industry.

http://airlinepilotcentral.com/airlines/fractional/netjets.html

They plan on hiring a bunch. First year FO will take home what a junior Saab CA will and a 5 year CA at Netjets will make more than anyone would ever make at XJ.

This is just one example. There are many more out there. Mesaba does not deserve to have any of the highly professional pilots they now employ. Offer your services to an outfit that will actually treat you decently and let the sorry excuse of an airline named Mesaba die.

This is all well and good. Most of us are trying to move on from this sorry excuse of a regional airline. NetJets is a great company and many of us would like to work there. I just interviewed there earlier this month, out of the 10 that interviewed 3 were hired. One, was told by an interviewer that because they are getting so many apps they are starting to get picky. You can interpret that anyway you want. It is not as easy to move on as you seem to think, and that is not because people are lazy. I will gladly quit the day this crap is imposed and stand up for this profession, But, the team is going to have to help me pay my mortgage while I find another job. It's easy to talk tall when your outside looking in.
Sorry, not trying to rage on any one person, just screaming-hot-pissed about this whole situation.:angryfire