latest letter from Flight Options management

[netjetwife]

Union dues are roughly 1.5 percent of your base salary. As many of the NJ pilots got a 50 percent wage increase, they would find that complaint laughable, Guitar Guy. My husband certainly did. He walked off shaking his head.

 

[TurboHonda]

I talked with an FO pilot several days ago who said that he was "on the fence" about a union. One of his concerns was that the union dues he'd have to pay might wipe out any salary increase the union would get him.

Hopefully his co-workers are a little more forward-thinking in their logic...

That pilot should do a little math. He would discover that for everyone, regardless of seat or seniority, union dues at 1.5% will roughly equal 1 day's overtime pay for 6 months of dues. What FO pilot has not already lost more than that through the arbitrary and unilateral "clarifications of policy" that we continue to experience?

 

[Dep676]

Excatly. Also when they get a contract that will pay them a fair wage they will not have to worry about dues.

 

[netjetwife]

Can the other frac pilots get a guaranteed pay raise that can't be changed? Will they also be getting a talented group of volunteers that work on their behalf and protect their interests? Do they get a list of fellow pilots who have been trained to handle dealings with the company, have a thorough understanding of the contract, and will be at their side when questions arise? It's not just about money and I doubt you could find many NJ pilots willing to give up their union just to save the price of their dues. They all know that without those dues there wouldn't have been a pay raise anything close to what they got. We all saw the difference between weak union leadership and a strong union. 1108 is setting a good example and those pilots who discuss their futures seriously do understand that there's a lot more to be gained than just a pay raise--as nice as that is. NJW

 

[WheresRocky]

More radicalistic language

Can the other frac pilots get a guaranteed pay raise that can't be changed? Will they also be getting a talented group of volunteers that work on their behalf and protect their interests? Do they get a list of fellow pilots who have been trained to handle dealings with the company, have a thorough understanding of the contract, and will be at their side when questions arise? It's not just about money and I doubt you could find many NJ pilots willing to give up their union just to save the price of their dues. They all know that without those dues there wouldn't have been a pay raise anything close to what they got. We all saw the difference between weak union leadership and a strong union. 1108 is setting a good example and those pilots who discuss their futures seriously do understand that there's a lot more to be gained than just a pay raise--as nice as that is. NJW

All praise Allanetjetwife!

 

[netjetwife]

No one has to take my word for it. Just walk up to every NJ pilot you see and ask them if they'd be willing to give up their union--a StrongUnion--in order to save the cost of the dues. I'm guessing their reaction will be like my husband's. NJ pilots will look at you like you're crazy, laugh in your face, and walk away shaking their head. Go ahead ask them....what do I know?

 

[Fozzy]

Forget him NJASpouse. He is a management tool. Hell, at his rate of posting today, he is the whole shed.

I feel the FUD coming on stong in 06.

 

[Diesel]

sounds like rocky is the new familyguy.

By the way where is familyguy..... oh that's right he was just a company shill.

 

[IronManNDFW]

Unfortunately, we at FO have been "Told" that a new compensation package will be "rolled out" in Jan 06.

Some have come to interpet this as 1/6/06, others like me think it will be sometime in 06 - - MAYBE. Just another delay tactic by our Management from our ACTING CEO. Yep we have a fake CEO, but he is playing that part just as "Mother" is telling him to do.

Been through this with RTA 3 times, and now FLOPS (I still love that term) for 1 term.

Best thing we have going for us is the support of our pilots and 1108. Hopefully we will get our cards in 1st part of Jan (read no later than the 5th) then have the vote.

I know I'll watch them pull a rabbit out of their arse again to satisfy some of the pilots, just enough to kill the drive, but these pilots will just cut their noses off inspite of their face. Once again as soon as Management give it will take away again. Remember the sneaky increase in our insurance co-pays (didn't you just love that one?).

To the fence sitters: If our owners have a contract with the company explaining what each party will perform, why should it be any difference with us pilots? Or Dispatchers? Mx? OCC????

 

[netjetwife]

Hopefully some of your fence-sitters are wising up now. How many trips around the flag pole does it take to figure out which way the wind is blowing?!

A home is (for the majority of us) the most expensive big-ticket purchase we will make. Who would consider having a home built without a contract? Yet some pilots advocate leaving their career solely in the hands of management, regardless of the fact that it is your biggest investment. I don't understand that. The kind of laissez-faire attitude that would bring cries of financial irresponsibility in any other facet of their lives is accepted without a question? Just because it's that way now, doesn't mean it has to stay that way. My husband enjoys his job at NJA and we now feel that he can afford to stay there. That wouldn't have been possible without 1108--not at all.

 

[Fozzy]

"Unfortunately, we at FO have been "Told" that a new compensation package will be "rolled out" in Jan 06."

Are you sure it is not January sixth with the year unknown. Sounds like all the "the contract will be done in May" crap we heard. Ya, May of what year!?!

More FUD.

 

[gunfyter]

Union Dues:

I received in the last 12 months alone.... Class Action Grievance payments exceeding the cost of union dues paid for the last 4 yrs.

Union Dues: It doesn't Cost.... IT PAYS!