MEC Notes
Hello fellow UAL pilots, UAL furloughees, and future prospective pilots...Here is the latest from the UAL MEC meeting. Some interesting and relevant topics for all.
Regards,
BigRed1
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1. Today's MEC Meeting was filled with updates from various committee chairmen. This morning, Legislative Committee Chairman Captain Jeff Greco told the MEC that his committee met with Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) and was told he would introduce legislation that would change the PBGC rules so that pilots, who must stop flying at age 60, would not have their benefits actuarially reduced by the PBGC in a terminated plan. Instead, the bill would have allowed pilots – at age 60 – to receive the benefit guarantees calculated as though they had reached the maximum age 65. Captain Greco said Sen. Akaka and his staff are committed to making this legislation a reality in the current Congress. He said Sen. Akaka says, "It just isn't fair for pilots not to get full benefits from the PBGC." There is a similar commitment on the House side from Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.).
Captain Greco reminded the MEC about the "devastating effects" the EU-US Open Skies Agreement would have on the domestic airline industry and the pilot profession. The agreement seeks to continue negotiations to allow cabotage in the United States, eliminate restrictions on foreign ownership and would allow wet-leasing of aircraft (with crews) on U.S. domestic routes. Captain Greco said ALPA continues working hard on this issue. He said ALPA was able to have language included in the agreement that "in principle" provides a legal hook in which to enter further negotiations on protective provisions for pilots. "It is of interest that the majority of wins on our (ALPA’s) side are 'what doesn’t happen' to our profession,'" said Captain Greco. "Much work gets done behind closed doors, out of the spotlight, and away from the cameras. The nature of the process is such that inserting a phrase or adding a protective clause may not be a headline grabber but could have a huge positive effect later. This is at the core of what the ALPA Governmental affairs department does for us day in and day out."
Captain Greco also stressed the importance of pilots contributing to the ALPA-PAC and UP-PAC. United pilots last year, along with Delta pilots, led all ALPA pilot groups with 26 percent participation. "If there was ever a need for robust participation in our legislative effort, it is now," said Captain Greco. "Possibly the greatest threat to our careers is the EU-US Open Skies Agreement. Plainly stated, it threatens the elimination of our jobs. The question we need to ask every ALPA pilot is: What are you willing to do to secure your means to make a living? One way is participating in the political process through support of ALPA-PAC and UP-PAC. "Staying informed concerning our issues and participating in the democratic process of our union form the foundation of our collective success."
On another agenda item, Captain Morse reported that the Company has agreed that should a crew member be away from the aircraft and unable to enter a refusal, Line Maintenance has been directed to enter Captain's comments regarding refusal of an aircraft to be made a part of the MRD for the benefit of follow-on crews.
4. MEC Membership Committee Chairman Captain Jeff Cramer told the MEC that with the returning pilot classes in February, March and April 2007 (as well as the projection for the scheduled May recall class), the total number of recalled UAL pilots to active status this year will total 188 pilots.
"Unfortunately, based on normal age 60 retirements (not including early retirements and/or medical retirements) UAL will lose 266 pilots in 2007 – another year where fewer pilots will perform the same, or slightly more flying, than the previous year," Captain Cramer told the MEC.
He reminded the MEC that this is a situation that continues to merit their close attention.
Hello fellow UAL pilots, UAL furloughees, and future prospective pilots...Here is the latest from the UAL MEC meeting. Some interesting and relevant topics for all.
Regards,
BigRed1
----------------------------------
1. Today's MEC Meeting was filled with updates from various committee chairmen. This morning, Legislative Committee Chairman Captain Jeff Greco told the MEC that his committee met with Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) and was told he would introduce legislation that would change the PBGC rules so that pilots, who must stop flying at age 60, would not have their benefits actuarially reduced by the PBGC in a terminated plan. Instead, the bill would have allowed pilots – at age 60 – to receive the benefit guarantees calculated as though they had reached the maximum age 65. Captain Greco said Sen. Akaka and his staff are committed to making this legislation a reality in the current Congress. He said Sen. Akaka says, "It just isn't fair for pilots not to get full benefits from the PBGC." There is a similar commitment on the House side from Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.).
Captain Greco reminded the MEC about the "devastating effects" the EU-US Open Skies Agreement would have on the domestic airline industry and the pilot profession. The agreement seeks to continue negotiations to allow cabotage in the United States, eliminate restrictions on foreign ownership and would allow wet-leasing of aircraft (with crews) on U.S. domestic routes. Captain Greco said ALPA continues working hard on this issue. He said ALPA was able to have language included in the agreement that "in principle" provides a legal hook in which to enter further negotiations on protective provisions for pilots. "It is of interest that the majority of wins on our (ALPA’s) side are 'what doesn’t happen' to our profession,'" said Captain Greco. "Much work gets done behind closed doors, out of the spotlight, and away from the cameras. The nature of the process is such that inserting a phrase or adding a protective clause may not be a headline grabber but could have a huge positive effect later. This is at the core of what the ALPA Governmental affairs department does for us day in and day out."
Captain Greco also stressed the importance of pilots contributing to the ALPA-PAC and UP-PAC. United pilots last year, along with Delta pilots, led all ALPA pilot groups with 26 percent participation. "If there was ever a need for robust participation in our legislative effort, it is now," said Captain Greco. "Possibly the greatest threat to our careers is the EU-US Open Skies Agreement. Plainly stated, it threatens the elimination of our jobs. The question we need to ask every ALPA pilot is: What are you willing to do to secure your means to make a living? One way is participating in the political process through support of ALPA-PAC and UP-PAC. "Staying informed concerning our issues and participating in the democratic process of our union form the foundation of our collective success."
2. The following pilots were elected to MEC Committee positions this afternoon:
- ORD Captain Bob Spadea, Chairman, Jumpseat Committee
- ORD First Officer Mark Wurtz, Member, System Board Member
- IAD First Officer Phil Otis, Member, System Board Member
- Election for Negotiating Committee Member has been deferred until Wednesday.
On another agenda item, Captain Morse reported that the Company has agreed that should a crew member be away from the aircraft and unable to enter a refusal, Line Maintenance has been directed to enter Captain's comments regarding refusal of an aircraft to be made a part of the MRD for the benefit of follow-on crews.
4. MEC Membership Committee Chairman Captain Jeff Cramer told the MEC that with the returning pilot classes in February, March and April 2007 (as well as the projection for the scheduled May recall class), the total number of recalled UAL pilots to active status this year will total 188 pilots.
"Unfortunately, based on normal age 60 retirements (not including early retirements and/or medical retirements) UAL will lose 266 pilots in 2007 – another year where fewer pilots will perform the same, or slightly more flying, than the previous year," Captain Cramer told the MEC.
He reminded the MEC that this is a situation that continues to merit their close attention.
