Mesaba MEC Gives Up!

[SEVEN]

Mesaba pilots were officially told last night to start preparing their resume and to begin seeking alternate employment. What's up with unions these days. I guess they have already thrown in the towl and are assuming that the judge with probably site with management. The truth is, he probably will. But lets not tell the hundreds of pilots to give up just yet. Last time I checked, If we are all going to just give up are jobs to Mesa pilots we might as well use the stike to end it with dignity.

Informational picketing isn't going to do squat. The public doesn't care and Mesaba management isn't scared one bit. Hey MEC...please let me know when you are going to picket when it actually will accomplish something. I will definately be there. But these silly games are just wasting time and are NOT effective.

Maybe I'm wrong...but who knows.

 

[gnx99]

Wonderful.

 

[sf3boy]

I agree Seven. The MEC could wisely not spend money on foolish Awareness Programs and logistics for picketing. The only people that care are us. Period. And we are all well aware of the situation. Glad to hear I will get to start another regional career after 6 years of being an FO.

 

[PCL_128]

They haven't given up, they're just trying to be honest with you. Would you rather that they blow sunshine up your butt and pretend that everything is OK? I would take their advice if I was you. In fact, I've already taken their advice. My resume has been updated and I've been stockpiling money for the past few months just incase the NWA guys actually do strike and end up liquidating NWA. It never hurts to be prepared.

 

[kmox29]

Would you rather that they blow sunshine up your butt and pretend that everything is OK?

With this management team, I have to say there is no more room in my butt.

 

[DX Rick]

They haven't given up, they're just trying to be honest with you. Would you rather that they blow sunshine up your butt and pretend that everything is OK? I would take their advice if I was you. In fact, I've already taken their advice. My resume has been updated and I've been stockpiling money for the past few months just incase the NWA guys actually do strike and end up liquidating NWA. It never hurts to be prepared.

This coming from a guy who believes in the union, as a hard fighting warrior. Just go tell JO you're willing to pay him $35k a year to fly his RJ's

 

[Simon Says]

Mesaba pilots were officially told last night to start preparing their resume and to begin seeking alternate employment. What's up with unions these days. I guess they have already thrown in the towl and are assuming that the judge with probably site with management. The truth is, he probably will. But lets not tell the hundreds of pilots to give up just yet. Last time I checked, If we are all going to just give up are jobs to Mesa pilots we might as well use the stike to end it with dignity.

Informational picketing isn't going to do squat. The public doesn't care and Mesaba management isn't scared one bit. Hey MEC...please let me know when you are going to picket when it actually will accomplish something. I will definately be there. But these silly games are just wasting time and are NOT effective.

Maybe I'm wrong...but who knows.

I understand your venting. Tell me. What would you do?

Informational picketing is a tool to get the word out on our predicitment, and communication of what is happening with the pilot group is equally important. Please do not place blame on the MEC. They have very little to work with and are hard at work doing the best they can. We will take a strike vote, and negotiate the best they know how. In the end we have to stay within the law and if we strike an injunction will more than likely be filed to tie it up in court for years. Expect to work under the pre 1113 contract by April 1st. Or just quit, like me. It is as simple as that.

The MEC is not out to get you, but doing the best they can under the circumstances. Without being able to tie MAIR to Mesaba, Mesaba is now officially bankrupt. Please prepare yourself mentally and financially. BTW, remeber you are going to lose most of your sick time by April 1st.

 

[WMUSIGPI]

Informational picketing isn't going to do squat. The public doesn't care and Mesaba management isn't scared one bit. Hey MEC...please let me know when you are going to picket when it actually will accomplish something. I will definately be there. But these silly games are just wasting time and are NOT effective.

Maybe I'm wrong...but who knows.

I agree a few pilots walking in circles in front of a couple airports probably won't do any good. The thing that needs to be done is a large scale advertising on a national level to educate people that everyone doesn't start out making 150k for working 8 days a month. (Heck I probably will never see 150k getting 8 days off a month in this job) Maybe some people would think twice if they realized every time they get on a CRJ the FO was likely making less than 25k and the Capt. 50k. As well as knowing it's the 13th hour the crew has been on duty, ect.

 

[mesaba2425]

Please do not place blame on the MEC. They have very little to work with and are hard at work doing the best they can.

That's the scary part. Their best isn't very good.

 

[Simon Says]

That's the scary part. Their best isn't very good.

You do nothing but throw bombs. Tell me.....What would you do different.

 

[Mesabi Miner]

I believe he should change his name to "Mesaba Tool 4 Tool 5". Agreed. This guys is nothing but a pimple on the arse of progress. And I'm not a name caller!

MM

 

[Butters]

They are just stating the obvious. The odds of this place being even a decent place to work by this summer are slim and none. There is no way we will keep our current contract so it is all downhill from here. If you can find something better, MOVE ON AND DON'T LOOK BACK!

 

[Butters]

That's the scary part. Their best isn't very good.

The fact that all you can do is take shots at the union proves you are just a chicken sh!t yourself. Every post you put up is to take shots at the union. I'm not a union defender. I just think you are a dumbass.

Instead of posting here go to www.hillaryduff.com and rub one off. Then again, she might be too old for you.

 

[PCL_128]

.....

 

[tripacer]

ALPA is a disgrace

This is the Mesaba MEC pilot hotline for Wednesday, February 8, 2006.
There are five items in this update:

Item 1 - After recessing the special session last night at 9:45 p.m.,
the MEC reconvened this morning to continue to assess the costing model
and negotiating strategy going forward in this bankruptcy process.

In the wake of yesterday's hearing, the MEC assessed our current
negotiating position. Our interim deal of $6 million in up-front savings is
no longer on the table, and we are now faced with developing a long-term
deal that addresses management's concerns. Our economic model confirms
that under our current cost structure, Mesaba is not a profitable
airline operating 49 Saabs if NWA imposes a 5% rate cut. As we have
indicated previously, we believe NWA will impose a rate cut because it needs to
stem its own losses. Absent a reasonable alternative proposal from
ALPA, we feel it likely that the bankruptcy court judge will allow Mesaba
management to abrogate our contract and impose new terms on April 1st.

Since the MEC cannot endorse management's term sheet, the MEC felt it
prudent to give guidance to our negotiating committee on a set of
concessions that would be appropriate for a 49 Saab fleet. These concessions
would include reductions in pay, benefits, and work rules to the degree
required to meet reasonable revenue targets. Although no one wishes to
see concessions on the table at Mesaba, the specter of imposed work
rules looms large and real, and a consensual deal that could be
recommended by our MEC and ratified by our pilot group is a better solution.

The Negotiating Committee gathered the information from your
representatives and will now set out to complete costing and develop a
comprehensive proposal. The MEC adjourned at 6:38 p.m. When it is complete, the
MEC will review the comprehensive proposal and give approval before it
is presented to management.

What has become clear to everyone at the table is that this is going to
be a very compressed process. Unlike Section 6 negotiations we are now
subject to a timeline that requires negotiations to be completed in a
matter of weeks. The outcome is by no means certain. If nothing we have
said to this point has made this clear, we would recommend you get your
logbook and resume up to date, and if you have job opportunities
elsewhere you should seriously consider them.

 

[suupah]

I agree a few pilots walking in circles in front of a couple airports probably won't do any good. The thing that needs to be done is a large scale advertising on a national level to educate people that everyone doesn't start out making 150k for working 8 days a month. (Heck I probably will never see 150k getting 8 days off a month in this job) Maybe some people would think twice if they realized every time they get on a CRJ the FO was likely making less than 25k and the Capt. 50k. As well as knowing it's the 13th hour the crew has been on duty, ect.

as long as the ticket price is low and its safe (there haven't been any accidents lately) they could care less.

we need to strike and quit flying. let the country come to its knees. then we will be heard. till then, as long as its safe and cheap jo public will be happy and not care about "our personal career choices". $.02

 

[HughBeamont]

I think the captains should just remember that the FARs require that EVERYTHING on the airplane must work or be deferrable via MEL or CDL. How about a good old fashioned unorganized, unsanctioned job action? Grind the place to a halt. I can't believe more pilot groups don't do this.

 

[whaleroast]

Anyone ever see "Convoy"?

 

[DetoXJ]

I think the captains should just remember that the FARs require that EVERYTHING on the airplane must work or be deferrable via MEL or CDL. How about a good old fashioned unorganized, unsanctioned job action? Grind the place to a halt. I can't believe more pilot groups don't do this.

I'm pretty sure we (most) already do this. Do you let your Captains fly around broken airplanes? That isn't very professional of you. As the FO, you have the right and duty to speak up if you are about to break a reg or company policy.

 

[HughBeamont]

I'm not talking about safety and flying broken airplanes. Show me any airplane flown by any carrier in the world and I could put something in the book that would stop the show.

 

[xjhawk]

well, for those of you who have not been keeping up on things that closely let me fil you in on some things.....from my point of view.

Number one, it looks like our MEC will be giving up, especially if striking is deemed illegal. They will not risk going to jail (the union leaders would end up in jail) to prove a point. In that case...i think they have told us to get ready to leave Mesaba and resign since it will not be a desirable place to work. Are they suggesting we just quit?

This is my thought, if the corrupt judges of our judicial system impose those rates which the company has proposed, and do not allow us to strike, i say we set a date to walk out. We walk out and the only way we will come back is if we get industry average for everything. That way, those corrupt A$$holes cannot say its not competitive.....and when i say corrupt.....imagine what the judge was doing for that half hour when he made that decision.....maybe thinking about how much money MAIR holdings will make when they get unlimited 76 seat contract with NWA.

Let me ask you this. If you were to transfere your payroll to a different account for years, and then declare personal bankruptcy, would the government come for that money you set aside in that separate account? Yes, you would lose that money and pay a fine, maybe even go to jail for hiding money from the government and your creditors. The only difference is that the corrupt government and its judicial enforcers are in one way or another on the payroll of the corporations.

 

[Butters]

I'm pretty sure we (most) already do this. Do you let your Captains fly around broken airplanes? That isn't very professional of you. As the FO, you have the right and duty to speak up if you are about to break a reg or company policy.

Oh for crying out loud, turn on the power. Are you that dumb? Do you not understand what he is speaking of? And you are just Mr. Professional yourself, aren't you?

 

[Spinn555]

Let me ask you this. If you were to transfere your payroll to a different account for years, and then declare personal bankruptcy, would the government come for that money you set aside in that separate account? Yes, you would lose that money and pay a fine, maybe even go to jail for hiding money from the government and your creditors. The only difference is that the corrupt government and its judicial enforcers are in one way or another on the payroll of the corporations.

Actually, you could do that very easily. Just incorporate your name. Or even easier, form an LLC. Then the LLC can hold the money, while you go bankrupt, or vice versa.

Though it does suck in this case, the entity of a holdings company is perfectly legal. There are thousands of holdings companies in the US alone.

There are no 'black helicopters' here boys. This is very common. No one has bought anyone out.

Mesaba is micro-peanuts in reference to the world of business. They don't have very much pull.

Get over it.

 

[Avro dude]

Hey Spinn go back to wherever you came from and get over yourself

 

[Butters]

the entity of a holdings company is perfectly legal. There are thousands of holdings companies in the US alone.

You are right. It is also legal under bankruptcy law to show that the holding company and actual company are in fact one in the same. They are already allowed to subpoena MAIR executives to testify in front of the creditor's committee about that relationship. It is legal to form a holding company but it DOES NOT mean you can sheild money in a bankruptcy.

NWA Holdings is bankrupt but in our case Mesaba Airlines is bankrupt while MAIR Holdings is not. B.S.

Get over it.

Blow it out your ass. I hope you personally go bankrupt and then you can share in the misery, asshole.

 

[Dodge]

It is very apparent that the MEC wants to save jobs.......their own. I guess all that Rah Rah during our Strike Preparedness Rallies a couple of years ago was all show. So much for being compensated for the professionals that we are. What a joke.

Mesaba........Leading the race to the bottom, piloted by ALPA.

 

[screwed_again]

That's the scary part. Their best isn't very good.

If you know it all, then go up to MSP and get the deal done for all of us. Call Jane, Tom, or Brad and dazzle them with your brilliance. STFU or get involved; or just quit.

 

[mesaba2425]

It is very apparent that the MEC wants to save jobs.......their own. I guess all that Rah Rah during our Strike Preparedness Rallies a couple of years ago was all show. So much for being compensated for the professionals that we are. What a joke.

Mesaba........Leading the race to the bottom, piloted by ALPA.

At least the dues weren't totally wasted!!

 

[kmox29]

Just wondering if any of the union bashers on here have called their reps and got some first-hand information. I know I am very upset with their recent e-mails, so I am going to call. At least I'll have felt like I have done something about it other than slam our reps.

 

[Dodge]

I am not trying to bash. I really do appreciate the fact their sitting their doing all the work for the pilots. It is a thankless job.

That being said, I have grown weary of hearing from ALPA that it is time to take a stand on an issue. With the MEC saying that they are going to be negotiating concessions sounds a lot like "taking a stand is not in the best interest of us senior pilots that will have a job in the left seat of our 49 Saabs." I believe that this is why we did not go on strike after we passed the deadline.

For the career FO's and furloughees, the message has been received loud and clear.

Concessions will mean that anyone with a hire date junior to 1997 is better off starting over at any other regional.

But hey, that's just what I think and I know nothing.