Mesaba should strike later, not now

[vc10]

Striking now probably isn't the right move. It's January and there's not that much traffic and NW has NW or Pinnacle flights on most of the Mesaba jet routes. Remember, it was management that decided the timing of this strike. It's also **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** cold in Minnesota right now, a consideration for pilots walking the picket line.

Not striking, but reserving the right to strike at any time, is a better move. First of all, it results in uncertainty and therefore booking away from Mesaba flights, and, under the terms of the Mesaba contract, NW takes that pain. So it gives NW an ongoing incentive to bring negotiations to a close.

Secondly, if there's still no progress, Mesaba pilots can still strike at a time of _their_ choosing. Like Easter, when NW's planes would (or should) be more full, and when the weather is warmer. NW takes more pain that way, and Mesaba pilots take less.

And in the meantime, Mesaba pilots can make it clear that if NW and Mesaba so much as look at them funny, there could be a strike... tomorrow. Or not. Hey, it's up to the pilots---why should they strike on management's terms?

 

[Wanderer]

I say hats off to the Mesaba Pilots for striking now. They are a very professional group of individuals, and should be commended for striking when the passenger loads are at their lightest.

I think a lot of people foget that you are screwing customers too...people get too wrapped up in fighting the company, and forget why we are all here....to transport people. As an agent, if the pilots go on strike tonight at 12:01 (EST)....I still have to face the passengers tomorrow morning and tell them that we will not be able to accomodate them this morning...I know I feel MUCH better knowing I have to face these people, unshielded, during one of the slowest travel times, rather than a holiday.

THANK YOU MESABA PILOTS!

 

[StaySeated]

They don't have a choice

Yeah, it sure would be great if the Mesaba pilots, or any organized group for that matter, could strike whenever they felt like it, unfortunately, they can only strike at the end of Sect. 6 negotiations, after filing for mediation, enduring the useless hell called mediation, declaring an impasse, then receiving a proffer of arbitration from the mediators, and THEN being released from mediation. Then there is this little cooling off period that lasts 30 days from the release date and viola, you have yourself a strike. Not a second sooner, or later. Going on strike is the ONLY form of legal self help that the RLA allows, and in my opinion the Mesaba strike will be the last one we see for a very long time on the Regional level. Therefore, they have my complete support. I will write a check, bring donuts and coffee, whatever it takes. Good luck to the Mesaba pilots, seven hours and counting!

 

[vc10]

"they don't have a choice"

That's clearly wrong. The FAs have used something called CHAOS for some time, where they pull random walkouts for certain flights at a moment's notice. So long as they only do this _after_ they're in the self-help period, that's fine.

You can't strike before you're into self-help, but you aren't obligated to strike after it. Self help allows you the freedom to do as you please as far as withholding work---for as long as self-help lasts.

 

[BoilerUP]

If management decides to roll the dice and let the strike happen, its gonna be bad for everybody - but the pilots are doing what is not only in their best interest, but in the best interest of EVERY CURRENT AND FUTURE regional airline pilot. Somebody has to toe the line. Mesaba ALPA has taken up the call. I wouldn't relish being in their shoes, but I am greatful for their sacrifices. I will do my part to raise the bar in the future, when the time comes.

If Mesaba is striking Sunday evening and there are picket lines at CVG, I'll bring stop by on my way back to Lafayette from LEX to show my support, hopefully with coffee and donuts. I'm a broke college student CFI, but it would be the very least I could do for such an honorable group of pilots.

HOLD THE LINE!

 

[T-handle]

I don't think there's a single pilot, that voted in favor of a strike (98%), that wants to drag this out any further. It's obvious after 9/11 that management was purposely dragging this out as long as they could and perhaps they timed it so that we strike in January/February. Winter or summer, it's still going to hurt them if the airplanes stop flying. Estimates run as high as 2 million/day. I don't believe a specific strike date wasn't quite a high priority on our list.

We are prepared to walk in -30* F or +100*F weather. Rain, snow, sleet, freezing rain, you name it. We're not just doing this for us, but we're also doing this for the rest of the profession. Most people realize that regional airlines are no longer "stepping stones" and that many of us will make it a career here. Not only is raising the bar and stopping the race to the bottom our primary goal, but I think pilots should start to consider losing the title "regional" and realize that we do the exact same job as a 737, A320 or 747 crew. It's all relative. The next war to be fought would be to blend the differences between mainline and regional and say 'Hey we're all the same'. Another war for another pilot group some day.....

 

[vc10]

It's understandable that Mesaba pilots want to end this sooner rather than later---the uncertainty must be agonizing. But you should play to win and you should play at the time of your choosing. This is the time of management's choosing.

Management wants this to happen now. And it's not the loss to Mesaba that matters. It's the loss to NW. And that's not going to be large right now, because it's the time of their choosing.

 

[Captain X]

Even if all the pilots showed up to work tomorrow without a deal (as an attempt at showing good faith between mgmt and ALPA) the company also has self-help available and would probably lock a majority of workers out.

Also, a pilot group who does not strike at the first given opportunity (end of a 30-day cooling off period) may give the impression to the general public that thier demands are too much and are scared to stop working or willing to continue working for that which is "so bad."

 

[CheapFlyer]

Yeah, BUT:

Lockout = Unemplyment checks

Strike = ALPA dues

Although I do not know which would be more money, I bet ALPA would rather have the govenment paying the striking Mesaba pilots.

 

[Wanderer]

It's understandable that Mesaba pilots want to end this sooner rather than later---the uncertainty must be agonizing. But you should play to win and you should play at the time of your choosing. This is the time of management's choosing.

Management wants this to happen now. And it's not the loss to Mesaba that matters. It's the loss to NW. And that's not going to be large right now, because it's the time of their choosing.

Be honest with you...Northwest might have nothing to lose here...they can cancel the Mesaba contract after seven days of the strike, and pull in a cheaper alternative (I am sure Mesa has contacted them). The strike hurts MESABA management the most. The whole airline could be gone (or without a flying partner) by next sunday.

 

[poorpropdriver]

Mesa is ALPA. No ALPA carrier will fly struck work. Besides NWA MEC will have something to say about who can fly as regional carriers for NW, it's in their contract.

 

[SRMairlines]

The Mesaba pilots picked their time... And I support their cause because what they do will affect every single regional pilot in the industry. They are not trying to race to the bottom, but rather raise the already low bar.

There should not be a single regional pilot that thinks it is acceptable to make $17,000/YEAR when you are in the most tested career field, putting 100's of lives in your hands every day, working hard to hold a first class medical until you are 60, flying multimillion dollar equipment, etc... you get the point.

MESABA... Good Luck

 

[TonyC]

Re: They don't have a choice

... , unfortunately, they can only strike at the end of Sect. 6 negotiations, after filing for mediation, enduring the useless hell called mediation, declaring an impasse, then receiving a proffer of arbitration from the mediators, and THEN being released from mediation. Then there is this little cooling off period that lasts 30 days from the release date and viola, you have yourself a strike. Not a second sooner, or later.

Not true.

At the end of the process you have described, the Collective Bargaining Agreement expires, and both parties are free to engage in self-help. There is no REQUIREMENT to exercise any self-help, and withdrawal of services immediately, completely, and indefinitely is NOT the only way a labor group can exercise self-help.

There is an example (sorry, I don't know the company, year, or location, but I can dig for it if it matters to you) of a labor group that reached this point. The Negotiators decided it would be best to allow the employees continue to work under the work rules the Company was free to impose (their last offer, and one of their methods of self-help) in order to determine the collective displeasure of the workforce, and ultimately their will to withhold services. After nearly a year of no progress, no negotiation, and no changes, the employee group began having unscheduled meetings during work hours, i.e., they had random work stoppages. The Company sued, claiming illegal strike. 2nd Circuit Court found in favor of the employees, saying they had been released, had the right to strike, and the fact that they didn't immediately strike didn't revoke their RIGHT to strike.

The point here is there is no requirement to strike immediately, and there might be some merit in delaying - - uncertainity on the part of management can be a useful tool.

On the other hand, there will likely be a lockout, which would make delaying a strike a moot point. Flights have already been cancelled. It doesn't look like a delayed strike in THIS case is a viable option. But it certainly is worth consideration in the future.

 

[Wanderer]

Mesa is ALPA. No ALPA carrier will fly struck work. Besides NWA MEC will have something to say about who can fly as regional carriers for NW, it's in their contract.

It isn't struck work if the contract is voided (after seven days...like my post reads).

 

[XJPilot547]

You're wrong. It will be considered struck work for a certain period of time regardless if the contract is cancelled. Our MEC defines struck work and its duration. Now if the doors are closed, it's unreasonable to permanently consider it struck work but it will be defined as such for at least 6 mos. Besides, NW can't just bring in someone else without their pilot's approval. That's not going to happen and they won't make Pinnacle their only Airlink carrier because that gives them too much power.

 

[Captain X]

vc10 -- you got a crystal ball or somethin'?

Hey look in it and tell me how much I'm gonna make next year.