Mesaba Strike Deadline

[xjmxtech]

I understand that you can't support a family on what a junior FO makes. But how are you going to support a family with no income at all? Lets say you strike for 30 days. How much of a raise does it take to make up for 30 days of no pay? And I do have all the facts. This wasn't meant as flame bait, it was just a different view from a labor group other than pilots. I speak for most of the mechanics at mesaba, I support the pilots 100%, hell we will most likely have our round of this contract bull in a couple years too. But you have to realize that no one expects to make a career of being an FO at a regional. Its just a stepping stone. Is it really worth a strike? Lets say you make $17,000 a year. You go on strike for lets say 30 days. You lose roughly $1400 of pay, not to mention lost retirement contributions as well as insurance coverage but for this expample we will just use straight pay. Lets say you go back to work for a 5% raise. Your yearly salary is now $17, 850. It would take you almost 2 years to make up the loss in pay. Now 2 years later you find yourself close to negotiations again. Its an ugly cycle but the truth hurts.

 

[AvroJockey]

Thanks for the info, here’s some for you! For most, XJ is not a “stepping stone” airline anymore, no one flying RJs is. We don’t want a 5% raise, we want a 20% raise, which the company has never stated they can’t afford!

The next time your wife and kids non-rev, pray to God that the FO isn’t burnt out from working a second job to support his! After I got displaced to FO I had to pick up a second job working at the Olive Garden to support my family. This was not at starting FO pay, because I already topped out my FO pay with 4 years seniority. This just so happens to be one of the concessions we took to get the Avro on the property, with promises that the favor would be returned in our next contract.

Don’t take this the wrong way; I’m just trying to educate you.

Merry Christmas!

 

[xjmxtech]

I understand all of that. XJ used to be a stepping stone and now that the industry has turned around and no one is moving anywhere you think its the company's fault and now you want more pay. As far as the promise to get more pay in return from the consessions to get the avro's, make sure its in writing somewhere. I agree that its wrong what the company is doing but without anything in writing they are perfectly within their rights not to give you a "promised" raise, however it is bad labor relations. Lets be honest, you are not going to get a 20% raise when the rest of the industry is giving concessions, even NWA pilots came back to reality and are offering concessions. And if you hold out for 20% raise during a strike, I will see you at the unemployment line when you drive the company under, alot of good that did you.

 

[fly4ever]

XJmech,

IF Mesaba ceases to exist it will not be because of the pilots. That is a management decision.

If you are a member of AMFA then you know that the threat of a strike is the only power we have to effect an agreement. Don't fall for the tactics the management is using. They have a divide and conquer strategy and you sound like you have bought into it hook, line and sinker.

The regional industry is doing far better than you realize and we will not settle for something less than fair. A strike is not a done deal at this point, if management wants to come to the table with a reasonable offer than we will make progress, they have yet to make a reasonable offer. Their current offer would CUT my pay by over $3,000 dollars a year. That is unacceptable.

Merry Christmas

 

[fly4ever]

That was supposed to be to xjmxtech.

 

[FHTEAGLE]

Support Bump

Though I'm not "in the frying pan" with you all, I know how tough union-management things can be, especially when they are trying to squeeze water from a stone...

My support/bump to all the Mesaba pilots!

 

[choppengruven]

xjmxtech

I worked for XJ for over a year. They had flight attendants making more money than me. And I know for a fact that the maint techs made more than me. Yet I Paid my dues dearly to get there. How could you even argue this point. You should be supporting your working family and not criticizing them for trying to improve thier position. Ohh and please spare me the "this is the carreer path you chose crap" becuase that doesnt hold water here It's jibberish and means nothing. I have a right to support my family with decent wages just as you.

My support is with you guys and if the company goes down then so be it.

BUMP

 

[Ben Franklin]

I understand that you can't support a family on what a junior FO makes. But how are you going to support a family with no income at all?

It's called another job.

Any full-time job that pays 10 bucks an hour will give a former Mesaba F/O the same or greater pay per year.

**EXTREME SARCASM ALERT** Better not ask for anymore than that, though, or else you might bankrupt your new employer, too.**END OF EXTREME SARCASM**

xjmxtech, you need an education.

 

[cathal]

hey xjmxtech, why don't you go work for wal-mart where they don't have unions? then you'll never have to worry about people sticking up for themselves. Mesaba will not exist in its current form if we can stop it, and we will. Too bad for you, but I have zero sympathy for anyone who lets themselves be backed into the corner management wants us in.
Go get food stamps to feed your kids. Work 2 jobs to pay the mortgage, or sell the house. But don't blame me for asking for what I'm worth.
"Hey Mr. Pilot, please accept less than your worth so I can have a comfortable lifestyle." Fook off. Quit. Get out. Leave. I don't trust you to work on my plane. I'm serious. Get some balls, you kool aid drinking puss.
How dare you tell a group to wake up to the reality that they need to conceed pay to a group of individuals (management) who've taken what the workers have earned and created more wealth for only the managers. Want to lose your job to Big Sky along with the rest of us? Then knuckle under, you loser.

I have an idea. Why don't the mechanics bankroll what we're asking for? Then you could keep your job. Management would be happy, the pilots would be happy, and you would keep your job.

How dare you blame anyone but management for this. We don't deserve pay cuts, and thats all they offered. So we're striking to get the modest raise that all regional airlines have received since our last contract.

I wish I knew who you were. I'd spit on you.

 

[100LL... Again!]

Why don't you guys negotiate a bigger increase for the FO's, to narrow the gap a little, and extend the FO scale out to 7, or 10 years. Put the increase in the pockets of the guys who need it most. 0% for the FO's 10% for the CA's or something like that.

 

[xjmxtech]

I never said take a pay cut jacka$$. I said that a 20% raise is out of the question. Sure I think you deserve a 5-10% raise. You are not going to get anymore.

 

[Ben Franklin]

Geez, Ms. Parks.... You've already got the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments to the Constitution.

Take your seat in the back of the bus, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET ANY MORE...


Wow. I guess Mesaba Mechanics WON'T be honoring the picket lines, then?

wheew!

 

[xjmxtech]

We have no choice to honor the picket lines. We already got furlough notices effective when the strike starts. ALL OF US. We offered to walk the picket lines with you, your union said we could get you coffee and stuff like that. Screw that, you guys walk, I will see you someplace warm. Have fun picketing in January, gets a little cold in MSP

 

[Simon Says]

xjmxtech,

Ask your union negotiators how your negotiations are going. When you reach the end of your negotiations and need our support, I will be there 100%.

When you have only 1 choice and that choice is to strike I will be prepared. When management tells us that we are all losing our jobs because the MX guys want too much money I will know different.

Sir, our union has given everybody ample time to prepare for a possible work stoppage. This has been in the works for more than 2 years.

 

[fly4ever]

xjmxtech,

Remember, you made a career choice too. It was to be a part of an industry that is made of many different groups all interdependent on each other to some extent. If you don't like being connected to these other groups then you can make a different career choice just as you have suggested to us.

Good Luck

 

[dadawgs]

From another ASA supporter

Bump it up a notch!

 

[JJJ]

xjmxtech,

Mesaba mgmt has you right where they want you. It's called divide and conquer (sp). I've seen it before, mgmt will try and make the other employee groups think that they will be out of a job if the pilots go on strike. What you (as a union) need to do, is to go to Mesaba mgmt with your furlough notices and tell them that you will be happy to take a furlough if it helps the pilot, because they will show the same support to you.

Face it, you are scared. That is exactly what mgmt wants. You fell into their little trap and you don't even know it.

 

[fly4ever]

Shameless BUMP

 

[sf3boy]

XJMXTECH,

I understand your concerns for your job and for your family. Even if Mesaba paid double to all four crewmembers on the AVRO, the cost per hour increase would be less than $200/hr. Our pay is not going to close the doors. That being said, it is not the responsibility of the pilot group to ensure that all the mechanics, FA's and ramp agents have an income. I do not sign the paycheck that you cash. If I did, then your concern would carry more validity. Just remember, as someone earlier had said, we (the XJ pilot group) are going to support you and any other work group in the company during your (their) contract negotiations. I think our MX is tops and don't want a single one of you leaving for any reason. So, please, don't take your frustrations out on the pilots.....we are just tired of having the lowest pay scale in the industry, among many other things....

Merry Christmas to all!!!

 

[imakemfly]

I have to put it my 2 cents. I understand that a strike and making a stand is the "noble" thing to do. I do understand your reason for doing so. But I just want everyone to realize that if you strike and if you drive the company out of business that many people are going to be out of work. I for one have already received my furlough notice if a strike happens as well as all of the other AMFA members. I have no idea how I am going to pay for my kid's meals or my mortgage payment. I have been talking to many pilots with the attitude of "if the company goes under, I will just work at home depot, it pays more". Well I for one like my job at mesaba and would like to keep it. If you don't like it here then go and work at home depot, there are 10 for every one of you that would love to get the chance to work commercial aviation. Just because the industry sucks right now and no one is moving to the left seat as fast as they would like its not the company's problem to pay you more. Every single one of you were kissing as much ass and doing whatever it was to make it your dream and get that commercial job. Now that you are there you are talking so tough. Just think about the rest of us at mesaba that love our job and that have no where else to go if you strike.

Dear XJMXtech,

Are you Management trying to get the pilots to feel bad and maybe they will change their stance. Were you around when we were negotiating our contract back in 98. What is different? What would have happened if we would not have settled our contract? The pilots would have backed us 100%. Would you have settled to work for 12 dollars an Hour because the company is taking a stand. I don't think so. Its part of the airline industry and you need to live with it.
One more thing, There might be 10 of every pilot that wants to fly commercial, but none that are qualified and professional as the pilots that FLY Mesaba. There are also a couple thousand mechanics out there too. Look how many Northwest has laid off.
By taking that kind of stance you are also putting your job in jeopardy. The company just laid off 100% of the AMFA members. They cannot do that unless they do not plan on doing any catchup Maintenance. I am sure that is not the case, Management will be working on the planes. That is against your/our contract. You should focus your attention elsewhere.

Thanks,

Your local AMFA mechanic