More ASA mediation sessions

[SiuDude]

Two sessions will be held on May 17th and 18th in Washington D.C.

Looks like we're on track to have an industry-leading contract by 2011 for our 6 RJs that will remain at that time.

 

[~~~^~~~]

Joe scooped that info. Wow.

 

[Sinca3]

All:

Earlier this year, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) requested a proffer of arbitration. As a result, the National Mediation Board (NMB) met with ALPA on April 4 in Washington, D.C. and then met separately with Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA) on April 11. The intent of the meetings was for the NMB to decide whether it believes ASA and ALPA can reach agreement on a contract through the mediation process. Five of 31 sections remain open in ASA’s pilot contract: Section 1 – Scope; Section 2 – Definitions; Section 3 – Compensation; Section 18 – Instructor pilots; Section 27 – Retirement and Insurance.

As a result of the individual meetings in April, the NMB today scheduled further mediated negotiating sessions with ASA and ALPA in Washington on May 17 and 18. This is a good opportunity as ASA remains committed to coming to agreement on a contract that is fair to you, our hard-working pilots, and that enables ASA to be a strong and viable regional carrier for decades to come.

Thank you for what you do every day on our front lines for ASA and for each other.

-Bryan

 

[rausda27]

Does anyone truly believe anything will come from more sessions?

 

[rausda27]

Yawn....

 

["GO AROUND"]

2 more sessions for the company to propose their last proposal again on both days. I used to be hopefully optimistic, now I'm a pessimist.

SSDD!!! It's kinda like beating your head against the wall until you finally get tired of the squishing sound.

 

[jstyle13]

Did they stipulate what happens after the two sessions where nothing will most likely get done? What then???

 

[TOOL CRIB]

I'm willing to bet the company has some pressure from the NMB to get it done in these last two sessions. I'm really hoping they got the "you get two more sessions to wrap it up, but that's it" speech. Of course, ALPA probably doesn't know this for sure but they probably have a hunch. I guess we'll find out in two weeks!

 

[Crash Pad]

I'm guessing two more sessions... Followed by two more sessions. Meeting with the NMB then... two more sessions.

 

[outtahere]

This blows, I want to watch Bryan squirm while a 30 day cooling off period ticks away. I also want to see ole Jerry run over to the Morman temple and plead with the elders to do something with those troublesome ASA pilots.

 

[av8er2]

This is old, I guess that is why I am looking for another job. The lack of respect mgt. gives the pilots is quite amazing.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

Does anyone truly believe anything will come from more sessions?

Management gets our services at '02 labor rates for a few more months.

 

[crjskipper]

how do you know the mediator didnt tell the union to get it done or get parked - it goes both ways.

 

[79%N1]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

I'm bored with the whole thing.

 

[Scott Holl]

The NMB is not putting any pressure on us. It is more than apparent that we have been trying to get a fair deal finished for years. It is ALPA that is being unrealistic. Hopefully ALPA will come to the table with realistic demands and we can get back to growing an airline where everyone prospers.

If it was not for us ALPA would have priced ASA out of existence ... which they still may try and do.

Scott ... the real one

 

[SiuDude]

Scott ... the real one

Uhuh,

ok, where was the Chicago Express crew lounge at MDW?

 

[Scott Holl]

I could tell you stories of running the airline from my basement, but that is besides the point.

Delta is very specific about where ASA needs to be, ALPA is ignoring that fact. If ASA goes away, I am looking for a new job myself. This is not management BS, just the cold hard truth.

Scott ... waiting for the "impostor" to chime in

 

[MoroniMetro]

Nothing will happen until the ASA pilots start to help themselves. Delta will not tolerate a slow-down. It would be in their best interest to get our contract signed. If Skywest Inc. could find enough pilots to replace us they would, but they can't. We have to slow it down. Write it up, taxi slow, and stop using cell phones. We will have a contract within a week! This opportuniy will not last long.

 

[ACL65PILOT]

Fact is that with the two sides 10 Million apart there is not way that the union will be released. Sorry that is the cold hard truth. If you want that to happen you better wait until Jan of '09 when there is a new boss in DC.

 

[crjskipper]

moronmetro - delta wont tolerate an increase in cost either. look around - pinnacle and continental have accepted delta flying for close to or a loss. why do you think there are so many other connection carriers in atl? delta learned from comair and wont let that happen again.

if we demand the highest rates in the industry - we are finished.

what makes you think the mediator hasnt told the union to get this finifshed or else.

 

[HarryParatestes]

The NMB is in the companies pocket. Two more sessions followed by two more sessions then NMB says "Get this done or two more sessions".

 

[ohplease!]

The NMB is in the companies pocket. Two more sessions followed by two more sessions then NMB says "Get this done or two more sessions".

now you're catching on...

 

[John Pennekamp]

Nothing will happen until the ASA pilots start to help themselves. Delta will not tolerate a slow-down. It would be in their best interest to get our contract signed. If Skywest Inc. could find enough pilots to replace us they would, but they can't. We have to slow it down. Write it up, taxi slow, and stop using cell phones. We will have a contract within a week! This opportuniy will not last long.

Bingo! Everyone needs to quit whining on Flightinfo and do something about it!

 

["GO AROUND"]

moronmetro - delta wont tolerate an increase in cost either. look around - pinnacle and continental have accepted delta flying for close to or a loss. why do you think there are so many other connection carriers in atl? delta learned from comair and wont let that happen again.

if we demand the highest rates in the industry - we are finished.

what makes you think the mediator hasnt told the union to get this finifshed or else.

Pilot costs won't even matter cause our managment can't fix the performance side of things. Delta will drop us cause of that long before pilot costs come into play. Delta is looking for the best service for the least amount of money and right now we have the worst performance with the least amount of money. How long do ya think that's gonna last?

 

[John Pennekamp]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The pilots were given a chance and did not fully rise to the occasion in showing the company we mean business. The MEC needs to take this into account, show some leadership, and close this deal so that we can realize the quality of life improvements this contract offers and get a minor pay raise.

The MEC needs to drop its table position for a large -200 raise with retro, and take the company's pay proposal, in exchange for binding scope. Then wrap this thing up and send it out for ratification. If it passes it passes. If it fails, then go for broke. But SOMEONE needs to break this stalemate.

The NMB gave them an embarassing defeat by saying no proffer again. The ball is now in the union's court. They can let the company continue to drag this out, or they can take the blinders off and realize they have been defeated by politics and power.

I know they're reading this. What's on the table is not concessionary, it's just less than expectations. Get some scope, and wrap it up!

 

[Tarzan]

Delta is looking for the best service for the least amount of money and right now we have the worst performance with the least amount of money. How long do ya think that's gonna last?

I keep hearing guys beating the same drum in regards to this. Have you looked at Freedom's numbers? Our numbers glow by comparison.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The pilots were given a chance and did not fully rise to the occasion in showing the company we mean business. The MEC needs to take this into account, show some leadership, and close this deal so that we can realize the quality of life improvements this contract offers and get a minor pay raise.

The MEC needs to drop its table position for a large -200 raise with retro, and take the company's pay proposal, in exchange for binding scope. Then wrap this thing up and send it out for ratification. If it passes it passes. If it fails, then go for broke. But SOMEONE needs to break this stalemate.

The NMB gave them an embarassing defeat by saying no proffer again. The ball is now in the union's court. They can let the company continue to drag this out, or they can take the blinders off and realize they have been defeated by politics and power.

I know they're reading this. What's on the table is not concessionary, it's just less than expectations. Get some scope, and wrap it up!

Agreed. I hope you talk about this issue in the crew room in this comtext. Give us something to vote on.

 

[JoeMerchant]

Pilot costs won't even matter cause our managment can't fix the performance side of things. Delta will drop us cause of that long before pilot costs come into play. Delta is looking for the best service for the least amount of money and right now we have the worst performance with the least amount of money. How long do ya think that's gonna last?

Feb. DOT statistics for cancellations - percentage of flights cancelled:

CMR: 10.61%
MESA: 7.43%
Pinnacle: 6.36%
ASA: 5.35%
Skywest: 4.89%

Now what were you saying?

 

[av8tor4239]

I find it funny that we just got a memo from BL that says:

"Performance trending in a positive direction like we’re seeing will not only increase ASA’s competitiveness within the regional airline industry, but it will also put more dollars in ASA people’s pockets through our Performance Plus rewards program. And I know that many of you are anticipating yet another payout within a couple of weeks.

Since the launch of Performance Plus last year, ASA has been profitable enough to share earnings with our non-contract people a total of four times – once following each quarter of 2006. As we approach the date that SkyWest, Inc. will publish its earnings for 1Q07, ​

​

I’m pleased to announce that we have modified the program to provide even larger rewards going forward."

I just dont get it.. non contract employees dont have to be cost competetive, but the contract employees have to be cost competetive and take concessions​

 

[crjskipper]

av8 - it's not that hard to understand. non-contract employees arent demanding higher wages and new work rules - we are. non-contract employees dont automatically get yearly pay increases - we do.

oh - and dont forget - the company has offered profit share (in return for pbs) to us.

there are a lot of improvements in the new contract that i want now. i dont want to wait another 6 months in the vain attempt to become the highest paid in the industry.

i also dont want to be a sacrificial lamb for alpa national.

and now we cant complain about asa management and the ramp since delta is even more responsible for our performance.

you cant have it both ways...

 

[79%N1]

crjskipper....I'm with you. We've made gains in this contract, especially in QOL. We've got a much improved scheduling and reserve section (which at the time negotiations started most ASA pilots claimed was the most important section to them) duty rigs, minimum day, commuter clause, and a bonus program offered. I would like to see these gains, along with some binding scope or job protection ----- AND GET IT DONE! People on both sides of this need to know, ALPA National is now driving this ship, and steering our officials into leading us to slaughter! Call your rep and let them know how you feel, or they are going to continue this push for our industry leading trophy contract in their desire to enlist Skywest and Colgan pilots!