National Mediation Board: East and West -- Single Carrier Status

[MK82Man]

Into the Abyss we go ….


NMB Rules Single Carrier Status

The ruling from the NMB: East and West are operating as a single carrier.

USAPA is seeking a change in union representation for the US Airways pilots. US Airways management and USAPA asserted that both the America West and US Airways pilots constituted a single transportation system for purposes of union representation.

The NMB also concluded that USAPA will have 14 days from today (January 23) to submit authorization cards from at least 50 percent of the combined pilot group.

Following is the NMB’s conclusion:

“The Board finds that East and West are operating as a single transportation system for representation purposes under the RLA. Accordingly, USAPA's application in File No. CR-6926 is converted to NMB Case No. R-7147. Pursuant to Manual Section 19.6, the investigation will proceed to address the representation of the proper craft or class. USAPA and any other interested organizations have 14 days from the date of this determination to file an application supported by a showing of interest of more than fifty (50) percent of the single transportation system or to supplement the showing of interest in accordance with Manual Sections 19.601 - 19.603. The participants are reminded that existing certifications remain in effect until the Board issues a new certification or dismissal. See Manual Section 19.7.”

 

[MCDU]

The East has the numbers easily and it will be time to leave ALPA to the regionals.
The majority will have their say, USAPA all the way!!!!

Good luck
USAIR pilots EAST and WEST.

 

[ferlo]

How is USAPA going to function when nearly half of the "brothers and sisters" refuse to pay dues, and spend generations in court?

Good Luck is right.

 

[On Your Six]

Can someone spell out the implications of this ruling to the dumba$$es like me out here? What does this mean if you are an East pilot vs. a West pilot?

Should Netjets now expect more applications in the near future?????

 

[MCDU]

How is USAPA going to function when nearly half of the "brothers and sisters" refuse to pay dues, and spend generations in court?

Good Luck is right.

1/3 is more accurate. And with all the hiring it will be even more. I guess it is better then pissing off 2/3 of the group. 3600 East pilots by April.

 

[MCDU]

Can someone spell out the implications of this ruling to the dumba$$es like me out here? What does this mean if you are an East pilot vs. a West pilot?

Should Netjets now expect more applications in the near future?????

Well, it means the vote can go forward as planned. Majority will get to decide on will will represent them.

 

[luckytohaveajob]

The majority deciding is something ALPA does NOT know anything about.

ALPA is about minority screw jobs.

Screw ALPA!

 

[iflyhigh]

What does single carrier status mean to the East and West guys. Many things.

The vote for USAPA will be voted on by all pilots at mainline US Airways. Now this where everything gets real interesting.

Three outcomes are possible. Some better than others depending on who you are and your point of view.

First USAPA wins a majority, 50% plus one and becomes the new union. Probably good for East guys, makes them feel better. Good for West pilots, they get a raise in their paycheck due to no union dues. Or the West guys take their union dues and sue USAPA, over seniority. (Arbitrator's seniority list does not go away. USAPA has to go to court and prove to the judge the award is unfair. Again never has an arbitrator's award been thrown out.)

Second, ALPA gets 50% plus 1 and they remain on property. East guys are still mad, and a contract will never get voted in. Majority of West guys a happy, even though not 100% liking ALPA, but know a contract is years away.

Third, and nobody talks about this. Neither USAPA or ALPA get 50% plus 1 and we end up with no union at all. Have to wait 2 years, that right 2 years, to have another vote. Company still has to honor our contracts, but a new contract is at least 2 plus years away. Company is happy, because they can now railroad our contracts. East and West pilots are both pissed off. USAirways performance slip even further, we loose customers and in 3 years are in BK again, and possible looking at liquidation. Thus the East guys get what they keep saying, "If we don't get things are way, we will shut the airline done."

Time will tell which scenario gets played out. But in the end the employees I am sure are going to loose.

iflyhigh

 

[Tejas-Jet]

How is USAPA going to function when nearly half of the "brothers and sisters" refuse to pay dues, and spend generations in court?

Well...as we have seen nin the past, a pilot who refuses to pay his dues is terminated by the company as per the union agreement.

Said pilot may then sue whoever he feels has injured him...but he will be out of a job at that airline...pretty quickly.

Most pilots however, see the writing on the wall and make arrangements to pay up. Family...mortgage...kids in college....all play a part in said pilot's decision making process.

I saw this all happen with the ALPA assessmant during the Eastern strike. A certain group of pilots felt that they didn't want to pay....in the end...they did.

 

[Deadalus]

This is bright. If USAPA comes in the arbitration will still stand and if we merge again we'll be standing around with our pants down.