surplus1 said:
Didn't your pilot group vote to ratify that TA? If so, how can you say that your "union members" jammed it down your throat?
Yes the pilot group did get to vote, don't quote me,
but the numbers were somewhere in the upper
60's% wise for a yes to this. We were given less than
2 weeks to vote from the the original negotiations set
forth occording to our local union rep's.
And yes it was jammed downed our throats, I don't
blame APLA for this totally but do somewhat, I put
the majority of the blame on our local rep's. The
remaining goes to ALPA not realizing what has transpired
concerning regional pilots.
What our local did was tell our pilot group in a nut
shell, vote "Yes" or this company will be gone in 18-24
months. Big ALPA was NEVER PRESENT EVER...
I totally appreciate what COMAIR did during there strike,
my dues contributed to there strike pay.
However, knowing what we know now, look what happen
to the regional industry. No major will ever, or at least not
want to be crippled by a regional carrier again.
And yes I feel at ZW we did get "Deep Throated"
This is my opinon only, I believe the majority that
voted yes to our current TA trusted our current rep's
for they instilled the last contract and thought
this was best given UAL's position. Now we have bendt
over to satisfy, not only UAL's bankruptcy Judge and
UAL's Management. But to further fatten the pockets
of the current owners of Air Wisconsin.
As a former business owner, I understand where they
could be coming from; because I don't believe
the employees will never know how much control UAL
has over ZW. It doesn't matter, what is crucial in my
opinion is they are not being honest to the employees.
It's there choice, ZW is supposedly a private held
company with no vested interest in UAL other than
being there express carrier. I myself beg to differ.
Why should any UAX carrier take pay cuts when
the Senior V.P.'s of UAL still make up 20% of the
salary distributed and have yet to get a pay cut.
Who cares if ZW get's CRJ-700 or 900's.
Bigger equipment doesn't matter unless it's your between
the sheets. And even if ZW gets the CRJ-700's;
It'll still be 3 years till I'm making what I am now.
The whole regional industry as we know it; should
have shown strength rather than colors when COMAIR
had there strike. We all should have been on strike.
We now have another lesson learned in the Airline
Industry.
Let it not happen again...
While the Majors may dictate our pay, they should
never dictate our unity, ever. If one does the math,
the regional pilots as we know that are ALPA
members, those flying 1900's, SF's, Dash 8's,Do-328's,
CRJ's, EMB's and all that I didn't list, number over 7,000
pilots.
Excuse me, but if we all stood in unity like we should and
can. And stand behind each other, this industry can and
will change. Not just for the regional pilot, but the whole
industry as we know it.
The tide will change; as does the moon.
The next cyclic change in the airline industry has to
be for the regional pilot, we have to unite whether
your from ABC or XYZ.
That is all..