NWA Recalls MEC Chairman

[NWANFO]

MEC Reps Recall MEC Chairman

The MEC’s 12 voting representatives voted (6-5-1) today to recall MEC Chairman Capt. Mark McClain. The recorded vote was 2,508 for the recall, 1,413 against, and 813 abstained.

MEC Vice Chairman Bill Bartels will be acting MEC Chairman until the MEC Chairman election Friday morning.


The damage is gone, but at least LEC Reps did the right thing and got rid of him.

 

[Occam's Razor]

The MEC is a bunch of cowards. At the special meeting they held last month to recall him, they were met by 100+ line pilots that told them to "grow up" and back off of the recall.

They did.

Then they hide-out during this meeting away from the pilots, and ambush McClain.

Pure cowardice!

 

[PCL_128]

Any word on the likely successor? Does Captain Miller have the votes this time with McClain out of the picture?

 

[NuGuy]

Occam,

Funny, I don't recall the numerous MEC meetings where LOAs were approved, such as the one's allowing management to "flex up" while pilots were on furlough (multiple times, I might add), being characterized as "hidden away".

The 100+ number of pilots probably felt that way because, oh, I don't know, we were in the middle of the most contentious vote in NWA pilot history, and they didn't want to make a bad situation worse.

But now that they see that the fears propogated by the "the pension isn't linked, ooops now it is, vote this down and it's armegeddon" widebody crowd were completely unfounded, they probably feel a bit different.

This MEC meeting was held in the same fashion as every other one, and now this is hiding away?

Boy, the hatchet job on the FO rep in MSP was defeated and now this...gosh, what's next? Maybe MSP isn't the center of the universe after all? Could this be? Nah...

Whatever...why don't you try to spin something else more believable...like high time doesn't affect staffing ...

Nu

 

[eaglefly]

Interesting.

However, not only has the horse already left the barn, he's bounded over the fance and galloped out of the corral never to be seen again.

The bottom third of the pilot group are future Compass regional pilots (those who stay). The rest are pole vaulting back 15 years and will eventually see their pension sacked.

Just like U, in 3-4 years the bottom pilot will be a reserve 320 F/O with about 15 years seniority making about 75K (in 2010 dollars) and a handout for a pension.

Oh well, It WAS a great dream while it lasted, eh ?

The only NWA pilot who will make out good, is Commisar Duane at 600K, pension, options, great health care, company (luxury) sedan etc., etc.

He smiles a lot, because he's a multimillionaire AND he dodged the bullit at his former campfire.

At least one guy there found "the dream"..................of course it meant shafting the remainder.

 

[tailhookah]

Hopefully the actions of the furloughed pilots will tell the current NWA pilots that we don't give a $hit about coming back... unfortunately this will be clouded by the hoard that will chomp at the bit to take up the slack to come and "work" at a legacy for 27 bucks an hour... a pay cut even for the burger flippers...

Tail

ALPA... how you've let us all down...

 

[bravodude]

keep drinking the blue juice

 

[FDJ2]

MEC Reps Recall MEC Chairman

The MEC’s 12 voting representatives voted (6-5-1) today to recall MEC Chairman Capt. Mark McClain. The recorded vote was 2,508 for the recall, 1,413 against, and 813 abstained.

Why now?

 

[81Horse]

Because heads must roll every time a contract is ratified. This is a particularly ugly contract, so ...

Also, I suspect the recent chumminess of McClain and Steenland, as they press for the Pension Reform legislation rider, has inflamed sensibilities.

Really, why not now? It was doomed to happen.

 

[dbrownie]

Occam,

Funny, I don't recall the numerous MEC meetings where LOAs were approved, such as the one's allowing management to "flex up" while pilots were on furlough (multiple times, I might add), being characterized as "hidden away".

The 100+ number of pilots probably felt that way because, oh, I don't know, we were in the middle of the most contentious vote in NWA pilot history, and they didn't want to make a bad situation worse.

But now that they see that the fears propogated by the "the pension isn't linked, ooops now it is, vote this down and it's armegeddon" widebody crowd were completely unfounded, they probably feel a bit different.

This MEC meeting was held in the same fashion as every other one, and now this is hiding away?

Boy, the hatchet job on the FO rep in MSP was defeated and now this...gosh, what's next? Maybe MSP isn't the center of the universe after all? Could this be? Nah...

Whatever...why don't you try to spin something else more believable...like high time doesn't affect staffing ...

Nu

Nu;

The next stunt will be to try to implement the contract early by a
"side letter" that will be the last pro company move they can make
thus cementing a position with nwa mgt.

or not!

Dave B

 

[Occam's Razor]

This MEC meeting was held in the same fashion as every other one, and now this is hiding away?

Yup. Motions to close the meeting so no pilots could attend. Attempts to make the balloting secret so that no pilots would know how their reps voted. A 5-hour secret caucus (no pilots allowed) to plot the ambush.

Not exactly the "same fashion".

Boy, the hatchet job on the FO rep in MSP was defeated and now this...gosh, what's next? Maybe MSP isn't the center of the universe after all? Could this be? Nah...

You need to get better information before you put your foot in it. None of the motions to recall were even introduced at the MSP meeting.

 

[320AV8R]

The bottom third of the pilot group are future Compass regional pilots (those who stay).

Can you provide a source for you assertion?

Do you even work at NWA; been to any meetings, or received anything in the mail?

I thought so.

The rest are pole vaulting back 15 years and will eventually see their pension sacked.

Any source for this claim?

Have you spoken with the Director of Crew Planning, or the ALPA rep involved in SCOPE / Crew compliance? (I have).

Have Congressmen been e-mailing you, relating how the Pension legislation was dead in the water?

Have you received any updates regarding the progress of this legislation; where it is in Committee, & an anticipated time frame that action will be taken on it? (I have).

I thought not.

320AV8R

 

[NuGuy]

You need to get better information before you put your foot in it. None of the motions to recall were even introduced at the MSP meeting.

Same thing. It was on the agenda, and when the redbook dudes pushing for this travesty saw it was a quagmire, they didn't even show.

Nu

 

[Cobraair75drvr]

The previous vp of ops SCAB(for those that don't know he is the only one who went to work during our 98 strike) was leading the charge against MSP Fo Rep. did not have the guts to show. He let someone else carry in his dirty work. ....edited to remove personal information. the union leadership claimed he is not a SCAB because he donated his paycheck (only after the uproar).

 

[Schwanker]

The MEC is a bunch of cowards. At the special meeting they held last month to recall him, they were met by 100+ line pilots that told them to "grow up" and back off of the recall.

They did.

Then they hide-out during this meeting away from the pilots, and ambush McClain.

Pure cowardice!

Occam,

As I recall, it was decided that it was not appropiate timing for a recall to take place during the vote. If they wanted to recall McClain, they would wait until after the vote. It was the timing that was the issue, not the recall!

On a second note, the MEC voted to recommend a neutral position on the TA. McClain ignored his mandate and used ALPA funds sending out Ziplines supporting the TA (which he was later reprimanded for). The official ALPA information on the TA was extremely lopsided in support of the TA and far from a neutral stance. Fear tactics dominated the MEC message to the pilot group. The fear of IMPOSITION, LIQUIDATION, and LOSS OF PENSION was a very strong theme in every message from the McClain / Dollaway team.

Apparently, everything they said was proven wrong. The financials were much better than anyone would have tought. McClain decided not to share this information with the members (the PFAA did). The Flight Attendants proved that managemant could not immediately impose a contract. They also proved that management would go back to the table. They also proved non-ratification would not result in an imminent liquidation. Also, it is very questionable that the pension will be saved even though the "message" to the members was that voting against this TA was a vote against your pension.

I think there are many members who already have "buyers regret" for this TA. I believe the 63% vote was largely swayed by 2 issues. 1) The effective fear mongering in the official ALPA communications prior and during the voting process, and 2) members were turned off by the timing of the initial recall effort.

McClain, through his personnal actions and via his leadership (many would argue lack of leadership), did a grave disservice to the NWA pilot group (my opinion, which I am entitled to!). If the members of ALPA feel that we would be better served with new leadership, this process is 100% legitimate. By the way, it is no secret as to which member voted which way on the recall. It is also ironic that some members who say "we need a change in leadership" voted not to recall McClain. Are they talking about DW?

My opinion - McClain is far too friendly with management and is far more interested in looking out for a specific segment of the seniority list--not so interestsed in the whole seniority list. I have a feeling you're going to disagree. Hopefully you do so in a civil manner--maybe I'm misreading you, but you seem fairly emotional about this issue.

I certainly hope we see a change for the better,
Schwanker

 

[NuGuy]

Occam,

As I recall, it was decided that it was not appropiate timing for a recall to take place during the vote. If they wanted to recall McClain, they would wait until after the vote. It was the timing that was the issue, not the recall!

On a second note, the MEC voted to recommend a neutral position on the TA. McClain ignored his mandate and used ALPA funds sending out Ziplines supporting the TA (which he was later reprimanded for). The official ALPA information on the TA was extremely lopsided in support of the TA and far from a neutral stance. Fear tactics dominated the MEC message to the pilot group. The fear of IMPOSITION, LIQUIDATION, and LOSS OF PENSION was a very strong theme in every message from the McClain / Dollaway team.

Apparently, everything they said was proven wrong. The financials were much better than anyone would have tought. McClain decided not to share this information with the members (the PFAA did). The Flight Attendants proved that managemant could not immediately impose a contract. They also proved that management would go back to the table. They also proved non-ratification would not result in an imminent liquidation. Also, it is very questionable that the pension will be saved even though the "message" to the members was that voting against this TA was a vote against your pension.

I think there are many members who already have "buyers regret" for this TA. I believe the 63% vote was largely swayed by 2 issues. 1) The effective fear mongering in the official ALPA communications prior and during the voting process, and 2) members were turned off by the timing of the initial recall effort.

McClain, through his personnal actions and via his leadership (many would argue lack of leadership), did a grave disservice to the NWA pilot group (my opinion, which I am entitled to!). If the members of ALPA feel that we would be better served with new leadership, this process is 100% legitimate. By the way, it is no secret as to which member voted which way on the recall. It is also ironic that some members who say "we need a change in leadership" voted not to recall McClain. Are they talking about DW?

My opinion - McClain is far too friendly with management and is far more interested in looking out for a specific segment of the seniority list--not so interestsed in the whole seniority list. I have a feeling you're going to disagree. Hopefully you do so in a civil manner--maybe I'm misreading you, but you seem fairly emotional about this issue.

I certainly hope we see a change for the better,
Schwanker

Dang Bro,

WELL SAID.

On another note, I think the angst you are seeing from certain personages of the MSP variety stems from the fact that they may have realized that the sun does NOT, in fact, revolve around MSP.

I mean, if it did, wouldn't it be warmer there?

MSP has always had a "us against the barbarians" attitude (very similar, I might add, to the population of Minnesota at large), with DTW and MEM being the great unwashed. ANC, SEA and HNL were always tolerated because they were just more widebody votes in their pocket.

The only good thing that ever came out of MSP was me, when I moved out of there.

Nu

 

[jetflier]

Dang Bro,

Ouch!

Although I have never set foot in MSP other than to go to the "Ice Palace",...Your assertion gives new meaning to the term,
"Minneapolis Nice".

And I thought they didn't talk to me because of the extra garlic on my pizza. Geeze!


WELL SAID.


PS Ever wonder what they do during all those long and cold winters?................................................................................................................who gives a $hit!




On another note, I think the angst you are seeing from certain personages of the MSP variety stems from the fact that they may have realized that the sun does NOT, in fact, revolve around MSP.

I mean, if it did, wouldn't it be warmer there?

MSP has always had a "us against the barbarians" attitude (very similar, I might add, to the population of Minnesota at large), with DTW and MEM being the great unwashed. ANC, SEA and HNL were always tolerated because they were just more widebody votes in their pocket.

The only good thing that ever came out of MSP was me, when I moved out of there.

Nu

;wergj;wlerjhg;owerirjhgp;ow4itjhg;ow4it5jhghop;w4itjhg;ow4itg[opw4i5tjgo4i5jg;opwi45jgopqw4i5jgh;opiwq4j5gh;owi4j5tgh;oiw4j5tgh;owi4j5tgh;oiw4jn5tgh;oiw4jn5

 

[NuGuy]

;wergj;wlerjhg;owerirjhgp;ow4itjhg;ow4it5jhghop;w4itjhg;ow4itg[opw4i5tjgo4i5jg;opwi45jgopqw4i5jgh;opiwq4j5gh;owi4j5tgh;oiw4j5tgh;owi4j5tgh;oiw4jn5tgh;oiw4jn5

Give that man another beer!

Although I have never set foot in MSP other than to go to the "Ice Palace",...Your assertion gives new meaning to the term,
"Minneapolis Nice".

And I thought they didn't talk to me because of the extra garlic on my pizza. Geeze!

On a related note, I found that if I wore a DVD copy of the movie "Fargo" around my neck, like a big medallion, most of the natives would recoil and flee, not unlike the reaction of vampires to a cross.

Nu

 

[Wildmanny]

As a Blue redtailer, I have to say that McClain being replaced shouldn't be viewed as a negative and that all the rest of the Blue guys should rejoice! Maybe they'll get some representation now.

Change isn't a bad thing and the Red guys have had the ball for far too long. This fragmenting that you're all talking about between groups, domiciles, etc. is poisoning NWAALPA and whomever takes over should do whatever they can to fix all the rifts. It goes against what unionization is about and has not helped in this latest round of concessions.

Woerth should be next...

 

[dbrownie]

Give that man another beer!




On a related note, I found that if I wore a DVD copy of the movie "Fargo" around my neck, like a big medallion, most of the natives would recoil and flee, not unlike the reaction of vampires to a cross.

Nu

Nu;
If we ever start to hire again "Fargo" needs to be part of the new hire packet.

I saw the movie after working for nwa and suddenly things made sense.

Dave B

 

[dbrownie]

I think there are many members who already have "buyers regret" for this TA. I believe the 63% vote was largely swayed by 2 issues. 1) The effective fear mongering in the official ALPA communications prior and during the voting process, and 2) members were turned off by the timing of the initial recall effort.

Schwanker;

I don't think any of the big egos at nwalpa will ever admit that the Fa's

took the company to task and brought them back to the table.

I have respect for their single minded effort with mgt.

Too bad we will have to live with ours for the next 6 years.

Dave b

 

[WillowRunVortex]

Apparently, everything they said was proven wrong. The financials were much better than anyone would have tought. McClain decided not to share this information with the members (the PFAA did). The Flight Attendants proved that managemant could not immediately impose a contract. They also proved that management would go back to the table. They also proved non-ratification would not result in an imminent liquidation. Also, it is very questionable that the pension will be saved even though the "message" to the members was that voting against this TA was a vote against your pension.

I think there are many members who already have "buyers regret" for this TA. I believe the 63% vote was largely swayed by 2 issues. 1) The effective fear mongering in the official ALPA communications prior and during the voting process, and 2) members were turned off by the timing of the initial recall effort.

So,,,will the NWA pilot group vote in the PFAA as its representative union now? I would certainly think so now that the PFAA have proved that they are the only Union representation on the property over there that has their head pulled sufficiently far enough out of their a$$es to see clearly and represent ALL of its members in good faith.

I supported the PFAA on this board a year ago and was thoroughly thrashed for it on here. Was told they had their heads up their a$$es and didn't stand a chance against NWA management.


BWWWAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA,,, always did enjoy having the last laugh!

HA!