Outsourcing alert... UAL/Aer Lingus!!

[A-V-8]

O wait I just realized that there will be consequences. Some people on flightinfo will type bad stuff about you! O I am sure the apps will come to a screeching halt with this news.

 

[UALRATT]

This isn't just like Gojet for jobs! The differences are night and day. Yes they share the common theme of outsourcing but two things stand out here. First, this is “operated in conjunction with…” the ATI privileges our government granted to the code share alliance (read STAR Alliance) and second, these are premium, wide body airlift jobs that going to Aer Lingus and other EU unemployed pilots. Not to the rank and file American FAA pilots. Hence the need for all US pilots to come together on this vacuum cleaner.

I guarantee that unlike in Europe, they are no US pilots (minus the few expat out there) out of work that are current and qualified on the A330 but the story is different for the ton of A320 types pulling weekly unemployment checks. The JAA requirement is just that. To prevent them from getting EU jobs. A foreign company comes into town to hire but can’t fine qualified applicants domestically so they petition to import the jobs from elsewhere. Better known as "Sponsorship", a practice permitted within the labor and immigrations laws of the land. Years ago it was commonly used to hire from domestic helpers and farm laborers, to scientist and engineers, then expanded to nurses and the IT types. Now it's our turn and that’s where UAL comes in. So our government couldn't see beyond first row of trees on this one. Open Skies my a$$.

Even worse, us pilots can’t fight a common fight without becoming loyalist. Its was ALPA National with Frater (Continental Airlines) at the wheel and Continental MEC (think his name is Jay Pierce) who selfishly sold out the UALMEC’s movement to include job protections provisions in the UAL/CAL Anti Trust Immunity application last summer. Well if that isn’t something to really piss you off….

Maybe A320 types should all apply just to get the rejection letter (based on the job requirements) them collect them all and send the pile to the DOT, DOL, DOJ, your respective legislators, FAA, and ALPA National to witness history firsthand. Here is the website: http://www.aerlingus.com/cgi-bin/obel01im1/Services/usa10.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1262950765.1260157472@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccceadejdeiddlfcefecfigdffgdfkg.0&P_OID=0&Category=3So.

So regarding Gojet? That’s your future vaporizing right before your eyes.

UPDATE: This is the lastest, copied and pasted from a fellow furloughee. Let me reiterate in no uncertain terms. This is NOT just a United Airlines pilot problem. This is a collective United States Airlines pilot problem. You all need to add a bite to your bark and start chewing your part. From the Majors to the Regional and even the up and coming aspiring types, plan on days off in the month of March (more than enough notice). Any organizing will need your unequivocal support. More to come...


"Our MEC's latest info on the Aer Lingus operation from Dulles to Madrid:

Answer: The first step in the Aer-Lingus-United Airlines operation will be a code share, with Aer Lingus pilots and flight attendants operating an Aer Lingus A-330 on the IAD-MAD route. The aircraft will be pulled from unprofitable routes that Aer Lingus is abandoning, such as IAD-DUB and SFO-DUB. The 18 pilot positions were put out for bid and awarded to junior pilots on the Aer Lingus seniority list, working under wages, terms and conditions well below the existing provisions of Aer Lingus labor contracts. Unfortunately, the establishment of this operation at IAD is at least arguably permitted under the Aer Lingus pilots’ agreement. This initial step is scheduled to begin operation on March 28.
The second step will be the expansion of Step One’s code share agreement, with Aer Lingus operating two more A-330s from yet-to-be determined UAL hubs to secondary European markets. Step Two is scheduled to begin in 2011.

The third step will be the establishment of a separate, alter-ego airline, jointly owned by UAL Corp and Aer Lingus, with new aircraft and employees, scheduled for 2012. This is a page right out of Frank Lorenzo’s union-busting book of tactics, play-for-play exactly the same as his New York Air start-up in 1980.
The threat to our profession is obvious. There’s no logical or financial reason to service this route since for decades it’s been an unprofitable route. United and Spanair have both previously abandoned the route due to its financial shortcomings. Even Iberia is unable to sustain it on a daily basis. For any market to be profitable, there has to be feed at both ends. Prior to the EU’s airline deregulation, service-beyond from MAD was strictly limited. But the profusion of European low-cost carriers such as Ryan Air and EasyJet demonstrates that the EU is now rushing to embrace the US model of airline deregulation. Unfortunately—believe it or not—there are even fewer labor protections in the EU than we have here in the United States. There’s no longer any hindrance to starting airlines anywhere, any time in the EU, and, with 27 different sets of labor laws, capital is flowing to the new “flag of convenience”, the Republic of Ireland, because it has some of the most lax labor laws in the EU.

What are we doing to stop it? The UAL-MEC and ALPA National are using absolutely every resource available. We believe that this IAD-MAD operation is a violation of our contract scope language, and we have filed a grievance against Step One. Not surprisingly, the initial decision was rendered against us. We appealed this decision and requested an expedited System Board hearing, which was concluded on January 11. As is typical in major grievances, legal briefs will be filed by both sides. It will be at least a couple of months before a decision is rendered by the System Board.

The MEC Legislative Committee and ALPA Governmental Affairs are also pursuing Labor Protection Provisions legislatively. These efforts, along with the majority of federal legislation, have unfortunately been delayed until the Health Care Bill is resolved.

These ALPA committees continue to work in a coordinated effort to engage with the White House, as well as the Department of Transportation, to ensure that the politicians in Washington understand that the allure of new-hire jobs is meaningless if the result is a further loss of middle-class jobs.

We are also coordinating closely with the Irish and Spanish pilots’ unions and soliciting their support. Finally, and most importantly, we are committed to strengthening our scope language to prevent this or any future assaults against our flying. This isone of our top priorities in Section Six negotiations.

The first flight is scheduled to take place in less than four months. How likely is it that the operation will be stopped? At this point, we can’t say. However, while we are not at all pleased that United management has decided to go forward with this plan over our strenuous objections, we don’t consider Step One to be as much of a threat as Step Three, the establishment of an alter-ego airline. That’s when the real robbery and danger for long term damage begins.

What can you do to help? Remain informed and engaged. Soon, our Strike Preparedness Committee will be calling on all pilots and their families to attend rallies and pickets to mark the start of IAD-MAD service. Please make every effort to attend these events. Failure is not an option in the battle to stop the outsourcing of our careers."

 

[UALRATT]

I really did hear that thanks to the DOT, who MEL the requirements for two pilots, this will be the first ever single pilot FAR Part I Don't Know Operations based in the United States and that rumor seems to hold much water since they are only looking for FOs.

The Irish: "American Captains! You are not worth the paper you wipe with. Irish captain are superior and should rightfully inherit their place in the cockpit of any Aerlingus aircraft".

Hey "pilotyip"! Bet you didn't see that one coming in your defeatest little brain. AND you "REZ"! It was the lack of leadership in ALPA that "deep six" any chance of a finely tuned grass root effort to address this issue last summer when the old fart from Continental took the high road.

Lets see if the American aviators have what it takes. Instead of blasting the comments here on FI, I like the previous idea of posting your thoughts to the recruitment web site. Any takers?

UPDATE: This is the lastest, copied and pasted from a fellow furloughee. Let me reiterate in no uncertain terms. This is NOT just a United Airlines pilot problem. This is a collective United States Airlines pilot problem. You all need to add a bite to your bark and start chewing your part. From the Majors to the Regional and even the up and coming aspiring types, plan on days off in the month of March (more than enough notice). Any organizing will need your unequivocal support. More to come...


"Our MEC's latest info on the Aer Lingus operation from Dulles to Madrid:

Answer: The first step in the Aer-Lingus-United Airlines operation will be a code share, with Aer Lingus pilots and flight attendants operating an Aer Lingus A-330 on the IAD-MAD route. The aircraft will be pulled from unprofitable routes that Aer Lingus is abandoning, such as IAD-DUB and SFO-DUB. The 18 pilot positions were put out for bid and awarded to junior pilots on the Aer Lingus seniority list, working under wages, terms and conditions well below the existing provisions of Aer Lingus labor contracts. Unfortunately, the establishment of this operation at IAD is at least arguably permitted under the Aer Lingus pilots’ agreement. This initial step is scheduled to begin operation on March 28.
The second step will be the expansion of Step One’s code share agreement, with Aer Lingus operating two more A-330s from yet-to-be determined UAL hubs to secondary European markets. Step Two is scheduled to begin in 2011.

The third step will be the establishment of a separate, alter-ego airline, jointly owned by UAL Corp and Aer Lingus, with new aircraft and employees, scheduled for 2012. This is a page right out of Frank Lorenzo’s union-busting book of tactics, play-for-play exactly the same as his New York Air start-up in 1980.
The threat to our profession is obvious. There’s no logical or financial reason to service this route since for decades it’s been an unprofitable route. United and Spanair have both previously abandoned the route due to its financial shortcomings. Even Iberia is unable to sustain it on a daily basis. For any market to be profitable, there has to be feed at both ends. Prior to the EU’s airline deregulation, service-beyond from MAD was strictly limited. But the profusion of European low-cost carriers such as Ryan Air and EasyJet demonstrates that the EU is now rushing to embrace the US model of airline deregulation. Unfortunately—believe it or not—there are even fewer labor protections in the EU than we have here in the United States. There’s no longer any hindrance to starting airlines anywhere, any time in the EU, and, with 27 different sets of labor laws, capital is flowing to the new “flag of convenience”, the Republic of Ireland, because it has some of the most lax labor laws in the EU.

What are we doing to stop it? The UAL-MEC and ALPA National are using absolutely every resource available. We believe that this IAD-MAD operation is a violation of our contract scope language, and we have filed a grievance against Step One. Not surprisingly, the initial decision was rendered against us. We appealed this decision and requested an expedited System Board hearing, which was concluded on January 11. As is typical in major grievances, legal briefs will be filed by both sides. It will be at least a couple of months before a decision is rendered by the System Board.

The MEC Legislative Committee and ALPA Governmental Affairs are also pursuing Labor Protection Provisions legislatively. These efforts, along with the majority of federal legislation, have unfortunately been delayed until the Health Care Bill is resolved.

These ALPA committees continue to work in a coordinated effort to engage with the White House, as well as the Department of Transportation, to ensure that the politicians in Washington understand that the allure of new-hire jobs is meaningless if the result is a further loss of middle-class jobs.

We are also coordinating closely with the Irish and Spanish pilots’ unions and soliciting their support. Finally, and most importantly, we are committed to strengthening our scope language to prevent this or any future assaults against our flying. This isone of our top priorities in Section Six negotiations.

The first flight is scheduled to take place in less than four months. How likely is it that the operation will be stopped? At this point, we can’t say. However, while we are not at all pleased that United management has decided to go forward with this plan over our strenuous objections, we don’t consider Step One to be as much of a threat as Step Three, the establishment of an alter-ego airline. That’s when the real robbery and danger for long term damage begins.

What can you do to help? Remain informed and engaged. Soon, our Strike Preparedness Committee will be calling on all pilots and their families to attend rallies and pickets to mark the start of IAD-MAD service. Please make every effort to attend these events. Failure is not an option in the battle to stop the outsourcing of our careers."