PNCL management propaganda

[Blue Moon]

Sound familiar to anybody?

Dear Pinnacle Pilots:

We have received reports that the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) has filed a lawsuit on behalf of Pinnacle Pilots in federal court in Minneapolis challenging a bonus program instituted by the company to attract qualified pilots in an effort to address the pilot attrition that has affected our ability to staff the airline adequately and to perform our duties under our contract with Northwest. While the lawsuit is totally without merit, we feel it is necessary to let all of our People know what is happening with the pilot negotiations, which affects the future of all of us.

You may be wondering why ALPA is objecting to a bonus program for our newly selected pilots, and why has ALPA just stopped the company from putting in an immediate pay increase for junior first officers in our effort to retain pilots and reduce attrition which threatens to disrupt our operations? The reason is that ALPA believes that this increases their leverage in the negotiations and will force the company to agree to their unreasonable demands that would jeopardize the company's financial position and everyone's future.

Throughout these negotiations that began in 2005, we have taken every reasonable step to treat our Pilots fairly and to offer them a new contract with substantial wage increases and numerous work rule changes that they have requested. We have increased our offers several times when we were told that certain changes would close a deal. After those changes were made, the union representatives then said, sorry, we need more. Instead of trying to close the gap and move toward a deal, the union has kept increasing its demands and widening the gap. As a result, the company lost opportunity for flying 70 seat jets at Northwest, and then, even worse, lost 17 or our CRJ's to Mesaba because the pilot negotiations extended beyond deadlines set by Northwest. To illustrate, ALPA recently increased its pay proposal substantially to Express Jet wages plus 3%. Express Jet's existing wages are not competitive and Continental took over 60 airplanes away from Express Jet and awarded the flying to other carriers because of the high costs at Express Jet. We do not intend to agree to terms that jeopardize everyone's future, and create special treatment for one employee group.

Needless to say, we are very disappointed with the union's response to our efforts. We continue to believe that our Pilots are the best in the business. Our present contract with ALPA, which was ratified by an overwhelming majority of our Pilots, enabled us to become a CRJ operator, and provided wonderful growth opportunities and more job security for all of our People. The great performance by our Pilots, as well as our other People, created the operational excellence that allowed us to get the Delta Business.

We believe that our compensation policy to pay competitive wages is fair to everyone, and that it is one of the reasons that we have survived. We simply cannot sacrifice the future of all the other groups of employees for the short term benefit of one group. Presently, the situation is like a football game where we get to the goal line and ALPA leadership keeps moving the goal post. We will continue to deal with integrity with the intention of doing those things which protect our airline and all of our People.

Thanks for taking the time to read this letter and thanks for the great service that you give our customers every day.


Sincerely,

xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Vice President & General Manager
Pinnacle Airlines, Inc.

 

[PCL_128]

I think the esteemed "Vice President & General Manager" of Pinnacle Airlines, Inc. needs to take a basic grammar class at the local elementary school. The words Pilots, People, and Business were incorrectly capitalized. You would think that someone with such a fancy title could get basic grammar correct.

Glad to see that nothing has changed from these nimrods. The same old playbook of BS. It didn't work before, and it won't work this time. Keep up the good work, guys, and stand strong. Good luck with the picketing next week. I wish I could be there, but I'll be on reserve. Tell Phildo to go fu&^ himself for me.

 

[flyf15]

Sounds to me like someone is getting scared and feels like he's running out of options.

Not too well thought out of a move to try to blame and put down the employee group that has the most control over the success or failure of the airline. I think its time for you guys to start flying safe.

Are the rumors true that you'll be picketing in front of Delta Headquarters when your service there starts? That would be fantastic.

 

[redflyer65]

Forget the grammer....I lost track of how many outright lies are listed in that memo. Just last Monday we made proposals and they had NO reponse. Even for the following two days. How is that 'working' with your pilot group.The only thing that I can see the VP has done is...1. - Alienated his pilot group even more, which will bring them together.2. - Driven any possible new hires even farther from this place they call 'Skimply the Best'.They only thing that is going to threaten the future of our company is their BONUSES!FLY SAFE!

 

[USCtrojan]

Forget the grammer....I lost track of how many outright lies are listed in that memo. Just last Monday we made proposals and they had NO reponse. Even for the following two days. How is that 'working' with your pilot group.The only thing that I can see the VP has done is...1. - Alienated his pilot group even more, which will bring them together.2. - Driven any possible new hires even farther from this place they call 'Skimply the Best'.They only thing that is going to threaten the future of our company is their BONUSES!FLY SAFE!

Good luck you guys. I hope you can get a fair contract. Until then, FLY SAFE!

Trojan

 

[Flyer1015]

Yeah, those stupid, greedy, good-for-nothing pilots! It's all their fault!

 

[CoATP]

New CRJ 900's to be greeted by picketing in Memphis. Hi Phil ... going real well, huh. b.t.w. aren't you glad you negotiated to get Q400's and can be forced by Delta to buy more?

 

[TurboAWD]

That letter has even more lies and half-truths than usual for this mgmt group.

Turbo

 

[Quack]

Give Em Hell

 

[redflyer65]

What about the first part?

"We have received reports..."

I would think so when you are brought up in a lawsuit.

I think the company might be dead in the water on this one and they still don't get it.

Let's see, in section 6 negotiations there is to be no change in the 'status quo' of the operations.

Management throws bonuses to only a select pilot group. I'd say that's a difference in the status quo pay structure.

Not much of a stretch. I wouldn't say the lawsuit is unfounded. I'd say they are dead on.

 

[BCpilot81]

I find it amusing that these "Airline Professionals" and there golden parachutes resort to such blatent and downright crude forms of communication. Kudos for trying to pit every other group against the pilots though. To hell with em. Hold the line.

 

[redflyer65]

What's funny is that this type of propaganda worked much better before the internet..

We have instant access to real time truthful information. That couldn't have been done years ago.
Web forums, text messages and blast emails really show how untrue these type of memos are.

Really funny that the VP talks about Express Jet in particular. What a great regional to strive for. Thanks for everyone's support.

 

[Pilot124]

All of us pilots fell for this crap before and now look at the regional industry. Mgmt gets rich and all us pilots suffer with low wages and poor QOL. Enough is enough. Set the bar high boys.

 

[dondk]

We simply cannot sacrifice the future of all the other groups of employees for the short term benefit of one group.

that is because most of the other employee groups can't find a job elsewhere! Those who can, are long gone or leaving. Nonconnah is the only option for many of the employee's.. sad but true...

Short term benefit? I guess that means the NEXT contract they will be wanting concessions!

 

[arthompson]

I know for a fact that a lot of people are looking for jobs out of the industry because they have to stay in the area and can't/don't want to go to FDX.

 

[Windsor]

I think I may have chaffed my stinkhole, but I did manage to wipe my a$$ with the memo.

Nobody is buying into their absurd kool aid.

Wish I wasnt working tomm. so I could be there in MEM to picket the 900.

Thats gunna be a sight to see, hope someone takes a video and puts it up on youtube for all to see.

 

[Flyer1015]

CS is a real piece of work. How he can keep a straight face and put out a memo like that, is well beyond me.

 

[Flyer1015]

The saddest thing is when, in my new hire class, we had a talk about what would happen if there was a strike. I stated I'd support ALPA, and follow my fellow union members' steps. A few idiots actually stated they would fly and cross the picket line. Biggest reason given was "because of family and I need the money."

 

[Raskal]

This is getting ridiculous...good luck guys, keep fighting and stay together.

 

[PCL_128]

The saddest thing is when, in my new hire class, we had a talk about what would happen if there was a strike. I stated I'd support ALPA, and follow my fellow union members' steps. A few idiots actually stated they would fly and cross the picket line. Biggest reason given was "because of family and I need the money."

I hope you gave them the swift kick to the groin that they all deserved.