POLAR vs. ATLAS

[furloughfodder]

cfire,

This seems to be very similar to what happened during the Polar strike. If you remember, Atlas Worldwide Holdings OWNS ALL THE AIRPLANES. They can transfer them between the companies when it suits them to do so. They are not your personal planes.

How can you say the Polar MEC had any control over the transferring of 5 airplanes to Polar during the Atlas 'strike that never was'? Atlas Worldwide holdings was going to transfer the planes to Polar and the pilot group at Polar had no power to stop them. Are you really delusional enough to believe that Bob F. actually stole these planes from you somehow?

If you remember, when we went on strike Atlas Worldwide Holdings transferred 4 airplanes over to Atlas DURING the 30-day cooling off period (violating status quo by the way...but that is another thread). You don't see the Polar pilots complaining that the Atlas pilots STOLE OUR airplanes do you? Or the fact that you are operating as ACMI 7-10 flights a week for Polar AS WE SPEAK! Polar does not operate a single ACMI contract for Atlas, yet 1/3 of the flying Atlas does tomorrow will be under the Polar call sign.

The sooner you realize that you are being manipulated not by the Polar pilots, or the Polar MEC, or ALPA National, BUT by Atlas management the sooner you will step back towards reality.

So, there is the truth about what happened 4 years ago....and the truth about why a third of the Atlas crew members refused to support Polar this summer.

Like someone else said, you guys should have been looking for reasons not to cross, instead you were finding every possible way to sneak around any line we put up. Why would you guys be laying down on the floors of the vans and taping cardboard to the windows if you didn't feel what you were doing was wrong?

Go.

 

[furloughfodder]

Some of the more recent documents/MP3's recently released on current events if you missed them from before CLICK HERE

Thanks for posting these (although I do miss the picture you had up of the girl).

Everyone please take note of TRO2.pdf and the top of PAGE 9 of said document.

That is the part were the judge told the Atlas crewmembers they need not cross ANY of the Polar picket lines as per their CBA.

Again, thanks cfire for posting these documents. It saves me having to look them up.

 

[DHC2 Driver]

Everyone please take note of TRO2.pdf and the top of PAGE 9 of said document.

That is the part were the judge told the Atlas crewmembers they need not cross ANY of the Polar picket lines as per their CBA.

Everyone don't forget to compare the TRO with TRO 02. There were almost three days there where Atlas Pilots HAD to cross any and all picket lines as ordered by the judge. Typical of you furlough fooder to only tell people to focus on half the facts.

 

[camper1159]

Good Evening Crewmembers, this is MEC Chairman Bobb Henderson with a VARS message for January 26, 2006.

Crewmembers, your MEC was very disappointed to hear Atlas MEC Vice Chairman John Caputo’s January 13 VARS message. That message was rife with distortions and, in some cases, outright falsehoods. You can judge for yourselves whether this rant is worthy of a professional airman and the sort of communication that one union member should put out concerning fellow union members. It would be possible to prepare a lengthy response refuting point by point the unfounded accusations in Mr. Caputo’s message. For the present, however, your MEC has chosen not to engage in a public “he said/she said” argument with another pilot. To do so would be unproductive and counter to your interests.

We all acknowledge that the relationship between the Atlas and Polar crewmember groups has been very strained since we were acquired by Atlas Worldwide Holdings in 2001. These difficulties persist to this day. We must also never forget, however, that we face a common enemy, a hostile management that attempts to provoke conflict between the two crewmember groups as a means of driving down the pay and work rules of both. We cannot permit management’s “divide and conquer” strategy to succeed. For better or worse, as long as our management goes forward with its plan to merge Atlas and Polar, we must exert every effort to build and preserve a united front in the upcoming negotiations.

On Tuesday, January 24, I appeared before the ALPA Executive Council. I told the council that the Polar crewmember group believes it is critical to find a process for airing and resolving once and for all the animosities between our two crewmember groups. I am pleased to report that the Executive Council and the national officers agreed and are now actively at work setting up such a process.

To demonstrate our good faith commitment to pursue a positive and durable working relationship with our fellow crewmembers at Atlas Worldwide Holdings, we will attempt to maintain a professional and positive tone in our communications with you. Our responsibility to you to seek the best possible outcome in the pending merger process demands no less.

PAC MEC Chairman
Bobb Henderson

 

[camper1159]

Good Evening Crewmembers, this is MEC Chairman Bobb Henderson with a VARS message for January 26, 2006.

Crewmembers, your MEC was very disappointed to hear Atlas MEC Vice Chairman John Caputo’s January 13 VARS message. That message was rife with distortions and, in some cases, outright falsehoods. You can judge for yourselves whether this rant is worthy of a professional airman and the sort of communication that one union member should put out concerning fellow union members. It would be possible to prepare a lengthy response refuting point by point the unfounded accusations in Mr. Caputo’s message. For the present, however, your MEC has chosen not to engage in a public “he said/she said” argument with another pilot. To do so would be unproductive and counter to your interests.

We all acknowledge that the relationship between the Atlas and Polar crewmember groups has been very strained since we were acquired by Atlas Worldwide Holdings in 2001. These difficulties persist to this day. We must also never forget, however, that we face a common enemy, a hostile management that attempts to provoke conflict between the two crewmember groups as a means of driving down the pay and work rules of both. We cannot permit management’s “divide and conquer” strategy to succeed. For better or worse, as long as our management goes forward with its plan to merge Atlas and Polar, we must exert every effort to build and preserve a united front in the upcoming negotiations.

On Tuesday, January 24, I appeared before the ALPA Executive Council. I told the council that the Polar crewmember group believes it is critical to find a process for airing and resolving once and for all the animosities between our two crewmember groups. I am pleased to report that the Executive Council and the national officers agreed and are now actively at work setting up such a process.

To demonstrate our good faith commitment to pursue a positive and durable working relationship with our fellow crewmembers at Atlas Worldwide Holdings, we will attempt to maintain a professional and positive tone in our communications with you. Our responsibility to you to seek the best possible outcome in the pending merger process demands no less.

PAC MEC Chairman
Bobb Henderson

 

[bman]

message deleted

 

[furloughfodder]

Everyone don't forget to compare the TRO with TRO 02. There were almost three days there where Atlas Pilots HAD to cross any and all picket lines as ordered by the judge. Typical of you furlough fooder to only tell people to focus on half the facts.

Okay, you got me. This is true, there was a three day period where the judge ordered you to cross the picket lines, and you will not find a single Polar pilot that holds you responsible for anything during those THREE DAYS.

What is your excuse for the remaining 2 weeks?

 

[B747-300]

You Polar guys just can't seem to get anything right...............

The standard to "scab list" someone is, rightfully, quite high. Sources familiar with what's going on in Polar's underhanded quest to deflect blame for their failed strike say the original number of 160 accused is now down to just over a dozen.

The honorable way out of this for the Polar MEC would be to apologize to all Atlas crews and move along. We know they're not capable of that!

 

[furloughfodder]

The standard to "scab list" someone is, rightfully, quite high. Sources familiar with what's going on in Polar's underhanded quest to deflect blame for their failed strike say the original number of 160 accused is now down to just over a dozen.

I would love to see that number down to a dozen. Believe me, I would love to see it at zero!

Also B747-300, I have a quick question for you. You always talk about how stupid it was for Polar to go on stirke, and how it failed. You mention this in almost every post. So, your position is quite clear: we should have taken the very first offer that the company gave us. Correct? Will you be this "agressive' when it comes to your own contract? Or the joint contract? Or are you the type that always just takes the first offer management provides?

 

[cfire]

Furloughfodder


How can you say the Polar MEC had any control over the transferring of 5 airplanes to Polar during the Atlas 'strike that never was'? Atlas Worldwide holdings was going to transfer the planes to Polar and the pilot group at Polar had no power to stop them. Are you really delusional enough to believe that Bob F. actually stole these planes from you somehow?

and

Also B747-300, I have a quick question for you. You always talk about how stupid it was for Polar to go on stirke, and how it failed. You mention this in almost every post. So, your position is quite clear: we should have taken the very first offer that the company gave us. Correct? Will you be this "agressive' when it comes to your own contract? Or the joint contract? Or are you the type that always just takes the first offer management provides?

First off, there was a mutually agreed upon set of struck work rules between us. Fell wanted relief from it right before we were going to be release to strike. Not days before, minutes.. Atlas had already moved about 4 A/C over to Polar as punishment some time before (and the subsequent furloughs 170) flying the same AMC stuff we were already flying. We knew we couldn't do anything about that, but we had a struck work agreement that looked good until Bob F. changed his mind at the last few minutes.

BTW Bobb Henderson was calling us Scabs when Atlas moved those same 4 A/C back over to us as punishment before your cooling off period started. Same picture your trying to paint just reversed. You couldn't do anything about that just like we couldn't and there were no Polar struck work rules to fall back on. The Polar struck work rules came out the day before or on the date of the strike for Polar.

Second, what is worth going on strike for? That is up to you and your council. You have many things to consider and figure out the tradeoffs. Considering that Polar only generates 7% of the revenues at AAWH (even after ALPA National checked the figures and Henderson knew it) just what kind of leverage did you think you had. Atlas being a different airline just like UPS or FedEx wasn't going to just shut down their own flying although we did in ANC, MIA, and FAI until the court ordered us back. Did any other carrier do that or honor you picket lines? Not! All in all, the offer on the table before was more than what you got in the end in total dollars after loosing signing bonuses and such. You rolled the dice and came up snake eyes. I'm sorry about that loss. Now you are looking for the scape goats at Atlas.

Below is chopped up some due to the inability to embed images here.
Click here for full page and images


A fine example of how NOT to have a legal picket.
http://pws.prserv.net/usinet.cpt747/IMGP0274.JPG

All we asked was for Polar to meet the requirements of the No Strike Agreement. The Polar MEC was fully aware of it's content due to the fact that they had the gall to complain about it right after they were willing to scab our flying when we had our TA. Check out the last half of paragraph 1. We needed a legal picket line. We already had one fired for not crossing a questionable picket and many many more who were not getting paid when refusing to cross these questionable pickets. Has Polar ever demonstrated the will to do anything close to helping Atlas Pilots? NO, only a willingness to fly our A/C and ACMI contracts.
http://pws.prserv.net/usinet.cpt747/nostrikeagreement1.jpg


As a side note, Jeff Erickson CEO has just made an announcement that he will be retiring. That's Atlas Air speak for Terminated.

 

[Whale Pilot]

Focus purchasing assets of Polar?

Has anyone heard that Focus Air is in the running to purchase the assets of Polar?

 

[B747-300]

fodder:

Our chance to improve the pay, terms and conditions of both groups went out the window when Polar crews accepted a contract extension rather than negotiate at the same time as Atlas. You made it easy for management to whipsaw all of us and my expectations are now very low.

If you had a legitimate beef with some Atlas crews you should have acted professionally and responsibly:

1. Don't agree to "back to work" language that prohibits retaliation against Atlas crews if you have no intention of complying with the agreement.

2. Keep your feelings private. Don't publish a list or call anyone a scab until the process is complete.

3. Have someone impartial within ALPA examine all the evidence.

4. If the very high burden of proof is met, file charges.

5. ALPA will conduct an Article 8 hearing for those charged.

6. If the charges are upheld, then and only then is that individual a scab.

No Atlas crewmember will ever make it onto any official scab list when all is said and done. You know that and so does your MEC. What you guys have done only makes your council look like a bunch of bitter little boys.

 

[Whale Rider]

Has anyone heard that Focus Air is in the running to purchase the assets of Polar?

Suuure!!!! Along with: Astar, United and um.....UPS.

 

[cfire]

I failed to link the letter from V.P. J. Cato at Atlas initiating a grievance on Polar violating the "Return to Work" agreement with Duane Woerth. Probably Mr. Cato just trying to minimize Atlas management exposure.

Click Here for PDF

 

[furloughfodder]

As a side note, Jeff Erickson CEO has just made an announcement that he will be retiring. That's Atlas Air speak for Terminated.

For once we agree. It is probably for his bungle and enormous loss of cash during the Polar strike. Now, if we can just get rid of CATO!

Also, I would LOVE to see where you get this made up 7% figure. What a joke. If Polar gets sold off, I think Atlas will last about 6 months. Our routes and scheduled service are the gem of the airlines. Without Polar, Atlas is no different than Focus, Southern, and Tradewinds. (Nothing against those companies).



I can make up figures too. How is this:

POLAR MAKES UP 65% of ATLAS WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS TOTAL REVENUE. .

Prove me wrong. Kinda hard when they trade on the Pink Sheets isn't it?

Here is todays article:

----------------------------------------------------------

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. Sees Full-Year 2005 Pretax Income in Excess of $125 Million, Year-End Cash in Excess of $300 Million
Monday January 30, 9:00 am ET
Jeffrey H. Erickson, President and Chief Executive Officer, to Retire Later in 2006


PURCHASE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 30, 2006--Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (AAWW) (OTC: AAWW.PK - News), a leading provider of global air cargo services, said today that it expects to report pretax income in excess of $125 million on revenues of approximately $1.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2005. In addition, AAWW said that its cash and cash equivalents, which totaled $133.9 million at December 31, 2004, rose to approximately $305 million at December 31, 2005.

Final results for 2005, including results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2005, are expected to be released by mid to late April 2006.
Commenting on AAWW's preliminary figures, President and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey H. Erickson said: "Our strong performance in 2005 benefited from the relatively full utilization of our aircraft and higher unit revenues in all four of our service types.


AAWW also announced today that Mr. Erickson has elected to retire later this year. At such time, Mr. Erickson will also retire as President of AAWW's subsidiaries, including Atlas Air, Inc. and Polar Air Cargo, Inc. Mr. Erickson will continue in his position for the near term and will be actively involved in the selection of his successor, as well as a transition period thereafter. He will also remain on the Company's Board of Directors.


"After 38 years in the industry, I am now ready to move back to my home in Arizona and on to the next chapter of my life, with the satisfaction of knowing that I have helped put the Company back on track to continuing and sustained profitability," Mr. Erickson said. "I also look forward to working with the Board of Directors to help identify my successor, working through a smooth transition, and in participating in the strategic direction of the Company as a continuing member of the Board of Directors."


Mr. Erickson has served as AAWW's President and a member of the Board of Directors since March 2003, and was elevated to CEO in January 2004. Mr. Erickson's leadership was key to guiding AAWW through a quick emergence from bankruptcy on July 27, 2004, with minimal disruption to its operations. Mr. Erickson subsequently established a number of strategic initiatives focused on maintaining safe, efficient and streamlined operations, restoring and sustaining profitability and rebuilding stockholder value.


"Jeff's experience and leadership played a vital role in helping lead the Company up to and through its successful Chapter 11 restructuring in 2004, and the profitable period thereafter," said Gene Davis, Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors. "We thank Jeff for his continuing contributions and expect that he will continue to be a valuable contributor as a director of the Company."

 

[furloughfodder]

fodder:

Our chance to improve the pay, terms and conditions of both groups went out the window when Polar crews accepted a contract extension rather than negotiate at the same time as Atlas. You made it easy for management to whipsaw all of us and my expectations are now very low.

Again, you show your lack of knowledge. How can we negotiate at the same time as Atlas? The merged contract will be decided by an arbitrator, not negotiations. That is why we wanted to get our contract pay as close to yours as possible, so when the arbitrator mergers out two CBAs they are both as high as possible. That's why it baffles me that you wanted us to take the first offer on the table.

If you had a legitimate beef with some Atlas crews you should have acted professionally and responsibly:

1. Don't agree to "back to work" language that prohibits retaliation against Atlas crews if you have no intention of complying with the agreement.

It is an independent board that is investigating the 'scab' situation. Not the MEC.

2. Keep your feelings private. Don't publish a list or call anyone a scab until the process is complete.

I agree 100%, that is why you have never seen me call any Atlas pilot a scab. I have said several times on here that I hope ZERO PERCENT of the 160 Atlas guys they are investigating are found innocent.

3. Have someone impartial within ALPA examine all the evidence.

4. If the very high burden of proof is met, file charges.

5. ALPA will conduct an Article 8 hearing for those charged.

6. If the charges are upheld, then and only then is that individual a scab.

Points 3-6 are the process that is taking place right now. No one is calling anyone a scab yet. They are all being investigated. I hope none of them are shown to be scabs.

So I guess your answer to my question is that we should not have negotiated (after our contract had expired 2 years ago) and just taken the first offer the comapany put on the table?

 

[Classicdriver]

Also, I would LOVE to see where you get this made up 7% figure. What a joke. If Polar gets sold off, I think Atlas will last about 6 months. Our routes and scheduled service are the gem of the airlines. Without Polar, Atlas is no different than Focus, Southern, and Tradewinds. (Nothing against those companies).



I can make up figures too. How is this:

POLAR MAKES UP 65% of ATLAS WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS TOTAL REVENUE. .

If this prediction is as good as the one Bobb (with two B's) made of AAWH folding within seven days of your strike, I feel mighty secure. I know, I know, its all Atlas's fault. Polar has Atlas to blame all bad things that don't go their way on. All good dictators have someone to blame and redirect focus on when they faulter.

65% of the revenues and 90% of the expense.

And where do you get that 30% of Atlas flying is Polar? I see two planes flying for Polar. One of them, not full time?

 

[DHC2 Driver]

confused

Furloghfeeder
Sorry but you are conveniently confused. The 3% that the polar guys accepted en mass two and a half years ago to allow the company to negotiate with us separately is what -300 is talking about. It would have been better for all of us had you not done that. Then we all would have gone into negotiations at the same time. Don't you think there was a reason the company offered it to you? They didn't want to chance that we would be in the cooling off period close to the same time. They didn't want us to support each other - and as you can see from cfires posts, Bob Fell played right into their hands. But it took all of you voting in the 3% to allow him to do that. THAT is why many Atlas pilots feel you sold them out early as well as often.

Your "independent" board is NOT independent. It is paid for by your MEC, the staff was picked by your MEC, and all the postage and expenses were paid by your MEC and it is comprised of "surprise" Polar pilots. In fact all the letters were post marked from Washington DC the same time Bobbbb was there. I guess your definition of independent is similar to your defining a picket lne as one vehicle with a sign on the windshield.

The ONLY person that has the authority in ALPA to label someone a scab is Duane Woerth. I wonder, if you are so intent on investigating this, if your committee will find the names of the UPS pilots that crossed your line at the Marriott and attempt to label them scabs. Or how about the teamsters drivers that unloaded Atlas cargo in ORD - are you going to try to investigate and label them? They drove cargo you claim was Polars and crossed your lines and delivered it to the warehouse. I know a few teamsters - I would like to see you try to call them a scab over this. But you can't, because just like it wasn't an Atlas strike, it wasn't their strike, IT WAS YOURS. And just because the teamsters decided not to honor your picket line and just like UPS decided not to honor your Marriott picket line doesn't mean you can label them scabs. So what did Atlas guys do different?

By the way did you know you went on strike for FOUR percent. The company and your negotiating committee were THAT close to a deal - FOUR percent!! You lost ground by not taking the companies last best offer - if that isn't evidence to you that HerndersonHairFell have their own agenda then you are a lost cause.

 

[B747-300]

"I hope ZERO PERCENT of the 160 Atlas guys they are investigating are found innocent."

That's what's known as a Freudian slip. Did you mean to say you hope zero percent are found guilty??

"It is an independent board that is investigating the 'scab' situation."

You mean the Strike Breakers Committee?? They are the bitterest little boys of all. One of the guys who you "Snake Listed" has given me some hints about who is on this committee. I hope to have the names posted here soon.

Besides, I said there needs to be someone IMPARTIAL handling the investigation. There's a big difference between impartial and independent. And you can't really call them independent anyway, as they were formed by a vote of your council and they receive council funds and support.

Please try to remember that one of your bitter little boys already posted the full "scab list" on PPRuNe.

"So I guess your answer to my question is that we should not have negotiated (after our contract had expired 2 years ago) and just taken the first offer the comapany put on the table?"

You should have been smart enough to know you had very, very little leverage. Without any leverage, your failure was assured.

"Again, you show your lack of knowledge."

Get with the program! You guys sold-out more than two years ago. We could have negotiated at the same time long ago if your council hadn't been overcome by greed. You blindly followed Bob F then and his influence is still destroying your council today.

Speaking of Bob F, isn't he being investigated for misusing ALPA funds? You and your union brothers will never get anywhere until you purge this guy (and the parrot head he hand-picked as his replacement) from any position of influence.

 

[cfire]

furloughfodder

Also, I would LOVE to see where you get this made up 7% figure. What a joke. If Polar gets sold off, I think Atlas will last about 6 months. Our routes and scheduled service are the gem of the airlines. Without Polar, Atlas is no different than Focus, Southern, and Tradewinds. (Nothing against those companies).

I got the 7% revenue from Jeff McDonald at ALPA National. Your are over confident of the value of your Polar routes and schedules. Just like when you went on strike and when we were in bankruptcy with Polar owing Atlas @$140 million plus 10 million per month ongoing operations after filing.

B747-300
Speaking of Bob F, isn't he being investigated for misusing ALPA funds? You and your union brothers will never get anywhere until you purge this guy (and the parrot head he hand-picked as his replacement) from any position of influence.

Yes he is. The one charge I know of is he has been using his ALPA cell phone as the primary contact number for his charter operation in ANC. I believe they found it listed in the yellow pages there also. How typical. Knowing ALPA, they will probably just make him pay and call it quits. I was quoted a number but can't remember if it was for one month or a few, so I won't comment on it except that it would be a felony in my state for theft of services.