rumor that mng't wants cal to extend

[tie1on]

just heard from a friend of mine that management want's to extend their contract. say it isn't so

 

[Captain X]

January 10, 2007

Fellow Pilots,

Last week, Continental management approached the Association with a request to ask the MEC to consider discussing the possibility of sliding the amendable date of CBA ’02 for a period of up to twenty-four months (Dec. 31, 2010). In consideration for such a change, management stated a willingness to discuss a limited number of issues which currently impact our pilot group, under our current contract. This process should not be confused with Section 6 openers.

It was specifically stated that changes to scope would not be considered for discussion in this process. Further, PBS would continue to be handled as a stand-alone issue, not related to these discussions.

On Tuesday, Jan.9, your MEC, including the newly elected Houston and Cleveland local council representatives, discussed the issue, conferred with ALPA advisors from representation and E&FA, deliberated and then unanimously decided to listen further to the company’s proposals. The MEC instructed Negotiating Committee Interim Chairman, Capt. Jay Pierce, to engage the company on this matter in a preliminary manner. A copy of the resolution is attached.

Areas suggested by the company for discussions and possible improvements included
1) An immediate increase to A-Plan funding
2) Immediate return of the B-756 crew rest/safety seat
3) Future wage increases
4) Other ‘irritants’ unspecified in the initial conversation/request

The specific items under consideration for discussion have not been determined. We anticipate that talks may begin in the near future, but no specific timeline was offered or suggested for this process. I know that many of you will have questions. Please know that these initial, exploratory talks will be out in the sunshine, with as much information as possible provided to the pilot group.

Last, I would like to report that the MEC also added F/O Jim Kingman to the Negotiating Committee, for the purposes of these meetings. F/O Bryan Green was also added as an adjunct committee member for purposes of retirement and insurance related subjects.

More information will be provided as the process moves forward. Please continue to monitor the website https://crewroom.alpa.org/calmec and ensure you are properly signed up to receive important blastmail updates.

Fraternally,

Capt. Dave Earnest
CAL MEC Chairman

 

[General Lee]

Could that be due to a possible hook up with UAL? To have predictable wages during a transition or merger? Sounds like it.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[catIIIc]

Could that be due to a possible hook up with UAL? To have predictable wages during a transition or merger? Sounds like it.


Bye Bye--General Lee

Yep..

 

[tomgoodman]

Timing

Another possible reason: managements always desire to extend a concessionary contract when they smell big profits ahead. Waiting until the unions smell them too would lead to demands for wage and benefit restoration.

 

[HalinTexas]

I say talk to them, but everything is a trade for equal or better value to the pilot group.

 

[Ex737Driver]

Could that be due to a possible hook up with UAL? To have predictable wages during a transition or merger? Sounds like it.


Bye Bye--General Lee

I'm not quite sure I understand what you are getting at. We already have predictable wages (current contract) and it seems from the blastmail that the company is attempting to pacify us with somewhat higher wages before the real profits begin. The current wage scale is higher than UAL's and is second only to AMR's. Our MEC has and will be after several outstanding problems, the main one being the 756 crew rest seat, A-plan funding (which UAL does not have), as well as everal other issues listed as "irritants". As far as doing this for a merger, it would seem that keeping the current wage scale would be preferable to managment rather than raising it and thus having to bring UAL up to a higher scale if a merger occurs.

 

[Captain X]

I'm not quite sure I understand what you are getting at. We already have predictable wages (current contract) and it seems from the blastmail that the company is attempting to pacify us with somewhat higher wages before the real profits begin. The current wage scale is higher than UAL's and is second only to AMR's. Our MEC has and will be after several outstanding problems, the main one being the 756 crew rest seat, A-plan funding (which UAL does not have), as well as everal other issues listed as "irritants". As far as doing this for a merger, it would seem that keeping the current wage scale would be preferable to managment rather than raising it and thus having to bring UAL up to a higher scale if a merger occurs.

Yeah...and besides, everyone thinks they just flip a switch and BAM! we're merged overnight. Just like USAir and AWA.

 

[Tejas-Jet]

Best of luck to all the CAL guys/gals. Only you can decide what is best for you. Hopefully, you get what you need

Tejas

 

[Deerkiller]

think creditors...

If we have a contract through 2010 then the labor for the pilots is settled until then. It could be a way of appeasing those that would want to throw money at a CAL/UAL merger. Not sure when UAL's contract is up, but i would be willing to bet it's around 2010.

 

[007]

An immediate increase to A-plan funding.........

Why would you offer something that by law you're required to do anyways?

 

[tie1on]

why fund the a-plan? only to appease the senior pukes who screwed the junior pilots who don't get an a plan. screw the a -plan. only the senior guys get anything from that. the junior guys don't get squat. another way for the senior to eat their young. screw the senior guys,,,


they sold the junior guys on pos 02

 

[Yuppyguppy]

UAL contract expires I believe now it is January 09' used to be May '09. Correct me if I'm wrong though and were getting pissed!

 

[EWR_FO]

Another possible reason: managements always desire to extend a concessionary contract when they smell big profits ahead. Waiting until the unions smell them too would lead to demands for wage and benefit restoration.

Too late.

 

[SonicPig]

why fund the a-plan? only to appease the senior pukes who screwed the junior pilots who don't get an a plan. screw the a -plan. only the senior guys get anything from that. the junior guys don't get squat. another way for the senior to eat their young. screw the senior guys,,,


they sold the junior guys on pos 02

Are you saying the junior pilots do not have an A Plan? If not, then what do you guys have? What seniority is the cutoff?
I've wondered how the pilots of a merged airline could tolerate some with an A Plan and some without.

The Pig.

 

[EWR_FO]

why fund the a-plan? only to appease the senior pukes who screwed the junior pilots who don't get an a plan. screw the a -plan. only the senior guys get anything from that. the junior guys don't get squat. another way for the senior to eat their young. screw the senior guys,,,


they sold the junior guys on pos 02

They are legally obligated to fund the A-plan, they are not doing it to be nice. I'm not sure why the A-plan was even brought up in the letter and not the B-plan. Incidentally, there was a significant number of "junior guys" who voted for this contract because they were worried about being furloughed. I'm not saying it was right or wrong, but the whole thing only passed by 300 votes.

 

[Deerkiller]

by bringing up the A plan they are securing the vote of some of our short sighted "Special needs" group.

But you're right they have to fund it....

 

[ReverseSensing]

think creditors...

If we have a contract through 2010 then the labor for the pilots is settled until then.

Except that under the RLA, with a 2-3 year period in Section 6 negotiations, the labor costs are basically already settled through 2010.

 

[Deerkiller]

Except that under the RLA, with a 2-3 year period in Section 6 negotiations, the labor costs are basically already settled through 2010.

and IF it gets extended then it's locked up through 2012. That would be nice, a concession contract for 7 yrs. I'm sure mgmt is licking their chops.

Either way this isnt good. I hope we can muster enough strength to fight for either significant improvements or tell them to pound sand.

 

[Captain X]

Every CAL pilot needs to dust off their copy of Flying the Line Vol II and read pages 149-176.

Read it, and re-read it until it sinks well in to your gray matter.

Then start comparing it to your perception of today.

 

[acbarney]

Are you saying the junior pilots do not have an A Plan? If not, then what do you guys have? What seniority is the cutoff?
I've wondered how the pilots of a merged airline could tolerate some with an A Plan and some without.

The Pig.

Anyone hired after the contract (02) was signed has no A plan. Anyone on property when the contract was signed in spring 05 has a frozen A plan. Most of the FO's here either have no A plan or an essentially worthless A plan. There is a decent B plan for everyone although from my seniority challenged position I would like to see a significant increase to that percentage as opposed to increased A funding (thats required by law anyway).