Skywest, It's time to unify

[Splert]

...

Mr or Ms boeing76,

How long have you worked at SkyWest?

Good day

 

[Skywest Pylot]

Boeing76,

I would also like to know how long you have been with SkyWest. Well.........we're waiting!

 

[Gr82Aviate]

I think Boeing 76 is a dipspatcher, not a flight crewmember and therefore shouldn't be giving us his "2 cents worth"!!

 

[boeing76]

Mr or Ms boeing76,

How long have you worked at SkyWest?

Good day

I don't see the relevance to the post, but to answer your question, going on 3 years. I am concerned because whatever the pilots do affects the rest of the company. I realize that my words are not going to change the minds of thousands of pilots, but I am entitled to my opinion. I only know of one union that has worked for an airline and that is WN. Herb approached the pilot group and encouraged them to unify but with Skywest and other airlines I have been with in the past, the threat of union is to intimidate management. This is just too volatile of an industry to bankrupt a company. Think for a moment if UAL strikes because of the pension issue. It is a travesty that they have all lost their retirements but if they walk then the company most likely would liquidate. There would be a huge influx of airline employees on the street trying to get work and there wouldn't be enough positions. To me, that gives Skywest the upper hand. They know that there aren't enough jobs available out there so you have to decide...take what you have or attempt to start over.

I am sure that the union vote will pass this time. There has been a lot of discontent amont the pilots. At least I can say I got my opinion out. Nothing more to say here. I am leaving this lynch mob while I still have my running shoes on.

 

[Skywest Pylot]

Boeing 76,

I understand your concern but I do not believe that a union will destroy SkyWest. Personally I support building a relationship with management similar to Southwest. Unions can and do work if run correctly. Many of our pilots (myself included) are completely fed up with SAPA. It is nothing more than a mouthpiece for management. We voice our suggestions and concerns and it goes in one ear and out the other. We just want to put balance back in the relationship rather than continue to have things shoved down our throat. A union at Skywest is inevitable now lets work on doing this thing right.

 

[ArcticFlier]

I don't see the relevance to the post, but to answer your question, going on 3 years. I am concerned because whatever the pilots do affects the rest of the company. I realize that my words are not going to change the minds of thousands of pilots, but I am entitled to my opinion. I only know of one union that has worked for an airline and that is WN. Herb approached the pilot group and encouraged them to unify but with Skywest and other airlines I have been with in the past, the threat of union is to intimidate management. This is just too volatile of an industry to bankrupt a company. Think for a moment if UAL strikes because of the pension issue. It is a travesty that they have all lost their retirements but if they walk then the company most likely would liquidate. There would be a huge influx of airline employees on the street trying to get work and there wouldn't be enough positions. To me, that gives Skywest the upper hand. They know that there aren't enough jobs available out there so you have to decide...take what you have or attempt to start over.

I am sure that the union vote will pass this time. There has been a lot of discontent amont the pilots. At least I can say I got my opinion out. Nothing more to say here. I am leaving this lynch mob while I still have my running shoes on.

MD,

No one is trying to bankrupt SKYW, but at what point do you say, 'you know what, that thing needs a tournequet?' I've seen things go downhill here in the last few years, and apparently no one seems to give a rats ass about it in SGU. From ready reserve (that is rarely used, but required o crew members coming off a trip), to the -700 out of seniority training going on to staff ORD (TDY would have covered that nicely (it's in the roll of toilet paper we call a policy manual), but would have cost the company money, so screw seniority), loss of COLA, being told to 'deal Capt Holt an ace, we won't regret it (-700 flying for -200 rates. Bald-faced lie too if you ask me), bucket system reserve (out of seniority), an insult of a pay raise proposal(1.2%) with no QOL improvements, PBS (if the pairings suck, it doesn't matter what I bid, it all sucks), do I need to go on? What, in Dispatch have you seen that compares to this?

You may ask around, but I know of quite a few dispatchers that quietly hoped we would have organized last time around. Apparently, no one in dispatch has the balls to get things rolling on their own. Wait for someone else to jump first, paving the way for them (you). Too close to the koolaid cooler, maybe? A union at SKYW doesn't have to be adversarial, but management is doing a fine job of that on their own. Notice there is no union.....................yet you mention discontent (adversarial relationship with management) among the pilots. Gee, I wonder who started that? Us? I don't think so. Who has been dragging this whole thing out with the pilot group? Could it be the same person that told us to 'deal' Holt the ace?

You need to do some research before you accuse anyone of being 'embittered'. I'm not. I'm just tired of some of the crap coming out of SGU via SAPA with the associated excuses.


AF

 

[ArcticFlier]

I think Boeing 76 is a dipspatcher, not a flight crewmember and therefore shouldn't be giving us his "2 cents worth"!!

He's entitled to his opinion, but maybe it should come with a dispatch point of view? I would be interested to know how content the dispatchers are with the way things are in their realm.

AF

 

[Morning Wood]

I think Boeing 76 is a dipspatcher, not a flight crewmember and therefore shouldn't be giving us his "2 cents worth"!!

Absolutely. Since a union on the property only has ramifications
for the pilots, no other employee group is entitled to say anything
or be concerned. I for one wish you guys would just vote a
union in and be done with it instead of this sabre rattling that goes
on every two years.

 

[ArcticFlier]

Absolutely. Since a union on the property only has ramifications
for the pilots, no other employee group is entitled to say anything
or be concerned. I for one wish you guys would just vote a
union in and be done with it instead of this sabre rattling that goes
on every two years.

We're trying..................


AF

 

[SkyWstman]

Managment has brought this company to the point where a union is absolutely
necessary. Ya can only kick the dog so many times before it bites back. As far as adversarial relationship, it's been here for a long time. There are too many things to mention but the biggest one for me is the TA that they never intended to make good on. My understanding is that two days after the vote a pilot had someone from management in the jumpseat and they said they never intended to go back and separate the payscale for the 50 and 70 seaters. That's adversarial. They are laughing all the way to the bank with your money and mine.

 

[AGuyThatFlys]

Magneto sprack:

I couldn't agree more with surplus. I'm a relatively new guy at SkyWest and I have been served the kool-aid. Boy did it taste good but I soon realized what I was tasting.

Jason, is that you?

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Thoughts on this thread.

Skywest pilots are riding in the wake forged ahead by unionized pilots. It is time to stand up like men and pull your own...

Many pilots on this thread claim that your union is only as strong as your MEC. Quite a selfish statement. This means; I leave it up to my MEC. This means I want 'fire and forget missles' so I can do what I want to do. me me me.

Unions are volunteer organizations. If you vote for a union you better be ready to do some work. Unions are tools and equipment. When your shiney new tools and machinery show up in SkyWestville are you going to stand around and wonder who is going to use them? Looking at each other like sheep? Are you too busy on flightinfo, Xbox, golf or whatever..... Are you going to use the "I commute" excuse?

If you do not stay engaged with your elected leadership they will assume you don't care and do whatever they think is best. This leads to disatisfaction from the union membership and leadership. It creates opportunity for divide and conquer tactics and significantly hinders your effeciency.

The biggest misunderstanding; unions are political machines. Convincing managment to give you a fair and reasonable piece of the pie has always been politics. You don't have to like or engage in politics but you'd better support those who will do it for you. It is better to negotiate for a nice clean slice of pie with your shoulders back and head high then grovel for crumbs and scraps. Everyone will respect you for negotiating. Your wife, your kids, your parents, your fellow pilots, your passengers, and even mangement. But most importantly your self.

Our country culture has successfully labeled unions negatively. The mystic of making it big in the USA is a dream we all have; to rise up and above to become wealthy. It is all about the individual, the one man army. Stallone, Arnold and Willis. Well, unions are about giving everyone a fair shake. There is no stepping on your brothers back to make it better for yourself; save that for the (many but not all) base managers, chief pilots and little mid-level management weasels that will screw you in an instant for a scooby snack from Corporate Elite. The adorations of the ultra rich are dreams of the commoner. Union members are blue collar labor. If you want to make it big time, live in the hills, drive a Benz and blow cash, go for it. But its not something Air Line Pilots do. And untill you make it big time realize you are in the treaches with the hotel maids, factory workers, gate agents, train conductors and every hourly worker in the USA. Unions are very democratic; IF the members engage.

Education and participation is the key. If you don't get involved you won't better your QOL; for yourself, your wife and your kids. If you are a skywest pilot and are remotely considering representation, isn't a few dollars of education worth your time?

Go to amazon.com (now)

Confessions of a Union Buster
Hard landing
Nuts and the SouthWest Airlines Way
Flying the Line I and II. (no, this isn't ALPA propaganda. This misinformation is debunked in Vol. II)
The Airline Pilots; A Study in Elite Unionization
From Worst to First

I am sure others have good references as well.


One of the dark truths at the heart of free-market capitalism: the unblinking willingness of those in power to crush--physically and spiritually--those who work.

 

[Bluto]

Absolutely. Since a union on the property only has ramifications
for the pilots, no other employee group is entitled to say anything
or be concerned. I for one wish you guys would just vote a
union in and be done with it instead of this sabre rattling that goes
on every two years.

Well Wood, you're part right. You have every right to be concerned about the pilots unionizing. In fact, say whatever you want about it. Scream yourself hoarse if you want to. Just understand that whatever it is you feel, or say has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with whether or not the pilots choose to unionize. Just as the pilots have no say as to whether the mechanics, flight attendants, rampers, dispatchers, commisary agents or...(insert work-group here) choose to unionize. If you don't like it, write your congressman, run for public office, or do something to change the labor laws of this country. Otherwise, please, spare us the anti-union, "I like my SkyWest just the way it is" talk. There'll be plenty of time for that on the company message boards if/when the next union drive occurs.

 

[Bluto]

Rez, I agree with most of what you wrote, but this part:

Everyone will respect you for negotiating. Your wife, your kids, your parents, your fellow pilots, your passengers, and even mangement. But most importantly your self.

Is a little over the top. Most kids have no idea whether their dad is a union member or not, and as long as the paycheck and QOL are there, most wives don't care either. As for the management, that's laughable. I've never seen evidence that management at an airline honestly respects any of their employee groups, especially the pilots. Oh, and my mom loves me regardless of my union affiliation (or lack thereof.)

One of the dark truths at the heart of free-market capitalism: the unblinking willingness of those in power to crush--physically and spiritually--those who work.

 

[viper548]

Forgive me, I'm new here but what exactly happens during a union drive? How long does it last? Who starts it? and When is it gonna happen again?