Bank-n-Yank
Active member
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2002
- Posts
- 41
From: Bob Tyler
To: All_PIC; All_SIC
Sent: Mon Jan 09 16:53:50 2006
Subject: NMB notification of application filing
January 9, 2006
To all pilots:
This afternoon we received notice from the National Mediation Board (NMB) in Washington, D.C.
that the Teamsters filed an application seeking an election to determine if you want the
Teamsters as your bargaining representative. For those of you who haven't been through a union
election in the aviation industry before, it's important for you to understand how the process
works and what options are available to you.
WHAT'S NEXT?
At this point, however, an election has not been authorized. In a few days, Flight Options will
provide the NMB with a list of eligible voting pilots and samples of their signatures. An NMB
investigator will check the list and the signature samples against the authorization cards
submitted by the Teamsters. If the Teamsters union has submitted valid authorization cards from
at least 35% of the employees on the list of eligible voting pilots, an election will be held.
We will keep you updated as we receive more information from the NMB.
If an election takes place, it will be conducted using the NMB's Telephone Electronic Voting
(TEV) system. Employees vote by calling a toll-free telephone number. You should also be aware
that voting in a union election in our industry is unique in that there is no way to
affirmatively vote "NO" if you want to reject union representation. That's right...there is no
option to vote "NO" by using the TEV system. So, if there's an election and if you don't want
union representation, you should not call the NMB's toll-free number. We will provide you with
more information on the TEV voting system in the days ahead. You may also learn more about TEV
by accessing the NMB's website at www.nmb.gov <http://www.nmb.gov/> .
WHAT ABOUT PAY, WORKING CONDITIONS, and BENEFIT CHANGES?
We are currently in what is called the "laboratory period." That means, now that the Company
has been notified that a union organizing drive is going on, we are prohibited under the NMB's
rules from making any changes in pay, working conditions, or benefits to what is currently in
place. If the NMB authorizes an election, the "laboratory period' will remain in place until
the election is over. That process can take several weeks or months depending on the
circumstances.
MY ASSESSMENT
Since I arrived at Flight Options last fall, many of you have called or written me. We've
talked in Dallas at the pilot meetings. You've dropped by my office. We've spoken over the
phone. We've had dinner together after work. Emails have flown back and forth. You've told me
the past several years have not been easy on the pilots. Among other things, there've been a
number of changes both in management and by management. Some of those changes have caused many
of you to lose faith in our leadership.
You've expressed hope in those calls, meetings, and emails. You still care...a lot. You've
asked for simple changes. "I want to be treated with respect. I want to be trusted. I want to
be paid fairly. I want my quality of life restored. I want to know I've got a future here."
You haven't asked for the moon...just peace on earth.
Kool-Aid comes in many flavors. You can get it at the company store or at the union hall. Some
of you have already chosen which flavor you'll buy. The majority of you are waiting, watching,
and listening. As professional pilots, most of you are leaders not followers. You resist the
"herd mentality." Even if you sent a card to the Teamsters many of you haven't decided how
you'll vote. The weeks ahead will be interesting for all of us. Be cautious. Get ready for
the "Battle of the Websites, chat rooms, emails, letters, unsolicited phone calls, accusations
and counter-accusations." Be prepared to hear valid points made by both sides but if something
doesn't sound right, it probably isn't. Ultimately, only you will decide our mutual future.
DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES
The Teamsters union claims they're the solution. Ask yourself, can outsiders, like the
Teamsters union, restore your faith in Flight Options? One of the top stories at this year's
NBAA convention was the union's tentative agreement with NetJets. The media reported, "Flight
Options is the Teamsters' next target...If they decide to join, they'll be folded into the
NetJets local 1108 in Columbus...Bill Olsen, the president of local 1108 was quoted as saying,
'This will be one of the great labor battles of aviation history.'" See
http://www.aviationnow.com/shownews/05nbaa/topstor_1_01.htm for the entire article entitled,
Teamsters Want Union Pilots Beyond NetJets...
Hopefully, it's not too late to ask that you give me and the rest of the management team a
chance to restore that faith. You've seen the changes we've made in just the last few weeks.
The management team and I are dedicated to making Flight Options the best place to work in the
fractional industry. To do this, we need your help. For your benefit and the benefit of our
company, we need to be able to solve our challenges in-house. I'm convinced that allowing the
Teamsters on our property would result in a real and meaningful loss of your independence and
your ability to work directly with our management team on making necessary changes.
While the decision to vote union is only yours to make, we would ask that you take time to
consider how voting in the Teamsters could affect you and our Company. We encourage you to
communicate openly with each other and your Program Managers about the Teamsters and union
representation in general. Ask the tough questions about Teamsters' rules, its leadership, how
it spends its members' money, and how it negotiates at the bargaining table. All we ask is that
you make an informed decision. Let factual information, not empty promises or emotion, be your
guide.
CERTAINTIES
A couple of things I'm sure of: first, each of us must continue to be professional at all times
and second, life will go on for each of us on the other side of the next few months. What am I
saying? Safety and service must be maintained. Our owners have a right to demand that we
continue our high level of professionalism. Any reported harassment (pro-union or anti-union)
in the workplace will be dealt with quickly and firmly. Please treat each other with respect.
Surely, we can agree that well-intended men and women can disagree yet still work together
respectfully. Whether or not the Teamsters effort is successful, pilots will still fly
airplanes for our owners. But remember this: what we say and how we treat each other will be
remembered for a long, long time.
If you have any questions or comments about my letter, contact me directly at
[email protected] or get in touch with your Program Manager or APM.
Best regards,
Bob Tyler
Vice President, Flight Operations
To: All_PIC; All_SIC
Sent: Mon Jan 09 16:53:50 2006
Subject: NMB notification of application filing
January 9, 2006
To all pilots:
This afternoon we received notice from the National Mediation Board (NMB) in Washington, D.C.
that the Teamsters filed an application seeking an election to determine if you want the
Teamsters as your bargaining representative. For those of you who haven't been through a union
election in the aviation industry before, it's important for you to understand how the process
works and what options are available to you.
WHAT'S NEXT?
At this point, however, an election has not been authorized. In a few days, Flight Options will
provide the NMB with a list of eligible voting pilots and samples of their signatures. An NMB
investigator will check the list and the signature samples against the authorization cards
submitted by the Teamsters. If the Teamsters union has submitted valid authorization cards from
at least 35% of the employees on the list of eligible voting pilots, an election will be held.
We will keep you updated as we receive more information from the NMB.
If an election takes place, it will be conducted using the NMB's Telephone Electronic Voting
(TEV) system. Employees vote by calling a toll-free telephone number. You should also be aware
that voting in a union election in our industry is unique in that there is no way to
affirmatively vote "NO" if you want to reject union representation. That's right...there is no
option to vote "NO" by using the TEV system. So, if there's an election and if you don't want
union representation, you should not call the NMB's toll-free number. We will provide you with
more information on the TEV voting system in the days ahead. You may also learn more about TEV
by accessing the NMB's website at www.nmb.gov <http://www.nmb.gov/> .
WHAT ABOUT PAY, WORKING CONDITIONS, and BENEFIT CHANGES?
We are currently in what is called the "laboratory period." That means, now that the Company
has been notified that a union organizing drive is going on, we are prohibited under the NMB's
rules from making any changes in pay, working conditions, or benefits to what is currently in
place. If the NMB authorizes an election, the "laboratory period' will remain in place until
the election is over. That process can take several weeks or months depending on the
circumstances.
MY ASSESSMENT
Since I arrived at Flight Options last fall, many of you have called or written me. We've
talked in Dallas at the pilot meetings. You've dropped by my office. We've spoken over the
phone. We've had dinner together after work. Emails have flown back and forth. You've told me
the past several years have not been easy on the pilots. Among other things, there've been a
number of changes both in management and by management. Some of those changes have caused many
of you to lose faith in our leadership.
You've expressed hope in those calls, meetings, and emails. You still care...a lot. You've
asked for simple changes. "I want to be treated with respect. I want to be trusted. I want to
be paid fairly. I want my quality of life restored. I want to know I've got a future here."
You haven't asked for the moon...just peace on earth.
Kool-Aid comes in many flavors. You can get it at the company store or at the union hall. Some
of you have already chosen which flavor you'll buy. The majority of you are waiting, watching,
and listening. As professional pilots, most of you are leaders not followers. You resist the
"herd mentality." Even if you sent a card to the Teamsters many of you haven't decided how
you'll vote. The weeks ahead will be interesting for all of us. Be cautious. Get ready for
the "Battle of the Websites, chat rooms, emails, letters, unsolicited phone calls, accusations
and counter-accusations." Be prepared to hear valid points made by both sides but if something
doesn't sound right, it probably isn't. Ultimately, only you will decide our mutual future.
DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES
The Teamsters union claims they're the solution. Ask yourself, can outsiders, like the
Teamsters union, restore your faith in Flight Options? One of the top stories at this year's
NBAA convention was the union's tentative agreement with NetJets. The media reported, "Flight
Options is the Teamsters' next target...If they decide to join, they'll be folded into the
NetJets local 1108 in Columbus...Bill Olsen, the president of local 1108 was quoted as saying,
'This will be one of the great labor battles of aviation history.'" See
http://www.aviationnow.com/shownews/05nbaa/topstor_1_01.htm for the entire article entitled,
Teamsters Want Union Pilots Beyond NetJets...
Hopefully, it's not too late to ask that you give me and the rest of the management team a
chance to restore that faith. You've seen the changes we've made in just the last few weeks.
The management team and I are dedicated to making Flight Options the best place to work in the
fractional industry. To do this, we need your help. For your benefit and the benefit of our
company, we need to be able to solve our challenges in-house. I'm convinced that allowing the
Teamsters on our property would result in a real and meaningful loss of your independence and
your ability to work directly with our management team on making necessary changes.
While the decision to vote union is only yours to make, we would ask that you take time to
consider how voting in the Teamsters could affect you and our Company. We encourage you to
communicate openly with each other and your Program Managers about the Teamsters and union
representation in general. Ask the tough questions about Teamsters' rules, its leadership, how
it spends its members' money, and how it negotiates at the bargaining table. All we ask is that
you make an informed decision. Let factual information, not empty promises or emotion, be your
guide.
CERTAINTIES
A couple of things I'm sure of: first, each of us must continue to be professional at all times
and second, life will go on for each of us on the other side of the next few months. What am I
saying? Safety and service must be maintained. Our owners have a right to demand that we
continue our high level of professionalism. Any reported harassment (pro-union or anti-union)
in the workplace will be dealt with quickly and firmly. Please treat each other with respect.
Surely, we can agree that well-intended men and women can disagree yet still work together
respectfully. Whether or not the Teamsters effort is successful, pilots will still fly
airplanes for our owners. But remember this: what we say and how we treat each other will be
remembered for a long, long time.
If you have any questions or comments about my letter, contact me directly at
[email protected] or get in touch with your Program Manager or APM.
Best regards,
Bob Tyler
Vice President, Flight Operations
