Spirit Negotiations Back to Square One?

[gatorbird]

Received a "final" negotiations update from our lone remaining member of our negotiating committee; sounds like he's bolting for a recall at American.

New LEC reps are in office effective today, and it sounds like this had alot to do with it.

For those of you considering Spirit, it would behoove you to acquaint yourself with what's going on over here:

Our negotiations have been ongoing for some time now, with NMB mediation becoming part of the equation late last year.

Lately, the pilot group has been informed via email updates that the process had started making significant progress; in fact, as of last month, the only sections that did not have TAs were compensation, insurance, and duration.

As of yesterday, what was once a three-man negotiating committee is completely vacated: one guy stepped aside to run for (and lost) LEC rep., one left for Jetblue, and now this final guy is stepping aside due to "differences in his direction of negotiation and what it appears the new LEC team wants out of the process". He also stated he will more than likely accept a recall at American soon, and didn't deem it appropriate to continue to negotiate a contract he will never work under.

There are many opinions about both the outgoing and incoming LEC reps. and the way they do business. I have my own opinions, but I do not intend to share them on a public forum. I will only say that I appreciate any pilot that puts his neck out there for the group as a whole. LEC-bashing is not the purpose of this post.

Now the big question: Where do we go from here?

The first thing that comes to mind for me is this: Did the original negotiating team agree to TAs that would not have been viewed as "wins" for the pilot group (and therefore been voted down)? Was this almost-completed TA so far off the mark that it has really warranted scrapping the whole thing and starting over?

Current Spirit pilots please chime in (and keep it professional!). People need to hear our plight and prospective employees deserve to know what they could be walking into. PMs are welcome, too (that means you, Enigma!).

Still waiting for a decent wage in the right seat,

Gator

 

[Shrek]

Excellent post Gator.

 

[enigma]

Received a "final" negotiations update .................................................................
Now the big question: Where do we go from here?

The first thing that comes to mind for me is this: Did the original negotiating team agree to TAs that would not have been viewed as "wins" for the pilot group (and therefore been voted down)? Was this almost-completed TA so far off the mark that it has really warranted scrapping the whole thing and starting over?

1.The TA package contained many items that would have been "given up" in exchange for a huge pay raise. The company never came through with the money, and a TA'd section is not really TA'd until ALL sections are TA's. Therefore, in the end, NOTHING was given up. (as for me personally, I'd have willingly
given up a few things for a 50% pay raise!, but I have the same one final vote that all dues paying members have)

1.a. The TA package also contains some significant
wins.

2. The "whole thing" was not scrapped. Our ALPA Counsel pulled certain sections off of the table in light of the companies failure to produce a Section 3 counter.

3. The new MEC will obviously want to reshape some certain sections as is their right and responsibility.

Current Spirit pilots please chime in (and keep it professional!). People need to hear our plight and prospective employees deserve to know what they could be walking into. PMs are welcome, too (that means you, Enigma!).

Still waiting for a decent wage in the right seat,

Gator

If you know me, call me!

 

[Beetle007]

Did the person who went to Jetblue also have recall rights at American?

 

[gatorbird]

Did the person who went to Jetblue also have recall rights at American?

Yes, he did.

NYC-area guy, though, so maybe he saw an immediate JFK base as more appealing than commuting with American for some time to come. We all have our reasons.

gator

 

[CosmoKramer]

why'd they stop painting airplanes?

 

[Beetle007]

why'd they stop painting airplanes?

From what I heard, they wanted to conserve cash. I always thought it was silly to paint a perfectly good airplane. It is better to wait until they need to be painted

 

[FLYBOYMATTHEW]

I heard that it was because they couldn't decide whether to put the Virgin America or American paint job on them.

 

[Shrek]

Enigma - thank you for your service for our pilots. Only the best wishes for you and your family.

 

[castle bravo]

Yes, Enigma did his best for the NK group. All he needs to do now is get on with WN.....(where I suspect he really wants to be)