Spirit Strike VOTE

[vandypilot]

I'd like know what we are striking for...

Better pay? What are the sample rates?
401(k) match? What percent?
Better work rules? What are they?

Why burn it down if we don't know what we are lighting the match for?

yeah post what the negotiating committee is aiming for so the company can read this board and know what our lowest offer is. real smart.

lets show this company that we are willing to strike. the state of the economy does not matter to the outcome of a contract. look at delta and united. they got an awsome contract during the peak of the economy and gave it all way after 911 during bankruptcy. they gave away good work rules for higher pay. only after bankruptcy to be left with crappy pay and crappy work rules. we gave away pay and work rules back in 2003. now its time to get them back. VOTE YES. we could wait 2 years for the economy to turn around and still be in the same spot as delta and united did.

 

[Gearthrower]

A little clarification is need here as to what the strike vote's is. They usually occur way before any potential strike. A strike vote is an ALPA bylaw requirement not an RLA requirement and does not signify or require any immediate action. One example, is ASA, they took a strike vote 2 1/2 years before they settled their contract just recently. This is a readiness vote not an immediate action vote or a vote that requires the MEC to ask for a release. Put simply, this vote is a way for your Negotiating Committee to tell the company they are ready.

If the mediator feels in his or her opinion that negotiations have stalled and need to move to the next step, the negotiator recommends and determines to a large degree if a release happens. If the mediator offers a Proffer of Arbitration to both parties this signifies the beginning of a potential cooling off period. Usually or always both parties decline the proffer and then he recommends a release to the NMB board. The board then brings the parties together seperatly to inquire as to their demands and then the debate whether a release would assist negotiations. The three member board then votes whether to release the two parties into Super Mediation. Once release into super mediation the 30 day cooling off period begins. At the end of the 30 days they asses whether both parties want to continue to negotiate if so no strike, if they do not then they release both to self help.

At best this takes months!

 

[ThreeGreens]

A little clarification is need here as to what the strike vote's is. They usually occur way before any potential strike. A strike vote is an ALPA bylaw requirement not an RLA requirement and does not signify or require any immediate action. One example, is ASA, they took a strike vote 2 1/2 years before they settled their contract just recently. This is a readiness vote not an immediate action vote or a vote that requires the MEC to ask for a release. Put simply, this vote is a way for your Negotiating Committee to tell the company they are ready.

If the mediator feels in his or her opinion that negotiations have stalled and need to move to the next step, the negotiator recommends and determines to a large degree if a release happens. If the mediator offers a Proffer of Arbitration to both parties this signifies the beginning of a potential cooling off period. Usually or always both parties decline the proffer and then he recommends a release to the NMB board. The board then brings the parties together seperatly to inquire as to their demands and then the debate whether a release would assist negotiations. The three member board then votes whether to release the two parties into Super Mediation. Once release into super mediation the 30 day cooling off period begins. At the end of the 30 days they asses whether both parties want to continue to negotiate if so no strike, if they do not then they release both to self help.

At best this takes months!

I wish more people would read your post and understand this.

 

[njcapt]

I'm 100% behind the Spirit folks, but you need to drive the expectations of a strike vote up somewhat. If the vote doesn't come back above 90% in favor you can kiss any additional negotiating leverage with the company goodbye. They know you'll lose about 20% of the yes voters when the rubber hits the road (so to speak) and will propagandize the crap out of the pilot group in an effort to divide the weak supporters into crossing.

If you get in the mid 90's you can drive it right up their a$$es. I participated in a 98% vote at ALG in the early 90's and we got a great contract, then was on the Negotiating Committee at ATA when the best we could do was a 86% vote and the company made us their b!tch. Yeah there were other factors in play, but the low strike vote killed any leverage we had.

 

[Mike man]

A little clarification is need here as to what the strike vote's is. They usually occur way before any potential strike. A strike vote is an ALPA bylaw requirement not an RLA requirement and does not signify or require any immediate action. One example, is ASA, they took a strike vote 2 1/2 years before they settled their contract just recently. This is a readiness vote not an immediate action vote or a vote that requires the MEC to ask for a release. Put simply, this vote is a way for your Negotiating Committee to tell the company they are ready.

If the mediator feels in his or her opinion that negotiations have stalled and need to move to the next step, the negotiator recommends and determines to a large degree if a release happens. If the mediator offers a Proffer of Arbitration to both parties this signifies the beginning of a potential cooling off period. Usually or always both parties decline the proffer and then he recommends a release to the NMB board. The board then brings the parties together seperatly to inquire as to their demands and then the debate whether a release would assist negotiations. The three member board then votes whether to release the two parties into Super Mediation. Once release into super mediation the 30 day cooling off period begins. At the end of the 30 days they asses whether both parties want to continue to negotiate if so no strike, if they do not then they release both to self help.

At best this takes months!

SPA ALPA needs to do a much better job of getting this word out

 

[GOULET!]

I'll ask again...when is the vote?

 

[huncowboy]

I'll ask again...when is the vote?

You should have received an email if you are eligible to vote. I have received and I can't even vote. It is already since the 16th and will be open until May 11th I think.

 

[Mike man]

April 16-May 11 is correct

 

[b19]

I don't have a dog in this fight, but I do wish you the best of luck.

If you don't support your local then you don't support yourself.

It really is all about the local. I have seen what excellent, really smart people on the exco and negotiating committees can accomplish by looking after their newest members thereby taking care of everyone.

Take good care of the guys in their first five years and the airline will be a place to make a career not just a job.

I wish you well, a rising tide lifts all boats.

 

[boomlrd]

My YES vote is in. Whether you like or dislike our MEC, this is not about that. We need to give them the tools to fight this management's idiotic and insulting proposals. I am hoping for at least and 85% yes vote, maybe we will get lucky and see 90%+. Either way this strike vote sill succeed, so please help support the measure and lets finally get a respectable contract. BTW, Ben B loves to brag about our 4.6 cent CASM, this is well below any other airline out there that pays its pilots much better. We have full flights, this company is rolling in cash. Southwest's CASM is significantly higher yet the pay and benefits are far superior! I hope we shoot for better than Southwest payrates, Spirit can afford it!

 

[:-)]

SPA ALPA needs to do a much better job of getting this word out

it is hard for the MEC Chair to get the truth out when his own bosses on the MEC are telling something different in the crewrooms. Our Chair knows the truth and is a good guy. He is working for a group of loudmouths on the MEC

 

[boomlrd]

We have a STRIKE AUTHORIZATION VOTE in favor of a strike! I am a proud Spirit ALPA member today!
97.55% FOR
2.45% AGAINST
94.85% of the pilot group voted!

Awesome work! Thanks again to our MEC for the continuous communication and hard work!
Now its time to stand up to this management and let ourselves be heard!
Amazing vote results!

 

[njcapt]

We have a STRIKE AUTHORIZATION VOTE in favor of a strike! I am a proud Spirit ALPA member today!
97.55% FOR
2.45% AGAINST
94.85% of the pilot group voted!

Awesome work! Thanks again to our MEC for the continuous communication and hard work!
Now its time to stand up to this management and let ourselves be heard!
Amazing vote results!

Unequivocal results. Well done!

 

[Beetle007]

If the mediator offers a Proffer of Arbitration to both parties this signifies the beginning of a potential cooling off period. Usually or always both parties decline the proffer and then he recommends a release to the NMB board. The board then brings the parties together seperatly to inquire as to their demands and then the debate whether a release would assist negotiations. The three member board then votes whether to release the two parties into Super Mediation. Once release into super mediation the 30 day cooling off period begins. At the end of the 30 days they asses whether both parties want to continue to negotiate if so no strike, if they do not then they release both to self help.

I think there a few things in your statement are inaccurate. As you said, the NMB determines when to issue a proffer of abitration. This is normally at the request of the mediator and/or one of the negotiating parties.

However, once the NMB has issued a proffer of arbitration, either party can reject it and everything is automatic from that point forward. Once it is rejected, it automatically starts the 30 day clock (cooling off period) to self help. The mediator will typically "invite" the parties to negotiations during the cooling off period. Once the 30 day clock expires, we are automatically released into self help and the company can impose C9000 and we can go on strike.

My point is that once a proffer of arbitration is issued, everyting from that point forward is automatic and is no longer a decision of the NMB. For example, the NMB never has to approve self help once the proffer of arbitration has been rejected.

 

[Joblu]

Great job guys!!! Rock on!! Don't puss out and get what you deserve!!