SWA/AAI SLI agreement in principle.

[ASADFW7]

Distressed status is tagged to a company by the FAA during a period of transition, like an acquisition. It requires more audits, and inspections to ensure proper operations.

 

[Daddy]

Does the airtran MEC vote today, too?

 

[Lear70]

Does the airtran MEC vote today, too?

Not that I know of. The eMail we received last night said that they had met all day in Dallas with SWA and SWAPA along with our V.P. of Labor Relations attorney for AirTran and that WHEN the language was fully done, they'd meet with the MEC.

It implied (at least from what I read) that they haven't finished all the language yet. The fact that our V.P. of Labor Relations is involved (one of the few people who has the legal authority to modify our existing CBA at the company), implies that they're talking about the modifications needed to modify our CBA during the transition period.

Per our Constitution and By-Laws, any modifications to our CBA that impact our pay, most scheduling rules that affect pay, retirement, and insurance have to come to the pilots to ratify - the MEC can't make that decision on their own. Therefore when the AIP language is done and comes to us for vote, it will also include, per our bylaws and the Process Agreement, the implementation schedule which includes when the pay rates change, what scheduling rules change and when, any retirement contribution changes (our B-fund versus your 401(k) contribution), etc. All to be voted on with one, singular vote of whether to accept the SLI agreement (and all the other stuff) or not.

Of course when everyone "crosses over" to be SWA employees, they go on SWAPA's contract, but until then, our CBA has to be modified extensively for the people who are still over here. I'd imagine, since all of that has to be done before MEC review (and the fact that your NC got started a couple days ahead of our MC per the SWAPA twitter feed), that it will take a little longer for our stuff to be done than it took your NC to finish up and bring it to your BoD.

I'm hoping to see it sometime towards the end of next week or beginning of the following week. After MEC ratification they still have to put it in bulletpoint form, brief the P2P people, and schedule road shows.

 

[scoreboardII]

interesting, I heard the language was done two days ago...

 

[dicko]

interesting, I heard the language was done two days ago...

Ours will require a little more lipstick and shining. We are ALPA.

 

[scoreboardII]

Interesting, my understanding was both groups vote on the same language.

 

[llowwelll]

Distressed status is tagged to a company by the FAA during a period of transition, like an acquisition. It requires more audits, and inspections to ensure proper operations.

Thanks!

 

[JT12345]

All u r doingin with troll is preventing a yes vote. No one is stapled pre sept10. There r protections and ratios to this complicated agreement

 

[dicko]

Interesting, my understanding was both groups vote on the same language.

The "polishing" and "lipstick" is not relevant to the language ....

Other business to complete over the next week for ATN ALPA;

- LH visits Mens Warehouse for a new suit. His voice coach is put on standby.

- MEC draw sidearms and body armour from the magazine. They may be a death or two during "robust and forthright discussions".

- Crack ALPA lawyers converge on Atlanta with giant polishing cloths to shine up the offending deuce.

A busy week ahead.

 

[flynvixen]

Ours will require a little more lipstick and shining. We are ALPA.

Of course it will you are ALPA and will not be happy until the SWA guys are on the bottom of your JV list.........Stand by and watch the ALPA job killing machine screw the Clampetts on this one......you fools might want to start working on the new Texas Sub Corp Clampett call sign.......maybe Jethro........anyone, anyone, ?????

Staple or a no vote

 

[asaflyer]

The way I read the e-mail last night it indicated that the MEC would be "briefed" then it would be released. Didn't say anything about them voting on it. Has that changed now that we had such an uproar?

 

[PCL_128]

The way I read the e-mail last night it indicated that the MEC would be "briefed" then it would be released. Didn't say anything about them voting on it. Has that changed now that we had such an uproar?

I don't think so. Nothing gets sent out without an MEC vote.

 

[SkiFishFly]

Me thinks they conviently phrased it that way to prevent a new/further uproar. A part of me expects we won't hear anything until after the MEC has made their decision.
Wouldn't want the rest of us to have a say about this - that just makes things messy.
I'd say the time to call our reps is right now and let them know what we want.

In case anyone wants to know - If the MC recommends it, I want a vote!

 

[AFcitrus]

The way I read the e-mail last night it indicated that the MEC would be "briefed" then it would be released. Didn't say anything about them voting on it. Has that changed now that we had such an uproar?

There wasn't "such an uproar". Classic case of the vocal minority attempting to influence our policies in an effort to "fast forward" the process. Thank goodness wiser minds prevailed and our process (which was developed during a non-pressure environment) was allowed to run its course. From what I've heard several key areas of interest were brought up by the MEC and legal counsel that required special attention (language-wise) to ensure they'll protect us like they were intended.

 

[Lear70]

There wasn't "such an uproar". Classic case of the vocal minority attempting to influence our policies in an effort to "fast forward" the process. Thank goodness wiser minds prevailed and our process (which was developed during a non-pressure environment) was allowed to run its course.

Agreed. Interestingly enough, I'm hearing two "vocal minority" camps now on our board (before it was shut down). The junior 2xx people who just want it to go through no matter what (they're on the bottom now and they'll be on the bottom there but will make $2-3 Million more throughout their career doing it so they don't really care HOW the SLI goes), and the so-called "angry dozen" (or angry 13, depending on who you include). (sorry, inside joke)

The truth is somewhere in the middle; from the many pilots I talk to on the line, most are people who hate the huge hit they took on their seniority but who are unsure of what happens if they vote it down. The two "vocal minority" groups were attempting to persuade the silent majority, people were burning down the phone lines and emails to their reps, and it was simply out of control. Not surprised they shut the board down to tell the truth.

Me thinks they conviently phrased it that way to prevent a new/further uproar. A part of me expects we won't hear anything until after the MEC has made their decision.

Probably.

Wouldn't want the rest of us to have a say about this - that just makes things messy.

Nice tongue-in-cheek...

I'd say the time to call our reps is right now and let them know what we want.

True statement. People need to email your reps NOW. Copy the entire MEC in the eMail so that OTHER reps know how you're telling your particular rep(s) to vote. That way, when the dust settles, no one can claim they didn't have a chance to direct their reps.

In case anyone wants to know - If the MC recommends it, I want a vote!

That seems to be the prevailing thought from what I'm hearing on the ground...

I don't think so. Nothing gets sent out without an MEC vote.

Interesting you say that... I was looking at the Process Agreement, which the MEC ratified, and it does indeed say that the MEC gets a vote, Sec 2.c, states that the negotiated settlement is "subject to applicable governance provisions of SWAPA and ALPA, respectively).

The BoD at SWAPA has to approve it before their membership sees it, the MEC at ALPA has to approve it before THEIR membership sees it.

That said, the MEC should be very careful. There's already recall efforts in motion in ATL by one of the usual suspects and the membership wants to see the agreement if the MC brings one back that matches the AIP; if it matches the AIP and the MC recommends it and they're kept from seeing it, I would bet you my next paycheck that the recall(s) would be successful.

 

[SkiFishFly]

That said, the MEC should be very careful. There's already recall efforts in motion in ATL by one of the usual suspects and the membership wants to see the agreement if the MC brings one back that matches the AIP; if it matches the AIP and the MC recommends it and they're kept from seeing it, I would bet you my next paycheck that the recall(s) would be successful.

I would say if the MC recommends it and the MEC decides against sending it for a vote, there will be a HUGE uproar. Including successful recalls.

 

[AFcitrus]

You will see the agreement. PERIOD! You may not get to vote on it if the MEC determines that too large of a group will get screwed. But you will get to see so they can show you why the voted as they did. And oh, by the way, that's why we the informed, interested and voting members put them there.

 

[SkiFishFly]

I'm informed. I've voted in every election and I will be thoroughly pissed if the MEC denies the pilot group a vote on this one. If the MC endorses it, the MEC needs to send it out for a vote of the entire group.

 

[PCL_128]

In case anyone wants to know - If the MC recommends it, I want a vote!

That makes no sense. We didn't vote for the MC, we voted for the MEC. They are our reps, not the guys who were appointed. The MC was appointed to do a job, and they've done it. Now it's time for the MEC to do their job, which is to determine whether the agreement is good enough to warrant a membership vote. They shouldn't ignore that responsibility, they should take it seriously. Maybe that means sending it out, maybe it doesn't, but whatever the decision, it should be based on a real analysis and thorough vetting, not based on "well, the MC recommends it, so I'll rubber stamp it." That's not what we elect these people to do.

 

[waveflyer]

Fredo, from everyone I've spoke to- your MC commands way more respect than your dysfunctional MEC, no matter how they got to those positions.

 

[27 driver]

Fredo, from everyone I've spoke to- your MC commands way more respect than your dysfunctional MEC, no matter how they got to those positions.

You are correct sir. I want to vote on this. I don't think the MEC should keep this from a vote. I will vote to recall if they do. I don't know any one of them personally and don't want them to determine my future.

 

[dicko]

You are correct sir. I want to vote on this. I don't think the MEC should keep this from a vote. I will vote to recall if they do. I don't know any one of them personally and don't want them to determine my future.

The MC is universally respected. They are one of the few smart decisions we've made as as a group. PCL attempted to install the usual suspects and was thwarted.

I would ask you to call or email your Reps. Even if they all say something different, you've then made an informed decision. After that it's a personal choice. Attempting to recall anybody before you've spoken with them probably shows that you haven't heard all sides.

 

[SkiFishFly]

27 Driver and Waveflyer are correct. The ATN MC is trusted and respected far more than our MEC. I feel that way and most everyone I have talked to out there on the line have expressed the same sentiment.

PCL - We all know you want the MEC to kill this deal. I think if the MEC fails to send this to a pilot group vote, they would be serving the membership about as well as Harry Reid and the Senate are serving our country right now.

 

[GuppyWN]

You are correct sir. I want to vote on this. I don't think the MEC should keep this from a vote. I will vote to recall if they do. I don't know any one of them personally and don't want them to determine my future.

That's because YOU are involved. I'll promise you that a large % of your membership will vote yes to ANYTHING forwarded to them because they are NOT involved. They will say they are but they don't even read the contract that will guide them at least 5 years of their career. I've seen it at 3 carriers.

So I guess be careful what you ask for cause you just might get it.

Gup

 

[27 driver]

The MC is universally respected. They are one of the few smart decisions we've made as as a group. PCL attempted to install the usual suspects and was thwarted.

I would ask you to call or email your Reps. Even if they all say something different, you've then made an informed decision. After that it's a personal choice. Attempting to recall anybody before you've spoken with them probably shows that you haven't heard all sides.

I have emailed all my reps. I will only vote to recall if they try to block us from voting on this. I feel this is too important for them to decide for all of us. Most of the guys I fly with feel the same way. I don't care if they send it out with a negative rating but send it out to vote. That way the majority can decide.

 

[jonjuan]

Fredo, from everyone I've spoke to- your MC commands way more respect than your dysfunctional MEC, no matter how they got to those positions.

However, as most in this country have lost respect for the president, we are stuck with him and the decisions he makes as it is us who voted him in.

 

[Max Powers]

However, as most in this country have lost respect for the president, we are stuck with him and the decisions he makes as it is us who voted him in.

I haven't lost respect for this president, if anything he has gone up points in my book. It's the TEA party fools with their lack of understanding on financial markets and the impact our government has on our well being as a whole that I have lost respect for.

As far as AAI's MC I'm not so sure about them. Flew with half of them and was not impressed. The third always made some off the wall posts on our web board - I do know they mean well and have our best interests at heart. But their negotiating prowess? Then again GK did pick sides in this SLI which is unprecedented for a CEO when 2 unions are negotiating seniority under a process agreement.

 

[sfomarc]

Which side did he pick?

 

[Empennage]

Which side did he pick?

That is a great question. Depends which side you ask. I think they will both give you a different opinion.

 

[Dan Roman]

I haven't lost respect for this president, if anything he has gone up points in my book. It's the TEA party fools with their lack of understanding on financial markets and the impact our government has on our well being as a whole that I have lost respect for.

As far as AAI's MC I'm not so sure about them. Flew with half of them and was not impressed. The third always made some off the wall posts on our web board - I do know they mean well and have our best interests at heart. But their negotiating prowess? Then again GK did pick sides in this SLI which is unprecedented for a CEO when 2 unions are negotiating seniority under a process agreement.

There is no question the Tea Party loons are screwed up. There are wackos on the far left too, albeit not as whacked as the Tea Party folks. If not for the nut cases on both sides I'm guessing President Obama and Boehner could have come up with a very balanced solution by now that would have been very good for the Country,