Thanks ALPA

[dav8or]

The following message is from Chautauqua negotiations Counsel, E.E. Sowell





As most of you are aware, Republic Airways Holdings, Inc., the parent company of Chautauqua Airlines, has recently announced the formation of a new airline called Republic Airlines. The union was only advised of this endeavor several weeks ago, after the deal was struck with US Airways and ALPA. We have urged the company not to go down this road, and we believe that any additional flying for US Airways rightfully belongs to the Chautauqua pilots.



Last July, the Chautauqua Executive Council elected to pass this very important decision on to the membership. All facts available at that time were put out to the membership. The Jets for Jobs agreement was rejected by the pilot group. The company has now come up with a way to circumvent the pilots’ rejection, with the announcement of the formation of Republic Airlines, Inc.



In mid-December, the Jets for Jobs agreement was modified by US Airways and ALPA. Among other things, it eliminates the Captain pay protection for US Air furloughees in order to make it more economically viable for the regional carriers. Most important however, was the creation of Republic Airlines. Contemporaneous with the modified Jets for Jobs agreement, US Airways and Republic Airways Holdings, Inc. negotiated a code share agreement with authority for Republic Airlines, Inc. to operate up to 23 regional jets, staffed by US Airways furloughed pilots. This agreement was approved in mid-January by the bankruptcy court.



Neither the company nor ALPA notified this union until after the deal was struck. This union has intentionally refrained from public comment, while attempting to negotiate with both the company and ALPA. To date, ALPA is unwilling to modify the Jets for Jobs agreement and the company has informed us that even if we were to negotiate a more favorable agreement with ALPA, they were no longer interested in Chautauqua pilots flying under any Jets for Jobs agreement. The company now wants to start a “low-cost carrier” that not only brings it more profit, but can be used as a “whipsaw” against Chautauqua pilots, least you get “out of line.”

 

[airjackson]

...And you know those good ol ALPA brothers of ours will be lining up at the door to take these spots. Union, Brotherhood for life, Rah Rah, preserve the profession, and all of the precedent that ALPA has ever stood for have been $hit upon by the UMEC and ALPA. This is NOTHING more than Freedom all over again. Pilots at Republic deserve the same level of disrespect.

I don't know what burns me more. The arrogance of this move or the fact that MY union dues are helping to further it!

What was the number for the RJDC?

 

[abatista]

There are allot of people that like unions. I am not one of them. I do not think there needed now and will never vote for one where I work! There time has come and gone.

I lost my job back in 1988 at Eastern because of the Union and I feel that they are still one of the main cause of our country's problems. Most of them are run by hoodlums.

This I feel is a move in the right direction. Lets make company's profitable so we can have jobs that keep us employed.

 

[~~~^~~~]

We need unions in the airlines for two reasons:
(1) There are always more pilots than jobs. When Wilbur and Orville flew they had to flip a coin - two pilots, one airplane. Nothing has changed.
(2) The best way of handling promotion in the airline business is seniority. Nothing better has ever been thought up. This links pilots to their employers because we can not simply change companies and achieve the same level of wages and benefits. Our services are not portable in that way. Unlike most other professions, we are linked to our Companies.

ALPA's problem is that it does not function like a union, currently. Without effective National leadership each MEC has been left to feed off what it can take from other pilots. The Delta, United and US Air MEC's are the most predatory because of their size and hunger.

The power of the union must be used responsibly and the complete lack of leadership at ALPA National has made the union a beast without a head.

But...

One Level of Safety would not exist without ALPA. (actually Dan Ford - RJDC Leader was a significant part of that ALPA effort ) ALPA has done a lot to protect not only pilots' working conditions, but also have worked to protect the american public.

Have any of the CHQ pilots made demands from their Teamster's Representatives? Why doesn't Teamster's file a single carrier petition with the DOT and force Republic's integration into CHA? Or, why not file a suit against Chautauqua for breach of the CHA collective bargining agreement seeking injunctive relief? You guys have options - demand that your union do something.

 

[ACWild]

...we believe that any additional flying for US Airways rightfully belongs to the Chautauqua pilots.

Eagle pilots thought that AA feed belonged to them. I wish you guys the best of luck anyway.

 

[megreene]

I am not one who thinks that any flying "belongs" to anyone or company. I am a little concerned about how the growth at CHQ will be limited in the future by Republic, though Bedford says otherwise. Of course, our potential growth could be limited by any company, not just Republic. What concerns me most is the obvious skirt around the pilot groups vote managment has just taken. If CHQ is looking at gaining a new code share, Republic could potentially take it (I think), or in the current CHQ contract negotiation, managment could counter a union proposal with something along the lines of "if you don't then Republic will". But I guess the Republic union will sort-a help in that area. Just thinking aloud. Thanks...