Aspiring to be
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2002
- Posts
- 95
All of this talk concerning a union can be found at
http://pub97.ezboard.com/brtapilots .
The pilots at FLOPS that are doing 95% of the anti-union post are a very few extremely pro management pilots (?).
The depositions and other evidence posted on that board give more than enough information that there can be no doubt as to the guilt of the management of FLOPS and RTA that illegally terminated some pilots. Pilots that were only acting within their rights as stated in the RLA. Management that acted in an illegal manner are supported by these pilots (?).
One pilot was Fleet Manager at RTA and then program manager at FLOPS was terminated after he gave his deposition in the illegally termination due to some alleged bad paper work. He was not removed from his job as Program Manager he was terminated. This looks like intimidation as well as retaliation. The pilots of FLOPS have been silent.
The high level of intimidations that the Chief Pilot of FLOPS admitted to on his voice mail to all the pilots, having programs that encouraged pilots to rat-out each other in the hopes of gaining favor with management are but two of the many problems at FLOPS.
Those at FLOPS that speak the loudest against a union and the IBT are able to overlook and excuse their management that can, will and has terminated those without just cause. They overlook the fact the rights of there fellow pilots were violated for the laudable purpose of trying to obtain a contract. A contract that would be control by the membership through their vote and support.
I believe that the weakness of any union, the corruption of any union is the results of a poor MEC and bad support from the members. If the MEC is not doing the job then replace them. Yes, the union will have advisors to aid in many areas and contract negotiations and enforcement are the main thrust of those advisors but the control remains with the MEC and the members.
These anti-union pilots at FLOPS on many occasions accuse the IBT of even abusing family members. Pilots like these that try to spread such lies about a union are hard to understand. I do not believe the first pilot at NJ has ever had any strong-armed tactics used against them or their family.
As one poster said on this board if the MEC (translated to membership) at NJ just wanted a contract they would have signed one a long time ago. I do believe that the contract at NJ is being completely rewritten and not just a few lines modified to show a little increase. In the best of times this takes time to complete, we have not been in the best of times for aviation since 9/11.
I know of not the first airline that has been in business for several years, in the free world, that does not have a union. Pilots are not ignorant of the need and purpose of a union. Pilots are probably the most educated, experienced, trained and checked group of people to belong to a union. Why would such a group be overwhelmingly supportive of a union? A pilots union should not be like other unions because I believe the caliber, background, education and training of the average pilot is above that of other union members.
A union is not the answer to all problems but a union does guarantee you protection from management that will terminate your job, your career, your benefits, your working conditions, intimidations, programs that are a benefit to you and your family and the protection of your rights with only the bottom line as their concern.
It is stated in Mr. Ricci’s deposition that FLOPS hired pilots that fit a certain profile and would adapt to his culture and I am sorry to say that it does appear true. Not because they have not decided, the union issues but because they accept and even support the wrong of management and do nothing to correct that wrong. They have a way now and that is by sending in their cards and then voting to have elected representation with a binding and enforceable contract.
http://pub97.ezboard.com/brtapilots .
The pilots at FLOPS that are doing 95% of the anti-union post are a very few extremely pro management pilots (?).
The depositions and other evidence posted on that board give more than enough information that there can be no doubt as to the guilt of the management of FLOPS and RTA that illegally terminated some pilots. Pilots that were only acting within their rights as stated in the RLA. Management that acted in an illegal manner are supported by these pilots (?).
One pilot was Fleet Manager at RTA and then program manager at FLOPS was terminated after he gave his deposition in the illegally termination due to some alleged bad paper work. He was not removed from his job as Program Manager he was terminated. This looks like intimidation as well as retaliation. The pilots of FLOPS have been silent.
The high level of intimidations that the Chief Pilot of FLOPS admitted to on his voice mail to all the pilots, having programs that encouraged pilots to rat-out each other in the hopes of gaining favor with management are but two of the many problems at FLOPS.
Those at FLOPS that speak the loudest against a union and the IBT are able to overlook and excuse their management that can, will and has terminated those without just cause. They overlook the fact the rights of there fellow pilots were violated for the laudable purpose of trying to obtain a contract. A contract that would be control by the membership through their vote and support.
I believe that the weakness of any union, the corruption of any union is the results of a poor MEC and bad support from the members. If the MEC is not doing the job then replace them. Yes, the union will have advisors to aid in many areas and contract negotiations and enforcement are the main thrust of those advisors but the control remains with the MEC and the members.
These anti-union pilots at FLOPS on many occasions accuse the IBT of even abusing family members. Pilots like these that try to spread such lies about a union are hard to understand. I do not believe the first pilot at NJ has ever had any strong-armed tactics used against them or their family.
As one poster said on this board if the MEC (translated to membership) at NJ just wanted a contract they would have signed one a long time ago. I do believe that the contract at NJ is being completely rewritten and not just a few lines modified to show a little increase. In the best of times this takes time to complete, we have not been in the best of times for aviation since 9/11.
I know of not the first airline that has been in business for several years, in the free world, that does not have a union. Pilots are not ignorant of the need and purpose of a union. Pilots are probably the most educated, experienced, trained and checked group of people to belong to a union. Why would such a group be overwhelmingly supportive of a union? A pilots union should not be like other unions because I believe the caliber, background, education and training of the average pilot is above that of other union members.
A union is not the answer to all problems but a union does guarantee you protection from management that will terminate your job, your career, your benefits, your working conditions, intimidations, programs that are a benefit to you and your family and the protection of your rights with only the bottom line as their concern.
It is stated in Mr. Ricci’s deposition that FLOPS hired pilots that fit a certain profile and would adapt to his culture and I am sorry to say that it does appear true. Not because they have not decided, the union issues but because they accept and even support the wrong of management and do nothing to correct that wrong. They have a way now and that is by sending in their cards and then voting to have elected representation with a binding and enforceable contract.
I don't really give a hoot about the court cases and dispositions and charges of intimidation, and all that stuff that is happening in the upper management (I'm sure that statement will earn a rant from some of the hard-liners). But I am concerned, based on my experience of the last couple of years, with the direction of the company in relation to the pilots. I am tired of being on the tip of the spear, getting paid peanuts compared to my responsibility, and being treated as a glorified limo driver by the rest of the company (the CEO, Owner Services, Maintenance, Scheduling, Dispatch, you name 'em). No one wants to hear that the emperor has no clothes and if I question anything, it's seen as whining. "Just shut up and fly the plane, you poor dumb pilots just don't get it". To those that would say, "just be lucky you have a job" I say I am happy that I have a job and want FLOPS, and the entire fractional industry, to prosper. But that doesn't mean we should accept sub-par treatment and work for nothing, that kind of "just be lucky" attitude will keep us underpaid and under appreciated. If you haven't heard or seen any discontent on the line, it's because most of us, unless we are talking to someone we know and trust very well, will not take a hard stand on any issue less we be "branded" pro union and face retalliation by the company, or anti union and face retalliation by union organizers (fellow pilots) if and when a union becomes a reality.
