to strike or not to strike...

[MJG]

At what point does ALPA say enough...F it and walk out during talks???? At what point do you begin slowdowns or whatever? 10 percent with profit sharing doesn't sound all that great considering the responsibility pilots have and the money pilots make the airlines!!!

Probably never. Doesn't do any good for anyone to walk out on negotiations. Our company has done that several times already but it's all for show. Part of the silly game they're playing.

We're not just up against the company this time. We're up against a very unfavorable administration that will not allow a strike before this November's election. An administration that has influence with the Republican controlled NMB. XJet and CAL are both Texas based companies. Bush will do everything in his power to protect them. That's one of the many reasons Bush needs to go away. Definitely won't see a strike anytime this year.

BTW, it's never the pilot's decision to strike. Management makes that decision for us. It's their call.

 

[miles otoole]

Re: Re: to strike or not to strike...

Probably never. Doesn't do any good for anyone to walk out on negotiations. Our company has done that several times already but it's all for show. Part of the silly game they're playing.

We're not just up against the company this time. We're up against a very unfavorable administration that will not allow a strike before this November's election. An administration that has influence with the Republican controlled NMB. XJet and CAL are both Texas based companies. Bush will do everything in his power to protect them. That's one of the many reasons Bush needs to go away. Definitely won't see a strike anytime this year.

BTW, it's never the pilot's decision to strike. Management makes that decision for us. It's their call.

You forgot to add Cheney as well. Get over it- =Bush/Cheney will be in off another 4.5 years-then it will be Kay Bailey in charge. Too much oil to be had.

 

[vmc-hound]

I am not sure about a walk out but what about a slow down...?Or will that effect the Cal agreement? I am (hopefully) a future xjt pilot and I am pulling for the guys and gals and NOT applying DURING the talks...I encourage everyone to do the same...I talked to the Cheif Pilot the other day they are looking for pilots pretty bad....dont settle for the 10 percent and profit sharing that is maybe 8% and 40% out for taxes...Not really a pay increase...mang needs to pay us all better!!!!

 

[Lear70]

Heard a nasty rumor over here at PCL. One of our MEC reps was rumored to have talked with one of the XJet MEC reps and was told that the NMB has told XJet that it will not release the pilots into self-help over wage demands that are higher than Comair's.

Any truth to this? If so, it's a dangerous precedent the NMB is setting by basically telling a labor group what the government thinks it's worth and that they can't have any more.

If it's not true, would be nice to put this one to bed over at PCL so our guys can focus in on a rumor-free negottiations start.

Good luck to you over there!

 

[davessn763]

We are our own worst enemies

Here are the biographies of the recent Bush appointed NMB membersfound at www.nmb.gov)

Edward J. Fitzmaurice, Jr., became chairman of the National Mediation Board effective July 1, 2003, having served as member since August 2, 2002. He was nominated to the NMB by President Bush on November 9, 2001, and confirmed by the United States Senate on August 2, 2002.

After graduating from Villanova University, Chairman Fitzmaurice served four and a half years as an Officer of Marines. He was designated a Naval Aviator, and served in the Dominican Republic and Vietnam as a Captain and Aircraft Commander, receiving several decorations including the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and 11 strike/flight Air Medals, the Presidential Unit Citation and Navy Unit Commendation.

Upon release from active duty, Chairman Fitzmaurice became a pilot for Braniff International and served as a domestic and international Captain, Co-Pilot, and Flight Engineer.

Simultaneously with piloting for Braniff, he attended the Southern Methodist University School of Law and was licensed by the State Bar of Texas in 1971. He was an associate with the firm of Kern, Wooley and Maloney representing Underwriters at Lloyd's in aviation-related matters and was Of Counsel to the labor law firm of James L. Hicks and Associates, both in Dallas, Texas.

Harry R. Hoglander was sworn in as a Board Member of the National Mediation Board on August 6th, 2002. He was nominated by President George Bush on July 1st, 2002, and was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate on August 1st, 2002.

Prior to joining the Board, Mr. Hoglander served as a Legislative Specialist in the office of Congressman John Tierney of Massachusetts. His responsibilities included: Transportation (aviation, rail and maritime), Labor, Defense and Veterans Affairs.

Mr. Hoglander has an extensive background in the aviation industry. He flew as a Captain for Trans World Airline (TWA) and was rated to fly Boeing 707, 727, and 747's. Harry logged in excess of 20,000 hours of incident free pilot time in his 28-year career with TWA. In 1982 Harry was elected Master Chairman of TWA's Master Executive Council. Additionally, he was elected Executive Vice-President of the Air Line Pilots Association. After leaving TWA Mr. Hoglander was named Aviation Labor Representative to the United States Bi-Lateral Negotiating Team by then Secretary of State James Baker. Harry was deeply involved in the prevention of the introduction of "Cabotage" into the "Open Skies" aviation agreements.

Mr. Hoglander is a decorated, retired member of the United States Air Force. Mr. Hoglander enlisted in the Air Force and served as a gunner in a B-29 in the Korean War. Upon his return, with help from the GI bill, Harry earned his undergraduate degree and a commission in the US Air Force. He served with distinction in multiple active duty assignments. After leaving the Air Force, Harry joined the Massachusetts Air National Guard and qualified to fly both Jet Fighters and Bombers. He was appointed the director of plans for the 102nd Air Wing and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.



Can you believe former airline pilots even an ALPA executive vice president would f***ck us like this?

 

[mckpickle]

It is well said above. The NMB controls when we strike.

The problem here is that time is an issue. If we hold out for too long we will reach the "sunset" date of the Capacity Purchase Agreement. We do NOT want to be negotiating a contract while the CPA is up for grabs. Why? Because the motherless whores at MESA will walk through the door, JO will offer ungrades and new flying but if a small pay decrease is taken. These guys are like sharks and with other regionasl out there willing to fly for a lower operating cost we stand a chance at loosing some of our flying.


So thats where we stand. We have the most leverage we will ever have right now. As time passes we loose that leverage.

We have know this for years. Comair knew this. This is why us COEX guys were so worked up about the whole MESA and CHQ deals for the last few years. This is how other airlines affect our pay.