Union getting serious at CitationAir

[imacdog]

Rigger, for comparison, the 1.5% union dues that NJA pilots pay are quite a bit less than the medical premiums that they would be paying if no-premium plans were not negotiated into the contract. That clause alone more than offsets the measly 1.5% union dues, not to mention the additional protections afforded by an enforceable contract.

 

[rigger]

Rigger, you are right, up to a point. Now might be a good time to remind you that the union IS the pilots. Some unions are better than others. Some were good, and went bad. Look at ALPA. You should read Flying The Line. It's a fantastic read, and gives a great perspective on where we, as an industry, were prior to ALPA, and where we're at now. Gives a great perspective on what things would really be like if pilots had no union and "worked things out" directly between the pilots and management. It also makes it all the sadder to see what has happened to ALPA over the years. But ALPA was necessary, and most of the pilots who enjoy a great job today still have ALPA to thank for it.

Now, will a union be right for the pilots of CA? I don't know. I don't work there. But if a union is needed, it'll be voted in. If it's not needed, they won't get one. It's not a perfect solution, but what is?

As for examples, ask yourself where the pilots would be without their respective unions of the following carriers:

FedEx
UPS
American
Delta
Southwest
Netjets (after 15 years here, I can personally tell you about this one)
Continental
Etc, etc, etc.......

Union at CA. No union at CA. Whatever. Unions aren't all good, and aren't always necessary. But they aren't all bad either and have done a whole lot of good for a whole lot of people. Good luck CA pilots!

I have no argument at all about this point, i was with ALPA 2 times in my carrer and understand the plus and minus. I Also have read flying the line and understand the need as it was 70 years ago. The times have changed though perhaps the unions are still needed in some place as there are still people ( management) that will not do the right thing. But as you point out perhaps they are not needed.
Unions are supposed to be the "pilots" sounds like a great idea and works great when left to work....problem is Unions have become more corporate than a lot of the companies they represent, look inot the books and you see a huge money making operation, that will not give up it's power gat any cost ( even its members)
I work at C A my card is in and i believe the voice of the pilots needs to be heard, the company has lost sight of its original intent. That said i still believe the issues can be fixed without a union.....but then again i have been called a boyscout many times!

I will say this though, we have more than the 35 % needed for a vote but the IBT will not call for it yet because they want 60-70% now here is my problem with the "pilots are in charge arguement. The pilots are now getting a bit disgruntled about the lack of anything happenning. The company is getting fed up as we have been in lab conditions for 4 months now. The drive is fast loosing steam.....this is 100% in the control of the IBT but they will not call it yet cause they cannot afford a black eye as loosing a vote, so the pilots are left holding the bag cause of political corporate BS. If as you say pilots control the union then a vote would tKe place either way. This is the problem at CA today a lot of puff but no backbone to do the right thing no matter the outcome. Have the vote, if you win great, if you loose great, either way you can come back in a year and try again.....but stop playing politics before you even get on property!

 

[PRFDLT]

Realityman The carriers you listed have done well but again in good times and how many of them are represented by the teamsters? CA pilots that seem to be leading this charge are not from the time of beginning years of the company. Take a look at the starting salary and benifits of 10 years ago. When economy was booming they hired, promoted, expanded, and increased salaries just like others. Personally I would prefer a long career at a steady salary the reaping big in the good times then starving in a down turn.

 

[G4dude]

Realityman The carriers you listed have done well but again in good times and how many of them are represented by the teamsters? CA pilots that seem to be leading this charge are not from the time of beginning years of the company. Take a look at the starting salary and benifits of 10 years ago. When economy was booming they hired, promoted, expanded, and increased salaries just like others. Personally I would prefer a long career at a steady salary the reaping big in the good times then starving in a down turn.

Great post.

 

[The Dude Abides]

Looks like the votes going to happen. 6/14-7/6.

 

[bailout]

Votes are in progress!!!!!!!!!

 

[RCR5]

Yes they are. They got my 'No' vote.

 

[bailout]

Well, they got my YES vote, so we're both cancelled out.. lol...

 

[FRACTRASH]

They got my NO vote! we're one up now. lol.

 

[FRACTRASH]

My gut feeling, tells me it's going to be very close, possibly slightly in favor of the Union. That's unfortunate. I just hope this doesn't come around and bite us in the A$$! Everything we do have will be at risk during negotiations.