United Takes Action to Protect Customers

[Captzaahlie]

Press ReleaseSource: United Airlines United Takes Action to Protect Customers, Employees
Wednesday July 30, 3:13 pm ET
United Seeks Injunction to Stop Unlawful Job Actions of ALPA and Certain Pilots
CHICAGO, July 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United Airlines today filed a lawsuit asking a federal court to stop the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) and certain pilots from continuing to engage in deliberate, organized and unlawful job actions that resulted in hundreds of flights being canceled and impacted thousands of customers and employees.The lawsuit seeks a preliminary injunction against ALPA and four named pilots for organized sick leave abuse in opposition to the company's plan to reduce its fleet size and furlough pilots and to pressure United into renegotiating terms of a collective bargaining agreement that remains in effect through 2009. The lawsuit also seeks an end to a public campaign of intimidation that discourages pilots from picking up additional flying, effectively engaging in a slowdown.
"It is absolutely irresponsible for ALPA to promote unlawful behavior, particularly in this environment, when the industry is taking unprecedented actions to offset record fuel costs," said Pete McDonald, executive vice president and chief administrative officer. "Our employees are working hard to make our company successful. We are going to ensure the integrity of our operation and will not allow the actions of ALPA and certain pilots to continue to harm our customers, our employees and our company."
McDonald said the company pursued every other possible resolution -- at significant financial cost -- before pursuing litigation. These included increasing reserve pilot staffing and negotiating with ALPA to modify some of the work rules in the current agreement.
United also noted that the rate of first officer sick leave in certain fleets is up 103 percent this summer. Further, driven by ALPA directives and intimidation, picking up additional flying, as is standard practice throughout the industry, has dropped precipitously compared to that of previous years. In 2006, pilots were five times more likely to fly additional trips compared to today.
"The job actions have escalated, and the impact on our customers and employees is unacceptable, and must stop," McDonald said.
About United
United Airlines (Nasdaq: UAUA - News) operates more than 3,200* flights a day on United and United Express to more than 200 U.S. domestic and international destinations from its hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C. With key global air rights in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and Latin America, United is one of the largest international carriers based in the United States. United also is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides connections for our customers to 975 destinations in 162 countries worldwide. United's 55,000 employees reside in every U.S. state and in many countries around the world. News releases and other information about United can be found at the company's Web site at united.com.
*Based on United's flight schedule between Jan. 1, 2008, and Dec. 31, 2008.


Source: United Airlines

 

[Flyer1015]

What numbnut would pick up open time if there are furloughs at the airline?

Spineless!

 

[Flyer1015]

picking up additional flying, as is standard practice throughout the industry, has dropped precipitously compared to that of previous years.

Oh, gee, really? "Standard practice" has dropped?

Then call back some of the furloughed pilots and get the flights on open time filled up.

Management sucks all around! They use courts to ream employees up the as$, and my sympathy goes to the United pilot group.

 

[Captzaahlie]

What numbnut would pick up open time if there are furloughs at the airline?

Spineless!

That's how I feel too, but I guess we all need to be careful on how we put the word out....

We'll be charged with racketeering or trying to undermine the goodwill of the company. The place I used to work never treated reserves as true reserves. They were in fact part of the work group, and we put a real hurting on the company when we all stood together and refused overtime.

 

[JetMonkey]

If the ones who are facing furlough have any sick time built up and are not going to be paid for it when they leave, what the hell did the company expect? I'd be using up all of mine too!

 

[Flyer1015]

but I guess we all need to be careful on how we put the word out....

The union can't say anything. But neither should they have to.

It's common sense. When there are furloughs, then do NOT pick up open time! If the airline is 'hurting' that bad, then they should recall some of the furloughed to help the staffing.

Unfortunately, too many 'generation ME' pilots do not care about the furloughee pilots. It's all about, me, Me, MEEE, and what *I* can get!

 

[Shrek]

The union can't say anything. But neither should they have to.

It's common sense. When there are furloughs, then do NOT pick up open time! If the airline is 'hurting' that bad, then they should recall some of the furloughed to help the staffing.

Unfortunately, too many 'generation ME' pilots do not care about the furloughee pilots. It's all about, me, Me, MEEE, and what *I* can get!

Nobody is furloughed yet - just letters sent out. Furloughs start in SEP........

You were saying?..........

 

[Superpilot92]

WTFO!! uke:

 

[C180drvr]

When they raise the wages and don't have furloughing, I might pickup open flying. Until then, I won't pickup flying. When there is a financial incentive, perhaps, but not at the current rates.

Moreover, sick leave is an earned benefit per the contract. If they want to drop usage, pay out the earned and unused sick time. It's unreasonable to fly a pilot forced overtime (which is the norm) and deny sick leave pay, then furlough. Just my opinion.

 

[PCL_128]

The sad thing is that they'll probably get lucky with a Bush-appointed judge and win this BS lawsuit in court.

 

[Shrek]

When they raise the wages and don't have furloughing, I might pickup open flying. Until then, I won't pickup flying. When there is a financial incentive, perhaps, but not at the current rates.

Moreover, sick leave is an earned benefit per the contract. If they want to drop usage, pay out the earned and unused sick time. It's unreasonable to fly a pilot forced overtime (which is the norm) and deny sick leave pay, then furlough. Just my opinion.

Hit it right on the head.........

 

[Poahi]

Hit it right on the head.........

Speaking of head, not a single allegation of not wearing hats.... Sorry, I couldn't resist.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Divided we stand, United we fall.

 

[Shrek]

Speaking of head, not a single allegation of not wearing hats.... Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Got a chuckle out of that one..........touchez.

 

[SoCentralRain]

I think United should "(take) action to protect customers" by making certain their pilots are well rested and not sick.

An average of 94+ hour lines with 12 or 11 days off does not a rested pilot make.

"I'M SAFE" pretty much says it all.

SCR

 

[IBNAV8R]

Hmmmmm. Back when management "turned things around," they could have put money towards morale by giving some money back to the troops, hedging fuel, or buying newer, more efficient equipment. I guess those bonuses were a much wiser investment. Good luck guys!!

 

[Lampshade]

The union can't say anything. But neither should they have to.

It's common sense. When there are furloughs, then do NOT pick up open time! If the airline is 'hurting' that bad, then they should recall some of the furloughed to help the staffing.

Unfortunately, too many 'generation ME' pilots do not care about the furloughee pilots. It's all about, me, Me, MEEE, and what *I* can get!

You must know Mr. PBS at USAirways. Good for the UAL boys and girls. While at US we trip over ourselves for open time and run on time while the company f us.

 

[Sonny Crockett]

This was a train wreck waiting to happen!

90 hour month lines, no duty rigs, lond duty days, no real TRIP TRADING, crappy PBS schedules.


In case UAL Management is listening I will DUMB IT DOWN FOR YA!

1. YOU BUY A NEW CAR, ACTUALLY YOU LEASE IT

2. YOU DRIVE IT HARD EVERYDAY AND ONLY PUT GAS IN IT--HEY WHY PAY FOR OIL AND UPKEEP?

3. YOU DRIVE, DRIVE, and DRIVE IT SOME MORE, AS HARD AS YOU CAN--UNTIL

THE FORKING WHEELS COME OFF AND YOU ARE SLAMMED INTO THE DITCH!

Who is your DADDY NOW BEEYOTCH!

 

[ualdriver]

I'm kinda pissed because there was a job action going on at my airline and I have to find out about it from management today? Geeezzzz.......

Anyway, does anyone know how to look up a Federal lawsuit such as this online? I suspect it's public record and I'd like to actually read what we're being sued over.........PM me plz.....

 

[contrail67]

The union can't say anything. But neither should they have to.

It's common sense. When there are furloughs, then do NOT pick up open time! If the airline is 'hurting' that bad, then they should recall some of the furloughed to help the staffing.

Unfortunately, too many 'generation ME' pilots do not care about the furloughee pilots. It's all about, me, Me, MEEE, and what *I* can get!

And no one is even furloughed yet....

 

[Raoul Duke]

you can go to pacer (http://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/). When you look this case up please report back whether hats are mentioned.

 

[Andy Neill]

This article gives some of the details of the impact seen at United and gives the names of the four pilots being induvudually sued:

United Airlines sues pilots and union, claiming work slowdown has canceled hundreds of flights

By JOSHUA FREED , Associated Press
Last update: July 30, 2008 - 5:02 PM
United Airlines on Wednesday asked a federal judge to stop four pilots and their union from abusing sick time and refusing to fly extra hours, saying illegal job actions have caused hundreds of cancellations.
The injunction request accuses the Air Line Pilots Association of encouraging a sick-out, which is not allowed under the Railway Labor Act, the labor law governing airlines. It also said pilots were refusing to pick up extra flying.
"ALPA's communications are essentially a guide describing how to use sick leave inappropriately," United's injunction request said.
United said the first officers on its Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s called in sick the most. First officers on Boeing 737s called in sick more than twice as much over the past seven weeks versus the prior three years, and sick calls by Airbus 320 first officers rose 61 percent, the airline said.
United said it canceled 329 flights between July 19 and July 27, costing it about $8 million in lost revenue and $3.9 million in operating profit.
A court hearing could be held as early as Thursday in Chicago, where United parent UAL Corp. is based, said spokeswoman Jean Medina.
United pilots have been pressing to reopen their contract, which is not scheduled to be negotiable until the end of next year. Pilots took pay cuts when United reorganized under bankruptcy protection and have been hoping to win back some of what they lost.
United has resisted that, but it has negotiated some work rule changes with pilots. It has also increased the number of pilots on reserve. Additional talks broke off late last week, United Chief Operating Officer John Tague said in a message to employees.
"Despite these significant steps, unlawful job actions escalated, intimidation of pilots continued and the impact on our customers and other employees grew to truly unacceptable levels," he said.
The airline said ALPA has been encouraging a "work-to-rule" campaign where they would follow their contract to the letter — a move that would have the practical effect of slowing the airline's operations.
Like other airlines, United is shrinking its fleet, and it has said it will furlough 950 pilots.
United accused pilot Anthony Freeman of starting a Web site to organize the sick-out by junior pilots. It said the group was called "the 2172" because they were among the 2,172 pilots furloughed by United in 2001.
The other three pilots named by United — Steven M. Tamkin, Robert J. Domaleski, Jr., and Xavier F. Fernandez — are members of the Industrial Relations Committee of the Master Executive Council at United's ALPA unit.
United's ALPA unit issued a statement saying it could not comment on the lawsuit until its attorneys review it. It said United's press release "contained inaccurate and alarmingly misleading information. The United MEC believes this is not a constructive approach to labor relations." The union did not specify any inaccuracies in United's statement.
In 2001 United sued to get an injunction to stop an alleged slowdown by workers in the International Association of Machinists. A judge initially refused to grant an injunction, but a federal appeals court ruled that an injunction was required by the law.
The appeals court in the 2001 case said labor law requires unions "to exert every reasonable effort to prevent or discourage a strike or a concerted work action" like the slowdown by the IAM.
Shares of UAL Corp., United's parent, fell 61 cents, or 7.2 percent, to close at $7.90. Airline shares were generally down on Wednesday after oil prices rose.
The airline said ALPA has been encouraging a "work-to-rule" campaign where they would follow their contract to the letter — a move that would have the practical effect of slowing the airline's operations.
Like other airlines, United is shrinking its fleet, and it has said it will furlough 950 pilots.
United accused pilot Anthony Freeman of starting a Web site to organize the sick-out by junior pilots. It said the group was called "the 2172" because they were among the 2,172 pilots furloughed by United in 2001.
The other three pilots named by United — Steven M. Tamkin, Robert J. Domaleski, Jr., and Xavier F. Fernandez — are members of the Industrial Relations Committee of the Master Executive Council at United's ALPA unit.
United's ALPA unit issued a statement saying it could not comment on the lawsuit until its attorneys review it. It said United's press release "contained inaccurate and alarmingly misleading information. The United MEC believes this is not a constructive approach to labor relations." The union did not specify any inaccuracies in United's statement.
In 2001 United sued to get an injunction to stop an alleged slowdown by workers in the International Association of Machinists. A judge initially refused to grant an injunction, but a federal appeals court ruled that an injunction was required by the law.
The appeals court in the 2001 case said labor law requires unions "to exert every reasonable effort to prevent or discourage a strike or a concerted work action" like the slowdown by the IAM.
Shares of UAL Corp., United's parent, fell 61 cents, or 7.2 percent, to close at $7.90. Airline shares were generally down on Wednesday after oil prices rose.

*******
I don't see a problem with even an organized effort to fly to the letter of the contract but I'm no RLA whiz either. I do see where widespread abuse (calling in sick and then going to the White Sox/Giants/Rockies game) would be an issue.

I got a smile out of the $3.9 million in lost operating profit off of $8.0 million in lost revenue. That's quite a profit margin that isn't reflected in the recent earnings reports.

 

[Sig]

I got a smile out of the $3.9 million in lost operating profit off of $8.0 million in lost revenue. That's quite a profit margin that isn't reflected in the recent earnings reports.

You clever bastahd. That slipped right by me.

 

[BOOZENEWS]

deleted

 

[BOOZENEWS]

[/QUOTE]

United accused pilot Anthony Freeman of starting a Web site to organize the sick-out by junior pilots. It said the group was called "the 2172" because they were among the 2,172 pilots furloughed by United in 2001.
e 2,172 pilots furloughed by United in 2001.
[/SIZE][/QUOTE]


A single individual organizing a job action, grassroots style, is not illegal as long as the union doesn't call for it or endorse it, right??

 

[waveflyer]

Right... it's ALPA's fault.... not UAL's management. No Pilot in the world believes that. Not one. Stay strong. AND MAKE THEM REGRET SLANDERING YOU IN THE COURTS AND THE MEDIA. COUNTERSUE! IMMEDIATELY!

 

[rightrudder]

With the price of fuel, cancelling those flights might have actually saved UAL money. They should be thanking those pilots who called in sick.

 

[Draginass]

The sad part is that United may prevail.

Corporations own the court system and Labor Dept in the United States.

With these SOBs in corporate America, you have to be ready to walk away and effectively close the company. Otherwise the corporate officers know they can call your bluff and intimidate you with shyster lawyers and threats of sic'ing their gubment lawmen on you.

 

[T-Bags]

United accused pilot Anthony Freeman of starting a Web site to organize the sick-out by junior pilots. It said the group was called "the 2172" because they were among the 2,172 pilots furloughed by United in 2001.
e 2,172 pilots furloughed by United in 2001.
[/SIZE][/QUOTE]


A single individual organizing a job action, grassroots style, is not illegal as long as the union doesn't call for it or endorse it, right??[/QUOTE]


Ironically, the "2172" is not recognized by ALPA, and some more senior ALPA reps (including former officers) were pretty pissed that the 2172 even existed. How this is ALPA's fault is beyond my comprehension.

The basis of the lawsuit is this:
The RLA prevents strikes and job actions in the airline industry without approval. The theory is that since we had some guys whoring themselves out for the last few months, when they find "find religion", it is a "job action". Utter BS. Truthfully, if I'm MOTIVATED I'll come to work when I'm "marginal", when I'm not, F' um. Guys bent over backwards to help the company, only to get screwed. Then they quit picking up open time and making deals (THAT THEY ARE NOT NOR HAVE NEVER BEEN OBLIGATED TO DO) with the crew desk. It's called NORMAL HUMAN BEHAVIOR!!

The company wants a Dr note when you're sick, yet won't pay for the appointment. Why should I be obligated to give up my HIPA rights? BS!!

What is left out of the picture is the changes in behavior from the company. If we are expected to "act the same" in the face of furloughs, SHOULDN'T THEY BE HELD TO THE SAME STANDARD? The company is changing policies on a whim. Now they are supposedly considering restricting your FAMILY from traveling if YOU are sick! GMAFB. FUGT!!

 

[Sonny Crockett]

Anthony Freeman is a HERO~!

LONG LIVE THE 2172!

NEVER FORGET!