Word is...

[Diesel]

No a line in the stand is a strike vote.

You guys just started sharpening the weapons.

Fly the pledge! Make them know you are there!

 

[FLYLOW22]

You have just started to contemplate drawing a line in the sand. You have a ways to go but the journey WILL be worth it if you guys proove your metal. Stay tight. We are behind you but we can't push you.

Go easy. Stay the course. Be strong. Kick some ass.

 

[leardawg]

You have just started to contemplate drawing a line in the sand. You have a ways to go but the journey WILL be worth it if you guys proove your metal. Stay tight. We are behind you but we can't push you.

Go easy. Stay the course. Be strong. Kick some ass.

"Wax On....Wax Off...."

 

[netjetwife]

It is my belief that tough times can bring out the best in people. Sometimes you don't see a group fight back until they've been knocked to their knees too many times to take it any more. I'm proud of the NJ pilots, but let's be fair--you guys were pretty apathetic for awhile also. I know we had a number of strong pilots that just needed to be organized and led, but we had our share of Kool-aid drinkers, too. I talked to some of them myself!

It may also be that the NJ pilots are overlooking the infusion of hope and confidence that has been generated (the byproduct of a positive outcome) for the pilots wanting to follow their example. Don't discount the power of momentum. Who hasn't had to push a car? Remember, the hardest part was getting it rolling? After that, it just required a steady effort and someone to steer. That's where 1108 comes in. They know the course and can guide you through the rough spots. Stay on the path--(fly the Pledge)--follow in their footsteps--(avoid the company traps)--and you'll make it!

How can I be so sure? Because now is the time and the status quo isn't worth keeping. I saw the NJ pilot group at this low point 2 years ago. An observant person can spot the signs. The discontented muttering at the other fractionals has gotten louder and angrier! I'm not a bit surprised. If anyone doubts my support, let them read my early posts. I was encouraging all of the frac pilots to make a stand back when the StrongUnion movement was just taking root.

It has always been a matter of principal,
Netjetwife

U NITED IN A COMMON CAUSE
N OW IS THE TIME TO STAND UP
I NVESTING IN YOUR OWN FUTURES
O RGANIZING YOUR INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS
N EARING THE FINAL GOAL WITH EACH CARD
S ECURING A BETTER LIFE FOR PILOTS/FAMILIES

 

[FLYLOW22]

"Wax On....Wax Off...."

I prefer painting the fence but above all of that I enjoy walking the line.

 

[ultrarunner]

What are the main reasons FLOPS chose Teamsters as opposed to their own union?

 

[Fozzy]

My opinion.
Resources.

For the 25% that goes to National, we get A LOT for our money. It is a very good investment.

Again, my opinion.

 

[FLYLOW22]

What are the main reasons FLOPS chose Teamsters as opposed to their own union?

The choices for Union representation in the Frac field are few.

1> ALPA.... um no. They have too many of their own issues to worry about our line of business.

2> Independent. Good for plotting the individuals group's course but income is denpendant upon 1 income stream. It's easier to squash a Union with limited income and spending potential. Also, there is less infrastructure to utilize. ie. political, general council, press connections, etc. It truly is what you make of it or have.

3> Teamsters. Already established. Has money and connections. Allows for a Local to plot it's own course and stays out of the way. If the 1108 needed any resources from IBT, we just asked. The don't dictate terms, they ask how they can help. Local 1108 is an extension of the Teamsters but is far from the usual "Local" one would find at a Teamsters convention.

Teamsters Local 1108. For Fractional Pilots, by Fractional Pilots.

 

[gunfyter]

Probably the best reason to go TEAMSTERS is to get into 1108. Thats where you will be doing yourself a huge favor.

They won't do it for you... They will teach you though.

Kinda of like having Ted Williams teach you to hit. You still gotta go up to the plate and swing the bat though....

 

[Tommy Boy]

We went with 1108 because it already has over 2k fractional pilots in it and it is run by fractional pilots for fractional pilots and if we join it will only grow stronger. They also have the financial strength and established structure of the Teamsters.

We were tired of the cuts and disrespect and trusting our fate to a bunch of nimrods who take everything from us and laugh about it behind our backs. Raytheon is making loads of money, don't be fooled by what they say, and a big chunk of it is on our backs. They obviously would like to get us as cheap as they can and work us as much as they can...the only way for us to have a say is through unity.

We said no more. We are taking the controls. We are going to do something about it. We want a voice in our lives and our futures.

We also don't make 200k a year so starting an in house union is very expensive. Most of them fail because there are very little resources to fight management with. That is actually one of the tactics management uses in an organizing drive...get guys to write "in house" union on their card so the yes vote is decreased for the group you are trying to organize under and thereby possibly not getting enough votes to get the union on the property.

 

[XPGuy]

...get guys to write "in house" union on their card so the yes vote is decreased for the group you are trying to organize under and thereby possibly not getting enough votes to get the union on the property.

Just a point of order, although that is a common misconception, that's actually not totally true.

It is true that any voter can add a write-in of any kind of union. Voters could add a write-in for ALPA, the under water basket weaver's Union, or the Mickey Mouse Club on the ticket and choose that as their choice.

If they do so, it will only help our cause.

The way the RLA works is this way:

The only "vote" that counts is whether a pilot voted "for" representation, or NOT for representation... and if a pilot chooses not to vote, that is a "no" vote.

However. Let's say that the above happens. For example's sake, let's say the ballot ends up being a vote for:

a) IBT 1108

b) ALPA

c) Under Water Basket Weavers association

d) Mickey Mouse club (in-house union)

e) No representation

It doesn't matter which representation is voted for... if 50% plus 1 pilot votes for ANY of the above choices besides option (e), then the pilots win representation... but representation from whom? The choice with the most votes.

So splitting up the votes is possible, but it is very VERY unlikely that the majority of pilots would pick anything other than the IBT 1108, and therefore, any vote for ANY representation will actually HELP us.