2014 Fleet Service Discussion

[roabilly]

True but even Pensions are tied into market performance and is and has been the case the law allows for dramatic underfunding of those assets in many areas. Basically companies and local governments have been allowed to borrow from those assets. And putting your money in a savings account still won't provide the return that beats the market ultimately IMO.

What would be your solution or choice Roa?

Guns -N- Gold!
 
Juss Kiddin'... actually BOTH (not guns and gold, but 401k and Pension) would be preferred contractually... diversity is your only weapon unless you just happen to be incredibly wealthy, and have no retirement worries...
 
I support the three legged stool concept, a Member should have 401k, Pension, and Social Security... of course NONE of this is guaranteed... that's why we have Doomsday Preppers!

 

[WeAAsles]

Guns -N- Gold!
 
Juss Kiddin'... actually BOTH (not guns and gold, but 401k and Pension) would be preferred contractually... diversity is your only weapon unless you just happen to be incredibly wealthy, and have no retirement worries...
 
I support the three legged stool concept, a Member should have 401k, Pension, and Social Security... of course NONE of this is guaranteed... that's why we have Doomsday Preppers!

I support the 4 legged stool actually. Prepare for different ideas when you retire. Come out of your comfort zone so to speak. Retirement is basically starting a new life, why not have new adventures to go along with it?

A change of scenery is not necessarily a bad thing. Especially if you're retiring from an airline that affords you the ability to return home any time you want to either hang with your grandchildren or your friends on the golf course.

Panama, Costa Rica, Mexico, Columbia and Belize are options fairly close to home. Some really adventurous members I know have been laying out plans for Asia. I'm not considering that far of a journey myself but nothing wrong with the thought.

 

[T5towbar]

Since the advent of the 401k, and demise of the defined pension plans... Americans have steadily lost ground on retirement savings. A THIRD of Americans now have NO retirement savings because they can’t, or won’t save responsibly. The 401k program is the largest scam to ever be perpetuated onto the American Worker!
 
TIME on retirement deficiencies.
 
USA TODAY on retirement deficencies

 
Problem is most people CAN'T save because of their circumstances with their pay. With stagnant paychecks, how could you save anything, especially for a retirement when other obligations come into play. And there is an consistent attack on defined benefit pensions like teachers and government workers have. (And their funds aren't funded because of politicians) Companies do not want to fund pensions any more (except for the Executives)
 
And IMHO, the 401K is problematic. Remember, we all lost money a few years ago. Many lost tens of thousands. I have one as well as CARP (which will be or is frozen) I think we will have the option to convert into the IAMNPF.  But it is good to have a 401K especially if there is a match to it. I just hope that there is not another financial downturn.

 

[roabilly]

I support the 4 legged stool actually. Prepare for different ideas when you retire. Come out of your comfort zone so to speak. Retirement is basically starting a new life, why not have new adventures to go along with it?

A change of scenery is not necessarily a bad thing. Especially if you're retiring from an airline that affords you the ability to return home any time you want to either hang with your grandchildren or your friends on the golf course.

Panama, Costa Rica, Mexico, Columbia and Belize are options fairly close to home. Some really adventurous members I know have been laying out plans for Asia. I'm not considering that far of a journey myself but nothing wrong with the thought.

I agree... the trend is to relocate to another country like the ones you just mentioned. If I were younger, and single... that would be MY strategy! I've done quite a bit of research about retiring abroad; it is defiantly a viable choice. Many of these countries don't tax retirement income, and the cost of living is inexpensive. I envy you for being able to actually entertain doing it!
 
P.S. Portugal is hot for retirees right now...

 

[roabilly]

 
Problem is most people CAN'T save because of their circumstances with their pay. With stagnant paychecks, how could you save anything, especially for a retirement when other obligations come into play. And there is an consistent attack on defined benefit pensions like teachers and government workers have. (And their funds aren't funded because of politicians) Companies do not want to fund pensions any more (except for the Executives)
 
And IMHO, the 401K is problematic. Remember, we all lost money a few years ago. Many lost tens of thousands. I have one as well as CARP (which will be or is frozen) I think we will have the option to convert into the IAMNPF.  But it is good to have a 401K especially if there is a match to it. I just hope that there is not another financial downturn.

There will ALWAYS be financial downturns... that's the nature of the markets. A smart investor takes advantage of the downs... as well as the ups!

 

[WeAAsles]

I agree... the trend is to relocate to another country like the ones you just mentioned. If I were younger, and single... that would be MY strategy! I've done quite a bit of research about retiring abroad; it is defiantly a viable choice. Many of these countries don't tax retirement income, and the cost of living is inexpensive. I envy you for being able to actually entertain doing it!
 
P.S. Portugal is hot for retirees right now...

My max in thought right now would be a 4 hour flight from the South Florida mainland. Portugal doesn't fit my criteria.

 

[roabilly]

My max in thought right now would be a 4 hour flight from the South Florida mainland. Portugal doesn't fit my criteria.

I hear ya...
 
It would be Central or South America for you -- Cold beer... Latin chicks... pristine beaches...
 
Man... I envy you!

 

[BLUTO]

I hear ya...
 
It would be Central or South America for you -- Cold beer... Latin chicks... pristine beaches...
 
Man... I envy you!

IM N DUDE!
15 MOR YRZ>
OUTA HERE!
COSTA RICA!

 

[WeAAsles]

IM N DUDE!
15 MOR YRZ>
OUTA HERE!
COSTA RICA!

BLUTO. Where you been bro? Hey I'm (hopefully) out 2 years before ya but I'll save you a spot on the zip line and a cold one on the other end through the forest canopy.

Gonna find out if you can really see that forest through the trees. I'll let the Macaws guide me.

 

[ograc]

Going forward; I believe the best option, concerning retirement benefits for the combined membership, would be to negotiate the option for a member to be part of the IAM Pension Plan or a 401K company match or both. The problem is... educating the younger members on the importance of this issue. Encouraging them to see the importance in laying the groundwork for long term goals. It will be a challenging task but one that needs to be addressed with the younger members.    

 

[psa8979]

AF readers/posters ASSOCIATION Members . Do you think the NMB will require a vote ? Name an ASSOCIATION that was made to vote whether they wanted a UNION / CONTRACT ? Why did the US/LCC NC and D-141 decide on a Signing Bonus with a stipulation that a Member had to be active for 9 months prior to DOS to receive ?  What was given up for SB ? Has the ASSOCIATION behind close doors in secret chosen a JCBA Negotiation Committee ? Will US FS IAM Members still be in D-141 in 2015 ? Will the ASSOCIATION be given their own District ? Will the IAM and TWU be merged into a Single Transportation Union ? Many questions ??? few answers 30 days after DOS . 

 

[ograc]

We may also want to take the conversation back a few steps and talk about the IAM/TWU Association since that is the first issue that is on the plate in front of us?

I support it because I can see the potential behind it. More so from my participation on this thread and the contacts that brought me. I reached out to your guys and your guys reached out back to me. That opened the doors to something that not everyone has had the same advantage, conversation.

My thought is whether or not the NMB says we have to vote doesn't matter. I would really like to see both unions start to sell what the advantages of the Association can be over either union standing apart. I think a shared web page that updates progress rather than going to the two separate one's would be a great avenue and tool for the memberships consumption. 

What do you guys think?

If I may; I would like to back up a few more steps, for the members who may not be aware, to explain the agreement between the TWU and the IAM to co-represent the combined Fleet Service groups at AA and US. The IAM and the TWU have entered into an agreement to co-represent the combined Fleet Service workgroups at the New American. This co-representation will be known as the "Association". To date; the NMB has not officially recognized the "Association" as the Bargaining Representative of the combined Fleet Service group. In the presumably near future the NMB will either officially recognize the "Association" as the Bargaining Representative or order an election by the affected employees. It is my understanding, if an election is ordered, the ballot and choice of the members will be simple. The members will be voting to be represented by the "Association" or be voting not to be represented at all. If an election is ordered...both unions need to aggressively educate the Fleet Service on the advantages of being collectively represented. To you and I the choice is a no brainer. However, let's not take things for granted. You are correct. This is the first issue that must be decided and ruled on by the NMB before JCBA talks can even begin.    

 

[700UW]

Fellow Stewards,
It pleases me to inform you that after productive meetings with UAL and District 141, the below wing reductions have been rescinded in San Diego, Orlando, and Tampa.
 
This will alleviate the impact the reduction MAY have at IAH. Rich Delaney will have a bulletin out as soon as he is able at iam141.org.

In Solidarity,
Jorge Bonilla

 
 

 

[T5towbar]

 

Fellow Stewards,
It pleases me to inform you that after productive meetings with UAL and District 141, the below wing reductions have been rescinded in San Diego, Orlando, and Tampa.
 
This will alleviate the impact the reduction MAY have at IAH. Rich Delaney will have a bulletin out as soon as he is able at iam141.org.

In Solidarity,
Jorge Bonilla

 
 

What about the rest?  Those stations still have vendors still doing flights to the sCO hubs.  These are LOA 6 Cities. Any news on getting rid of the vendors? That can make room for people who are on the bid list to move to.
 
Why isn't LOA's 5 & 6 enforced?
 
The company is taking their sweet time while we are getting whacked. I took a peek at the system available cities. Is that the reason for the downgrades? And to make room for the bump? 

 

[roabilly]

One thing I would like to see you guys rectify in the JCBA is the misuse of the US/FS “Lead” classification. Management currently uses the leads as extensions of themselves! The leads are in a compromising position with management over this, as many are required to make-out work schedules, initiate disciplinary policies, and other clerical duties that management should be doing.
 
Maybe WeAAsles can elaborate on how AA handles these issues with their lead equivalents. The overall goal would be to preserve the classification with contractual language that separates managerial duties from the lead function.