AAA ALPA Thread 9-21 to 9-27

[electricjet98]

USA320pilot said: "Separately, it is my understanding things went very bad for the West pilots at today’s EC meeting."

USA320Pilot comments: I guess that is a matter of perspective. Yesterday AWA MEC Chairman John McIlvenna said, "I will say that the hard work has yet to come. I fully expect to be in a representation election in a matter of days."

Electric, is that good or bad news, which the EC has helped create?
Regards,

USA320Pilot

At the time you made the first statement, the EC had not made any decisions. So now you're saying that the PHL FO rep's presentation (the one Prater & Rice blew holes in) was some type of superior East MEC plan to have the EC give the West MEC a clean sweep? And by the EC doing so, that they have played into the hands of USAPA? And that you knew this was "the plan" when you made that initial statement of: "Separately, it is my understanding things went very bad for the West pilots at today's EC meeting."?


I actually don't consider the EC's actions as any type of "news" at all. It was simply an inevitable decision considering the evidence at hand. It is also considered as one of several steps forward despite the actions of the east, to the inevitable conclusion.

 

[EastUS]

At the time you made the first statement, the EC had not made any decisions. So now you're saying that the PHL FO rep's presentation (the one Prater & Rice blew holes in) was some type of superior East MEC plan to have the EC give the West MEC a clean sweep?

I actually don't consider the EC's actions as any type of "news" at all. It was simply an inevitable decision considering the evidence at hand. It is also considered as one of several more steps forward despite the actions of the east, to the inevitable conclusion.

" to the inevitable conclusion." Which is?

 

[electricjet98]

NAME DEL BY MOD
The bomb has left the bomb bay and is in transit to the ground. What else is there to strageically plan at this point?

Regards,

Prechilill

Well, for many on their MEC, particularily the PIT & PHL reps, finding a good place to "Duck and Cover" may be a large part of any future stategic plan!

 

[EastUS]

Indeed they are. Now we will see if a majority of the East will ensure delivery of the bomb. Getting pimped by ALPO is one thing.. Getting pimped by the guys in your own foxhole..

The CLT minded pilots have some real sole searching to do. The fact that over 500 or so more guys on the bottom of the list can vote now after being tossed under the buss by CLT types gives some hope that things will not be the same.

Agreed. I've flown with some of our recalled guys. I'm pleased to note that they do not seem at all predisposed to more in the way of Alpo hose jobs.

 

[electricjet98]

" to the inevitable conclusion." Which is?

One big happy family, of course!

With a company accepted Nic list, limited base migration, newhires below everyone currently on property, a steadily growing and stable company, greatly increased compensation & schedules.

 

[EastUS]

One big happy family, of course!

With a company accepted Nic list, limited base migration, newhires below everyone currently on property, a steadily growing and stable company, greatly increased compensation & schedules.

Good one

Let's see = Nic, but no fences = "limited base migration"? You have people salivating out there at the thought of instant upgrades.

"a steadily growing and stable company" Umm...I assume that some major weather event is going to soon wipe Tempe/The Sandcastle off the map then? Merger Mania and/or sell offs are, IMHO, certainly in the works.

"A continual source of amusement"

 

[Phoenix]

Good one

"A constant source of amusement"

He did say "the newhires below everyone currently on property." How magnanimous.

That is a problem since there are a couple hundred USAir pilos not allowed back "on property" (untill next year) because they are being held at the USAir jobs they had when the merger happened.

It is in the spirit of Nic though to let the newhires be senior to them.

 

[electricjet98]

Good one

Let's see = Nic, but no fences = "limited base migration"? You have people salivating out there at the thought of instant upgrades.

"a steadily growing and stable company" Umm...I assume that some major weather event is going to soon wipe Tempe/The Sandcastle off the map then? Merger Mania and/or sell offs are, IMHO, certainly in the works.

"A continual source of amusement"

If you weren't always "shooting for the moon", you may be surprised at how reasonable the west could be!

 

[Tiger 1050]

"...USAPA is almost guaranteed..."

Regards,

USA320Pilot

Didn't you say that USAPA is now guaranteed? Haven't you in the past claimed that USAPA IS going to be the bargaining agent for AWA?

So is it or isn't it?!?!?!? C'mon man make up your mind. I have to plan my life accordingly.

 

[EastUS]

If you weren't always "shooting for the moon", you may be surprised at how reasonable the west could be!

"If you weren't always "shooting for the moon", fully describes the degree of "reasonable the west could be".

There's always excessive bouyancy on these boards whenever the west thinks that it's St Nic gift is imminent. Let's check back in a few more months

 

[Phoenix]

If you weren't always "shooting for the moon", you may be surprised at how reasonable the west could be!

After all this time and you still don’t get it. ALPA is at the same time a sugar daddy and a devil, and you still think this is an issue between East and West.

 

[USA320Pilot]

Most US Airways pilots believed the Nicolau Award would not be over turned.

Let’s review some quotes from today’s news made by key players, which can put a little more perspective into yesterday's ALPA EC news.

- Yesterday US Airways Communication Committee Chairman Richard Obermeyer said, “The work of the Rice Committee and the MEC’s decision to address the injustice of the (Nicolau) award through litigation will continue.â€

- “The (Nicolau Award) seniority list will not be implemented until a single joint contract is reached, which requires ratification from both the AAA and AWA pilot groups,†Obermeyer said.

- In a letter to dated September 21 from ALPA President John Prater to US Airways MEC Chairman Jack Stephan and John McIlvenna, Prater said, “Under Part I, Section N.2. of the ALPA Merger Policy, when significant issues remain unresolved between the pre-merger pilot groups, the President is required to convene the Joint Negotiating Committee to resolve these issues. At this point, it appears that such issues remain between the US Airways and America West pilot groups and that these issues require resolution, particularly in order to make progress in achieving our joint goals of parity and parity plus. Unless these issues are resolved, further progress will not be possible and the pilots of both groups will continue indefinitely under agreements resulting from bankruptcy and ATSB restrictions.â€

- AWA MEC Chairman John McIlvenna said, “I will say that the hard work has yet to come. I fully expect to be in a representation election in a matter of days. And we will need all US Airways pilots - east and west - to pull together else we may not make it over the next set of hurdles. There is a very long road ahead and it will require a lot of dedication and effort to navigate this road.â€

- US Airways spokeswoman Andrea Rader told the AP, “National Mediation Board-sponsored vote on union representation would throw the entire contract negotiation process into limbo. If one union is decertified and we have to start all over with another one, then that's pretty clear.''

- AWA ALPA MEC Communications Chairman Tania Bziukiewicz said, “If he (USAPA Interim President Stephen Bradford) gets his way, two years of contract negotiations will be likely thrown out. “There's no expectation that the company's going to take all the work that's been done and go ahead.''

- According to the AP National Mediation Board guidelines, a majority of a union's members must agree to authorize the federal agency to take action. The NMB typically conducts an investigation to ensure that the request for a vote on new representatives is valid. The agency will then supervise an election. The majority of union members must participate for an election to be valid. The union that receives the most votes will be recognized as the collective bargaining agent for the pilots (50%+1 of the total East and West pilots must sign an Authorization Card to hold an election, but just the majority of pilots who vote will elect the new collective bargaining agent).

- According to the AP Pilots from the former US Airways felt they got the short end of the deal. They said America West pilots were given equal footing with US Airways pilots who had more years of service. “You have to understand how important that is to a pilot,†Bradford said. “In many other job classifications, the seniority issue boils down to who gets vacations. In the case of an airline pilot, you're talking about opportunities (to be promoted) from co-pilot to captain.†“We're talking hundreds of thousands of dollars per year†in salaries, he said. “It's a huge impact.†If he succeeds, Bradford said he would take another look at seniority. “It would be revisited,†he said. “We're not bound by that award.â€

Finally, the US Airways MEC held a conference call today, with every major player (including ALPA National Attorneys) participating. It is my understanding there will be an announcement of Special East MEC meeting to work on the strategy going forward, which will be announced shortly.

Regards,

USA320Pilot

 

[Phoenix]

...It is my understanding there will be an announcement of Special East MEC meeting to work on the strategy going forward, which will be announced shortly.

Regards,

USA320Pilot

They better get their hiney on the seat with the JNC process and keep Prater from passing a jont contract without membership ratification.

 

[EastUS]

They better get their hiney on the seat with the JNC process and keep Prater from passing a jont contract without membership ratification.

Yup. I can only wonder just what potential Nat'l morsels Prater and the Punks, between stand up sets, have verbally batted around with any of them so far.

 

[EyeInTheSky]

I can't believe I am saying this, but I feel real sorry for Doug Parker and Scott Kirby. They are in the middle of a war between two pilots groups. It's a no-win situation that could lead to the end of the airline. You do realize Delta and United pilots are laughing their a$$es off at this whole mess don't you? Way to go EAST and WEST let those ALPA vultures come in and steal your jobs. WEST - ALPA isn't your friend, they are ultimately your enemy. You'll see. That union has abandoned the core principals of what a union should stand for. Furthermore, they are fundamentally flawed in fiscal responsibility and organization -- it's a bloated mess run by buffoons. If you want to see what a real union looks like check out AFA - at least they get the solidarity thing.

Later,
Eye