ALPA East MEC/LEC Official Communications

[USA320Pilot]

July 24 Special MEC Meeting, BOS F/O Update #3

BOS Pilots,

Here's a summary from the Open Session with Paul Rice, with direct quotes from (ALPA EVP) Capt. Rice in quotation marks:

1. The Nicolau Award will not be set aside by the Executive Council (EC) unless there's proof that the "merger process" wasn't correctly followed, and so far no proof has been presented.

2. However, there is no timetable as to when or if the EC will ever release the list to the Company.

3. The EC Resolution states that the merger process was followed, that ALPA remains neutral, and we need to work in the "real world" to find "realistic solutions."

4. The intent of the EC Resolution and the Rice Committee is to now move the process of "finding solutions" to this issue forward. And if any party is unwilling to engage in this process, then we'll move forward in negotiations "without them."

5. The JNC talks will go forward, but not in the "traditional sense," and may include many different variations that we have not yet even considered.

Garland

USA320Pilot comments: This week's ALPA EC Resolution, the comments above, and the PHL Reps. stating the "(East pilots) could be looking at single contract and separate operations, or separate agreements and separate operations. The East and the company will be exploring these possibilities," I now believe we have the foundation in place to provide a solution to the Nicolau Award and provide the East pilots (and the West pilots if they elect to participate) meaningful contract improvements, which in my opinion is a good thing for all airline employees.

Finally, I believe it is important to note that Pau Rice indicated if any party is unwilling to engage in this process, then we'll move forward in negotiations "without them."

 

[N924PS]

July 24 Special MEC Meeting, BOS F/O Update #3





USA320Pilot comments:

Finally, I believe it is important to note that Pau Rice indicated if any party is unwilling to engage in this process, then we'll move forward in negotiations "without them."

Your inference is, of course, that the West Pilots will be the one's described in "without them."

However, the East MEC's track record is rather abysmal in many ways, so, as has happened a number of times, it could once again be the East that is "left without."

 

[USA320Pilot]

N924PS,

It is not my inference. That is an exact quote from ALPA EVP Paul Rice.

Regards,

USA320Pilot

 

[Dog Wonder]

Round here we talk just like lions but we sacrifice like lambs.

 

[USA320Pilot]

US Airways East MEC CODE-A-PHONE UPDATE - July 24, 2007

This is Arnie Gentile with a US Airways MEC update for Tuesday, July 24th, with one new item.

The MEC special meeting convened at 9:00 am in open session in Washington DC and initiated with discussions and a vote on the question of the MEC permitting the R&I Committee Chairman special approval to travel to PHX in order to discuss, with other labor leaders, the issues revolving around United Health Care. This is a hot topic as obviously the MEC is concerned with the hardships our pilots are experiencing with UHC. The MEC’s resolution prohibiting travel to PHX except for direct representational needs of our pilots is still in place. This is not a space positive issue, rather an issue of the companies failed attempt of controlling union business and the representational needs of our pilots. The MEC voted not to allow the exemption leaving the R&I Committee Chairman with the option of participating by telephone or possibly meeting the company in an East city.

The MEC then received a briefing from our outside legal council, Roland and William Wilder concerning the status and some specifics of our litigation involving the Nicolau award.

ALPA First Vice President Captain Paul Rice, ALPA Secretary Treasurer Captain Chris Beebe and ALPA Attorney Bruce York were also in attendance during the day. Recall that Captain Rice is the Chairman of the Rice Committee, which was established by the Executive Council (EC) to work with the AAA/AWA MECs in order to explore consensual approaches for solutions.

The question of what the Executive Council’s resolution from last week meant was asked of Captain Rice. He specifically answered that ALPA has policy, rules and responsibilities. He went on to say that ALPA must also look at the practicalities. It is there that the EC recognizes that the groups are at a dead end, and that the Rice Committee will attempt to assist the MECs in finding possible solutions.

Some of the highlights of Captain Rice’s brief included:

· The Rice Committee has communicated daily, and will include the help of three additional pilots.

· The EC is saying the process was followed, that no evidence of improprieties has been brought forward and a result was rendered (the Nicolau award).

· There is no doubt about the fact that ALPA has a problem and that the problem is Association wide.

· ALPA has time to fix the problem, there is no timeline. However the EC would like the process to move forward. There will also be time to fix the Association’s problem as questions will arise concerning ALPA Merger Policy.

· The negotiating process at some point needs to go forward.

· If one of the parties does not fully cooperate, the President in consultation with the Committee will move forward, seemingly with the other party and communicate with the pilots and the company.

At the conclusion of Captain Rice’s brief, Captain Chris Beebe gave a briefing to the MEC in closed session and Attorney Bruce York was questioned about the delay in the Transition Agreement, Section 10 dispute concerning separate operations.

The Special MEC Meeting will reconvene tomorrow at 9:00 am at the Park Hyatt Washington, D.C., 1201 24th and M Street NW; Phone 202-789-1234. There is no hotel van service; however pilots can take the Airport Metro Blue Line directly to the Foggy Bottom station. Taxi is available for approximately $13.00. Portions of the meeting may be in closed session. The following agenda items remain:

1. Report from the Negotiating Committee and Joint Negotiating Committee.

2. Report from the Merger Committee and Counsel.

3. Discussion of the CBA options brought forward by the Rice Committee for consideration by the MEC.

4. Discussion of management pilot participation in profit sharing pool.

5. Discussion of whether recently recalled furloughed pilots should be unfrozen and allowed to participate in the next bid and other alternatives.

6. Report from the MEC Secretary/Treasurer regarding whether a special assessment for the pilots’ seniority defense and related issues will be necessary.

News you can use:

W.A.R. Item 724

New FOM 7.6.4 Thunderstorms

ANVIL CIRCUMNAVIGATION

"A good rule of thumb is to avoid the downwind side of the main body of the cells by at least one mile for every knot of wind at that altitude. For example, if the winds aloft at the altitude of the anvil are 270 degrees at 60
kts, avoid the main body by 60nm.

Educate to Vacate:

Definition of a windfall: The total number of Captain years transferred from US Airways pilots to America West pilots is 4,463 years.

Equal pay for Equal Work:

Since the merger, most all employee groups and all of management, including the America West pilots have received pay raises.

Follow the three-prong approach, fly safe and thanks for listening.

 

[Dog Wonder]

Round here, she's slipping through my hands.

 

[ClueByFour]

2. However, there is no timetable as to when or if the EC will ever release the list to the Company.

Right after cards are sent to the NMB or immediately prior to the very winnable lawsuit from the west MEC to compel it.

Parker is not going to give you guys a dime absent the west participation and going thru the JNC. I told you this when you were talking about "parity" which (as predicted) was a non-starter. Bank on it.

 

[Dog Wonder]

she knows she's just a little misunderstood
she has trouble acting normal when she's nervous

She says It's only in my head
She says Shhh I know it's only in my head

can't you see my walls are crumbling?"
Then she looks up at the building
and says she's thinking of jumping