Contract Negotiations - Are Reserves in Trouble?

[PITbull]

Carol I think CLT is going to shock everyone and exercise their power in the MEC with some sweeping motions. There will be new blood.

Lets just hope your right.

Oh? What did Philly do exactly? People don't even know what goods they bought Just because something is new doesn't mean it's a better product. And 63% of the PHL base didn't give two rats butts about who represented them. Have the new officers in PHL promised you something they didn't communicate to the rest of us? Pray tell :huh:

Truly, that is the main point. Apathy in PHL elections brought about a guy who is popular among his newsletter recepiants. A guy who never gave two craps about a union or representation. A guy who cast stones and judgement and pats himself on the back when he could steal a moment from someone else's good deed. And what irony that he would collect dues $$ as his livilihood from that union he so critisized and despised. Shame.

PHL LECP is so arrogant that he wrote to me and said he will sweep PHL again when the elections are up in 1 year. The guy has appointed 5 people to work in the union on committees so that he can remain "under the radar" until the same fools in PHL vote again next year.

 

[beachboy]

Well PIT, who ever thought our hopes would fall on CLT? I have to admit I have a new found respect for them after the show they put on in March to Scott. Don't get the bows in a twist or there will be hell to pay! Good for you guys and keep it up.

 

[lildutchgrl]

I was involuntarily furloughed at the time and thus was not able to vote.
I think a rotating reserve system is a great idea and I am all for it! I wrote the union and mentioned that we should have a rotating reserve system, but they didn't seem very thrilled by my suggestion.
I hear complaints from flight attendants of all seniority levels from blockholders to top reserves to bottom reserves. I used to ask people who voted FOR the current contract what the hell they were thinking and they said they were afraid of losing their job with US Airways and others said the union sold them the contract and made it sound good. Also, some things were promised and not delivered.

We must put a lot of pressure on the union this time around!

I think it all comes down to demanding a reserve be on the JNC. Without that we will get another crappy contract in which all the blockholdes will vote for. No one will even admit they voted yes on the last contract. Our FAs run scared and vote for anything brought to them. Look at NW. They have voted down 3 contracts brought to them. Why are we so unable to stand up for ourselves? How do west FAs get a block in 6 months? Is it turnover or just a rumor? I'm not on property right now, so I have to go by what my friends tell me they hear from west FAs. I cannot believe we are so far from a contract. 6 items only and 35 to go. What a joke. What have they been doing for the last year and a half? 6 Items? UNBELIEVABLE!! :rant:

 

[MustangSally]

I thought our MEC Reserve Chair was helping out with negotiations.

 

[lildutchgrl]

I thought our MEC Reserve Chair was helping out with negotiations.

Is the MEC reserve chair a current reserve? PHL LEC reserve chair is a blockholder now. I don't have that capabilities to look into that one. I didn't think there was a "junior" FA on JNC.

 

[Sthrnboy]

How do west FAs get a block in 6 months? Is it turnover or just a rumor? I'm not on property right now, so I have to go by what my friends tell me they hear from west FAs.

Six Months.... Its more like three/four years. Its more than he said/she said... LOL Six Months! Only in some of our RESERVES Dreams !!! Good ONE!!! God This board cracked me up sometimes.

 

[PITbull]

I think it all comes down to demanding a reserve be on the JNC. Without that we will get another crappy contract in which all the blockholdes will vote for. No one will even admit they voted yes on the last contract. Our FAs run scared and vote for anything brought to them. Look at NW. They have voted down 3 contracts brought to them. Why are we so unable to stand up for ourselves? How do west FAs get a block in 6 months? Is it turnover or just a rumor? I'm not on property right now, so I have to go by what my friends tell me they hear from west FAs. I cannot believe we are so far from a contract. 6 items only and 35 to go. What a joke. What have they been doing for the last year and a half? 6 Items? UNBELIEVABLE!! :rant:

You should pose that question to the MECP who is paid 105 International pay obviously lacking in negotiation skills inspite of the fact that U is out of BK and reported a $500 million profit this past year. Throw in Carol Austin who makes the same, and that payroll is huge dues $$.

The Committee is a joke and the MEC should hold the MECP responsible along with his side kick, Carol for their lack of strategy to negotiate an agreement much more timely and fairly. Protests should be weekly and should be hammered in the media at every turn and opportunity.

 

[Informed1]

sky high states: Didnt YOU ALL have a say in "your contract" by VOTING FOR or AGAINST IT?
only stating opinions.

YES WE DID, AND THOSE THAT VOTED YES, VOTED FOR A PREFERENTIAL BID SYSTEM THAT WORKS WITH AN LTO!!!! You must be a blockholder..

I thought our MEC Reserve Chair was helping out with negotiations.

No offense to you personally, but this comment represents why we are in this situation. How could anyone not know that there is NOT a reserve on the JNC. The JNC consists of Mike Flores and one other appointed, which is Carol Austin. An AFA international representative sits in also. 90% of our flight attendants are clueless to how this process works. The other 10% could care less. Yes people, we are in trouble.

 

[EMBFA]

I dont agree with everything PITbull has to say but if ANYONE knows the ridiculous mess of US AFA its her. I dont agree with all of her views, but she had more integrity and COURAGE than frankly, her apathetic membership deserved.

PHL elections- voter turnout disgusting. Im little Miss Sunshine on the jumpseat until people complain and I turn into a multi-toothed snake- did you vote- no- then get out of my galley.... I wear the same wings you do but I suffer for them and know what Im talking about- you dont so f off.... its the reserves that voted. Dont underestimate us. Combine us with the west and the tea party is over.

CLT will agree to anything. Very sad our hopes are pinned on them. Dont bet on them. However- the CLT reserves at the crew news- good for you. Mad props. Let's get that attitude for everyone on the property, not only when it affects you.

SKYHIGH- not all reserves were furloughed when this crap was voted in, some were but were drastically outnumbered. The ones who came back? Well informed, and all keep in touch with each other. Even though it went bad, the MDA F/As were organized. Jerry Glass called us "KidAtlantic" and scoffed at the idea of us doing anything. Again, it didnt work out, but 93% of just under 400 F/As organized themselves into a lawsuit AND a recall of the "MDA" LEC. The company shut the thing down before any progress was made but you better believe the company was absolutely shocked at the unity of the MDA pilots and F/As. The company called the MDA F/As "militant" - I take that as a compliment to our profession, its all too rare these days. We had newsletters taped to an Atlas carrier in the back of the planes and a private website. Thats teamwork. And its not just the MDA folks, its that whole seniority range that have seen 9/11 and beyond and seen multiple furloughs and more. These are the type of flight attendants you need to balace the group and call the company AND THE UNION on thier bullshit. "Mainline" cant even get half of the largest base to vote.

Theres also the pref bid/LTO issue. You were all lied to, what was voted on never came to be.

This is IMPORTANT. We're talking about the next ten years or so of this profession. US Air/ways was never a leader in anything until 2002 when it became the leader in deteriorating pay scales, staffing and scope clauses. Oh no honey. These recalls? Nothing to lose. Could work at any of the majors and be in a better position day one (we have 4700 F/As- go to UA or CO you'd have 2000 under you within a year). We could go to a "regional" (US Airways unions redefined what is considered "regional") and make more in starting pay than what our 7 year east pay is. We have nothing to lose, seriously. You guys stuck it to them in 2000 and we still have the energy to do it again. Its a benefit to everyone that these F/As are back, and while I'm guilty of it too, its time to stop making fun of the West F/As and see them as the valuable asset they are. They have a range of seniority, unlike East which is strangleholded by the top 10-20%... those days are over. Why do you think they have stalled the important part of the negotiations.

Let's get organized. This website, fun as it is, is a valuable tool, so are layovers, airport sits, and trips. We will soon be combined. Let's show them who we are- our profession will not be degraded. The West F/As are not an enemy, they are our co-workers and we need to get together before the company decides its convienient for them. We're still here. We're going to be, and mark my words, we'll combine with someone else in the future. The sacrifices have been made, the profits are there- its time to make this BS respectable again, regardless of seniority or base.

If my airline career has taught me anything, its that adversity creates camraderie. What was the catchphrase at MDA? I think it was "I'm in, are you?" Well they cant shut this #### down so lets go!

 

[cactusflyer]

I dont agree with everything PITbull has to say but if ANYONE knows the ridiculous mess of US AFA its her. I dont agree with all of her views, but she had more integrity and COURAGE than frankly, her apathetic membership deserved.

PHL elections- voter turnout disgusting. Im little Miss Sunshine on the jumpseat until people complain and I turn into a multi-toothed snake- did you vote- no- then get out of my galley.... I wear the same wings you do but I suffer for them and know what Im talking about- you dont so f off.... its the reserves that voted. Dont underestimate us. Combine us with the west and the tea party is over.

CLT will agree to anything. Very sad our hopes are pinned on them. Dont bet on them. However- the CLT reserves at the crew news- good for you. Mad props. Let's get that attitude for everyone on the property, not only when it affects you.

SKYHIGH- not all reserves were furloughed when this crap was voted in, some were but were drastically outnumbered. The ones who came back? Well informed, and all keep in touch with each other. Even though it went bad, the MDA F/As were organized. Jerry Glass called us "KidAtlantic" and scoffed at the idea of us doing anything. Again, it didnt work out, but 93% of just under 400 F/As organized themselves into a lawsuit AND a recall of the "MDA" LEC. The company shut the thing down before any progress was made but you better believe the company was absolutely shocked at the unity of the MDA pilots and F/As. The company called the MDA F/As "militant" - I take that as a compliment to our profession, its all too rare these days. We had newsletters taped to an Atlas carrier in the back of the planes and a private website. Thats teamwork. And its not just the MDA folks, its that whole seniority range that have seen 9/11 and beyond and seen multiple furloughs and more. These are the type of flight attendants you need to balace the group and call the company AND THE UNION on thier bullshit. "Mainline" cant even get half of the largest base to vote.

Theres also the pref bid/LTO issue. You were all lied to, what was voted on never came to be.

This is IMPORTANT. We're talking about the next ten years or so of this profession. US Air/ways was never a leader in anything until 2002 when it became the leader in deteriorating pay scales, staffing and scope clauses. Oh no honey. These recalls? Nothing to lose. Could work at any of the majors and be in a better position day one (we have 4700 F/As- go to UA or CO you'd have 2000 under you within a year). We could go to a "regional" (US Airways unions redefined what is considered "regional") and make more in starting pay than what our 7 year east pay is. We have nothing to lose, seriously. You guys stuck it to them in 2000 and we still have the energy to do it again. Its a benefit to everyone that these F/As are back, and while I'm guilty of it too, its time to stop making fun of the West F/As and see them as the valuable asset they are. They have a range of seniority, unlike East which is strangleholded by the top 10-20%... those days are over. Why do you think they have stalled the important part of the negotiations.

Let's get organized. This website, fun as it is, is a valuable tool, so are layovers, airport sits, and trips. We will soon be combined. Let's show them who we are- our profession will not be degraded. The West F/As are not an enemy, they are our co-workers and we need to get together before the company decides its convienient for them. We're still here. We're going to be, and mark my words, we'll combine with someone else in the future. The sacrifices have been made, the profits are there- its time to make this BS respectable again, regardless of seniority or base.

If my airline career has taught me anything, its that adversity creates camraderie. What was the catchphrase at MDA? I think it was "I'm in, are you?" Well they cant shut this #### down so lets go!

I'M IN !! . I like that catchphrase. No time like the present to start spreading the word. Not only "I'm in, are you? but also time that we just do OUR job and no one else's. As always follow the manual and contract, nothing more.

 

[drrstrav]

I think it all comes down to demanding a reserve be on the JNC. Without that we will get another crappy contract in which all the blockholdes will vote for. No one will even admit they voted yes on the last contract. Our FAs run scared and vote for anything brought to them. Look at NW. They have voted down 3 contracts brought to them. Why are we so unable to stand up for ourselves? How do west FAs get a block in 6 months? Is it turnover or just a rumor? I'm not on property right now, so I have to go by what my friends tell me they hear from west FAs. I cannot believe we are so far from a contract. 6 items only and 35 to go. What a joke. What have they been doing for the last year and a half? 6 Items? UNBELIEVABLE!! :rant:

The west F/a doesn/\'t get a block after 6 month!!! If they are lucky, they get a secondary line "relief regular or blank after 3 to 4 years", it is still less than 18years. LIfe is not pleasant on reserve on the West side either. Somebody did lie , when it told you that after 6 month there is "line". I wish!

 

[2clippedwings]

EMBFA,
You KNOW I'm in!

 

[SKY HIGH]

The company shut the thing down before any progress was made but you better believe the company was absolutely shocked at the unity of the MDA pilots and F/As. The company called the MDA F/As "militant" - I take that as a compliment to our profession, its all too rare these days. We had newsletters taped to an Atlas carrier in the back of the planes and a private website. "Mainline" cant even get half of the largest base to vote.

sky high states: Awesome attitude. "Mainline" needs to realize they permanently RIP OUT page after page of our contract when they vote yes to these agreements. For the past 25 years, they've mostly been concessionary. I believe it was in the year, 2000, with Gangwal that I sensed F/A's had finally HAD IT. They donned their CHAOS T-SHIRTS, held RALLIES, GOT INTO THE MEDIA, got other UNIONS involved and threatened to shut the company down. We need to regain that sense of self-worth. We're NOT fighting with a Bankruptcy Judge anymore!!!!!

....finally, EMBFA. I like your thinking. <handshake>


only stating opinion

 

[SKY HIGH]

YES WE DID, AND THOSE THAT VOTED YES, VOTED FOR A PREFERENTIAL BID SYSTEM THAT WORKS WITH AN LTO!!!! You must be a blockholder..

sky high states: Touche' Good point.


only stating opinions

 

[FlightChic]

sky high states: I believe it was in the year, 2000, with Gangwal that I sensed F/A's had finally HAD IT. They donned their CHAOS T-SHIRTS, held RALLIES, GOT INTO THE MEDIA, got other UNIONS involved and threatened to shut the company down. We need to regain that sense of self-worth. We're NOT fighting with a Bankruptcy Judge anymore!!!!!

We need to take back our airline and take charge of our union so we aren't screwed once again! If it were up to me I would overthrow the entire office and put in new people, but on a smaller scale, what do you all suggest? Get all the reserves and disgruntled f/as to refuse to pay dues until things change, protest at AFA offices, put up billboards, get lots of media publicity, pass out letters, napkins on flights with a "special" message on them, wear t-shirst, buttons, bracelets, pens, flyers, bag tags, bombard them with emails and phone calls, sign petitions, only do what's in contract...We have to show the AFA that we do have a voice and they must take us seriously and that we're not going to let them or the company walk all over us like in the past. We're not the pieces of sh!t that they think we are! I think most reserves agree that our system is flawed and needs a change. It wouldn't be that hard to get them on board. The West flight attendants will be our allies as well since many are junior and want a much better contract. It's time for the East and the West to ban together on this one because we will all be colleagues soon enough. We can also get other employee groups to help in and we can help them out when they need our support. We can't just sit here and let life happen to us while hoping for the best! Hope is not a life strategy for getting what you want and making a change!


Who's in?