JCBA Negotiations and updates for AA Fleet

[WeAAsles]

i believe that when the talks are over with and there's a new JCBA  i think itll be a hell of an improvement over what we have had.   not to mention around 40ish articles      Job protection  scope  higher wages    hopefully theyll grandfather in all current mainline cities in both LAA and LUS

Robbed where you been buddy? I miss that positive mindset of yours.

 

[robbedagain]

Been here but also working a lot of hours got a vacation end of month going to msy

 

[WeAAsles]

Since Tim and I were having that conversation the other day about Multi Employer Pensions.
 
U.S. federal mediator Kenneth Feinberg rejected the Central States Pension Fund’s rescue plan that would have cut benefits for more than 250,000 working and retired union members.
 
Feinberg’s decision upholds retirement obligations to members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. About two-thirds of the 400,000 members would have had their pension checks reduced under the rescue plan, some by 50 percent or more, documents show. Central States, one of the nation’s biggest multiemployer pension funds, pays out more than $2.8 billion in benefits a year.
 
The decision could dim the chances for multiemployer pension funds to avoid insolvency by slashing benefits. Central States projects that, without the cuts, it will be out of funds by 2026 because it’s currently paying out $3.46 for every $1 it takes in. Even under the plan, the fund gave itself a coin-flip’s chance of surviving past 2064, according to its proposal.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-06/feinberg-rejects-central-states-plan-to-cut-teamsters-pensions

http://www.cspensionrescue.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Treasury-Communication-to-Central-States-Regarding-Denial-of-Proposed-Pension-Rescue-Plan.pdf
 

 

[WeAAsles]

Central States Pension Fund remains in critical and declining status and is projected to run out of money within ten years, or even less. Because the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), the government’s pension insurance program, is also projected to run out of money, today’s decision means that, absent legislative action or an approved rescue plan, Central States participants could see their pension benefits reduced to virtually nothing.

http://www.cspensionrescue.com/

http://www.cspensionrescue.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Treasury-Communication-to-Central-States-Regarding-Denial-of-Proposed-Pension-Rescue-Plan.pdf

 

[WeAAsles]

PBGC Report: Multiemployer Program will require significant Additional Premiums
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2016
WASHINGTON - The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation today issued its study of revenues needed for PBGC to continue to protect participants in multiemployer plans that are likely to run out of money. (Insurance of Multiemployer Pension Plans: A Five Year Report)
“Without changes, the multiemployer insurance program is likely to run out of money by 2025,” said PBGC Director Tom Reeder. “This report offers vital information for Congress as it considers how to stabilize the program and put it on sound financial footing.”

http://pbgc.gov/news/press/releases/pr16-04.html?cid=COLA01ACMAR3120161

 

[T5towbar]

I hope Smisek goes to prison. Probably the worst airline CEO to come down the pipe since the days of Lorenzo and Ichan? Some of you guys have more time in the industry then I do. Can you recall anyone worse?

I don't think Parker can win this prize personally.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-fagin/why-uniteds-jeff-smisek-i_b_5249902.html

Good Riddance.....
 
We also called this guy FLIBS.   (Frank Lorenzo In a Better Suit).
 
I was fortunate to come aboard on the tail end of the Lorenzo regime, (but I worked for PeopleExpress, for a year and a half but left before it got folded into CO) so I can't tell you how bad things were when he took over. But it was rough to say the least. But the few people who did said it was horrible. People used to take their uniforms off alter work, because no one would be caught dead in a Continental uniform. (the old "red devil" ones) Pay cuts abound. Starting pay was well below everyone else. (I was young and dumb back then, and it was a job I needed at the time and since no one else was hiring then - I just missed being hired by UA - United started you out about over 6 bucks an hour IIRC) The Eastern fight was still ongoing at that time. BK2 happened as well. When Brennerman came, things got better.  And then when Gordon came aboard they had a couple of massive hiring waves, because of the expansion of Terminal C "the Global Gateway" project. Morale, and everything else improved. That's one of the reasons why everyone who lived that period is very loyal or favors Gordon.
 
Jeff will go down with Lorenzo and Ichan as the worst of the worst IMHO.

 

[WeAAsles]

Good Riddance.....
 
We also called this guy FLIBS.   (Frank Lorenzo In a Better Suit).
 
I was fortunate to come aboard on the tail end of the Lorenzo regime, (but I worked for PeopleExpress, for a year and a half but left before it got folded into CO) so I can't tell you how bad things were when he took over. But it was rough to say the least. But the few people who did said it was horrible. People used to take their uniforms off alter work, because no one would be caught dead in a Continental uniform. (the old "red devil" ones) Pay cuts abound. Starting pay was well below everyone else. (I was young and dumb back then, and it was a job I needed at the time and since no one else was hiring then - I just missed being hired by UA - United started you out about over 6 bucks an hour IIRC) The Eastern fight was still ongoing at that time. BK2 happened as well. When Brennerman came, things got better.  And then when Gordon came aboard they had a couple of massive hiring waves, because of the expansion of Terminal C "the Global Gateway" project. Morale, and everything else improved. That's one of the reasons why everyone who lived that period is very loyal or favors Gordon.
 
Jeff will go down with Lorenzo and Ichan as the worst of the worst IMHO.

I've worked under 4 CEO's in my career and read about plenty of others and out of all of them in making my judgement call for the industry in the last 20 years, you just went through the worst IMO. I came in on the tail end of Crandall so can't say too much about the man outside of what I read, and I did get the job under him. Next up Carty. Got a great raise under him and then it went bye bye 2003. But don't feel like we were treated like crap under him. And we caught wind of his golden parachute so that forced him out. Next Arpey. I think he tried at first like I said in another thread but then he just gave up. I didn't feel comfortable under his leadership. I don't really count Horton cause he was really just brought in to run it all through the courts and then he was gone.

As for Doug. Still way too early to tell but he does have the makings of "maybe" winding up being the best of the bunch in time? I won't be comfortable making an opinion though until after a few more years pass?

Would love to hear what Kev at Delta and NWA think about the CEO's he's been under and the US readers?

The CEO I know has to answer to the BOD but he also takes the brunt of leadership both good and bad for the entire company. I hope we have a great leader now?

 

[700UW]

I worked under Colodny, he was ok except he failed on how PSA and Piedmont were merged into US and failed to realize the money on International flights.

Schofield was horrible was in way over his head.

Then we had Wolf, who wore his sheep clothing.

Then Gangwal who was good.

The Siegel who was horrible and took us into chapter 11, was fired and then we had a caretaker CEO Bruce Lakefield then Parker.

 

[AANOTOK]

I've worked under 4 CEO's in my career and read about plenty of others and out of all of them in making my judgement call for the industry in the last 20 years, you just went through the worst IMO. I came in on the tail end of Crandall so can't say too much about the man outside of what I read, and I did get the job under him. Next up Carty. Got a great raise under him and then it went bye bye 2003. But don't feel like we were treated like crap under him. And we caught wind of his golden parachute so that forced him out. Next Arpey. I think he tried at first like I said in another thread but then he just gave up. I didn't feel comfortable under his leadership. I don't really count Horton cause he was really just brought in to run it all through the courts and then he was gone.

As for Doug. Still way too early to tell but he does have the makings of "maybe" winding up being the best of the bunch in time? I won't be comfortable making an opinion though until after a few more years pass?

Would love to hear what Kev at Delta and NWA think about the CEO's he's been under and the US readers?

The CEO I know has to answer to the BOD but he also takes the brunt of leadership both good and bad for the entire company. I hope we have a great leader now?

So, are you giving Parker a pass for lying to you in the Town Hall?

 

[WeAAsles]

So, are you giving Parker a pass for lying to you in the Town Hall?

Absolutely not. And actually Weel did tell me after the meeting what their intentions were if they had to continue the trust. Right now I'm back like all of us in a holding pattern on that one?

But that's also not the only investment we have in the airline so I still want to see over time what he does with our baby?

Just received my proxy notice to vote on keeping the BOD or not and executive compensation. I'm voting yes. They do have two agendas though that they recommend voting against that I'm voting for. One is to provide a report to shareholders on lobbying activities and expenditures and the other is for political contributions and expenditures.

As an employee on that end of my investment I'm very interested to see.

And I hope the top executives appreciate that I voted for them to continue being paid what the BOD recommends. Now maybe they can get together and return the favor? 

 

[wings396]

I worked under Colodny, he was ok except he failed on how PSA and Piedmont were merged into US and failed to realize the money on International flights.

Schofield was horrible was in way over his head.

Then we had Wolf, who wore his sheep clothing.

Then Gangwal who was good.

The Siegel who was horrible and took us into chapter 11, was fired and then we had a caretaker CEO Bruce Lakefield then Parker.
 

Very true, and I have said all along that Ed's biggest failure was not seeing the PS & PI mergers thru prior to retiring. I've heard from many that Seth was a decent and capable person, just not equipped to clean up the mess that Ed left for him to handle. IMO, the biggest failure of any of the previous US management teams, was a lack of a good marketing dept. The company never had any sense of direction from 1989 until W&G came along and expanded the International flying and the Airbus orders.

 

[AANOTOK]

Well, today is the start of three straight weeks of negotiations before their next two week break. It will be interesting to see if we can get past some of the side items and move on the more pricier entree's. If they cannot, then hunker down, cause we could be in it for the long haul. Remember, we have some of the "side items" tabled and need to be revisited in the future. I still feel the company wants concessions and are justifying them by the money they are throwing our way. I hope our negotiators still have the mindset of ZERO concessions and continue that bargaining philosophy. I know there are those who only see the dollar signs and disagree with me, and that's OK too,

 

[ograc]

Well, today is the start of three straight weeks of negotiations before their next two week break. It will be interesting to see if we can get past some of the side items and move on the more pricier entree's. If they cannot, then hunker down, cause we could be in it for the long haul. Remember, we have some of the "side items" tabled and need to be revisited in the future. I still feel the company wants concessions and are justifying them by the money they are throwing our way. I hope our negotiators still have the mindset of ZERO concessions and continue that bargaining philosophy. I know there are those who only see the dollar signs and disagree with me, and that's OK too,

 
Until I see otherwise... I am skeptical, the company's posture in negotiations will change, regarding the $$$ issues. I believe we will see proposals that will be cost neutral to the company. $$$ for jobs. They will remain in bankruptcy mode. If this is the case... I would hope we are in for a long fight. The economic environment and profitability of the company has changed dramatically. ZERO concessions. This JCBA, given the economic environment, should be about improvements with every Article of, both the TWU and IAM Agreements. Both unions, at different carriers, made huge concessions to keep both LUS and AA solvent. It's time to regain sacrifices of the past.
ZERO CONCESSIONS! L&L!   
 

 

[Tim Nelson]

so, this post doesnt touch negotiations but an update for LUS.
As you know, the uniform policy has changed for us on may 1.
The shoes are suppose to be black or brown. Since that is a new policy for us, i believe the company should compensate us a certain per diem to make the transition for shoes "seamless". Up till May 1, our shoes were in compliance. Shoes routinely last 6-12 months so i figure our union person can address this and get us a per diem to purchase new shoes to get back in compliance, or enforce the shoe policy 6-12 months out. Not saying management has been hard and fast on this but if the union persons should b able to address this.

regards,

 

[700UW]

You dont get per diem for shoes.
 
Per diem is only given if you are away from your station on company or union business, it is an IRS Regulation.