BoeingBoy
Veteran
- Nov 9, 2003
- 16,512
- 5,865
- Banned
- #1
surprised these haven't been posted yet....
#1
Update for June 6, 2007
Council 41 & 94 Update
Ladies and Gentlemen:
As you know, the pilot group has been involved in an effort to set aside the Nicolau Award and the resultant seniority list. The MEC and Merger Committee made an appeal to the Executive Council, which was supported by the pilots’ attendance, to set aside the award. The MEC was informed on June 2nd that ALPA President, Captain John Prater, called the officers of both MEC’s to Washington on June 6, 2007, for a meeting to discuss the issues and how to proceed.
A conference call meeting of the US Airways MEC was held June 5 to give direction to our officers, and ultimately to our merger committee, concerning the pilots demonstrated desire of how they want our leadership to proceed. Your PIT and PHL reps offered a resolution giving that direction. The resolution was offered in open session and should be available when the minuets of the meeting are published. The discussion of the resolution was held in closed session so as not to prematurely disclose any strategy.
Closed session discussions are not to be revealed until the majority of the MEC lifts the veil of secrecy. However individual members can explain any personal thoughts of the discussion or their own votes on matters discussed.
Suffice it to say your PHL and PIT reps are disgusted that the MEC took no action on the resolution. In fact the MEC, many represented by proxy, took the ridiculous action of postponing the direction for the June 6, 2007 meeting until June 11th. The majority of the MEC, many represented by proxy, also would not allow the vote to be taken in open session. We can only ask the question WHY?
Fellow pilots, you have demonstrated your resolve. We must keep the pressure on the executive council, and now on our elected representatives, to gain a fair and equitable seniority integration. Your PHL and PIT reps believe that the list generated by the Nicolau award cannot be fixed. We believe that the list must be set aside and a plan developed to provide a “clean†list which gives both sides protections to our seniority going forward. Fixing the Nicolau award would not allow protections in the event of further consolidation. Team Tempe is on record indicating their belief that further consolidation will come about, and they have indicated their intent to be first in line. We must be proactive if we intend to protect our precious seniority.
The very core of unionism is based on seniority. We must not let anyone, from without or within our own pilot group, allow that sacred seniority to be diluted.
Fraternally,
Eric Rowe Dave Ciabattoni Jim Portale John Brookman Rocco Spartano.
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#2 (PHL Only)
Update for June 6, 2007 #2
Say what you mean and mean what you say!
Dear Philadelphia Pilots,
It would seem that for most folks “meaning what you say†would be a fundamental belief learned at a very young age. It is one of those human characteristics that goes right to the core of one’s personality and soul.
Unfortunately, it is a trait that is getting harder and harder to find among our leaders, both within Management and the Union.
We have watched our fellow pilots in positions of union leadership say one thing and then do something completely different. It doesn’t seem to matter whether it’s to an individual or 400 people, whether it’s by spoken word or in writing. They lack the strength of character to honor their previously stated or written commitments. Why? I suppose at the time it is the easier choice, usually involving less confrontation with less risk. Risk produces fear, and fear is a powerful motivator for these individuals. They don’t like absolutes. They do like excuses. They look to so-called “experts,†who in most cases are no more qualified than you or I, to make a basic decision for them. Many times these experts have their own agendas and interests.
It is unfortunate that these individuals are able to find their way into positions of leadership and representation; they sell themselves as something that they are not to the pilots they are supposed to represent. These individual’s and their flaws of character are at the heart of what has been lost in our profession.
The Aviators of yesterday were not fearful; they had courage to make decisions and then to standby them, not hide (in closed session) from them. They would not be threatened by risk and were extremely self reliant and independent; they didn’t need experts to hide behind. They would not compromise their principals due to fear or for expediency. And they said what they meant and meant what they said.
I had the great fortune of being raised by one of these pilots of yesterday. Hired by American in 1953, my father saw the removal of ALPA from their property first hand. Still, he has been rooting for us at ALPA to take back the profession for quite a while, and not just because he has three sons working in the profession. He stills cherishes the profession and the Aviators who made it great.
We received many calls about last night’s Code-A-Phone and the lack of work done by your fearful leadership. I was embarrassed by some of my fellow MEC members’ lack of strong character and fearful behavior. However, in every disappointment there is a lesson learned: I now know who can be counted on and who can’t. But at the same time, I’m proud of the line pilots that get it, even if it’s due to a Code-A-Phone. It’s taken a while for some, but you guys get it. And we do appreciate all your words and action demonstrating your support. You say what you mean and you mean what you say! ALPA will soon understand what that means.
Dave
NEWSFLASH---from Captain Prater and ALPA Attorney Mike Abrams!
During this afternoon’s meeting, these two gentlemen repeatedly advised our officers and the AWA officers, that the JNC process is the answer to implementation of the Seniority list. Sound’s like Donn Butkovic’s gotten a hold of them.
A typical ALPA attorney’s or negotiator’s (who hasn’t seen a deal he can’t make at someone else’s expense) answer to a problem.
ALPA’s attorney’s motto is, “Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate, but never ever litigate.†It’s reminiscent of a man who walks into a car dealer and tells the salesman, “I’m not leaving until you sell me that car!†And we wonder why we are where we are.
What the Merger Committee should have been doing during the last two weeks:
A forensic dissection of the Nicolau “Award†to show how the “Award†does not comport with ALPA National Merger Policy as called for in the Administration manual section 45.
Document the efforts made by the AAA East Merger Committee in the Negotiating Phase of this Merger. I.e. Building Blocks etc.
Demonstrate the loss of job prospects of the furloughed pilots who may soon be forced to make a decision on a recall to US Airways with this errant list/“Awardâ€.
Calculating monetary Damages to the US Airways Pilots caused by the Nicolau Award.
Provide a side by side comparison of the Nicolau Award and the Delta/Western and US airways/Piedmont Mergers to the EC.
Working on solutions to the problems caused by Arbitrator Nicolau that do not involve the use of the errant List and Award.
What have they really been doing? They are autonomous, so they tell us!
Follow the three prong approach, Fly safe, Family First, and SAP down for quality of life. Do it today and every day until we have a contract!
Fraternally,
Eric Rowe Dave Ciabattoni Jim Portale
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#3 (PHL Only)
Update for June 6, 2007 #3
Sixty-three years ago on this day, over a million armed men attacked the beaches of Normandy France.
Many were extremely young men not yet out of their teen years.
These men were willing to give everything they had, or would ever have, so their families and descendants could live free from oppression.
Why did they do this?
Because they understood what was a stake. It was clear to them. They had grown up in the midst of the Great Depression when even the availability of food and shelter was in question for many. They personally witnessed economic oppression. They understood that living to fight another day was not an option. They could project twenty years down the road and imagined the horrific oppression their families would suffer if they failed.
When the landing craft door dropped, they knew what had to be done. At any price.
We salute those that fought for our freedom sixty-three years ago this day.
We, too, are in the midst of a battle. And although our battle pales in comparison to that of sixty-three years ago, we should all consider this:
What will the pilots sixty-three years from now be writing about OUR generation of pilots?
Follow the three prong approach, Fly safe, Family First, and SAP down for quality of life.
Fraternally,
Eric Rowe Dave Ciabattoni Jim Portale
#1
Update for June 6, 2007
Council 41 & 94 Update
Ladies and Gentlemen:
As you know, the pilot group has been involved in an effort to set aside the Nicolau Award and the resultant seniority list. The MEC and Merger Committee made an appeal to the Executive Council, which was supported by the pilots’ attendance, to set aside the award. The MEC was informed on June 2nd that ALPA President, Captain John Prater, called the officers of both MEC’s to Washington on June 6, 2007, for a meeting to discuss the issues and how to proceed.
A conference call meeting of the US Airways MEC was held June 5 to give direction to our officers, and ultimately to our merger committee, concerning the pilots demonstrated desire of how they want our leadership to proceed. Your PIT and PHL reps offered a resolution giving that direction. The resolution was offered in open session and should be available when the minuets of the meeting are published. The discussion of the resolution was held in closed session so as not to prematurely disclose any strategy.
Closed session discussions are not to be revealed until the majority of the MEC lifts the veil of secrecy. However individual members can explain any personal thoughts of the discussion or their own votes on matters discussed.
Suffice it to say your PHL and PIT reps are disgusted that the MEC took no action on the resolution. In fact the MEC, many represented by proxy, took the ridiculous action of postponing the direction for the June 6, 2007 meeting until June 11th. The majority of the MEC, many represented by proxy, also would not allow the vote to be taken in open session. We can only ask the question WHY?
Fellow pilots, you have demonstrated your resolve. We must keep the pressure on the executive council, and now on our elected representatives, to gain a fair and equitable seniority integration. Your PHL and PIT reps believe that the list generated by the Nicolau award cannot be fixed. We believe that the list must be set aside and a plan developed to provide a “clean†list which gives both sides protections to our seniority going forward. Fixing the Nicolau award would not allow protections in the event of further consolidation. Team Tempe is on record indicating their belief that further consolidation will come about, and they have indicated their intent to be first in line. We must be proactive if we intend to protect our precious seniority.
The very core of unionism is based on seniority. We must not let anyone, from without or within our own pilot group, allow that sacred seniority to be diluted.
Fraternally,
Eric Rowe Dave Ciabattoni Jim Portale John Brookman Rocco Spartano.
----------
----------
#2 (PHL Only)
Update for June 6, 2007 #2
Say what you mean and mean what you say!
Dear Philadelphia Pilots,
It would seem that for most folks “meaning what you say†would be a fundamental belief learned at a very young age. It is one of those human characteristics that goes right to the core of one’s personality and soul.
Unfortunately, it is a trait that is getting harder and harder to find among our leaders, both within Management and the Union.
We have watched our fellow pilots in positions of union leadership say one thing and then do something completely different. It doesn’t seem to matter whether it’s to an individual or 400 people, whether it’s by spoken word or in writing. They lack the strength of character to honor their previously stated or written commitments. Why? I suppose at the time it is the easier choice, usually involving less confrontation with less risk. Risk produces fear, and fear is a powerful motivator for these individuals. They don’t like absolutes. They do like excuses. They look to so-called “experts,†who in most cases are no more qualified than you or I, to make a basic decision for them. Many times these experts have their own agendas and interests.
It is unfortunate that these individuals are able to find their way into positions of leadership and representation; they sell themselves as something that they are not to the pilots they are supposed to represent. These individual’s and their flaws of character are at the heart of what has been lost in our profession.
The Aviators of yesterday were not fearful; they had courage to make decisions and then to standby them, not hide (in closed session) from them. They would not be threatened by risk and were extremely self reliant and independent; they didn’t need experts to hide behind. They would not compromise their principals due to fear or for expediency. And they said what they meant and meant what they said.
I had the great fortune of being raised by one of these pilots of yesterday. Hired by American in 1953, my father saw the removal of ALPA from their property first hand. Still, he has been rooting for us at ALPA to take back the profession for quite a while, and not just because he has three sons working in the profession. He stills cherishes the profession and the Aviators who made it great.
We received many calls about last night’s Code-A-Phone and the lack of work done by your fearful leadership. I was embarrassed by some of my fellow MEC members’ lack of strong character and fearful behavior. However, in every disappointment there is a lesson learned: I now know who can be counted on and who can’t. But at the same time, I’m proud of the line pilots that get it, even if it’s due to a Code-A-Phone. It’s taken a while for some, but you guys get it. And we do appreciate all your words and action demonstrating your support. You say what you mean and you mean what you say! ALPA will soon understand what that means.
Dave
NEWSFLASH---from Captain Prater and ALPA Attorney Mike Abrams!
During this afternoon’s meeting, these two gentlemen repeatedly advised our officers and the AWA officers, that the JNC process is the answer to implementation of the Seniority list. Sound’s like Donn Butkovic’s gotten a hold of them.
A typical ALPA attorney’s or negotiator’s (who hasn’t seen a deal he can’t make at someone else’s expense) answer to a problem.
ALPA’s attorney’s motto is, “Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate, but never ever litigate.†It’s reminiscent of a man who walks into a car dealer and tells the salesman, “I’m not leaving until you sell me that car!†And we wonder why we are where we are.
What the Merger Committee should have been doing during the last two weeks:
A forensic dissection of the Nicolau “Award†to show how the “Award†does not comport with ALPA National Merger Policy as called for in the Administration manual section 45.
Document the efforts made by the AAA East Merger Committee in the Negotiating Phase of this Merger. I.e. Building Blocks etc.
Demonstrate the loss of job prospects of the furloughed pilots who may soon be forced to make a decision on a recall to US Airways with this errant list/“Awardâ€.
Calculating monetary Damages to the US Airways Pilots caused by the Nicolau Award.
Provide a side by side comparison of the Nicolau Award and the Delta/Western and US airways/Piedmont Mergers to the EC.
Working on solutions to the problems caused by Arbitrator Nicolau that do not involve the use of the errant List and Award.
What have they really been doing? They are autonomous, so they tell us!
Follow the three prong approach, Fly safe, Family First, and SAP down for quality of life. Do it today and every day until we have a contract!
Fraternally,
Eric Rowe Dave Ciabattoni Jim Portale
----------
----------
#3 (PHL Only)
Update for June 6, 2007 #3
Sixty-three years ago on this day, over a million armed men attacked the beaches of Normandy France.
Many were extremely young men not yet out of their teen years.
These men were willing to give everything they had, or would ever have, so their families and descendants could live free from oppression.
Why did they do this?
Because they understood what was a stake. It was clear to them. They had grown up in the midst of the Great Depression when even the availability of food and shelter was in question for many. They personally witnessed economic oppression. They understood that living to fight another day was not an option. They could project twenty years down the road and imagined the horrific oppression their families would suffer if they failed.
When the landing craft door dropped, they knew what had to be done. At any price.
We salute those that fought for our freedom sixty-three years ago this day.
We, too, are in the midst of a battle. And although our battle pales in comparison to that of sixty-three years ago, we should all consider this:
What will the pilots sixty-three years from now be writing about OUR generation of pilots?
Follow the three prong approach, Fly safe, Family First, and SAP down for quality of life.
Fraternally,
Eric Rowe Dave Ciabattoni Jim Portale
