Unions Getting More Support For Aid Assistance

[swamt]

OK, I'll amend my statement: changing the no-layoff date would screw over everyone except Southwest employees who took a voluntary package.

Saw an email yesterday where one of WN's competitors is going to be letting certain groups rescind their voluntary separations because of the uncertainty over when layoffs would be permissible. That would hint that their HR department agrees that changing the no-layoff date is screwing over those who agreed to leave based on the original 10/1 date...

Well at least they caught that and was able to be flexible enough to allow them to rescind.
Ya know, it almost appears as though the airlines are being way more compassionate than they have in the past when crisis's strike. Usually they just pull the ole layoff and furlough triggers with no heartbeat involved in the past and then straight into BK with even more non-compassionate moves.
Another note: They seem to be offering some pretty decent offers for the exits and leaves. Although they are all different in their own ways, some better in the medical area, and some better in the payment area, but all in all, they do seem to be wanting to take the "voluntary" route with offers that are pretty doable.
I really though SWA's early out package was going to be 80-100K for the mechanics just to say they topped the last one at 75K, however, the move to the full years salary was a game changer for many and really made SWA look good and serious about wanting folks to take the offers. Offerings of 115-132 for mechs is a serious move to get the numbers they needed and they did get the numbers needed to stop any layoffs and furloughs on Oct 1 as well as now for the rest of the year. IF this extension can go thru I think we will all be safe thru March 2021 and hopefully by then we will have a better and truer picture of how this industry will look moving forward. It may be a very slow recovery but at least by then I am sure we will have a much better picture of everything. And for God Sakes please have a vaccine before then to help out.
Just FYI, but I am waiting to hear if I get accepted for one of the leaves SWA is offering. A bit nervous about signing up for the long term one at such a reduced pay, but hey, you only live once and wanted to see what it would be like to be of and away from work for so long. Maybe a test, if ya will, on how retirement might feel like in the future. Now I just gotta find me a "busy" hobby so not to go off the wall bored stiff.
Sorry for rambling on ya E.

 

[swamt]

Glad to see our CEO publically encourage congress to pass the extension. The A4A group has spoken as well with support, but always nice to hear from our CEO personally in a message to the employees. With the unions pushing and the airlines CEO's also backing it 100%, there will be some sort of an extension IMO. The gov. does not want to see 100,000's of airline employees hit the streets on unemployment at such a quick rate, especially on an election year and that is what might push them to get er done for a second round of assistance.
I know, some will say it's just a bandaid that'll get ripped off come March 2021. But, if that be the case, at least folks are given another 6 months to help them stash the cash and get rid of some debt by then in order to better prepare themselves for the worse. Also it would help getting into the new year to see and judge how the airline travel will go. Also hoping to have a vaccine before then that might also help with passengers getting back in the air.
So IF extended, you folks that might be on the chopping blocks get smart, get prepared and stash the cash...

https://finance.yahoo.com/m/f54fd7d...m_medium=feed&utm_campaign=article&yptr=yahoo

 

[swamt]

Keep reading these articles that the PSP is gaining ground, when will we see it gain full ground and get passed by congress? I know, still covered until Oct 1st, but it would be really nice for the airline as well as for the employees to know sooner rather than later to give time for airlines and employees to react accordingly to how the short time future will look. The dum-ass Dems need to pull their heads out and come to a deal, they need to quit trying to get so much more than what is really needed, that's how you get things to go away completely. Keep it up Dems, and Trump will do a reach around like he just did with the 4 executive orders he just signed in. Time to work WITH the people or you will get worked around. Stop with the political BS and let's move America forward and out of this crisis eventually...

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/m/360...353315809b53/a-payroll-support-extension.html

 

[swamt]

Really happy to see Southwest deny these Gov loans. One thing CEO has said was he would take those loans if needed before any layoffs or furloughs. So hopefully we are able to avoid them all together.

https://finance.yahoo.com/m/c189fa1...m_medium=feed&utm_campaign=article&yptr=yahoo

And here's a bit of lifting news about Aug flights compared to July. Hope we can keep it going and improve each and every month going forward.

https://finance.yahoo.com/m/8b50947...airlines'-stock.html?siteid=yhoof2&yptr=yahoo

 

[swamt]

Trump hinting at taking care of the airlines with another reach around. Hopefully something soon, WAKE UP CONGRESS!!!

https://finance.yahoo.com/video/trump-could-act-avoid-u-191552728.html

 

[eolesen]

If Trump is hinting at it, you can expect Chuck and Nancy to suddenly oppose it.

 

[NewHampshire Black Bears]

If Trump is hinting at it, you can expect Chuck and Nancy to suddenly oppose it.

Says the ORACLE who knows EVERY F Thing !!

 

[swamt]

If Trump is hinting at it, you can expect Chuck and Nancy to suddenly oppose it.

Oh, absolutely. They are too busy trying to crash the economy worse and worse leading into this election. Hopefully Trump will exec order it thru.

 

[swamt]

Just saw on FNC all the airline CEO's (including Parker this time) had a personal meeting with Trump at the White House and Trump said he would approve of further assistance for the airlines and other businesses. Meeting was yesterday so maybe their visit will help getting congress to come to an agreement of some kind. A last ditched effort if ask me made by the airlines. It was stated at their press conference after the meeting that if no action is taken that there will be layoffs starting Oct 1st., and this comment was related by AA's CEO Parker at the microphone. Shortly after that comment the reported did clarify that Southwest and Delta has not stated the same as the other airlines about the layoffs...

 

[swamt]

This new offer just came out on Mon night brought forth by the Republicans again, of course. Pray something is able to come out this time around in this final week...

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/21/rep...pE0EkrmCmL4zguPrrzhEboz4MmyW7Lt7GgaTFpsd7O0_0

 

[swamt]

And now Pelosi says she will counter the Republicans offer of PSP. What is wrong with this stupid biatch? She's gonna add some ridiculous terms that the Republicans won't go for, like, paying for all the cities that were rioted and destroyed by protesters and bailing out only Democratic cities and their mayors that destroyed them financially.
Now with only 3 days left she is still playing games with people's lives. Risking everything for her own personal needs. Shame on her. Here are some folks that are in shambles all the while the Pelosi and crew dems are playing games and political interest only on their own behalf, sad indeed...

https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa...bjpVUw&usg=AFQjCNHMrqbMcu1K4yNNQviVZ0bUyvIfLg

 

[swamt]

Hope something is done well before end of year with this extension. Pelosi and crew screwed it all up once again, now she is trying to back peddle out of it, too late Pelosi, she will be remembered for this by all...

https://www.yahoo.com/news/layoffs-loom-payroll-aid-not-222855717.html

https://finance.yahoo.com/m/7c3e7fe...m_medium=feed&utm_campaign=article&yptr=yahoo

Oh so now she wants to make a move. WTF???

https://finance.yahoo.com/video/pelosi-says-stimulus-airlines-being-194732765.html

 

[swamt]

Here's a copy of the letter AMFA sent to our gov. encouraging PSP to be extended or a stand alone bill to cover aviation and small businesses.

ITH QUALITY MAINTENANCE ON THE GROUND AIRCRAFT MECHANICS FRATERNAL ASSOCIATION National Office: 7853 E. Arapahoe Court, Suite 1100 • Centennial, CO 80112 Tel: 303.752.AMFA (2632) • Fax: 303.362.7736 October 9, 2020.
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi The Honorable Mitch McConnell Speaker Majority Leader United States House of Representatives United States Senate U.S. Capitol, H-232 U.S. Capitol, S-230 Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Kevin McCarthy The Honorable Chuck Schumer Republican Leader Democratic Leader United States House of Representatives United States Senate U.S. Capitol, H-204 U.S. Capitol, S-221 Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20510 Dear Speaker Pelosi, Leader McConnell, Leader McCarthy, and Leader Schumer:

The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) is a craft-specific, independent aviation union that represents certificated and non-certificated aircraft maintenance technicians and related employees at Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, and Southwest Airlines. The airlines, an industry essential to economic recovery, face massive layoffs for tens of thousands of Americans, and we believe it is essential Congress act to protect these men and women and their families. As Congress and the Administration continue to negotiate a COVID-19 relief package, we offer our strong support for including an extension of the Payroll Support Program (PSP) for air carriers. If a relief package deal cannot be reached, we strongly urge immediate passage of a stand-alone bill extending the PSP. Both the House and Senate have independent legislation extending the PSP program through March 31, 2021, that are supported by a majority in both chambers. These technicians and related employees who work directly on aircraft, support equipment, and facilities need our support during these challenging times. They are the unseen backbone of the aviation industry and provide safe travel to the flying public. We appreciate your attention to this most pressing matter and will support you in this endeavor.

Sincerely, Bret Oestreich National Director

CC: The Honorable Nita Lowey (NY-17) The Honorable Kay Granger (TX-12) The Honorable Richard Shelby (AL) The Honorable Patrick Leahy (VT) The Honorable Peter DeFazio (OR-04) The Honorable Sam Graves (MO-06) The Honorable Roger Wicker (MS) The Honorable Maria Cantwell (WA)

 

[swamt]

So much for getting something before the elections, now let's see if they can get something prior to end of year, we shall see. Need now more than anything, as SWA has stated to send out the WARN letters...