US Pilots Labor Discussion

[LSS]

My support of a fairly derived final and binding arbitration in which I lost seniority makes it all about me???

You lost me there.

If it were all about me, I would use some loophole to try and renege on the process, and further my position at others expense. Sound like any organization we are all familiar with?

You truly can't be that dense... but here... I'll help you out mr."lost me there."

"east pilots get their 2005 DOH...thereby satisfying the usapa C&BLs...
and the C&Rs are that we use the Nic list for all bidding of vacancies, monthly schedules, vacation etc....
So simple a cave man can do it!!!!"

So as I said... It's all about YOU!

 

[CactusPilot1]

Federal crimes deserve federal time in JAIL. It will happen.

What is the crime?

You sound like a real man of of genius...

USAPA: Real Men of Genius

July 17, 2008
Source: Planebuzz

Okay, so how many of you saw that ad in yesterday's USAToday that was placed by the union leadership of USAPA? You know, the union that represents the US Airways East pilots at US Airways? I say that because I have yet to talk to an America West pilot who has paid USAPA dues. While USAPA claims to have 5800 members, I think the number is probably closer to 3000 or less. Yes, USAPA. The same union that was voted in, after the US Airways East pilots refused to go along with an ALPA arbitrator's award decision in the union seniority process to unite the two separate (at the time) ALPA memberships.

Yesterday, the brain trust of this organization, and I use that term loosely, decided to run a full page ad in USAToday, accusing management at US Airways of "pressuring pilots to reduce fuel levels for your flight in order to save money." The ad then continued,
"We ask that you remember this: although we consider US Airways to have embarked on a program of intimidation to pressure your Captain to reduce fuel loads, US Airways Captains are committed to maintaining their right to exercise their "Captain's Authority," granted by the Federal Aviation Administration, to ensure a fuel load that will safely fly you to your destination with all the reserves necessary to handle any contingencies related to the flight." Uh-huh.

Those of us who know and work in this industry know what this is. It's a very sad attempt by grown men who should have better things to do with their time to get media attention by crying "Safety, Safety." Thankfully, no major media outlets paid much attention to the effort -- because, frankly, they also knew it was a bunch of crap.
However -- then there is Larry King. And CNN. Last night, US Airways' CEO Doug Parker and ATA President Jim May were scheduled to be on King's show to discuss the issue of rising fuel costs, the industry's cost problems, whatever. But what the show turned into was a discussion of how unsafe US Airways was -- because of this "problem." Not only that, but Parker, because of commitments in Washington, was unable to be on the show. The show's producers apparently thought it was okay to bash the supposed "unsafe" practices of the airline without having the courtesy of having a representative of the airline on the show at all.

As one reader noted in a letter he sent to CNN today, Yesterday I tuned into your show with the hopes of seeing the CEO of US Airways speak to the crushing negative effects the run up of oil is having on the airlines, the economy, and my career. What I saw was something all together different. Instead of the scheduled speakers I witnessed a disjointed, subjective, discussion over a “news” story that was generated by an ad placed by the leaders of the new rookie union at US AIRWAYS (USAPA). This ad was nothing more than an ill guided attempt by the fledgling union’s leaders to flex their muscle during contract negotiations.

The core issue here is not about how much fuel a pilot can carry, safety or “Captains Authority” but rather a dispute between the company and a segment of the pilots this new Union represents. (It should be noted that not one of the 1800 former ALPA represented pilots of America West have elected to join this new union.)

As a Captain for America West and post merge the New US Airways, I have never had the company question the amount of extra fuel I choose to carry on any flight segment. Many of those segments routinely carry me and my passengers over the longest over water route in the world and as such I am very cognizant of the need for adequate fuel reserves for any contingency.

I was appalled by this new "Union's” attempt to bring safety into question when it is clear, based on the data collected, that this was a deliberate attempt by the pilots in question to carry and burn more fuel in an effort to influence the company to acquiesce to their contractual wishes.

As a one time Executive Vice President of The Air Line Pilots Association I have seen and participated in my fair share of labor disputes but I have never witnessed nor would I condone using a bogus “safety” issue to apply leverage to a company." As I said in a recent issue of PlaneBusiness Banter -- as we see a number of airlines link-up, or merge, and as it becomes more and more clear that the union problems involving the pilots at US Airways apparently had a major chilling effect on the airline's potential merger with United Airlines -- these guys at USAPA are only going to have themselves to blame if the airline finds itself without a dance partner going forward. But this latest stunt, I have to say, takes the prize.

The boys at USAPA are real men of genius.
As a result, they are more than deserving of a PlaneBuzz Buzz Bomb Award.

 

[traderjake]

An no I really don't want to see anyone lose their jobs.

Will you call your USAPA Reps and tell them that?

 

[luvthe9]

Will you call your USAPA Reps and tell them that?

Will you fight for DOH with C&R and start to support the junior pilots here?

 

[luvthe9]

So true...Dysfunctional to say the least:

US Airways Pilots Infighting Grows Worse by the Day

Source: Bnet
January 11, 2010

.

This has to be the most dysfunctional union around.

Completely wrong, THIS HAS TO BE THE MOST DYSFUNCTIONAL MERGER AROUND, I DO THINK THE WEST SHOULD BE SOLD OFF AND BOTH PARTIES GO THEIR SEPERATE WAYS. Parker blew this one big time.

 

[traderjake]

Will you fight for DOH with C&R and start to support the junior pilots here?

I'll take that as a no. I didn't think you meant it.

And no, I will not help you steal jobs from the West

 

[luvthe9]

I'll take that as a no. I didn't think you meant it.

And no, I will not help you steal jobs from the West

We have different views on "who's stealing jobs", you are free to think how you want. We would be better of with this company split or seperate ops forever. I will always support our junior guys,unlike yourself even though the this situation does not affect me. And I did mean it, but I'm am still for straight DOH. P.S. you still did not answer my question will you take the money? or should I just take that as a yes?

 

[CactusPilot1]

Completely wrong, THIS HAS TO BE THE MOST DYSFUNCTIONAL MERGER AROUND, Parker blew this one big time.

9er,

I find that we have some common ground. I agree that Parker blew it. He's a numbers guy, not a leader, that is a given. He relies heavily on those around him when he gets tough questions at the brown bag meetings.

He's enjoyed the benefits by default with this continued division. He's capitalizing on the stalemate as we both know.

 

[luvthe9]

9er,

I find that we have some common ground. I agree that Parker blew it. He's a numbers guy, not a leader, that is a given. He relies heavily on those around him when he gets tough questions at the brown bag meetings.

He's enjoyed the benefits by default with this continued division. He's capitalizing on the stalemate as we both know.

No argument here, I wish both sides would do what ever is necessary to get this management team ousted from here. Just wishful thinking.

 

[traderjake]

And I did mean it

You meant it when you said you don't want anyone fired but you won't tell your Reps that.

Actions speak louder than words .

 

[CactusPilot1]

No argument here, I wish both sides would do what ever is necessary to get this management team ousted from here.

Maybe so, short of the employees buying a controlling interest in the company, I really don't see that happening.

The more likely scenerio is a Parker grabbing a golden parachute with the next, God help us, merger.

 

[luvthe9]

You meant it when you said you don't want anyone fired but you won't tell your Reps that.

Actions speak louder than words .

Are you going to take the money? LOA 93 and any pension money if received.

 

[luvthe9]

Maybe so, short of the employees buying a controlling interest in the company, I really don't see that happening.

The more likely scenerio is a Parker grabbing a golden parachute with the next, God help us, merger.

Next one could not be any worse, I dont think, hopefully I'll be long gone.

 

[MUTATIS MUTANDIS]

So true...Dysfunctional to say the least:

US Airways Pilots Infighting Grows Worse by the Day

Source: Bnet
January 11, 2010

If you’re looking for a model for a dysfunctional pilot group, you should look no further than the US Airline Pilots Association (USAPA). That union represents the combined US Airways (US East) and America West (US West) pilot groups, but its existence has been marred by constant fighting between the two sides. Now, the US East pilots have tired of fighting others and have no turned on each other. This is an absolutely miserable situation.

USAPA was formed after the US East pilots decided they didn’t like the results of seniority arbitration (the Nicolau Award). So, they decided to toss ALPA off the property and create the USAPA, an independent union. The US West pilots couldn’t do anything to stop them because the US East pilots had the majority. You can read more about the US Airways/America West pilot fight in a previous post.

Since the USAPA took over, their behavior has become increasingly questionable. In regards to the company, it appears their goal is to oppose anything management supports regardless of whether it is good or bad for them. That’s the only way I can explain their opposition to the slot swap with Delta in New York and Washington. Their latest efforts have been against closing down the Las Vegas hub. Ok. But now, the union has really lost it. There is now a ton of infighting going on within the US East pilot ranks and things are getting very ugly. USAPA Executive Vice President Dave Ciabattoni turned in his resignation from the organization’s leadership team before Christmas. In it, Dave, a US East pilot, states: I must be blunt here: the mutation of USAPA from a democratic, line pilot oriented and controlled union into the current administration that is about enrichment and ease of life style for President Cleary and his supporters is nearly complete and in record time.

All of these players are US East pilots. In the new year, Dave gave more of an explanation about what his problems were with the team. He details a variety of problems with the leadership, in particular, President Mike Cleary. He makes accusations of violation of bylaws, misappropriation of money, and favoritism. It’s a compelling read and it begs a single question . . . what is wrong with these people?

This is a union that continues to hold fast, refusing to budge on its stubborn position on the Nicolau Award despite court rulings against them. The US West pilots have been alienated from the beginning, yet it’s the US East pilots who are in worse shape. The company offered to bring US East pilots up to the US West contract in the beginning but they have held out. Now, they’ve foregone higher wages for years and there doesn’t appear to be any end in sight.

This has to be the most dysfunctional union around.

And here is the BIO of the guy that wrote it, can you say prejudice! MM Brett Snyder

Brett has worked in various pricing, sales, and marketing functions for airlines including America West and United. In addition to writing for BNET's Travel industry blog, he also writes the award-winning consumer travel blog, The Cranky Flier, and holds an MBA from Stanford.


For daily updates, follow Brett Snyder on Twitter.

 

[mikey60]

So true...Dysfunctional to say the least:

US Airways Pilots Infighting Grows Worse by the Day

Source: Bnet
January 11, 2010

If you’re looking for a model for a dysfunctional pilot group, you should look no further than the US Airline Pilots Association (USAPA). That union represents the combined US Airways (US East) and America West (US West) pilot groups, but its existence has been marred by constant fighting between the two sides. Now, the US East pilots have tired of fighting others and have no turned on each other. This is an absolutely miserable situation.

USAPA was formed after the US East pilots decided they didn’t like the results of seniority arbitration (the Nicolau Award). So, they decided to toss ALPA off the property and create the USAPA, an independent union. The US West pilots couldn’t do anything to stop them because the US East pilots had the majority. You can read more about the US Airways/America West pilot fight in a previous post.

Since the USAPA took over, their behavior has become increasingly questionable. In regards to the company, it appears their goal is to oppose anything management supports regardless of whether it is good or bad for them. That’s the only way I can explain their opposition to the slot swap with Delta in New York and Washington. Their latest efforts have been against closing down the Las Vegas hub. Ok. But now, the union has really lost it. There is now a ton of infighting going on within the US East pilot ranks and things are getting very ugly. USAPA Executive Vice President Dave Ciabattoni turned in his resignation from the organization’s leadership team before Christmas. In it, Dave, a US East pilot, states: I must be blunt here: the mutation of USAPA from a democratic, line pilot oriented and controlled union into the current administration that is about enrichment and ease of life style for President Cleary and his supporters is nearly complete and in record time.

All of these players are US East pilots. In the new year, Dave gave more of an explanation about what his problems were with the team. He details a variety of problems with the leadership, in particular, President Mike Cleary. He makes accusations of violation of bylaws, misappropriation of money, and favoritism. It’s a compelling read and it begs a single question . . . what is wrong with these people?

This is a union that continues to hold fast, refusing to budge on its stubborn position on the Nicolau Award despite court rulings against them. The US West pilots have been alienated from the beginning, yet it’s the US East pilots who are in worse shape. The company offered to bring US East pilots up to the US West contract in the beginning but they have held out. Now, they’ve foregone higher wages for years and there doesn’t appear to be any end in sight.

This has to be the most dysfunctional union around.

The author of this article is a former awa employee, awa employees new or old stick together like turds in the toilet bowl.