WN Mechanics seek mediation

[B737 driver]

They asked for the 6th week at 25 years, along with some other adjustments within the vac language. Co. response was, "you guys have enough time off already" and that's because we use our day trades for that, it is not enough vac. I agree, we need one more week like the other airlines get 6 and even 7 weeks with United.
It would be smart to leave the ETOP's language alone as suggested by AMFA, matter fact, in order to get a speedier response from the gov to bless for ETOP's just leave all language as is and adjust the economics where they should be and send it out for a vote. That would be the fastest way to a conclusion and maybe even by April as you first suggested. Just still do not want the April to be the contract date, leave it at Aug as is.
We can vote and we can make changes. I don't think I can agree with your statement that there will be some changes at the top, all they did was what the membership wanted. Besides, I think the changes made at the table should be what was needed. But do not think that BC will not be putting in his two cents with the new replaced ALR.
I know of no such language for professional labor relations degrees. However, I have heard from many guys that they are gonna make motions for professional nego's along with the professional economist be representing or at least advisors during nego's. Not a bad idea to have the proof and back up to show why the ask in numbers and where we stand in pay in direct relation to our CEO's pay. That what our economist did long ago in the very beginning as well as past practices. This way the new co. nego team knows that we are not just pulling numbers out of our arses and air. Hits home a lot better when you can show and prove your point and much harder for the co. to argue it especially with the mediators present.
I think we will see some future language changes in the constitution to address your question about professional nego's and economist. Hiring our economist was a great move.

Well we need to be compensated, I think April the earliest. If they still insist on April then the compensation has to be there for the raise in 2018.

 

[swamt]

Or at least snap us up to the Aug 2018 and another raise in Aug 2019 and so on. Their last offer skipped two years of raises 18 and 23 like we have currently.
On a side note:
Getting info that the UPS'ers are looking at a new offer to vote on. I have no details but was told it looks to be a shuffle of the original numbers but slightly increasing to over mid 60's in the 67-68 range on final year but will wait for confirmation on all the changes.
Hopefully this will help us retain something soon in 2019. We been about the same time frame as the UPS'ers except they started in Nov 13 not 12 like us.
Also heard they were successful at lowering their deductibles for insurance and an increase to retirement.
We should see some details soon.
So now it is just us and AA left to get new contracts...

 

[B737 driver]

Or at least snap us up to the Aug 2018 and another raise in Aug 2019 and so on. Their last offer skipped two years of raises 18 and 23 like we have currently.
On a side note:
Getting info that the UPS'ers are looking at a new offer to vote on. I have no details but was told it looks to be a shuffle of the original numbers but slightly increasing to over mid 60's in the 67-68 range on final year but will wait for confirmation on all the changes.
Hopefully this will help us retain something soon in 2019. We been about the same time frame as the UPS'ers except they started in Nov 13 not 12 like us.
Also heard they were successful at lowering their deductibles for insurance and an increase to retirement.
We should see some details soon.
So now it is just us and AA left to get new contracts...

Swampy do you think the only reason for the mechanics success at UPS, not necessarily being Teamsters, but based on the sheer numbers of Teamsters represented employees for the medical, their drivers and warehouse and sorters included. That's alot of employees. On a side note from what I understand Aloha is going to be our contractor for ETOPS in Hawaii, what union do they have? They are a cargo outfit only now in Hawaii with 737s.

 

[B737 driver]

Swampy do you think the only reason for the mechanics success at UPS, not necessarily being Teamsters, but based on the sheer numbers of Teamsters represented employees for the medical, their drivers and warehouse and sorters included. That's alot of employees. On a side note from what I understand Aloha is going to be our contractor for ETOPS in Hawaii, what union do they have? They are a cargo outfit only now in Hawaii with 737s.

Just looked it up both pilots and mechanics Teamsters.

 

[swamt]

Swampy do you think the only reason for the mechanics success at UPS, not necessarily being Teamsters, but based on the sheer numbers of Teamsters represented employees for the medical, their drivers and warehouse and sorters included. That's alot of employees. On a side note from what I understand Aloha is going to be our contractor for ETOPS in Hawaii, what union do they have? They are a cargo outfit only now in Hawaii with 737s.

Maybe. But I do know for a fact that the teamsters will do whatever it takes in order to keep the UPS'ers. That is their last diamond in the ruff for aviation technicians so they must perform there. If they were to lose UPS they would soon fall completely out of the representing any mechanics in aviation.
The Aloha doing contract maintenance for our ETOPS would not surprise me a bit. Maybe once we are in there with a certain amount of flights we could eventually start a base there and put some mechanics in, however, I don't think we will see that anytime soon.
This is why we kinda never had any leverage with ETOPS there are always ways around that and most of just depends on how much SWA was willing to spend to get around it.
I really do not see a big deal with sationing a few mechanics (just like they did in Denver) and see how it goes then grow as needed or leave as is. It would be much, much more efficient to have some of our own stationed there when something goes wrong or a mechanic is needed for something very quick. Plus these small group of mechanics could stay busy throughout the days taking care of all our flights in and out.
Hawaii is gonna grow pretty big especially if the inner island flights takes off like we all think...

 

[swamt]

A UPS mechanic has posted more info on their new offer from the company in the freight carriers forum.
Looks like they did in fact get an increased deal after the first one was voted down.
They will end up in the upper 60's at end of 5 year deal, although they too have been waiting 6 years. I just hope their back retro is full as indicated by their union. I wish them luck on their next vote.

 

[B737 driver]

A UPS mechanic has posted more info on their new offer from the company in the freight carriers forum.
Looks like they did in fact get an increased deal after the first one was voted down.
They will end up in the upper 60's at end of 5 year deal, although they too have been waiting 6 years. I just hope their back retro is full as indicated by their union. I wish them luck on their next vote.

Their last deal was full retro, I think the only reason it didn't pass, was on the medical part. I believe UPS and Teamsters was shocked it didn't pass. I look at it this way if AMFA gets me a few extra bucks great. I just don't want them to lose my job, not that I see that. But sometimes you wonder.

 

[swamt]

All they would have to do is make us whole with a fix on the economics and it will fly. They could have a contract done that quick, within a couple of meetings if not one setting, but I foresee more games being played by the company. Meeting 2 days per month and discussing 3 months out dates, speaks volumes on their motives...

 

[swamt]

Starting a fresh 2019, just wanted to refresh a bit before we start up at the table again later this month and next month. Our last update is below and it's from Nov. 2018. Our last vote was tallied in july of 2018. By the time this is aid and all done the nego cmte will in fact be nego 2.5 contract time lengths. Yea 2.5. Working on 7th year of nego's and looking at a 5 year deal, that's 12 years total, pathetically long time frame. If we were going by the last contract time and length it would be 4 year agreement and this time frame would be the length of 3 full contracts. This stall tactic done by the company (old nego team) has done a lot of internal damage that will never recover from. The working moral has changed during these 7 years of lacking contract nego's. Some damage repair control is needed badly. Maybe a contract in Q1 will help, we will see...

AMFA - SWA Technician Negotiations Update #70

 

[B737 driver]

Starting a fresh 2019, just wanted to refresh a bit before we start up at the table again later this month and next month. Our last update is below and it's from Nov. 2018. Our last vote was tallied in july of 2018. By the time this is aid and all done the nego cmte will in fact be nego 2.5 contract time lengths. Yea 2.5. Working on 7th year of nego's and looking at a 5 year deal, that's 12 years total, pathetically long time frame. If we were going by the last contract time and length it would be 4 year agreement and this time frame would be the length of 3 full contracts. This stall tactic done by the company (old nego team) has done a lot of internal damage that will never recover from. The working moral has changed during these 7 years of lacking contract nego's. Some damage repair control is needed badly. Maybe a contract in Q1 will help, we will see...

AMFA - SWA Technician Negotiations Update #70

Sad day today Herb Kelleher passed away today at 87. He will be sorely missed.

 

[swamt]

Sad day today Herb Kelleher passed away today at 87. He will be sorely missed.

Yea. It ruined my day. We got word at work at about 3pm Thur. It hit us hard at work. Just wasn't expecting it at this time. He will be missed greatly...

 

[B737 driver]

Yea. It ruined my day. We got word at work at about 3pm Thur. It hit us hard at work. Just wasn't expecting it at this time. He will be missed greatly...

I know Coleen is not in great shape either, definitely changing of the guard but permanently.

 

[swamt]

So I assume we will not meet this month if the gov is still shutdown.
Are there any hints to still meeting with the co. without the mediator? Both sides are fully aware this is allowed and at one time was even suggested by the mediators as long as they were updated with any progress.
We may find out more at the Jan monthly meeting since it will happen before the meeting at the table this month.
Side note:
UPS vote will be finalized Jan 24th the day we start nego's back at the table IF the gov is reopened by then...

 

[swamt]

So a third T/A is reached for material specialist even with the gov shutdown.
All of the groups were dragged out with their nego's longer than usual across the board.
It is obvious this company was stalling all groups for an extended period of time. Depending on the details of this #3 T/A with our material specialist maybe they will finally get a contract. I do not know the details why the last two failed, but, it's been way too long for them as well.
Just goes to show you that all groups under the new SWA management took way longer than usual with all nego's. No we all see how all future nego's will go. I still say we needed language to maintain last raise of contract for every year we go without a new agreement so the company will stop these games being played.
I wish our material specialist the best of luck on their upcoming vote on this new offer for them.

Southwest reaches tentative agreement with Teamsters

 

[swamt]

So I assume we will not meet this month if the gov is still shutdown.
Are there any hints to still meeting with the co. without the mediator? Both sides are fully aware this is allowed and at one time was even suggested by the mediators as long as they were updated with any progress.
We may find out more at the Jan monthly meeting since it will happen before the meeting at the table this month.
Side note:
UPS vote will be finalized Jan 24th the day we start nego's back at the table IF the gov is reopened by then...

I forgot to correct this post.
We are still on for all our dates. I was misinformed by rumors that we were not meeting due to the shutdown. I was corrected last night by our rep. I wasn't following all the certain areas of gov. that was remaining open and still working. So now I am told we are good through Mar. with our next 3 meeting dates. I should have waited to confirm sorry for the misinformation...