AerisArmis

I think we both know that he is talking about those 13-0 votes at the MEC meetings.

R1200RT

Ladies and Gentlemen of Council 7,


I want to thank those of you that participated in the nomination process for Council 7 and for nominating me as one of the two candidates for Block 4 Rep. Ballots have been mailed out to everyone in Council 7 as the election process continues. Block 4 is the only block that is contested and you have a choice to make. We have new leadership in the MEC and we are turning the page as the Union is looking forward to better represent the crewforce. In my opinion, we need to continue infusing the MEC with new blood and knowledgeable line pilots that can bring fresh ideas and a different perspective to better support the pilots that we represent. We need to make sure we don't repeat the same mistakes that have been made in the past.

As I mentioned in my last communication, I have not yet been a union volunteer. But I do have plenty of experience as a line pilot that has been through two negotiations, three different union transformations and a red letter. In my 14 years at Fedex I have flown domestically, internationally, sat reserve, been junior and have had less than ideal schedules while flying the 727, left seat of the bus and right and left seat of the MD-11. I have been an active participant in all of the union elections and polls and I have made it a priority to keep myself informed and current as to what is happening with our Union. With the support of my family and friends, I've decided that it is time for me to step up to the plate and do my part to help improve our collective futures by serving our pilots as Block 4 rep.

The job description of a block rep is to represent all the members of that block and that LEC. If elected, that is exactly what I intend on doing. I will give you 100% of my efforts to best serve you and your interests. As your Block 4 rep, I will not be distracted by serving on any other committees either locally or nationally. Having said that, I'm not naive enough to think that the task of representing 500 plus pilots will be an easy one. We all have our opinions and getting a consensus among a group of pilots is a difficult challenge at best. Unity will be the key to our collective success. My intention is to bring us together as a unified group so that we can speak as one voice. This will be a big challenge, but I am more than up to it with your support.

Now is not the time for apathy! Management has been on the attack for the last year and they have done a lot of damage to us as a pilot group. Between 4a2b and the tightening of our schedules, management has not only succeeded in saving a lot of money on our backs, but also created a fracture in the unity of this union. Unity, as we all know is not an easy thing to achieve and if you add Managements' exploiting ways to pit one group against another, you have a recipe for disaster. The time has come for us to stop the slide. We need to show Management that we mean business. Make no mistake, shared sacrifice is necessary to reach our goal of a unified voice and with contract openers less then nine months away, we cannot delay that goal.

In closing, I would like you to know that making the decision to run for any union office is not an easy one. For me it means less time with family and the things I like to do. However, I take this challenge willingly because I'm fed up with "business as usual". I believe I can make a difference. I offer you my best effort with the knowledge that I do not have all the answers and that I'm here to represent you. If you are interested in continuing the transformation of this union into one that listens and represents all of it's members, then I humbly request your vote as the next Block 4 rep. Do not underestimate the power that you have to change and mold our future here at Fedex. In any case, I urge you to vote and make a difference. Be part of the solution. Thank you for your time and hopefully for your support. If you have any questions or comments for me, please e-mail me at mongopilot@aol.com or call me at 360-739-0709.


In Unity,

Rich Coombs
MD-11 Capt.
LEC 7, Block 4

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Congratulations to DW our EX-Union leader on bidding and holding 777 Captain. :(

R1200RT

Brad, I'm sorry that you took my endorsement of a long time friend (Rich Coombs) for block rep as a personal attack at you. It was not intended that way. Seems your letter was directed at me and this thread.

You said "A pilot said that because I was part of the Dave Webb regime I was unfit for consideration as a block representative."
I did not say you were unfit for anything. I don't know you and wouldn't do that. I just said I didn't like what went on when you had the job and I still don't and I want a complete change.

Also, I wish you had not spent five out of six paragraphs trying to distance yourself from Dave Webb, it's just not going to happen....for me.

If you win the election I will support you 100% as I do every person that volunteers their time for me. I hope there aren't any hard feeling. I'm just trying to help a man out that I know personally.

good luck: If you win I'll buy you a beer and if you lose .... I'll buy you two beers -----

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Congratulations to DW our EX-Union leader on bidding and holding 777 Captain. :(