Cactusone

Any comments from the easties on this guys plan to save USAPA from itself and unite east/west? His letter:


I'm Andy Reitz. I'm a "3rd-Lister" on the AB in CLT. I am running for President in this election. I am running with the primary goal of uniting this pilot group so that we can move forward. I am running on a four point platform -- unity, responsibility, ethical obligation, and engagement.

My main point is that we need to become a unified pilot group if we are to have any hope of getting an industry leading contract. I would build unity by immediately including former-AWA pilots in all of the major committees. I would adhere to the Transition Agreement in regards to the constitution of the negotiating committee (3 West, 3 East). I would also have co-chairmen (or chair-people) on the major committees (grev, merger, etc). Most importantly, I would encourage the best people to volunteer for the various committees -- regardless of past affiliation (East, West, pro-ALPA, USAPA, etc). We need the best people for each position -- not friends, favorites, etc.

Next, I would advocate fiscal responsibility by the union. Flight Pay Loss must be trimmed. The budget has to be balanced. And, we need to begin funding merger and strategic preparedness funds. We need to build a warchest. Once everything is funded properly, we can begin to look at lowering the dues (to more of an industry standard level), without breaking the bank. There are a variety of specific ways we can save money, which I will address as time goes on.

My third point is based on our ethical obligations. I would encourage the BPR to change the C&BLs to accurately reflect Federal Law (to get rid of a mandate for DOH in future mergers). Enough is enough. I would pledge to abide by the ruling in this DJ case. It is time to stop spending millions of dollars in a futile fight. It is time to accept the results of binding arbitration and the courts' decisions. As long as we continue to fight about the seniority issue, we will not be able to stand unified against the company.

Finally, I would advocate a reengagement of the company. I would sit down with management and try to turn the page and move forward with negotiations. A good place to start would be with the already agreed to sections of the Contract (by the former JNC). Perhaps with a more reasonable approach, the company would be willing to negotiate a realistic contract. And, if they are not willing to negotiate, then at least we are a unified force. I do not advocate bending over, but we need open, honest communication with management if we want to move forward.

In the next few days, our campaign website will go active at uniteusapa.com. I will provide further details on my ideas and plans there. I do not know if this pilot group is ready to move on and unite yet. However, I do know that we need to try. If we don't try, we are assured of 3 more years of the same...

VenetianFryCook

I don't know this person at all. I am a fellow third-lister, though. My suspicion is that enough of the pre-merger East will see the one statement in there about binding arbitration, see the possibility of living under Nicolau, and destroy this poor guy.

I personally think something along this line (specifics subject to debate, certainly, but the idea of unifying against our common adversary is paramount) is what it's going to take to move the process forward. However, I am not the least bit optimistic that this particular attempt will gain much traction.

Grab the popcorn, though ...

R57 relay

I don't know Andy but admire his willingness to take on the task. It would be good to have some new blood instead of the same old 20 year "You stink, no you stink!".

I like his ideas about unification and agree with the west on the NAC and other committees.

His statement on the seniority fight is a little cloudy. He says to accept DJ decision and move on, but the DJ may not provide a clear outcome. It sounds more like he is really saying end the fight, maybe he is confident that will be the outcome. That one paragraph will cost him about 30% of the east vote, but anyone not saying fight it to the SCOTUS will also lose that vote, then not have a chance of the west vote. Are west members willing to accept Judge Silver's ruling no matter what?

As far as the question of can he get elected, that might be more a matter of west votes. Does his stance provide enough for the west to vote for him in a block? If so, with the east senior guys that are sick of the fight, he might pull it off. Would EF back him instead of running?

frozenboxhauler

What does "3rd lister" mean?
Thank you,
fbh

cactiboss

Pilots hired after the merger and not part of the seniority arbitration are on a 3rd separate list

Bad-Andy

In a nutshell, I figure that by the time the election happens we will have Judge Silver's ruling. If so (assuming it goes against USAPA), an appeal will already be filed. My statement about letting the seniority fight is based on my assumption that Judge Silver and the 9th Circuit will issue a clear decision. If that happens, we need to move on, yes, accepting Nic (if we want a contract). Once we have the rulings, yes, I would stop any further legal challenges. (No, I will not pursue it to the Supreme Court as that is another waste of time and resources -- and we've squandered enough).

Will that stance cost me some votes - yes. But, the question is are there more people that want to move forward towards unification and a new contract, or are there more people that would rather work under LOA 93 indefinitely to prevent the Nic? That is really what this election comes down to.

Without unity, we will never get a contract. (We need to be a credible threat to management -- balanced budget, a warchest built up, and a unified pilot group). And, as long as we keep fighting ourselves, we won't have unity. We've already left almost a BILLION dollars on the table just since USAPA came on property (just based on the POS Kirby Proposal). How much more are we willing to leave behind?

Andy Reitz

Cactusone

You are going to need to get together a group of east supporters in various seniority ranges that are willing to lobby on your behalf otherwise the banana republic leaders and lackeys will roll over you. Good Luck...we're counting on you.

cactiboss

Andy,
You really need to teach the east how dangerous Usapa's doh requirement is in any future merger. As of now Usapa's constitution mandates that only doh can be negotiated, this ties the merger committee to an untenable position in any further merger

Dashdog

Just a technical question Andy: Are you off probation yet? I would assume so, because if not, I wouldn't think you'd be able to run yet.
I think some new [third-list] blood would be good for USAPA, but if you aren't eligible to run yet, there's no point debating the issue.

Bad-Andy

Yes, I was a Dec 2007 hire, off probation before we got furloughed.