INXS

It's going to all come down to:

Dues Checkoff Authorization.

tyler durden

Tragic but true, Purple. Instead of supporting each other's efforts to hold the line against a never-ending pack of predatory CEOs, we fight amongst ourselves over ridiculous matters such as choice of representation.

For us it started out that we didn't have a union at all. Small start-up, go figure (airlines don't start with unions). Fair enough, went looking for representation but were unable to a get decent union to represent a small group (<100). Only option left was in-house (non-union). We got trashed over that. Finally voted in a union (ALPA wouldn't take us), and we're still getting grief over it. Not that it matters, as most guys generally ignore the talkers on the sidelines and follow those gutting it out in the trenches.

I can't thank our hard working IBT guys enough. They're all we've got and have this pilot group's undying support.

tyler durden

And soft costs. And pay. And schedules.

You're right though, that's gonna be a sticking point for MG. Illogical and foolish, it may be the rock he perishes on. He will lose this battle and destroy the stock value in the process. Instead of the profit-generating visionary image he currently enjoys, his actions will expose him for the stubborn, out-of-touch dinosaur he actually is. Once the stock plummets, the board will likely ask the old man to step down.

Xbone

That was one of the sections management hung their hats on, for the flight attendants. We’re not that easily dissuaded, trying to rally them for a cause is like trying to herd cats. No pun of gender intended. Dues check off is obvious to us, without money in the coffers to fight management in the courts, any contract is worthless. After we get a contract, the next battle will be compliance.

G4 management has already demonstrated they have no intention to live up to contracts. As demonstrated in our lawsuit for noncompliance of our work rules. They already demonstrated their word means nothing, even when annotated in a contract. They already made the case for dues check off. No money in the bank, in the form of dues check off, means no ability to pay for lawyers to combat their third party; F&H. Just to take them to court this time has cost over half a million and counting. No dues check off means any contract signed would have no teeth, rendering it meaningless.

Our negotiators are playing it right, by not making dues check off a centerpiece. There are plenty of other sections that will not have an agreement, including dues check off.

Packrat

You may rethink that someday, but for now I'm glad you at least have someone in your corner.

labbats

Everyone sees the Teamsters as the Don King of the airline world. Maybe so. But would Don King agree to represent a boxer for free and pay all legal costs for over two years? Would the boxer be better off with no representation at all?

I for one have been impressed with the Teamsters, but know that the unity of the pilot group is the deciding factor. Friends of mine at other airlines represented by the Teamsters are always talking about many pilots that "are just happy to be here". How do you negotiate with management when a large percentage of your pilots are happy with the current rates? That's a pilot group problem not a Teamster one.

Xbone

Dues check off will be part of the bundle. That’s the only way the Teamsters will get their money back. We’ve accrued quite the legal bill already, not including the administrative cost we don’t cover as well. MG has all of his ego wrapped into the mindset of, “No union gonna tell me what to do.” Unlike his counter part Baldanza at the time; who caved to a strike, he doesn’t own the airline anymore.

G4 management will not accept the union as a business partner. They still believe they can get rid of the union, if they just close their eyes and let F&H do their thing. That’s why they send low-level store clerks, with no authority to the negotiation sessions. But, this strategy is going to back fire. Instead of placating with some industry standard practices, thereby giving just enough to show the mediators willingness. They could be successful in dragging it out indefinitely. A petition for an impasse, like the merits of our lawsuit are obvious to the NMB.

Left Handed

That is where Spirit mgmt went wrong. They continued to show no respect for the bargaining process and the NMB in general. They just couldn't comprehend that they weren't in charge in the mediated sessions. Eventually that hubris came back to haunt them. G4 is not large enough to affect interstate commerce, and they will be allowed to strike. You just have to show a willingness to negotiate while disagreeing with the actual numbers, and the mediator will grow weary of their games. It will take a while, but it will happen.

Xbone

G4 will mirror Spirit’s process. G4 has already made a name for themselves, with the NMB via the flight attendants. To borrow a cheesy g4 line, “We’re a travel company”, not an airline; used to manage our expectations. Not having EAS, no DOT slots out of anywhere, no US mail, no connection to legacy airlines. The NMB will get no phone calls from any congressmen asking why they cant get home.