FYI. These boys need to get some balls. Christ, talk about leverage...the pilots at FedEx have more than ANY pilot group I've ever seen, yet sit there like limp dicks.

Subject: union stuff

Gents, I just had a lengthy conversation with one of the officers at ALPA. It was very enlightening so I thought I'd share it with as many FedEx guys as I have email for. We spoke for about an hour about the negotiating process and more was said than I can possibly relay via email so I’ll condense it.

The membership is driving the pace of negotiations! The proof is in the results of two sections, vacation and PBS. As you may recall those were/are two hotly contested items. So hot in fact and so strong was the memberships response to the threat of messing with vacation and inducing PBS that Meliniak did not open them at the table. He knew from our tone in the crew room that he would meet with so much resistance that he has not touched them!

I was shocked to learn that the company could measure our resolve from conversations in the crew room. So, why are we doing so poorly with respect to the rest of the contract? This is the nutshell version. Because the boxes are getting to their destinations every night with minimal effort. We spoke loud and clear... don't mess with my vacation and they listened.

But then we line up to sell back vacation, volunteer, trip trade, do make up flying and generally do whatever it takes to get at the open time to make the extra $$. Remember, this is the nutshell version.

We have failed miserably to bring any economic pressure to bear on the company thereby enabling their stalling tactic! When I refer to we, I mean each one of us as individuals, not as a collective union. We all know the union can’t legally tell us what to do until midnight after the 30 day cooling off period has ended.

This is quite simply a case of some unknown number of individuals putting priority on their personal financial position instead of on the negotiating process. This is not an accusation but a matter of fact. To be honest I had no idea that the simple act of flying an over time trip or two would have such a dramatic impact on the process.

When you sit back and think about it, it makes perfect sense. Apparently management has relayed that trips are covered up to 4 people deep in some seats with volunteers. Why not drag things out at the table, it's business as usual.

This is not a call to arms but a call to attention. I am not telling anyone what to do. I can only relay what my commitment will be and hope that others will consider the same course.

From this day forward I intend to fly my schedule with no increase in credit. I may trade off of a night hub turn to a day turn if I can and it doesn't increase the value of my line. In fact I may consider trading down in value to help add pressure.

It is my belief and the belief of people closer to the process than I that this is what it will take to speed up the process. I intend to do my part. My part is not only to fly my schedule but to share my commitment with every one I know and those I fly with.

Please keep in mind this is not a union action! I wouldn't even consider it a grass roots action. It's just one way that I've decided to get involved in the process. If this is a something that each one of you can relate to and decide to participate in, great. One of the keys to making a commitment of this sort is to disregard what the other guy is doing.

Don't think about what you are missing out on or how much overtime your neighbor is getting. If this is something that you can’t support, that is your right and your option, but don't complain when we are still in negotiations next peak.

Additionally, if you hear the union come out publicly and say we need you to fly overtime, GREAT, it’s working, stay the course! The pressure is on, the boxes are not getting there and the company is blaming the union.

One note as an interesting aside to all of this. According to all the polling the Wilson center has done we have more support for a strike than United did for their 1985 strike! Quite astounding. Interestingly though, when asked if "you feel the membership will support a strike” almost the same number feels the membership would not.

The message is, we have little faith in ourselves as a group. An unfounded lack of faith I might add. It follows, don't worry about what the other guy will do.

Make a commitment, share it and stick to it. I hate it when I hear unfounded rumors that a certain group (say the junior guys as an example) won't support a strike, that they are just happy to have a job, or whatever the current rumor is.

Perhaps a few people feel that way but the polling indicates otherwise. To share that feeling with others only helps to perpetuate the lack of confidence in ourselves as a group that we have clearly demonstrated. I wouldn't be surprised if a similar fact existed about overtime flying.

If you feel that this is worthy of forwarding to other FedEx pilots you know, please do so.Regards, Alan