Originally Posted by Whale Driver

Fellow Southern Air Crewmembers,

Voting on the B737 LOA is underway and ends at 12:00 noon (EST) on July 31. Your union leadership unanimously recommends that the membership ratify the proposed B737 LOA. If you have not already voted, we encourage you listen to the recordings of the membership conference calls that are available on the Local 1224 website or speak with an Executive Council member directly before you cast your vote. We want every member to make an informed choice in this important referendum.

As we previously reported, management informed the union that it is close to securing a new line of B737 cargo business from DHL. Ratification of the B737 LOA is in the best interest of every Southern crewmember. In the short term, a B737 operation should generate additional operating revenues, as well as recall and upgrade opportunities. We also see a longer term benefit to a successful B737 operation. When our CBA becomes amendable in 2016, we will seek major improvements to a wide variety of sections of your CBA, including but not limited to significant increases to B747 and B777 pay rates. Additional operating revenues from a successful B737 operation should enlarge the pie and every crewmember’s piece of it in our next contract. Let’s not pull any punches – the company needs to start making more money so that you can start to make more money. That’s why we need to ratify this LOA.

No matter how you cut it, there is no good reason to reject the proposed B737 LOA. First of all, the B737 LOA doesn’t negatively impact B747 and B777 crewmembers. For example, as long as you continue to hold a B747 or B747 Position, you continue to enjoy home basing rights. Your per diem stays the same, too. Simply put, you don’t lose a thing. On the other hand, if the company does not secure the B737 business, no Southern crewmember is better off for it. There will be fewer recalls, fewer upgrades and less operating revenue. That doesn’t help anyone. It is true that we all have a right to be angry about current B747 and B777 pay, but voting the LOA down won’t raise B747 or B777 pay by one penny. In fact, less revenue means we will have a harder time raising our pay when we go back to negotiations in 2016. In the end, the company needs the business and so do each and every one of us.

Highlights of the B737 LOA include:

• A B737 pay scale, including a 61-hour guarantee, 12/13 days off in a month and increases to several B747 and B777 longevity years;

• A B737 base system;

• A B737 moving expenses policy for base reductions and closures;

• Pay protections for B737 crewmembers that commute to base;

• Free parking for B737 crewmembers at CVG;

• Improved hours of service provisions for B737 operations; and

• B737 specific displacement rules.

Get the Facts Before You Vote

If you have not already voted, please listen to the recorded membership calls on the website or call an Executive Council member directly before voting. We want every member to have all of the facts and information needed to make an informed decision. Once again, your ExCo urges every member to vote to ratify the proposed B737 LOA.

Important Note

In order to be eligible to vote, a member has until 3:00 p.m. ET, Tuesday, July 30, 2013 to bring oneself back into good standing for the purpose of this election. If anyone wishes to vote via paper ballot in lieu of electronic voting, request for a paper ballots must be made before July 24.

Fraternally,

Southern Air Executive Council