Originally Posted by
Vertigo1960
Can someone explain the representation structure from the Giant pilot group. I am educated with the ALPA representation at our airline. I would like to know how your group works. What are the major issues that pilots seem to have?
I don't want to see dirty laundry aired, just the major concerns that the tenured pilots as well as the challenges new hires may still see and would like worked out.
Does your Negotiating Committee have marching orders from your Executive council that represents the interests of the pilots?
Sub out ExCo/Stewards for MEC/reps and you're up to speed. Union can't represent you during your probationary year, so the company takes advantage of that sometimes.
The biggest thing you need to let go of is seniority: here it's only relevant when bidding a work footprint or training or vacation. the difference between line holder/reserve is how quickly they can call you out, but effectively we're all on reserve. That said, 767 DHL tends to stay intact.
Gateway/imputed income, low pay, crappy benefits, pathetic retirement contribution, no trip/bid pay protection, lower pay rate for training/vac/sick - you get the idea.
The other problem here is a lack of solidarity. A ridiculous number of us seem to have never read the CBA or be familiar with its basic elements. or, even worse, guys call scheduling/travel and cut their own deals to pick up extra flying or otherwise circumvent the CBA when it benefits them.
Company support is on a shoestring. Company relies on crews to go the extra mile to keep the metal moving, and too many of us do even when the basics aren't covered.
There's a laundry list of things we all want changed. ExCo elections are coming up later this fall, but it's the pilot group that will have to unite to get what we want.