Originally Posted by
meritflyer
Look, I want the SKYW guys to be paid what they're worth. Unfortunately their bark has no bite with respect to SAPA. SAPA has no legal grounds to negotiate anything. They can suggest certain things to management but when it comes down to it, management has no legal obligation to conform as a union carrier would.
I agree completely and although SAPA has no "bite," Mgmnt has proven that they will negotiate with them and treat them with respect. Mgmnt sees SAPA as a huge internal resource that allows them to keep their finger on the pulse of their pilot group. They know that if they keep us happy we’ll continue to perform as one of the nation’s best carriers and without SAPA they will lose insight. So in order to keep the wool pulled over our eyes (that SAPA does have a “bite”) they must continue to negotiate with SAPA and keep us among the top in the industry in pay & QOL (yes I now the industry was estabished on the sweat of others). We’ll see in 10 years when and if we have new Mgmnt the result of having no representation but as long as we have Dixie (current and Ex-SKW pilots know what I'm talking about LOL!) in the house I think this philosophy will hold.
I hope I’m not around when it does turn south.
Originally Posted by
Nevets
SAPA has no leverage and therefore there is no "good faith bargaining" going on. You will get whatever Skywest management thinks the minimum required is for the best interest of the shareholders.
Yes SAPA has no true legal leverage but the threat of the many things gives them more leverage then you would think. BTW, everything we have here at SKW is the result of "good faith bargaining" and has been so for over 35 years. Mgmnt has continued to respect us and now that the ALPA drive has failed I must join in the faith and pray it never bite us.
Originally Posted by
meritflyer
This is exactly why ASA guys have felt some bad blood towards their SkyWest counterpart.
I hope that one day they can find a way to look past the bad blood but I fear the worst. I’m sure that the large majority of ASA pilots will be able to move on but the older pilots will continue to find us being non-union hard to stomach. It’s sad that, just like them, we’re trying to make the best living we can so that we can enjoy our life, family and friends.
Even though I voted YES for ALPA I must now look toward the new SAPA elections so that we can oust those who are true company men (complete pushovers with NO flight) and replace them with new blood willing to fight. At least fight as much as they can…………..? I must support my pilot group and deal with what I’ve been dealt.
I will also continue to support ASA pilots as best as I can. I’m just sorry that some will never get past the fact that our pilot group isn’t represented but things do work very well over here and I hope that continues.