Amerijet International, the all B-727 freight operation based in Miami, Florida, has been "negotiating" an initial contract with the IBT for the past four and a half years. This company adamantly refuses to bargain in good faith, and the government-appointed mediator has just about had enough. Instead of accepting the Teamsters on their property, the management have aggresively pushed their individual pilots to decertify the Teamsters, and have an "in-house union". They have allegedly secured enough cards to force a vote on decertification.
Amerijet has been a freight airline, in various capacities, for the past thirty years. Since 2001, they have been almost exclusively flying cargo to the Caribbean. Pilots are on duty for sixteen hours a day, 16 days a month, and are given eight days off. They work away from terminals, cannot leave their aircraft area, are not given catering, nor water, have no toilets, have no access to maintenence personell, and are continually bullied, not only by the Chief Pilot and D/O, but also by sales and load control. Several years ago, a group of young captains lobbied for Teamster representation. They received 90% approval, and the Teamsters have been negotiating ever since.
Since then, Amerijet has played a war of attrition with the pilot group. We all know this story, it has been played out at many airlines over the years. The decertification drive has been spearheaded by former Eastern Airlines scabs, who have few career options, and have always been useful idiots for these types of companies. They have told their group to trust management, as things will be much better if only the evil IBT would get out of the way. Playing the vicimization card, a time-honored tradition.
There must be consequenses within the aviator community when dealing with these pilot groups. Unionization has been a largely positive force in the industry, and the Teamsters has shown an aggresive, no B.S. mentality. Trying to kick out the IBT, in order for a few dollar raise (maybe?) is pathetic and sad. I should only hope that this group will have an asterisk on their resumes when they look for a job at a union airline.
It is interesting to note that some of Amerijet's most anti-union pilots went on the reap the benefits at union operations, such as UPS and Southwest. It's funny how selfish some of our brothers can be. I only know when an Amerijet pilot interviews with my company, I will have some very candid questions for him.