Originally Posted by
AlettaOcean
1) Sounds like Kirby was writing what he wanted and passing it across the table for the NC to sign.
2) Don’t believe his crocodile tears when he says he’d have done those clauses differently. He wrote them to his extreme advantage in the hopes they would pass.
3) As I suspected, this TA is to fix Kirby’s PI problem. Hamilton would have fixed it via LOA/MOU already, but he couldn’t without opening the whole CBA.
We’re fixing the PI problem, but giving away so much else it’s costing Kirby nothing. If anything, he’s coming out ahead.
Kirby hasn’t failed us with this TA. He’s doing exactly what he’s expected to do. He represents United Airlines and the shareholders, therefore his job is to manage cost and maximize profits. It is the MEC who has failed us by accepting this agreement and sending it out to vote. Kirby is doing his job, our union isn’t.
Having said that, I believe Kirby when he says that training is the constraint. He needs to attract and retain instructors and LCA’s to make his big expansion possible. He also knows that this can be quickly fixed and that 50.1% will vote yes if there are some fixes. If they bump the pay rates to cover inflation, no 0600 show for reserves, possibly make field standby or early shows optional with add pay if bid, maintain current widebody rules and landings class, pay LCA’s by the trip rather than the leg, and keep our current reassignment rules, this thing will pass. Basically if he increases the rates on our current book and makes changes to reserve rules he’ll get enough to pass, attract and retain instructors, and possibly fill captain vacancies. We want all of that plus retirement, sick leave accrual, vacation pay……….., but he knows that the majority will vote for less, and when polled the majority will provide ALPA with marching orders saying the same.