From yesterday's FDX MEC Fastread:
"With the September bid opening today, we want to bring your attention to important events taking place in September.
As you know, our negotiating sessions with the Company are scheduled to continue through the end of August. We believe this timeframe provides an adequate amount of time for a TA to be reached. Should a TA not be reached, our Negotiating Support Team is preparing another FDX ALPA event in late September."
Since they acknowledge the monthly bid is open, and they certainly want to have maximum participation in the event they decide to have another event, why aren't we being told what day to plan for, and potentially bid around? Why the secret? I can guarantee The Company knows when they are conducting important meetings, and I'd bet a steak dinner that the second FDX SPSC files an application to assemble with the proper authorities in Memphis (required 15 business days in advance, so about 3 weeks), that The Company knows. So the only people being kept in the dark are us -- the pilots who are bidding for our September schedules. (OK, full disclosure, I'm currently in Pay Only status, so I'm available any and every day, but that's not the case for the vast majority of us.)
Worse, though, why are we waiting until LATE September when the rest of the 60,000 pilots in ALPA are going to be picketing on September 1st? Why did we decline to join the "ALL ALPA PILOTS" effort?
"Just as we are engaged in negotiations, many of our fellow ALPA members are also engaged in negotiations.
ALPA recently announced an informational picket set to take place in 16 airports across the United States and Canada on September 1st. It’s no secret that when ALPA pilots stand shoulder to shoulder in support of shared goals, people notice. This event will show the public, our lawmakers, and our airlines that all airline pilots stand together in support of he profession."
While acknowledging the tremendous value of standing shoulder to shoulder in support of shared goals, our MEC has declined to picket on September 1st. It's hard for me to understand how we can beg for One Level of Safety with the passenger carriers and choose to separate ourselves from such an important and symbolic effort. Our absence will not go unnoticed, neither by The Company, nor by the other members of the BOD whose votes we will be soliciting to elect one of our own pilots to the ALPA First Vice President position during the October BOD meeting.
Even if we do get a TA before the end of August (I'm not holding my breath), we could cancel the Sep 1 picketing event, and no harm would be done. We've cancelled a picketing event within hours of it starting before.
"The FDX MEC Strategic Preparedness and Strike Committee encourages you to attend an event near you and stand in unity with fellow ALPA pilots and demonstrate our resolve, pride and collective strength to achieve pilot goals. Those of you living near these locations will receive an additional mailed reminder."
I'm sorry, but this doesn't inspire pride. It evokes embarrassment. I guess those of us living in Memphis won't be getting that additional mailed reminder.
So, anyway -- anybody bidding to have "late September" off?
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