Originally Posted by
CanyonBlue
Really? I mean were are they now? SE didn't want this TA to pass but let it go to the membership under your same assumption. So 6 months will turn into 24. The membership was not served well by this technique.
Why do you assume that "6 months will turn into 24?" I think you should call SE and talk to him about this, because it seems as though you need to learn a little bit more about the process. The MEC and NC have handled the process very well, from what I can see. They took the smart path of trying to correct the mistakes rather than trying to start from scratch. The latter path would have resulted in the 24 months that you're thinking (or more). The former path is the way to a deal sooner. I expect that you'll either have a deal or a release by late summer, and I think it will be a deal rather than a release.
Originally Posted by
flapsfail
For example: fly it and grieve it later.....what a great concept. With this concept, what is preventing the company from doing it again? Nothing.. That would be a huge step in the right direction but I won't hold my breath.
Fly it and grieve it is the law of the land (RLA); it's not a concept dreamed up by your MEC. Every pilot group in this country has to live under the same rules. Don't like it? Contribute to ALPA-PAC so that we'll have a chance someday to fix the law.
Originally Posted by
flapsfail
I don't think the mec members are more to blame than SE. I think the buck stops with him and that's part of the job he's taken.
This just indicates a lack of understanding of how the union is structured. SE has no vote. He simply works for the Status Reps and does as they direct. He can make recommendations to them, but they can ignore him and issue their own direction, and he has to follow.
I don't know him personally but from a union members point of view I think the way he's handled everything, esspecially the negotiations, is wrong.
Having known him for about 7 years, I think I can speak to this. Has he made mistakes? I'm sure. Everyone does, myself included. But is he a good MEC Chairman? Overall, I think he is. Although his predecessor had his strong points, I think SE was a monumental improvement. He understands the process, he works hard, and he's a true trade unionist. If you have concerns (such as communications), then you should call him and discuss those concerns, or show up at the next MEC meeting to tell him face-to-face. Complaining about it on a message board on the internet won't accomplish anything. Be proactive. I guarantee you that SE wants to do what's best for the pilot group. If you have good suggestions for improvements, I'm sure that he'd love to listen.
You have a benefit that many pilot groups do not: an MEC Chairman who is a true trade unionist and wants to do the right thing, rather than an opportunist who is only looking out for himself. Sadly, union work attracts far too many of the latter, and far too few of the former. Be glad that your MEC Chairman falls into the better category.