Originally Posted by
SaltyDog
The IPA rejected all contract concessions offered to avert the furlough. Weakness????
We didn't concede any pay. We voluntarily took unpaid vacation to reduce crews on the payroll. UPS cancelled all unpaid vacations (except those on said vacation on Feb 8). In any event, we were taking care of our own, following one of our companies principles ironically enough.
We are going to cover the COBRA for the furloughed crews. IMO, None of this is a sign of weakness. UPS is once again proving their ability in making the next contract more expensive and contentious since they are driving the union closer and will expect more, not less, as the companies profits are rebounding along with volumes. UPS just managed to actually motivate most of the union to really start to get into the nuts and bolts of the contract. Until now, IMO, most of the union were happy to waive the contract through ignorance. UPS just provided the union with a boost to "follow the contract' and nothing else for the next 20 or so years. Not so smart long term. Especially considering that they could have had the money anyway through the IPA. Penny wise and pound foolish. BTW, the 300 UPS says to be furloughed are now called "Spartans". That will last the rest of their careers and be shared with every new hire. Way to go Atlanta. Brilliant play!
This is eerily reminiscent of what Delta did back with their first furlough in 1993. The furlough notices came 3 times and the first 2 were canceled at the last minute. Very stressful for those on the bottom of the list. When the axe actually fell it was a relief to know you had to move on (if only temporarily). This was all over a 5% pay raise the company wanted to cancel. The union did cover Cobra cost (very nice) and provided a relief fund for those that needed it. The problem was the pilots still flying covered the shortfall with OT (200%) flying. OT, or green slip, trips went from less than 100 fleet wide to over 5000 in the first 2 years. They did this so well it allowed Delta to furlough another 400 beyond the initial 120. The worst offenders were Captains and the S/O's (some who literally flew themselves right out of a job). The union said nothing and sucked in the extra dues from the OT which was much more than the dues they received from a S/O on reserve making 30k a year was. Had those that flew OT done the right thing and stood down, and had the union made a public call to do so, the furlough would have been over quickly instead of dragging on for 5 years for some. Hopefully the pilots of UPS and the IPA will realize that paying Cobra is nice, but doing your part to get the furloughees back to work is much better. Good luck to you guys if this furlough goes through..