Sunset clauses for what?? What have they changed??

 

I just don't understand what they've been working on. They say they are too busy to process grievances, but they don't have anything to show for it. A simple "we presented this option to the company and they turned it down" is owed to the pilots who are being furloughed. I've seen so many carriers at least present something to the pilot group for a vote. Not a single person from ALPA has reached out to me or anyone else I know.

As someone who pays dues to this organization, I think we are owed an explanation as to what they've been working on the last six months. An LOA every two or three months doesn't suffice. I had a pilot call me the other day and say he can't get a phone call with a rep or anyone on any of the committees. We all deserve better representation!

 

I was referring to the deals that various pilot groups have made to save jobs. There's an end date, so it shouldn't permanently undermine the contract.

 

What concessions did RAH give?

 

I have to call you out because you are once again trying trying to use your anger and misunderstanding of how things work to raise tension among the rest of the pilot group.

"I just don't understand what they've been working on. They say they are too busy to process grievances, but they don't have anything to show for it. A simple "we presented this option to the company and they turned it down" is owed to the pilots who are being furloughed. I've seen so many carriers at least present something to the pilot group for a vote. Not a single person from ALPA has reached out to me or anyone else I know."

Again you bring up that you are mad about grievances (because the company didn't pay your bonus). From what I've read, they actually expedited that case but since you don't like the result or the way that it is required to be handled, you are trying to make the rest of us think that they are just sitting around doing nothing. Every airline is in a different position. Just because something works for one airline doesn't mean it will work for the rest. The union clearly told us that a mitigation program that provided an offset of furloughs for a certain amount of participants in a mitigation program was not something that our company would agree to. Instead they agreed to keep a higher number of pilots on property than what we actually have flying for. Remember that the company originally announced 180-190 furloughs. That's pretty good without a defined program that would include some sort of concession. ALPA reaches out to all of us. You should probably check your email.

"As someone who pays dues to this organization, I think we are owed an explanation as to what they've been working on the last six months. An LOA every two or three months doesn't suffice. I had a pilot call me the other day and say he can't get a phone call with a rep or anyone on any of the committees. We all deserve better representation!"

Negotiations are done between the union and management. Once they reach an agreement, the pilots are notified. If it is a major contract change, it would go out to the pilots for a vote. They are not required to tell us every time they make a suggestion to the company and in fact those discussions are probably confidential unless it is something they are moving forward with trying put in place. You need to stop assuming that you are special and "deserve" more just because you bombard a forum with your personal complaints and irrational desires. I'm glad that we have the people working for us that we have. I always get a response or call back from them within about a day. Most of the time, I'm responded to immediately from our volunteers.

 

Do you want to have an actual phone call about this so you can explain your perspective better? We obviously view this (and other issues) differently and I’m curious what pieces I’m missing.

A phone call trying to find common ground is much more productive. And in the spirit of “lowering tension amongst pilots” (to use your words) I think a phone call trying to find common ground is fitting.

 

That is a surprisingly deep question that has occupied many years of effort by academics and managers alike.

But at the end of the day the accountant makes the call.

 

I'm all set. I've already made my point. The difference between my "perspective"/"view" and yours is that mine is based purely on the facts and yours seems to be based on anger and emotion. A call with me won't do anything to help you. That approach is likely your actual problem. If you want answers, you should go to the source of the information instead of trying to fuel your own fallacies and speculation on a web forum.

This is a tough situation for everyone. From what I have gathered, we have a group of our own pilots that are working continuously to ensure that we get through the current situation. I think we would all love a solution that resulted in no furloughs, no concessions, and a pay raise, but that isn't where we are right now and that has been explained to us in the union messages. This doesn't mean that we have poor representation as you claimed. Making generalizations like that makes you look like a spoiled kid that doesn't like that he didn't get what he wants.

 

Ok, so answer me these two questions:

1. Does the CBA--that the pilot group ratified--say that ALPA and the company will meet once a quarter to process the grievances that are appealed? Here's a hint: Section 21.D in the contract or Page 21.1.

2. Is there currently an LOA or any formal agreement that suspends the appeals process outlined in the CBA?

To say that my frustrations are based on emotions and not facts is incorrect as evidenced by my two questions above. Further, to sit behind a computer and not be willing to talk on the phone and progress/learn together is a further indication of how biased your opinion on this is.

 

Touché señor.