I just wanna say, seriously, that I genuinely appreciate EJ, coming on here (or anywhere else for that matter) telling everyone that takes issue with our contract, pointing out management failures and lack of ethics etc, that they “don’t know how the RLA works”, that we really have no leverage, that, the reason people are leaving and going to other carriers is I guess because they’re just chasing a buck and that “just you wait, when there’s another 9/11 they’ll WISH they could be part of Alaska Airlines.”

I appreciate him because, he highlights our greatest obstacle as a union… clearly, concisely and with the condescension expected of someone who’s only contribution will be a “No” vote they can hang their hat on.

Hoping there’s more of us than him.

 

Also, for context: What I need PERSONALLY, and what a bunch of us “whiners” need…. Is for people to believe EJ, and come here in DROVES!!!! I need those reserve ranks BRIMMING with new hires and upgrades!! It would GREATLY help MY quality of life right now if we had reserves stacked like chord wood in every base so that MAYBE I could get an open time trade and have some of the schedule flexibility that I had 3 years ago.

But, I also feel the need to be honest about the culture and contract here to anyone considering coming here. But, by all means seekers. Come on over! Daddy needs a trade!!!

 

I shouldn’t play. I really shouldn’t. So. Would you agree we have the best team possible representing us? I think we do. I think our union reps and the negotiating committee are top notch and doing a good job representing our needs. Agreed? So why don’t we have a contract yet? The APC crowd that hates seniors thinks we have lots of leverage, so clearly I’m missing something. Where’s the leverage being played out today, nearly 2 yrs since the amendable date? Next question, do you see a contract in the near immediate future? Later this year? Next year? Where does this “we have lots of leverage” play itself out?

 

Man I know what ya mean Shy about “I shouldn’t play.” Lol I think that nearly every time I post too. 😂 Truly….

And, we agree 💯 about our Union reps and negotiating team. If there’s better I don’t who they’d be.

But, ONE of those years just got bushwhacked by the pandemic, so there goes that. Then, Another year got lost trying to negotiate in good faith. Though I’ll grant that’s a dubious endeavor with people who use “Do the right thing.” as a marketing slogan as opposed to a character trait.

IF you believe that our team is solid, and wise, then you have to believe that they posses tactical wisdom as well. And they’ve given me no reason to doubt them so far.

We have some pretty dang big costly negotiating points that have to be addressed for the next contract to have a snowball’s chance in hell of passing. It would take patience if we had ONE. This pilot group so far has been EXCELLENT!!! Seriously. No wild cat job actions. No hostages. Just patience and resolve.

Now we’re in mediation. And, the next chapter will be very interesting because, I can PROMISE you WE are negotiating in good faith. That’s a foreign concept to Alaska management and they’re gonna either change and come to the table with legit solutions or if they don’t hopefully what WE come to the table with paints a stark contrast to the mediator of what “good faith” does and doesn’t look like, and what we NEED, is to either get a solid contract or him to see the company’s tactics for what they are and release the parties for a cooling off period and what comes after that.

Im fully prepared for the latter. (And everything that comes with that.) All of us need to be, because, honestly I don’t think this management team has any concept of a world where they don’t bully, cajole, or infiltrate their way to getting their way. But, hopefully data points, wisdom, big picture, and humility will guide their actions the way it did in the final moments before the Covid leaves became the pathway.

 

I, like probably most people here, am positively drooling over the prospect of legal self-help at some point and am more than willing to help out in any way that I can. But here's the thing: These people aren't morons. If you and I are aware that a blatant refusal to negotiate in good faith could be construed by a mediator as grounds for accelerating the process in our favor, then don't you think the ENTIRE DEPARTMENT of MBA's and lawyers at this company, who are tasked with "labor relations," are also aware of that? I am 100% sure that this company's negotiating team knows exactly how much they have to budge, and in what areas, to provide the mediator with the illusion of progress so they can keep this slow-roll going without actually giving us anything.

 

Im naive to this possibility. Here’s to hoping they either come to their senses and for once live up up to that slogan they trot out like a tired mule at their convenience OR, put the same folks at the table who handled their uniform strategy in charge. Guess we’ll see. 🤔

See y’all April 1st. 😎😎😎

 

Haha OK that's a good point.

I'll be there!

 

SG, I have tons of respect for you, but I find your utterances these days to be bordering on bovine excrement. It is beneath you.

Maybe the angry crowd is the ex-VXers, because they were aware from the get go how bad AS contract is, and have been the canary in the coal mine since then. Many legacy ASers in the beginning were in their bubble telling us we had won the lottery, things are great at AS, etc.
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Even families fight and argue amongst themselves as we seek a solution to our differences.

The great news I think is that even they, the legacy ASers, are beginning to realize/admit how bad it is here, and it seems like we are ready UNITE with regards to exploring all legal options available to secure a decent contract.

I commend you for making peace with your reality here at AS, but quit knocking those who choose to voice their discontent, agitate for change, and I presume would be willing to be in the front row if the call to action goes out.

 

Well said. Better than I could have.

 

I'm bidding April 1 off. We should all be planning for that day, showing unity and sending a message. With that said out of the 3,000 pilots, I'm hopeful we get 500 throughout the bases. One thing is for certain, I will be there.