Hidy Ho

April 7, 2022Fellow pilots,

Mediated negotiations took place again this week on Tuesday and Wednesday (April 5-6).

You may recall that ALPA provided a comprehensive proposal at the last mediation session, including a full economic proposal. The National Mediation Board’s (NMB) agenda for this week directed the Company to respond to the MEC’s comprehensive scope proposal and, to the extent that time permitted, respond to the comprehensive work rule and quality of life issues that were previously proposed by ALPA. ALPA also offered several times to be available to answer questions regarding our scope proposal for the company ahead of the session.

The Company made no written scope proposal, asked no questions about the full language proposal we provided earlier, and declined to engage in any discussion of key job security issues despite our efforts. More specifically, management did not counter-propose or offer any ideas or solutions that improve merger protection, limit the number or weight of small jets, or ensure that Alaska pilots participate in the Company’s growth when it enters new code-share agreements.

We are all well aware of the increasing merger activity, including JetBlue’s offer this week to merge with Spirit. This environment, along with the company’s unwillingness to solve problems during and after the VX merger, highlights the need for stronger job security provisions.

Additionally, there was no meaningful progress made on the fundamental work rule improvements. The company did withdraw their proposed changes to Section 15 [Physical Standards], Section 22 [Seniority], and uniform provisions, and made a union business and reserve vacation proposal. While eventual parts of an overall agreement, they were not responsive to the core issues critical to Alaska pilots and did not address the primary items on the NMB’s agenda for this week. The new company proposals will be discussed with the MEC.

Given the letter distributed the night before mediation started by the VP of Labor, it wasn’t surprising that management failed to follow this week’s agenda and deal with the issues that provide a foundation for a ratified agreement. This was another in a stream of company letters that shows management’s disregard for issues you want addressed and its unwillingness to use proven industry solutions. Rapidly increasing attrition and the inability to fill new hire classes show that Alaska pilots and prospective pilots are voting with their feet to dismiss company rhetoric. Once again, the company spent more time and effort distributing information that isn’t credible than it did trying to solve problems or negotiate.

As a result, the mediator decided that the third day of mediation would not be productive and ended the session early. He will consult with his superiors at the NMB to determine appropriate future steps before setting any new mediation dates. That was the right conclusion. Management’s lack of response this week, and the proposals it has on the table, provide no path to a ratifiable agreement.

It’s our strong recommendation that Alaska pilots prepare financially for a much bigger fight to achieve our collective goals. The strong showing made on April 1 convinces us we’re ready. Your efforts were key in showing that ALPA’s proposals reflect critical pilot priorities that pave the way to a successful comprehensive agreement.

The MEC has its Quarterly Meeting on April 19-22. Your elected representatives will provide further direction at that meeting on the next steps to move the process forward.

In unity,

rmcbear08

Pretty telling excerpt from JL’s email last night: “Our current impasse is largely due to ALPA’s unwillingness to discuss parts of the contract other than scope.”

Unbelievable. It’s almost like they haven’t been paying attention at all…

av8or

What is telling is that, his perspective that ALPA is the party that halted negotiations. ALPA says it was the mediator that halted negotiations.

Somebody isn’t being honest. I can PROMISE you, given that ever since April 1, the company has now TWICE tried to do email damage control that they’d NEVER blame the picketing for the cancellations, (just pure as the driven snow) combined with everything else they’ve done, there is only ONE of those three parties I don’t trust. And it ain’t ALPA or the mediator.

Broey

So disappointing. It’s really like there is something going on and their like F*%$ IT doesn’t matter anyway. They aren’t even attempting to make it look like they are “trying” with the mediator. Thankful the MEC isn’t even entertaining their shenanigans.

ChickenFinger

I gotta say….the latest company email is pretty discouraging…

EskimoJoe

I expected nothing less. Nothing is going to change for at least 6 months…other than their disastrous summer. If they were smart, they’d pull 20% of the summer schedule. They won’t.

Honestable

ShyGuy

I've long held the unpopular view, leverage. Or lack thereof.

December/January heralded Omicron and snowmageddon operational issues. Many flights were put up at 150%. Many were cancelled. Sure, they could have come to the table and gotten serious. But why bother? Obviously they have a cost X which is related to cancellations and business costs associated with lack of pilots. Y is the cost of paying those pilots more with a new contract that includes scope, pay, work rules, and QOL items. It seems X < Y according to their math. It doesn't seem like this phase of operational issues is much different. Obviously attrition is high (already exceeded last year's net total) but it's not like they haven't already done the math on the rest of the year. The solution? "Over hire" by [insert percentage] for this calendar year. That's right, they're already costing people leaving. Attrition seemed like the one leverage we had going for us this year and it looks like it's gonna be a bust.

Now, none of my post insinuates that we should give up or settle for whatever offer is on the table. ALPA's proposal isn't unreasonable and in some ways actually short of what one could really go for. Despite that, they don't care and why should they? If I leave, they'll be glad to get rid of an 11-th CA pay and replace me with a 3rd or 4th yr CA pay. "It's not personal, it's just business." Apparently cutting 2% of flights due to the pilot training/attrition issues is still financially viable. So as long as X < Y, it makes financial sense to continue with as-is.


Lastly, it isn't just AS that is being affected. Many airlines are having their own meltdowns and lack of staffing issues. That's another reason it's "easier" to write this event off at the moment.

LonesomeSky

How about cost Z? The cost of all flights being canceled until the strike is over?

That's leverage

av8or

Agreed. Thats where it’s a who’s gonna blink first situation. The upside to negotiating with a very profitable company is they HAVE the funds to pay us. The downside is, they also have the funds to fight us. It wouldn’t be the first time I saw elites take a hit financially to prove a point.

When they say “We care a Lot!”…. That’s accurate. They care about control. They care about virtue signaling. They care about dividends. They care about SEA. They care about their jobs and bonuses.

Then…. What they don’t care about. Our job security. Any market East of the Rockies. Being prepared for snow in Seattle. The quality or quantity of their new hires. Our QOL. Whether we have a good working relationship or not. Losing revenue for a calculated period of time.

I might be wrong… hell I hope I am, but I think the merger conspiracies are born out of an abiding since of optimism that “Surely they aren’t this arrogant or incompetent.” But, unfortunately, I think whatever the $$$ cost for whatever level of what we perceive as arrogance/incompetence is baked into their financial pie.

Which means, legally, and when the time comes, we are gonna have to be able to make it cost infinitely more than they are expecting it to.