Originally Posted by Atlas Shrugged (Post 3247584)

It's a war alright. It has already cost 3 lives.

If the arbitrator does not see through the lies, then there is no hope for us.

It was absolutely painful reading the lies and distortions in the company brief.

Originally Posted by MD-11Loader (Post 3247591)

I enjoy how they compare Atlas against FedEx and UPS using the entirety of all of their sub companies to come up with all of the employees. This was a painful read. This will not end quickly or be enjoyable.

Originally Posted by Globemaster2827 (Post 3247589)

What I find interesting is that after the last 5 years there will be Atlas pilots who are surprised by the company's briefs. There were several pilots who didn't understand why yall didn't just accept the amalgamation 5 years ago... They claimed the company wouldn't dare simply merge the pay and work rules with Southern! At least that didn't happen thanks to your union leadership.

Originally Posted by Atlas Shrugged (Post 3247621)

I see this as well. I have conversations with new people who are completely clueless about the issues and our history. It used to bother me, but I have made my peace with it and just try to educate folks if they want to listen.

We are clearly at a turning point, and our futures hang in the balance.

The worst part of all of this is that Atlas/Polar was a really hard working group of pilots who have all had their souls crushed by incompetent management.

Originally Posted by Turbine1 (Post 3247349)

The company proposal is pretty much current book on our 10 year old CBA. No more vacation, no more days off. Extensions of 3 days allowed to lineholders not just reserves. They won’t even spend an extra 2% for LTD till retirement. Not a penny for fire resistant containers for lithium batteries that we carry on most flights. Elimination of domestic catering. Pay rates below all other ACMIs. We apparently deserve Mesa level compensation as the company compares Atlas to them over a dozen times in their 180 page vomitus mass of a (possibly) final brief. Mesa. A company that just started flying a few 737s. Plus comparisons to 21Air, an airline with 30 pilots compared to our 2600 pilots.

They’re also trying to eliminate the no crossing of picket lines language implemented by the arbitrator in 2011 and upheld by another arbitrator several years ago when the company tried to claim it was a “mistake”. They must think the third time is the charm. Management intends to force their pilots to fly struck work, if they prevail with the arbitrator.

Thanks to the Atlas CEO who has 30 years in the aviation world who claimed in arbitration he “doesn't know what the term struck work means”, in the future an Atlas pilot may be faced with the choice of resign, be terminated, or cross a picket line at company direction to collect your permanent scab card.

Originally Posted by Globemaster2827 (Post 3247767)

Instead of letting it crush your souls all of you need to leave. I had at least 5 turn down my rec at purple. My rec is in the pool right now...

Originally Posted by Atlas Shrugged (Post 3247819)

I hear you, but some of us are getting a bit long in the tooth. Jumping through all the hoops to get an interview and starting all over at the bottom is not exactly what we are looking for.

If this contract is reasonable, it will be best to stay here. I am grateful that I don't have to work past 60.

Originally Posted by Turbine1 (Post 3247349)

They’re also trying to eliminate the no crossing of picket lines language implemented by the arbitrator in 2011 and upheld by another arbitrator several years ago when the company tried to claim it was a “mistake”. They must think the third time is the charm. Management intends to force their pilots to fly struck work, if they prevail with the arbitrator.

Originally Posted by zerozero (Post 3248036)

The company went back to the ORIGINAL arbitrator and asked him to "clarify" his intent of including the language of that clause.

Originally Posted by Turbine1 (Post 3248134)

I stand corrected. The point is that this will be the third time management has attempted to do away with picket line protections. They or their masters at DHL/Amazon obviously don’t want a repeat of 2016, where Atlas couldn’t order crews to cross the ABX picket line and move the struck freight. Taken with the industry worst contract they’re proposing, the picket line issue and other concessions in the company brief, just illustrates the utter contempt Atlas upper management has for their pilots.

Time will tell if the arbitrator will see thru the company smokescreen and issue a fair award.