K4 Pilots Declaration Of Independance !
08-07-2017 | 10:56 AM
#141
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Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
I must disagree with anyone that believes an in-house Union is the answer to decertification. Although in-house unions are a viable alternative for larger companies, our operation does not support this option. Like it or not Union representation within the airline industry is a must, and no Union has ever been a panacea.
For anyone that worked at a regional, I completely understand how disillusioned you must be with ALPA representation. To be perfectly honest ALPA cannot represent the major airline and at the same time represent the regional as this is a huge conflict of interest. But having said that, Kalitta is not a regional, we are our own airline that is currently in the process of significant growth.
I have worked for an ALPA carrier company and obviously for one represented by the Teamsters. Hands down ALPA is vastly superior to Teamsters, but the question that must be asked is why. This is because ALPA does not have Locals, they have Councils. What are Councils, they are our guys representing our pilots, ALPA does not try to come into our company and tell us what to do. We decide how we should proceed based upon the knowledge of what our pilots want and need. So why is this important, because ALPA will not work against us to further someone else’s agenda, they work with us as we address our issues.
With all due respect and to be brutally honest you do not get this right, the union did not lead us to an industry leading contract, our negating team led us to an industry leading contract. It would have been nice if our union had not worked against our pilot group and the negating team.
For anyone that worked at a regional, I completely understand how disillusioned you must be with ALPA representation. To be perfectly honest ALPA cannot represent the major airline and at the same time represent the regional as this is a huge conflict of interest. But having said that, Kalitta is not a regional, we are our own airline that is currently in the process of significant growth.
I have worked for an ALPA carrier company and obviously for one represented by the Teamsters. Hands down ALPA is vastly superior to Teamsters, but the question that must be asked is why. This is because ALPA does not have Locals, they have Councils. What are Councils, they are our guys representing our pilots, ALPA does not try to come into our company and tell us what to do. We decide how we should proceed based upon the knowledge of what our pilots want and need. So why is this important, because ALPA will not work against us to further someone else’s agenda, they work with us as we address our issues.
With all due respect and to be brutally honest you do not get this right, the union did not lead us to an industry leading contract, our negating team led us to an industry leading contract. It would have been nice if our union had not worked against our pilot group and the negating team.
08-07-2017 | 12:50 PM
#143
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: CA 757/767
I guess you missed the part where I said there is a conflict of interest between ALPA and a regional.
Once upon a time I used to work for a regional and ALPA did a terrible job representing us, and I also worked for a National Carrier and ALPA was outstanding. A large part of this was due to the fact we had a cohesive pilot group and outstanding negotiators. At Kalitta we have an outstanding negotiating team, the pilot group however is not even close to being unified.
As to the folks that believe K4 is going to close the door when Connie dies, I wish I had your crystal ball. Keep in mind Connie has built an incredible company that is extremely profitable, I don’t know too many airlines that would cease operations on a profitable venture. Since our new contract went into effect upper management has been changed. This has been nothing short of remarkable, and it has brought a breath of fresh air into the company. I am confident we are moving in the right direction and a change to ALPA would be one more positive step.
08-07-2017 | 02:56 PM
#144
Banned
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
I have to agree Connie is no Dell Smith, K4 is a billion dollar revenue generating privately held company. Dell was late to the dance with fleet modernization and the many other distractions he had but some guys made the Zone a career. The K4 pilots are displeased with the final stages of their contract negotiations and thats understandable. I would have to say that the initiator of this thread threw gas on a smoldering fire by airing out internal biz, the K4 MEC should be the mouthpiece for the group. The problem can be solved by implementing special provisions in the negotiating process to prevent one individual from holding up a TA that the MEC wants to present to the group.
Last edited by CA Deplorable; 08-07-2017 at 03:07 PM.
08-07-2017 | 03:05 PM
#145
Line Holder
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 424
Likes: 2
EWW was already shut down with UPS bought Menlo. I know this segment's history better than you.
IPA was trying to get UPS to give you Asstar pilots preferential interviews till you guys showed your true ** with your protests. After that, you lost what goodwill the IPA was willing to give you.
IPA was trying to get UPS to give you Asstar pilots preferential interviews till you guys showed your true ** with your protests. After that, you lost what goodwill the IPA was willing to give you.
08-07-2017 | 03:47 PM
#146
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
I guess you missed the part where I said there is a conflict of interest between ALPA and a regional.
Once upon a time I used to work for a regional and ALPA did a terrible job representing us, and I also worked for a National Carrier and ALPA was outstanding. A large part of this was due to the fact we had a cohesive pilot group and outstanding negotiators. At Kalitta we have an outstanding negotiating team, the pilot group however is not even close to being unified.
As to the folks that believe K4 is going to close the door when Connie dies, I wish I had your crystal ball. Keep in mind Connie has built an incredible company that is extremely profitable, I don’t know too many airlines that would cease operations on a profitable venture. Since our new contract went into effect upper management has been changed. This has been nothing short of remarkable, and it has brought a breath of fresh air into the company. I am confident we are moving in the right direction and a change to ALPA would be one more positive step.
Once upon a time I used to work for a regional and ALPA did a terrible job representing us, and I also worked for a National Carrier and ALPA was outstanding. A large part of this was due to the fact we had a cohesive pilot group and outstanding negotiators. At Kalitta we have an outstanding negotiating team, the pilot group however is not even close to being unified.
As to the folks that believe K4 is going to close the door when Connie dies, I wish I had your crystal ball. Keep in mind Connie has built an incredible company that is extremely profitable, I don’t know too many airlines that would cease operations on a profitable venture. Since our new contract went into effect upper management has been changed. This has been nothing short of remarkable, and it has brought a breath of fresh air into the company. I am confident we are moving in the right direction and a change to ALPA would be one more positive step.
08-08-2017 | 03:10 AM
#147
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
With all due respect and to be brutally honest you do not get this right, the union did not lead us to an industry leading contract, our negating team led us to an industry leading contract. It would have been nice if our union had not worked against our pilot group and the negating team.
You think K4 currently has an industry leading contract?
In which area? Pay? Benefits? Retirement? Work Rules?
08-08-2017 | 04:13 AM
#148
Line Holder
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 365
Likes: 1
From: Doing Just Fine
I wouldn't call it completely industry leading but it's better than what Atlas have, and I believe you left K4 for Atlas because we weren't ever going to get a contract.
08-08-2017 | 04:16 AM
#149
Line Holder
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 365
Likes: 1
From: Doing Just Fine
There are already shifts in the running of K4. Connie is taking more of an oversight role, Doug and other parties are stepping up to the plate. I understand that Atlas would like to see K4 go bye bye, but don't hold your breath!!
08-08-2017 | 09:21 AM
#150
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: CA 757/767
I was responding to a post from “Woog315” and he said “ACMI industry leading contract”, I inadvertently left off the ACMI part. But if it helps I concede, perhaps not industry leading but certainly respectable.
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