tomgoodman

Plaintiffs usually ignore individual “strikers” who merely call in sick and do nothing else. They prefer go after anyone who encourages others to call in sick, because there is usually a paper or electronic trail to follow. They can also sue the Union (whether or not involved in the wildcatting), seeking a TRO to make them stop it. Remember that “proof”, in this context, only requires getting a Judge to believe that the charge is probably true. The deck is stacked against would-be strikers, by design.

Globemaster2827

I agree with you but the courts ruled that 1224 took part in this in the Injunction that went against it in Fall of 2017. That Injunction ruled that blocking out on time was a job action after the company argued in court that "There's no such thing as an "On Time Departure" at Atlas Air". Understand that the Arbitrator just inserted language into Southern's contract to bail the company out... The company will continue to use that same Justice system to win this just like the union will use all the tools at its disposal. If everyone called in sick it would result in another Injunction and the 2nd time would mean fines and even jail time for organizers.

The best thing to do is vote with your feet. Atlas will not pay you an Industry Standard wage. You will not get an Industry Standard retirement. You will not get Industry Standard work rules. It will never happen. In 7 years when your Arbitrated contract is amendable they will just buy another bankrupt airline. So work for someone else... Leave as soon as you can for any reasonable job. If you're in your 20s go to a Regional with flow. If you're in you're 30s or up then I'd take any job north of Kalitta/Omni. I'm aware of how tough it is to change jobs but think of your families... Do you want them to tolerate you being gone 18 days a month for terrible pay through infinity? What are your plans for retirement if you stay?

If you don't work there and are thinking about applying then educate yourself on what accepting a job there means. Bust rates are up because of the crash. If you lack PIC you could flow to AA from a Regional by the time you get your PIC. If you want a place to hang your hat you can do much better by going to places like JetBlue or Spirit. You are walking into a miserable labor war that probably won't stop with a new Arbitrated contract.

Boris Badenov

Well, you make think it's BS, and I may even agree with you, but that's how the courts interpret it. Work slowdowns (let alone actual strikes) which don't follow the RLA rules will be collectively punished. How do people get to this point in their careers without knowing this stuff?

Birdsmash

I will not speak for the Atlas side of the house.

However, to clarify because it paints the Southern Training Department in a bad light, bust rates are not up as a result of the crash. They are up because weaker & less experienced applicants are applying because that is all we can attract.

BluePAX

Wish the best of luck to the guys I left behind, I have done what’s best for me and mine by moving on. The company will do what’s best for them and their shareholders, it’s business I suppose.

CaptDave

Well, after thoroughly researching and educating myself about a wildcat, I’d have to say that is not at all a good option for anyone.

The only logical path then, is to see how things play out and, if necessary, vote with your feet by taking your experience to a place where you’ll be properly compensated.

Good luck everyone involved. Looks to be a tough fight no matter how you spin it.

Globemaster2827

Yes... I don't really know anything about what's going on in Southern's training department now or in the past. I do have buddies in the Atlas training department.

Sorry... I know that is one of the few things where Atlas is Atlas and Southern is Southern. At this point most of it is already merged. Really all of the threads should be merged...

atpcliff

If AAWWH prevails, then the Atlas (Atlas/Southern) pilots will not get to vote on the joint contract. We assume AAWWH will want to continue with the wording in the contract, that if the AAWWH buys another airline, before negotiations start, that the Atlas pilots will not get to vote on that contract, either. If this wording is upheld by arbitration, then Atlas pilots may NEVER get to vote on any pilot contract in the future.

If the Atlas (or Southern) pilots prevail, then they will get to vote on the new combined contract.

This is THE issue...if the pilots will be allowed to vote on any contracts going forward. Note: If they are not allowed to vote, then the MEC (union leadership) will either have to agree to the contract, or it will go to arbitration.

As a union worker, I want a vote on my contract. I think that is only reasonable. However, allowing workers to vote on their contract gives them more power, which is NOT what the 0.1% want...they want ALL the power, so they can get ALL of the money.

Diesel8

The whole reason Atlas bought Southern is so that wouldn't have to negotiate with the union. There was nothing that Southern had that would be of benefit to Atlas. Atlas already had a nascent 777 program and their own 777's (Titan) before they purchased Southern. Putting 737's on their Cert would have been no big deal.

Sure, for us the cost 107M seems like a lot, to them it was nothing and probably offered some creative fodder to the accountants.

I have never seen such a contentious management group like Atlas. It's as if they see the pilot group as merely indentured servants that need to ****, and do as they are told.

NoJoy

^^^^^^This