Tuck

Not sure if NWA is in Group A or not (impossible to find out from the very poor website that ALPA runs). NWA definitely still has FEs.

frozenboxhauler

Hey Tuck, hows it going? Northwest is in Group A. I think the magic number is 4.000 pilots or more.
fbh

kwri10s

First and foremost, DW is NOT our leader. He is the person picked by our representatives, to be the FDX voice at national ALPA. To be OUR single point on national issues. Somehow, this has morphed over the last several years into a feeling that he is our leader. It is his manifest destiny to guide the ill informed into a better life. And for this he is paid very well. (max BLG plus max carryover every month).

Let's review a few of the more recent examples of how we have been "guided."

CRAF LOA--against some LEC leadership guidance (some of which seemed very well thought out). DW sent out a letter stating that it was in all our best interest to pass this LOA and the wording and objectionable areas would all be addressed during the contract negotiations......Well, we have a new contract but no new Craf section.

ANC move LOA--a message stating that in the best interest of unity we should pass this, instead of asking for anything in return. This way our unity will show the company how behind the negotiators we are and that will pay off in a quicker negotiation and better terms for us.....didn't seem to work very well, either.

Scope--We didn't even get a say in that BOHICA. Just a nice note informing us that it was in our best interests. That somehow us paying the company for the benefit we just negotiated was a good thing for us.

Now 60+. While it has been posted again and again. Somehow, ALPA national has decided that instead of fighting this safety issue like they should they are going to run over to the "winning" side and pretend they have always been there. There is NO WAY that having someone over 60 at the controls somehow enhances safety. If this was a safety enhancement then the safest plane would be one with three 60+ pilots. ALPA's position aside, our MEC is trying to get out in front of the issue, and again tell us what is best for us. Contrary to what the majority feel is right.

I've thought about this a lot and I believe the time is right to remind those that "represent" us that they are NOT our leaders. Just our representatives. They are not leading us into war. We are a smart and educated group. If our union feels the member are not on the same page they are, then either the membership needs to be further educated or the position the leadership has does not "represent" the members and the officers must adapt to that reality.

60+ is probably the biggest single career changing event pilots nationally have faced since we allowed regional commuters airlines to fly "Jets" (RJs) to move passengers in the 70s. Over 60 flying certainly will have a bigger impact than the B or C scale did.

Nomax

At the meeting today was I to understand that the NWA MEC voted to oppose the Age 60 legislation and the FDX MEC voted in favor of it? How is this possible. I know that we at FDX have a much higher percentage of people against age 60+. Can anyone confirm this? Or perhaps this was another of those "We know what is best for the pilot group......."

RedeyeAV8r

Look it is apparent you do not like Dave Webb. Fine that is your right, assumng you are a member. But much of what you posted is false or is not accurate.

. It is his manifest destiny to guide the ill informed into a better life. And for this he is paid very well. (max BLG plus max carryover every month.

False, he is on full trip pay loss Paid 98 straight credit hours per month just like the other 2 MEC officers. BTW you got to vote on this pay package in an LOA back when we were in the FPA or were you even hired then? This is very similiar to what ACPs get. Dave W and the other 2 MEC officers do not BID every month so they do not get, can't get carry over.

Let's review a few of the more recent examples of how we have been "guided."

CRAF LOA--against some LEC leadership guidance (some of which seemed very well thought out). DW sent out a letter stating that it was in all our best interest to pass this LOA and the wording and objectionable areas would all be addressed during the contract negotiations......Well, we have a new contract but no new Craf section.

It was an LOA, didn't the membership get to read it and didn't they get to vote on it? I'll assume you voted no?

ANC move LOA--a message stating that in the best interest of unity we should pass this, instead of asking for anything in return. This way our unity will show the company how behind the negotiators we are and that will pay off in a quicker negotiation and better terms for us.....didn't seem to work very well, either.

Again this was an LOA we all got to vote on it. You voted NO?It passed. And to say we got nothing in return is False. We get paid moves to/from ANC. We did not have that before the LOA now did we? While we might have gotten more, we did get something and gave up very little in return

Scope--We didn't even get a say in that BOHICA. Just a nice note informing us that it was in our best interests. That somehow us paying the company for the benefit we just negotiated was a good thing for us.

I'm not sure what you mean Scope language or The Scope Violation Payments from the Company.
I'll assume you mean the latter. While we did not technically get a say about the refund, it wasn't a surprise. The subject was on hot lines and emails well before there was a decision made. Many memebers including myself contacted our reps to find out the reasons for it.
We did get something for it. Ultimately we got The Veba Trust.
While it best benenfits the guys who have just retired or will be retiring soon, this contract does not expire and is valid until ammended. In other words the language is there and we will keep it, if the majority want it. If you want retiree healthcare, ensure you voice your opinions not to give this up during negotiations. Ultimately you had a say when you voted for the current contract. I'll assume you were one of the 7% who voted NO?


Now 60+. Somehow, ALPA national has decided that instead of fighting this safety issue like they should they are going to run over to the "winning" side and pretend they have always been there. There is NO WAY that having someone over 60 at the controls somehow enhances safety. If this was a safety enhancement then the safest plane would be one with three 60+ pilots. ALPA's position aside, our MEC is trying to get out in front of the issue, and again tell us what is best for us. Contrary to what the majority feel is right.

While I won't argue the safety issue, the Fact that President Bush and his administration already agreed to allow over 60 ICAO pilots to fly to/from the U.S. That is a done deal. They have approved open Skies with the EU. That is a done Deal. So Get over it. So now the Senate and Congress have to decide......It is safe to allow over 60 Foriegn Pilots to fly into/out of the U.S. but it is unsafe for over 60 American Pilots to fly. I think you see the problem and conflict of interest here.

60+ is probably the biggest single career changing event pilots nationally have faced since we allowed regional commuters airlines to fly "Jets" (RJs) to move passengers in the 70s. Over 60 flying certainly will have a bigger impact than the B or C scale did.

Again I won't disagree but what is your point? You have been told about the politics of the situation. Do you really think it isn't going to be a done deal?
Are you saying it is ALPA's fault that the change is coming?

Maybe you think CAPA would Better serve you position?The 3 biggest carriers in CAPA American, UPS and Southwest can't even agree on the basics.
APA is opposed to any change
SWAPA is pro AGE 65. That means SWA wants it.
IPA is Nuetral.......that means they haven't been opposing it, or supporting it.
but they haven't been fighting it. Their Current union President is over 60.


And is DAVE Webb somehow now responsible for RJ's in the industry too.



I understand you are angry, but you need to point your anger at where it belongs. an please PM me with your name so I can ensure you are on the next MEC election Ballot.

fdx727pilot

Personally, I would vote for the industry crash after 9/11. Age 60 doesn't hold a candle to that.

SNAFU

Oh, was there a question in there somewhere where you were calling me a moron?

Didn't see them I guess.

Do I think its worth destroying our unity over this issue? No I don't. Apparently, however, DW and the rest of the MEC?LEC do because they are the ones going against the will of the majority.

All I want is a little representation from those elected to represent us.

FlybyKnite

He may not meet your personal definition of leader, but here is the job description.
And here is the only way to get rid of him. Don't mean to throw a wet towel on the fire, but the aforementioned recall reference (Art. XVI) is for national officers since it refers to the Board of Directors (Art. VII), which is all the LEC reps for the entire Assoc.
And with all the block reps lined up behind DW and supporting his position by signing the 11 May Email, it’s going to be real tough to get a recall accomplished. But on the other hand, we’ve had a lot of emails, hub turn meetings, and even a special video message. I think they know we are p!ssed.


.

FDX28

I thought this should be brought up again. I hope everyone keeps these letters that our MEC has sent us. Our MEC's motto could be one FDX pilots heard several years ago, "with or without you." I hope no one resigns their membership to ALPA, you're going to pay the dues, at least have a voice. The manner that our MEC has handled this issue will be a diving point for negotiations for years to come. Our guys pick up DPs now even at the request of the union not to do so. Think what's going to happen when VLT/DFT start in the next round of negotiations. I want fair representation. I want MY MEC to hear MY VOICE, and I want your MEC to hear YOUR VOICE.

If you feel strongly that you have not been heard, pass this on to the guys you know at work.
[email protected]

Cargo Pirate

kwri10s:...First and foremost, DW is NOT our leader. He is the person picked by our representatives, to be the FDX voice at national ALPA. To be OUR single point on national issues. Somehow, this has morphed over the last several years into a feeling that he is our leader. It is his manifest destiny to guide the ill informed into a better life. And for this he is paid very well. (max BLG plus max carryover every month)...

kwri,
If you begin any argument with false statements you lose all credibility. Please study before you post.
From the MEC policy manual:

1. g. Flight Pay Loss and Override
   1. (1) Officers will bid in a pay only status.
   2. (2) Officers will be compensated at the rate of ninety-eight (98) CHs per month, calculated in accordance with Section 60.m. 2. b.(4) of ALPA policy, the MEC having determined that this compensation falls within the parameters of this ALPA policy. This compensation will be based on the bid status of the MEC officer.
   3. (3) Carryover will not be considered or paid for any pay only line bid.
   4. (4) Officers will receive an override of:

The Union is the voice of the FedEx pilots.
The MEC is a group of volunteers that we have elected.
The recall process is not complicated. If that will ease your pain, go for it.
If the recall is not successful, we all need to realize that our collective voice is more important than the MEC strategy on affecting a regulatory or legislative change(or any other MEC strategy).

Keep the Big Picture.
I do hope that one good thing that will come out of this debacle is more involvement in Union work. We have very few volunteers doing most of the work(unpaid).