pilot141

OK guys,

I decided to start a separate thread for several reasons.

1. There are more people angry about this than I could even imagine. Guys that I know who are completely wrapped up in their families are writing the union and *****ing about this. Everyone that I ask about this has a strong opinion (although most haven't let their union reps know about it - tell your friends to write their reps!)

2. I think FedEx ALPA has completely underestimated the amount and the breadth of anger out there over this issue. This is an issue that can motivate people for years.

3. I have heard Dave Webb's explanation for why we need to change our position on Age 60, as well as ALPA National's. Despite their best arguments, I still don't believe that it warrants ignoring the overwhelming majority of your members.

4. I think we will be fighting the unintended consequences of this rule change for the rest of our careers. Name your poison: Increased time to reach max pay rates (ie a 20-year CA rate); reduced A-fund multiplier; elimination or taxation of the B-fund; making 65 the new "regulated" retirement age so everyone who goes out before that gets penalized, etc.

5. We essentially wasted precious negotiating capital this last contract to get benefits for the age 54-60 crowd. I'm not saying this was a bad thing - it was the right thing to do under the current rule set. But 6 months after that contract ALPA is now telling us that a change to Age 60 is inevitable and will happen RIGHT NOW unless we roll over on the issue. Ummmm.... where were these genius Washington guys 6 months ago? Why didn't they see this coming? The ICAO rule change has been on the books for YEARS - it didn't sneak up on us. Why did we negotiate all this for the guys about to retire if the rules were about to change?

For all of these reasons (and more - just ask me!) I want to get not just the junior guys at FedEx, but everyone who is angry at how this played out on board.

On board with what? I don't know just yet, but I know that we need to get organized and keep the energy level up.

I will start with a proposition that we look at each block rep and see when his/her term is up. When it comes time, we need for people to VOTE instead of blowing it off.

I will have a website up by next week detailing all of this. In the meantime, anyone who thinks they might be fired up enough to be a block rep should speak up.

Anyone else who is reading should also voice their support, if for no other reason than to keep this on the front page. That means YOU, lurker!

Instead of unfocused griping on the forums, we should be able to actually affect some change. So let's get to it.

PS. Guys who support a change to Age 60 - I appreciate your arguments, and I understand your point of view. However, this is not the thread for you. If you want to start a thread for guys who support a change be my guest. But show some class and let us have our own discussion please. Thanks.

UPSAv8tr

I'm not purple but I support your cause. My MEC won't even take a vote on the issue. Maybe we need to do something about that.

pilot141

Thanks UPSAv8tr. I think the IPA has said they are officially neutral. As bad as that is, it's better than telling your membership to go pound sand because you know better, which is what we've gotten at FedEx.

Nashmd11

I want the IPA to take a Vote. We here already know the results. 70-30 most likely against. We need a vote to put this to rest. This way we all know. This way we can join the APA, NW MEC.

MaydayMark

What would a vote accomplish? FedEx ALPA membership is 65/35 AGAINST and the MEC is not only supporting the change but advocating retroactivity also! ****



Mark

Nashmd11

If this is true, it's Time for a Recall. The Chairman works for YOU and the membership. If the Majority is against, then his personnel opinion needs to be left at the door.