I attended the union meeting in Germantown. It was "chaired" exclusively by DW. DW was able to share some of the history of the LOA that I had not heard before. Others who were there, please feel free to correct me if you heard something different (I know you will anyway).

Although I never actually crunched the numbers, I have assumed since the initial LOA discussions that the LOA was a "cost neutral" arrangement. I assumed that the money the company was "giving" us for housing, $10,000 advance and tax equalization was the SAME money they were saving from d/h tickets, d/h days and increased productivity. DW says that's not the case at all. He says the money we are receiving is the company's calculation of what it has cost them to move folks to SFS (~$80,000). So, the negotiating committee asked to take that $80,000 and dole it out to the FDA crewmembers that might not want a 3 year "Section 6" move. We've heard it in numerous union communications (worth $40,000/yr for 2 years?).

So ... if that's where the $40,000/yr is coming from then the company is GETTING ALL THE OTHER BENEFITS OF THE FDA FOR FREE! Even the company has stated that these FDA's will be HUGE money makers. It would be nice if the company would take some of the cost savings and contribute to items such as schooling (maybe even a $5000/kid, $10,000/family cap?), larger housing allowance, etc.

Oh ... DW also said that the company wanted us to live in a compound (he referred to it as "base housing") that the company would own and rent to us at a profit to them. YGTBFKM!!!!!

OK ... I'm done with that rant. Other interesting items from yesterdays meeting that I haven't yet seen posted on APC include:

- DW says that from a distance (they couldn't actually get onto the airport property for security reasons) it looks as though the CAN facility will be as large as MEM.

- DW says that the company has told him that they would like to open an MD-10 FDA in HKG immediately (he didn't say specifically but I assume in addition to the A300 FDA?) but don't have the airplanes to do it with.

- DW says that the CDG 757 FDA will NOT replace the A300 SIBA but will be in addition to it.

- ~30% of HKG flying will begin with a d/h from HKG

- DW expects that the initial HKG flying will look very much like SFS flying looks like today (same 5 A310's flying to the same destinations/same frequency initially)

I'm really disappointed that FedEx doesn't think we are skilled labor worthy of an expat package (see JL's email) and I'm disappointed that there seems to be a scheme to have the pilots pay some of the costs of this hugely profitable company expansion.

And we heard it again folks ...

We're going to do this with or without you

Rant over ...


Mark

 

I hope Mr. With or without you NC guy enjoyed taking a page from Mr. Smith's book. Kinda hit a nerve here too!

 

It would be really nice if someone was able, and willing, to gather all of the negative aspects of the LOA that have been posted on this site. Then at one of these meetings, with papers in hand, take 10 minutes to express the views that the no guys on this site have posted. There have been so many valid concerns here that need to be disseminated to all 4000+ of our pilots. And maybe some copies of the posts that give a laundry list of the negatives and givebacks could be passed out or, just have people directed toward this website to get an expanded view of the issues. I would do it if I could, but I am one of those "Subic guys" that is not able to attend any of the meetings.

On another note, I wonder how much input Capt. Izzarary was given and if his experience of being at an FDA and living under the present CBA was drawn upon when the LOA was being drawn up/debated by our ALPA leadership. Somehow I feel the answer is a big negative! That would be a good Q for DW.

 

..................I'll try again

 

Not ever a year after our "Industry Leading" contract we find ourselves being led down a scary path. I can't tell what info is coming from FedEx management and what is coming from our Representatives.

I have been to enough used car lots to know when I am being sold. While being instructed to not get emotional about this issue, then getting sucker punched below the belt with the famous "With or without you."

It is clear that our negotiating committee cannot negotiate. As we all stood and applauded last year at the fact we had a contract before us after 3 years of "negotiating." BC said himself, "The only reason we have this package before us is because UPS wrapped up their contract." This was a package that the mediation board pushed the company towards rather than negotiating each item...and the company gave us something when the felt they had to. Logically coming to the conclusion that the negotiating committee did very little.

Here we are with the company profits, stock price, and world economy better than ever in the history of FedEx and the pilot group is being thrown under the bus. Because the future of the company is international..."gold mine" our families and us “unskilled laborers” are not of any concern or VALUE to the company. It gets very clear after each communication that my negotiating committee and representative DO NOT SPEAK FOR ME! They are not looking out for the pilots they represent. There is no ONE single item in this LOA that makes me vote NO...it is ALL of the concerns that are being addressed at the meetings, emails, and FCIF's.

In my non-emotional opinion...this entire LOA is substandard, vague, CHEAP, concessionary, and INSULTING. Taking the company's word...GET IT IN WRITING! Our pilot group is smarter than you give us credit for and must have a much higher self-value. I thought we were industry leading? Now how about the RESOLVE of our Brothers standing arm in arm standing up for what we are worth to this company? Leverage...we will vote this down. We will tell our representatives what we want...and to start negotiating...and to start representing the ENTIRE pilot group.

Respectfully...BWP

 

We are doing alot of ranting here.

Can we stick together to fight this and will we get a better offer.

Remind me of when we have gotten a better offer?

We can't even not stop flying disputed pairings or gobbling up open time at straight pay.

My real concern is that when Cathay had their "49's" issue a few years ago, they had no problem finding qualified pilots to fly their planes. New Hire Captains. Out of seniority. Chinese courts upheld these decisions.

The FDA LOA ain't great, it lacks alot. But again, will we get a better offer? Is the company looking for an excuse to hire others overseas? I heard someone say that hiring foriegn pilots is like a bear getting a taste for human flesh...once it starts...who knows when it will end.

Just ask Atlas pilots. Just ask Cathay Pilots.

I'm still on the fence on how I will vote. But...getting our feet on the soil to me is the most important issue that I feel needs to be addressed and not forgotten.

Flame away!

IMHO

 

There are about 5000 pilots at FedEx. How much is being done to educate everyone on the ramifications of this LOA? Here on APC, only a small number of the total is represented, and this group appears to be a vocal No vote. It’s human nature to look at a proposal and ask how it might benefit yourself. If it has no immediate positive benefit, the tendency is to refuse it. However, it’s important, I think, to look at the big picture, that this is only a small part of the entire package, that whatever is perceived as “lost” here may perhaps be negotiated back as a “gain” somewhere else.

As a disinterested (meaning unbiased and uninfluenced, not that I am indifferent) person here, I can imagine a scenario where the company might choose to just hire local pilots to fly those types of flights. That, I believe, would set a very bad precedent indeed, and it’s something no rational person would want to see happen now or ever. Just think about it – which is the lesser evil? Are there any “perverse consequences” to this?

I don’t profess to know everything that goes on in Fred’s mind, the MEC’s mind or your minds. I haven’t read every single post here about the LOA. I am merely concerned for my Purple friends here and hope that you engage in some thoughtful introspection ahead of this vote. I have no doubt that you have read the LOA in its entirety, and that you will vote after having weighed all the factors in an unemotional way.

 

So, you're saying that if we don't pass this LOA...The company will hire foreign pilots to do it? I can't wait to hear how you jumped to this conclusion. If they didn't want to fix the LOA...Why wouldn't they just open the FDAs under our current CBA, without the "enhanced" package?

Never mind... don't bother trying to answer this.

I hate us! I really, really hate us!

 

We'll only know by voting "NO' --- there is no other way. Think about it.

OBTW - We'll they hire foreign pilots who will take our jobs permanently or new hires who will suffer?

.....Hmmmm, which gloom & doom, scare tactic are we picking today?

It really is a lot more convincing when you just stay with one of them

 

Well, the union, who is overwhelming for the LOA is doing a lot of educating.

Spread the facts folks.