Chairman's Message
08-06-2007, 03:36 PM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Nov 2006
Position: 767 FO
Posts: 8,047
Chairman's Message
STVs not worth discussing. Next contract, no kidding, we will talk FDAs, well maybe. I think the Subic rep may be off DW's Christmas card list.
I guess he didn't believe JL about with or without the LOA. But he trusts him on everything else.
I guess he didn't believe JL about with or without the LOA. But he trusts him on everything else.
Last edited by FDXLAG; 08-06-2007 at 03:49 PM.
08-06-2007, 03:48 PM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2006
Posts: 2,889
The best he can do: We'll work on it later, the company won't be coming back to offer more, and none of you critics will be held to scrutiny if bad things happen....
Let me think....
NO!
Even some MEC members have called this thing a "C minus" deal at best. Calling it a good deal is just eroding his own (falling) credibility. The veiled slap at Edgar also shows unity means "unified--when you do my bidding..."
Okay--latest union volley. Where's the company's push? Will it come from Fred, Parker, Cassel, or JL again?
Let me think....
NO!
Even some MEC members have called this thing a "C minus" deal at best. Calling it a good deal is just eroding his own (falling) credibility. The veiled slap at Edgar also shows unity means "unified--when you do my bidding..."
Okay--latest union volley. Where's the company's push? Will it come from Fred, Parker, Cassel, or JL again?
08-06-2007, 04:00 PM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: FedEx
Posts: 666
Chairman's Message
August 6, 2007
Captain David Webb, MEC Chairman
I would like to address several issues concerning the FDA LOA as we enter the last week of the membership ratification process. This vote by the membership is the very foundation of our union and I hope that everyone will take the time to participate as the MEC feels that the consequences of apathy will be felt well into the next contract negotiation.
I have addressed most of you either at meetings or via email concerning your questions about these new FDAs and many members have suggested that after reviewing our options, they were inclined to vote in favor of the LOA. Most of the positive comments were in response to my explanation of the MEC’s position that it is strategically advantageous for us to ratify this LOA and secure the flying that will represent the next stage of our company’s international expansion. Most of the pilots I have spoken with understand that once we get a couple of years of on-site experience we will be in a very favorable position to address any deficiencies that may exist in the LOA. Coincidentally, this is just about the time we will be entering negotiations for our third contract. The real life experience of those initial pilots that open these FDAs will be invaluable leverage towards any adjustments that need to be made. While I will not presume to know what the goals of the next negotiations should be, I can’t imagine that the welfare and fair economic treatment of our members based in the fastest growth areas of our company would not be high on the list of negotiating goals.
This LOA provides an economic and administrative foundation that will allow the first pilots to consider bidding these FDAs. Neither FDA will be appealing to some of us under any circumstance but it is vitally important for FedEx pilots on our seniority list to be conducting the flight operations. Some have taken the MEC’s comments regarding the proliferation of misleading and false information to mean that anyone who criticizes the LOA is suspect. That is absolutely not true and in every venue we have tried to make the distinction between honest debate and emotional rhetoric. But one thing stands irrefutable; some that argue for rejection of the LOA either offer no “day after” plan or only vague references to the proposition that management will come running back to the bargaining table with cash. With the exception of the elected representative from SFS, none of these individuals will bear any responsibility in the failure of their predictions to come true. They will not be held accountable for the consequences of decisions based upon inaccurate information.
Negotiations are a process of incremental gains. You have to be willing to take the first steps even if they don’t meet your complete expectations. History has shown that extended delays in moving the process forward usually conclude with the initial gains being achieved but with the loss of the time value of money.
This is a good LOA negotiated by a tough and competent committee and endorsed by a MEC of the highest integrity. I urge you to consider their valuable opinions and vote in favor of the LOA.
Rebuttals:
1. Apparently the pilots in Subic and their experience notwithstanding.
2. Ditto.
3. Sure seemed confident that you knew what was best for the majority on Age 60 and retroactivity. Why not now? Why then?
4. Why should anybody be held accountable for the will of the majority? Will you be held accountable for voting for this when I spend Dec in Hong Kong due to SVT? How will you accept that responsibility?
5. Ok, if you say it is "good" (high praise indeed) that should be enough for me, particularly due to your self-proclaimed high standard of integrity.
FJ
August 6, 2007
Captain David Webb, MEC Chairman
I would like to address several issues concerning the FDA LOA as we enter the last week of the membership ratification process. This vote by the membership is the very foundation of our union and I hope that everyone will take the time to participate as the MEC feels that the consequences of apathy will be felt well into the next contract negotiation.
I have addressed most of you either at meetings or via email concerning your questions about these new FDAs and many members have suggested that after reviewing our options, they were inclined to vote in favor of the LOA. Most of the positive comments were in response to my explanation of the MEC’s position that it is strategically advantageous for us to ratify this LOA and secure the flying that will represent the next stage of our company’s international expansion. Most of the pilots I have spoken with understand that once we get a couple of years of on-site experience we will be in a very favorable position to address any deficiencies that may exist in the LOA. Coincidentally, this is just about the time we will be entering negotiations for our third contract. The real life experience of those initial pilots that open these FDAs will be invaluable leverage towards any adjustments that need to be made. While I will not presume to know what the goals of the next negotiations should be, I can’t imagine that the welfare and fair economic treatment of our members based in the fastest growth areas of our company would not be high on the list of negotiating goals.
This LOA provides an economic and administrative foundation that will allow the first pilots to consider bidding these FDAs. Neither FDA will be appealing to some of us under any circumstance but it is vitally important for FedEx pilots on our seniority list to be conducting the flight operations. Some have taken the MEC’s comments regarding the proliferation of misleading and false information to mean that anyone who criticizes the LOA is suspect. That is absolutely not true and in every venue we have tried to make the distinction between honest debate and emotional rhetoric. But one thing stands irrefutable; some that argue for rejection of the LOA either offer no “day after” plan or only vague references to the proposition that management will come running back to the bargaining table with cash. With the exception of the elected representative from SFS, none of these individuals will bear any responsibility in the failure of their predictions to come true. They will not be held accountable for the consequences of decisions based upon inaccurate information.
Negotiations are a process of incremental gains. You have to be willing to take the first steps even if they don’t meet your complete expectations. History has shown that extended delays in moving the process forward usually conclude with the initial gains being achieved but with the loss of the time value of money.
This is a good LOA negotiated by a tough and competent committee and endorsed by a MEC of the highest integrity. I urge you to consider their valuable opinions and vote in favor of the LOA.
Rebuttals:
1. Apparently the pilots in Subic and their experience notwithstanding.
2. Ditto.
3. Sure seemed confident that you knew what was best for the majority on Age 60 and retroactivity. Why not now? Why then?
4. Why should anybody be held accountable for the will of the majority? Will you be held accountable for voting for this when I spend Dec in Hong Kong due to SVT? How will you accept that responsibility?
5. Ok, if you say it is "good" (high praise indeed) that should be enough for me, particularly due to your self-proclaimed high standard of integrity.
FJ
Last edited by Falconjet; 08-06-2007 at 04:05 PM. Reason: Provide rebuttal comments
08-06-2007, 04:31 PM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: leaning to the left
Posts: 4,184
From the chairman's message:
"Neither FDA will be appealing to some of us under any circumstance but it is vitally important for FedEx pilots on our seniority list to be conducting the flight operations."
I thought we were told that the company will just open these FDAs under the current contract.
"But one thing stands irrefutable; some that argue for rejection of the LOA either offer no “day after” plan or only vague references to the proposition that management will come running back to the bargaining table with cash."
I thought we were told that the company will just open these FDAs under the current contract.
Is there an echo in here?
Now, even our MEC chairman has pulled out the scare tactic card.
This whole thing makes me ill.
"Neither FDA will be appealing to some of us under any circumstance but it is vitally important for FedEx pilots on our seniority list to be conducting the flight operations."
I thought we were told that the company will just open these FDAs under the current contract.
"But one thing stands irrefutable; some that argue for rejection of the LOA either offer no “day after” plan or only vague references to the proposition that management will come running back to the bargaining table with cash."
I thought we were told that the company will just open these FDAs under the current contract.
Is there an echo in here?
Now, even our MEC chairman has pulled out the scare tactic card.
This whole thing makes me ill.
08-06-2007, 04:35 PM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2006
Position: A300 CAP FDX
Posts: 287
DW:
"Most of the pilots I have spoken with understand that once we get a couple of years of on-site experience we will be in a very favorable position to address any deficiencies that may exist in the LOA. Coincidentally, this is just about the time we will be entering negotiations for our third contract. The real life experience of those initial pilots that open these FDAs will be invaluable leverage towards any adjustments that need to be made."
Capt. Webb, you have ALREADY demonstrated our MEC's disdain for our CURRENT pilots assigned to our FDA in Subic with your flippant attitude standing in front of our own during hub-turn meetings!
And we should believe you now, when you say they'll have such a LOUD voice in a couple of years? C'mon, you gotta be kidding me!
"Most of the pilots I have spoken with understand that once we get a couple of years of on-site experience we will be in a very favorable position to address any deficiencies that may exist in the LOA. Coincidentally, this is just about the time we will be entering negotiations for our third contract. The real life experience of those initial pilots that open these FDAs will be invaluable leverage towards any adjustments that need to be made."
Capt. Webb, you have ALREADY demonstrated our MEC's disdain for our CURRENT pilots assigned to our FDA in Subic with your flippant attitude standing in front of our own during hub-turn meetings!
And we should believe you now, when you say they'll have such a LOUD voice in a couple of years? C'mon, you gotta be kidding me!
08-06-2007, 07:26 PM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Position: B777
Posts: 564
Not sure which is worse-- fear factor from the company or from my own NC/MEC. The emperor's new clothes (RLA) aren't enough, because his underwear seems to have too many embarrassing holes in strategic locations (STV, subsidizing company's FDA expenses, etc)
Sorry, can't change my vote from NO NO NO !
.
Sorry, can't change my vote from NO NO NO !
.
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