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FAA Reauth. Bill and RLA status

Didn't know the RLA status was in play again with the FAA bill. How would it affect us if it changes?

From last week's FDX conference call:

Quote:

We anticipate that the House will probably bring the FAA reauthorization bill to the floor this week either today or tomorrow. It is still in the Committee process on the Senate side and we would not expect it to move forward there probably until sometime in October if it does move forward on that side. The House bill does include language that would change and modify the RLA status of FedEx Express. The Senate bill, as we anticipated, will not. We are confident and ultimately, we will be able to have folks listen to the policy, arguments and the important impact that Railway Labor Act status can have on major national transportation networks in maintaining access for all customers to a continued service without being hostage to various kinds of labor disruptions. We feel very confident of our position on this and feel confident that we'll be able to see the bill move forward without any labor provisions that are troubling to us.

It's kind of ironic that the company is spending their political clout to fight against the Bill that has the over 60 ruling attached to it and our union is fighting for the Bill. It's nice that the company is siding with the majority of the FDX pilots who oppose the over 60 addendum instead of the union on this issue. Of course they might be against the bill for an entirely different reason:rolleyes:. I guess they really don't want another union on the property.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwri10s (Post 236008)

I guess they really don't want another union on the property.

Agree; and they think we're a pain in the pants!

Article in the WSJ the other day said that the changes to the RLA would have huge negative effects for Fedex (only 1 union) but not for UPS (all union) and has something to do with allowing truckers to organize.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuck (Post 236044)

The RLA change was added due to lobbying by UPS and the Teamsters.

The truckers at Fedex are viewed as airline employees. The truckers at UPS are not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huck (Post 236084)

The truckers at Fedex are viewed as airline employees. The truckers at UPS are not.

So, if the truckers are viewed as airline employees...Could they get through the TSA gauntlet with just their ID, and no boarding pass?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Busboy (Post 236093)

So, if the truckers are viewed as airline employees...Could they get through the TSA gauntlet with just their ID, and no boarding pass?

Depending on the airport, TSA person and time of day FedEx pilots can't even do that.

RLA, UPS and FedEx

As I understand it, FedEx has enjoyed quite an advantage over UPS in that they operate under the RLA and UPS (not an "airline") does not. The essence of this is that under the RLA, employees must organize on a national level. In other words, mechanics in Detroit or Tulsa can't organize on their own. All mechanics, nationwide, must organize at the same time; much more difficult than if you are all based in the same city like pilots are. So, the employee groups at UPS were each able to organize individually across the nation. It's much more difficult to get all of the separate employee groups from all of the cities around the US moving in the same direction. So that is why FedEx is against this. I would assume UPS would be all for it. I've also heard it rumored that if this bill gets to the Prez with this provision, he's likely to veto it. After all, he and Fred were buddies in the Skull and Bones club and all. ;)