MEC Msg (Getting Interesting FDA/Bid)
11-15-2007 | 12:20 PM
#11
Line Holder
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 7
More Likely
Good on you MEC for coming out and finally putting your foot down saying you'll no longer support "sweeteners" to the LOA! (Sarcasm noted).
I've tried to be as positive as I can be and find something good to say about the situation. That's the best I can do.
Now for the negative: What a joke they are beginning to look like.
Fix: Scrap the whole thing. Pull the LOA, postpone the bid, redo the whole enchilada. Oh yeah, listen to the crewforce and see what they want, instead of telling us what we should want.
WM
I've tried to be as positive as I can be and find something good to say about the situation. That's the best I can do.
Now for the negative: What a joke they are beginning to look like.
Fix: Scrap the whole thing. Pull the LOA, postpone the bid, redo the whole enchilada. Oh yeah, listen to the crewforce and see what they want, instead of telling us what we should want.
WM
I always thought it funny how we try to "impress" "National" as if "National" is some sort of Holy Grail that is to be spoken about in reverence. Even our comm chair is in need of help because of "tasking by 'National'". That's the kind of BS that existed in the Air Force. The Bureacratic Holy Grail wagging the dog. Our leaders spend time in the ALPA Blue Ribbon Panel of flight meals, conferences etc.
More likely, somewhere along the line, while the membership's weeping and gnashing of teeth was muted (looking like a television with the sound turned down)....someone at National suggested that it wouldn't help FDX ALPA be a "Flagship Member" if we were allowing unilateral management changes to the CBA at the same time ALPA was in court challenging the same exact assaults to the RLA at other ALPA carriers.
"OOPS!....Guess we better get right on that"
Last edited by Laughing_Jakal; 11-15-2007 at 12:22 PM. Reason: adding wit witicism and satire
11-15-2007 | 12:26 PM
#13
Line Holder
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 7
If I am wrong
If I am wrong in my assessment, and I honestly hope so.....and the MEC is listening to the membership, then I will be very quick to say "Thank You"....glad to be on the same team!
They must feel at some point that they can't win for losing.....I guess I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.....I know my Block Rep Listened, and I thank him for taking my call.
They must feel at some point that they can't win for losing.....I guess I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.....I know my Block Rep Listened, and I thank him for taking my call.
11-15-2007 | 12:35 PM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
From: MD-11 Capt
Chairman's Message
November 15, 2007
Captain David Webb, MEC Chairman
The MEC has stated many times over the last few years that a primary objective of our Union is to foster a stable business relationship with FedEx management. Now, as then, we believe that this is essential for both our members and our company to prosper long term. The MEC is willing to make the tough choices in pursuit of this objective and we have gone above and beyond to facilitate a positive relationship with management. The most recent example of your leadership’s commitment is a new LOA covering FDAs in Hong Kong and Paris.
The MEC continues to support the smooth implementation of the LOA and understands that it is vital to all our futures that FedEx operations in China and France are successful. We also believe that these operations must be conducted by FedEx crews on FedEx aircraft. However, recent unilateral actions by management have raised serious questions from a growing number of members considering these new bases, and the MEC is now compelled to take action.
As was mentioned in a recent Message Line, limited extra-contractual activity occurs from time to time and is not always challenged. From free popcorn in Memphis to free access to the Subic air bridge for dependents, judgments are made by the MEC when assessing the potential benefits against the risk to collective bargaining.
In this instance, however, the cumulative impact of management’s recent actions concerning the FDA LOA and the ensuing bid has reached an unacceptable level. Intentional or not, management has pushed the limits of the MEC’s ability to balance the legitimate concerns raised by the membership and our desire to solve ongoing problems attendant to the opening of the new FDAs, including those related to the need to create an initial cadre of B-757 instructors and check airmen.
These issues were discussed at length during the recent MEC meeting. As a result, the Negotiating Committee has contacted management to inform them of the need to produce a negotiated side letter covering the unilateral changes to the FDA LOA that have been announced by management. Any substantive changes will have to be ratified by the membership. In addition, these discussions with management may necessitate an extension of the current bid to ensure all members have equal access to the FDAs subsequent to any LOA modifications. The Negotiating Committee has also reaffirmed that any crew position shortfalls in the FDAs must be filled by new-hires.
The MEC remains confident that the negotiated terms of the FDA LOA were the best possible at the time they were recommended for membership ratification. We sincerely hope that management is not using our good faith efforts and the potential staffing shortfalls as an opportunity to unilaterally “sweeten” the offer. We stand ready to legitimately address any new concerns management may have through the collective bargaining process.
November 15, 2007
Captain David Webb, MEC Chairman
The MEC has stated many times over the last few years that a primary objective of our Union is to foster a stable business relationship with FedEx management. Now, as then, we believe that this is essential for both our members and our company to prosper long term. The MEC is willing to make the tough choices in pursuit of this objective and we have gone above and beyond to facilitate a positive relationship with management. The most recent example of your leadership’s commitment is a new LOA covering FDAs in Hong Kong and Paris.
The MEC continues to support the smooth implementation of the LOA and understands that it is vital to all our futures that FedEx operations in China and France are successful. We also believe that these operations must be conducted by FedEx crews on FedEx aircraft. However, recent unilateral actions by management have raised serious questions from a growing number of members considering these new bases, and the MEC is now compelled to take action.
As was mentioned in a recent Message Line, limited extra-contractual activity occurs from time to time and is not always challenged. From free popcorn in Memphis to free access to the Subic air bridge for dependents, judgments are made by the MEC when assessing the potential benefits against the risk to collective bargaining.
In this instance, however, the cumulative impact of management’s recent actions concerning the FDA LOA and the ensuing bid has reached an unacceptable level. Intentional or not, management has pushed the limits of the MEC’s ability to balance the legitimate concerns raised by the membership and our desire to solve ongoing problems attendant to the opening of the new FDAs, including those related to the need to create an initial cadre of B-757 instructors and check airmen.
These issues were discussed at length during the recent MEC meeting. As a result, the Negotiating Committee has contacted management to inform them of the need to produce a negotiated side letter covering the unilateral changes to the FDA LOA that have been announced by management. Any substantive changes will have to be ratified by the membership. In addition, these discussions with management may necessitate an extension of the current bid to ensure all members have equal access to the FDAs subsequent to any LOA modifications. The Negotiating Committee has also reaffirmed that any crew position shortfalls in the FDAs must be filled by new-hires.
The MEC remains confident that the negotiated terms of the FDA LOA were the best possible at the time they were recommended for membership ratification. We sincerely hope that management is not using our good faith efforts and the potential staffing shortfalls as an opportunity to unilaterally “sweeten” the offer. We stand ready to legitimately address any new concerns management may have through the collective bargaining process.
You have got to be kidding me
11-15-2007 | 12:43 PM
#17
On Reserve
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 182
Likes: 1
From: Chemtrailing since 1981
Did the MEC actually grieve mgmt's unilateral efforts, or did they just "approach the bench" bowing and scraping, begging for a side letter? If there is no grievance, I bet there is no delay on the bid.
11-15-2007 | 01:02 PM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
This looks to me like the good old boy network in Memphis finally got off their azzes. The LCA and IP candidates, you know, the senior guys were finally affected by the prospect of not getting passover pay, so now they are deciding that enough is enough.
Nevermind the poor junior guys who are going to be STVd over Christmas, we must protect those LCAs and Instructors.
Another illumination of where the interests of this MEC lie.
Finally the right move, but for the wrong reasons. And why can't they even admit that they may have made a mistake in gaging the company's position on the LOA? Why are they so afraid to say they may have blown it? Just admitting the mistake would go a long way toward restoring some confidence in the MEC. I wouldn't count on it though.
Nevermind the poor junior guys who are going to be STVd over Christmas, we must protect those LCAs and Instructors.
Another illumination of where the interests of this MEC lie.
Finally the right move, but for the wrong reasons. And why can't they even admit that they may have made a mistake in gaging the company's position on the LOA? Why are they so afraid to say they may have blown it? Just admitting the mistake would go a long way toward restoring some confidence in the MEC. I wouldn't count on it though.
11-15-2007 | 01:13 PM
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: 11C
The LCA and IP candidates, you know, the senior guys were finally affected by the prospect of not getting passover pay, so now they are deciding that enough is enough.
Nevermind the poor junior guys who are going to be STVd over Christmas, we must protect those LCAs and Instructors.
Nevermind the poor junior guys who are going to be STVd over Christmas, we must protect those LCAs and Instructors.
11-15-2007 | 01:56 PM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 564
Likes: 0
From: B777
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