Airline Pilot Central Forums - MEC Msg (Getting Interesting FDA/Bid)

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.