I'm looking for some insight as to the reason for the switch back to ALPA from the FPA. I understand that the ALPA has greater resources than the FPA probably had but did it not create more distance between the managers and the pilots? And, isn't distance a bad thing when trying to negotiate. Input from those personally involved would be much apreciated.

 

While I initially voted for them, the FPA did not have the cajones (too many Purple Koolaide drinkers), talent and will to get the job done. FPA gave the farm away on the Tiger buy-out and Senority List “merger”. . hosing down the FredEx guys. We are STILL tied up in court, trying to straighten that mess out.

We had a provision in our Flight Crewmember’s Handbook ( a contract, according to the courts) that any ‘merger’, buyout, etc. would place the pilots so acquired on the bottom of the Master Senionty List. The FPA sold us out.

We were NEVER going to get the contract we deserved with those good ol boys negotiating with their buddies in management. We needed to ‘go national’.

 

If you need to have your appendix removed, who do you see? A surgeon, or a pilot?


If you need representation during a divorce, who do you see? An attorney, or a pilot?


If you need a collective bargaining agent that will fairly, adequately, professionally, and vigourously represent you in matters with your employer, who do you call?

A lot of people that still believed in the goodness of the company chose to give it a whirl themselves. Many were well-intentioned, and some were not. Through the process, we matured as a pilot group and came to realize that A) the Company was not going to be generous and loving and gracious and B) we needed the resources, experience, and clout of the Professionals.


Anybody that thinks merging with ALPA created more distance from management was simply drinking too much koolaid to see the truth before.




- The truth only hurts if it should. -

 

Yep. I remember the "give us a year" letter well. After that year any pilot with FedEx could have passed a bowling ball without even a grunt. If there was ever a need for a union on the property, the events leading up to "the year" and pretty much everything after "the year" certainly should have convinced even the diehard FPA and non-union people. Sadly, that's not true. We still have approximately 140 non-members and many that would not support any kind of job action.

 

I'm guessing your relatively "new", in this context, post FPA contract and probably came after ALPA replaced FPA. I can't add much to what TonyC has already said. That said it is important for any Fedex pilot, new-hire (1999 to present) or even the old salts (who's memory may have lapsed ) to understand labor relations at Fedex and how we came to be where we are and what we are attempting to achieve.
ALPA is not the bargaining unit at Fedex because a bunch of malcontents decided to bite the hand that feeds them. On the contrary, ALPA and even its predecessor FPA were only voted in as bargaining agents after Fedex management time after time showed that, without any counter force, would and did modify work rules, re-write the FCH (the crew "contract" if you will, before a real contract) and to top it off, let the pay fall behind not only the contemporary standards of the day, but also inflation.
Fedex management, would not and did not stand by as Fedex pilots, within their rights under the NRA, attempted to influence the democratic process of voting for or against unionisation. Once the majority had indicated there desire to collectively bargain, Fedex did not stand idly by, nor reach out to either ALPA (the first) or FPA when faced with the requirement to negotiate with the pilots at Fedex. I won't go into the details of how we completed the agreement we currently work under, if you want the gory details ask at work or read early posts (I sure Capt Drew has said something about it on this forum ).
Its interesting that Fedex pilots and UPS pilots are both racing down the same path with the same goals but very different labor relations and histories to both help and hinder them. Reading some of the UPS thread, you'd think we're (Fedex ALPA) a bunch of pus**ies, ununified, asking too little, and just weak compared to our UPS brethren. Maybe its true, but unlike the IPA guy's and gal's, we can't hide behind the coattails of a much bigger and unified union (Teamster's) like they can. And don't let anyone kid you about the kindness or reasonableness of Fedex. They may not produce the fire and sparks that UPS/IPA relationship has but it is never the less just as determined to write our working agreement and decide our worth within their own terms. And rest assured, we are not being offered anything that even remotely resembles what upper management has given themselves.

Unity

 

I'm just trying to research how relationships dissolve between pilot groups and their management. I personally believe that all other variables asside, a good relationship between management and its employees is the key to success for any company. It's my goal to someday work for such a company and learn to do my part to keep that relationship healthy.

I'm not saying give in to everything management asks for and I'm not saying management should give in to everything the pilots ask for. Both, however, should take an objective look and what each other deserves based on the success of the company rather than both groups spending all of its energy fighting for every penny it can get. This said, it seems very difficult to find a pilot group and a management group willing to play by these rules. When one starts to take advantage of the other or stops looking at the big picture, the other is forced to do the same.

It seems FedEx has started down this path. I'm not sure what this means for the company. I don't necissarily believe it means the ultimate demise of FedEx but I certainly don't believe it will contribute to its success.

Comments please.

 

Started?



LOL




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If Fedex wants good relations with its pilots it just has to show good faith in dealing with its pilots. We have a contract, under negotiation and if they would deal with our issues (pay, retirement, duty day and several others) than we will liston to there issues. It has to be a two way street; I assure you they don't see it that way. As far as its affect on the business, They are very good at what they do (grow the franchise, build added value to its product, and create new businesses where previously one didn't exist). If they let us fly airplanes, share the wealth (they sure let us share the pain when it has been necessary), and do what they do best, we'll be here at least a couple years longer