It was just mentioned in another thread that maybe we need professional negotiators. I'm not looking to beat up the current negotiating commitee, just wondering what everyone thinks.

An interesting concept, probably an expensive one. I'm wondering if the negotiators would they have enough understanding of the system to make it a valid expense on our behalf?

A lot of guys are saying that we've been coming up a little short on recent attempts. The FDA comes to mind.

go for it guys.

 

Yes, should be at least one on the team.

 

Well qualified professional negotiators/lawyers who do negotiations as their main source of income do negotiations across many fields. It is their job to learn the nuances of each particular field they are involved in, that is why they make the big money. To say that our field is so unique and complicated that no outsider can come in and provide a useful service is kind of naive.

 

I've said it before and I'll say it again - any pilot group (not just FedEx) is doing itself a big disservice by not having a professional negotiator in its team. These people do this for a living and they are damn good at it. Fred has the best that his money can buy. Are you guys worth less? Do you value your work and service less? Of course not. There should always be pilots in the negotiating committee for this is a team effort. Nobody in his right mind would go into negotiations alone.

Another important point is that this professional probably will not be as emotional as a pilot. He will be able to keep the group focused and on track. Fred's vultures are circling and you don't want them to smell blood or decaying meat.

Each of you has a strength. If you find that safety, for example, is of interest to you, then volunteer to look over the safety portions of the negotiation documents. Note your opinions as to the pros and cons. Then let the team and the negotiator take it from there.

 

One word:

Y - E - S

Guys who fly airplanes for living aren't qualified (educationally and/or work-experience-wise) to sit directly across a negotiating table from guys who sit at negotiating tables everyday for their livelihood (and make more money doing it than guys who fly airplanes for a living).

We [Pilots] certainly need to be present at these negotiations, but we need to sit behind the professional negotiators, not in front of them. Our negotiator has a question about what's more important to us, xxx hours of sick leave being offered us vs xxx hours of vacation? Well, they can lean back in their chairs and get some additional info. We do not need to be the ones sitting directly in front of the company's people. We've proven that.

I hope this is seriously considered, and implemented, in 2010 (as well as any future LOAs)

 

Count me in!

I can't wait for the noise when it comes to how we're going to pay for it. Of course I'm sure we can count on all the 65 guys to support $$$ us.

It's a great idea, any idea that has our best interests at heart is worth the discussion now.

Chance favors the prepared mind.

 

FWIW, I met the new NC chairman on the crewbus the other night. I shook his hand and thanked him for stepping up. He seemed energetic, enthusiastic, and determined. He mentioned he was the typical FDX pilot, ex-Navy (USNA, I think), 16 or 17 years to retirement (total, not current) and just upgrading to WB capt. He also mentioned he thought it was in the company's best interest to allow guys to retire at 60. We'll see about that. At any rate, I got the impression we're in pretty good hands. I would still like to see a pro at his side, however.

 

We are Professional Airline Pilots -- we fly jets and we're good at it. Chicks still dig us! Well, some of us anyway.

Fact:
There are some very bright, dedicated airline pilots serving on our behalf -- past and present -- on the negotiating committee and MEC. We thank them for their service!

But ...

Fact:
Having minimally-trained airline pilots across the table from corporate attorneys and professional negotiators is like "taking a knife to a gunfight".
ALPA negotiators have proven time and time again to be no match against the corporate negotiators. We get "schooled" all the time. I'm tired of being on the losing end.

Solution:
The only way to change the balance of future negotiations is to change the balance of firepower at the table.

ALPA -- WAKE UP!

PUT PROFESSIONAL NEGOTIATORS ON THE TEAM -- NOW!


Fact:
Put the shovels away guys, the hole is already big enough. We need a rope to pull ourselves out of the hole and gain some respectability.

ALPA works for us, right? Unless of course the MEC leadership does our thinking for us. So far, that's been working out great! If we continue down the same tired path, then this will continue for the rest of our careers.

NEW MEC LEADERSHIP
NEW NEGOTIATING TEAM APPROACH
MEMBERSHIP IS THE FINAL VOICE (votes, not polls)

No one can convince me our collective futures will IMPROVE by continuing in the typical ALPA model. CHANGE is paramount.

Happy New Year!
NKA

 

Do any of you actually know who sits on the company's side of the negotiating table? I may be wrong...But, I don't think there are any outside professional negotiators.

I've said it before, we could have Henry Kissinger sitting on our side and it wouldn't make a difference without the actual verifiable support of the crewmembers. As in, no draft, no volunteer, no make-up(extra), no voluntary vacation buy back and getting involved with the events that your SPC sets up, during negotiations.

DAL and UAL used their own guys to get their pre-9/11 contracts. How'd they do it? Their pilot's weren't working against them. That's how!!

 

I believe FedEx uses Ford and Harrison in ATL for their labor attorneys. If those attorneys are not across the table from our negotiators, you can bet that they are in the "backroom" waiting for a report from the Companies guys who are doing the negotiation. A middle man thing. Allows them to stall and draw things out. Someone correct me if I am wrong.


As far as the thought concerning extra flying, that is our only real power at our fingertips to get the Company to see things differently. Flying open time at draft, volunteer, or makeup when negotiations arent going well is a no brainer, to most anyway. But, "we" cant even honor the no DP mentality.