LEC 22 Elections
 

Please go vote for LEC 22 officers. Believe it or not, now that you have elected us block reps, you get to decide who is the LEC chair, vice chair and second runner up (sec/treasurer).

Generally--the most senior guys ends up at chair, the second most as vice, and so on. While I'd really like to be Czar ;) I think putting Vic as chair, Tony as vice, and me as shoe-shine boy makes sense.

Again--it may seem stupid--but vote. Get in the habit NOW of getting involved. If you'll vote when its not a major event, maybe you'll be more likely to vote when it does matter.

Congrats Albi from an outsider, you are correct. Voting now shows Fred you are all engaged and that sucks beans for him <g>. High vote counts matter. And as an aside, reason unity is key (whether independent or ALPA)
Your unified success benefits us and vice versa in this business.

All the rah rah sounds good, but the fact is the unity train left the station on Dec 13th and its a non stop express to hate and discontent.

No wonder you call yourself Bohica :D

As a guy who makes a lot of money coaching people for airline interviews, I'll venture to say age 65 hurt me as much or more than most folks.

It blows. We got screwed. DW did us no favors with the retro work.

So--now what? I could carp on the sidelines, or get involved. I chose the latter...and this won't be the last battle. FWIW...there are some ideas out there on ways to help offset (not eliminate) some of the financial damage caused by this change. I promise I'll be working to bring those to the forefront...

Albie,


I like you, not sure why (not neg or pos) but I like you. You seem to be a straight shooter.

Thanks for the post, but heres my beef. Make it easy for us. Provide us a link, most of us just delete those stupid alpa emails because they never address the info we want. OBVIOUSLY IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE IF ALPA HAD COMMUNICATED ANYTHING WITH THIS PILOT GROUP ABOUT THE STANDING BID, CANCELATIONS, AGE 60 AND INFO WE WANTED THIS PAST WEEK. But no they send out a generic,,,,,"well, everything seems to be within contractual definitions" ....disgusting. AGAIN ALPA WHERE ARE YOU WHEN WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU ?????????????


So Albie, as you take your new position, heres my too (AerisArmis, please correct) cents.

Make it easy for us, I'm not as smart as people like AerisArmis, I'm a dumb pilot.

A) Provide us a link to vote.

B) Then, provide us a link to reset our VIN. (I don't have mine and don't know how to get a new one.)

C) How bout a link to reset the pin?

Albie, I really do like you and hope to meet you once you decide that tin can your flying isn't worth the trouble...but I just wanted to give you a couple suggestions for when you actually take office.


I'll get back to all my haters with replies once I have some time....Some of us actually had to work this week.

My personal spell and grammer checker AerisArmis will be editing this post soon...so standby....

Good points Eggman. I'll try....

To vote:

https://www.ballotpoint.com/alpa/

To change your password, etc:

STEPS TO ACTIVATE YOUR VOTER CREDENTIALS

After you have been issued a replacement activation code by your Election Administrator, you must carry out the following steps to gain access to your BallotPoint voting account. You will not be able to vote in any of your union’s elections until you do so.

These steps must be performed soon after you are issued the replacement activation code. Replacement activation codes are valid for a very limited time. If not used within that period, you will need to request another replacement code from your Adminis*trator.

Call either (866)511-3366 or (866)972-8043, toll-free, to activate your voting account. NOTE: These numbers are different than the ones used to activate an account using the Activation Code received through the US Mail.

If you cannot reach either of the toll-free numbers listed above (the toll-frees are accessible from the United States, Canada, and a few other other areas only), then try the direct (tolled) numbers, (971)327-5444 and (503)972-8042. NOTE: These numbers are different than the ones used to activate an account using the Activation Code received through the US Mail.

When prompted, enter the replacement activation code provided to you by your Election Administrator.

Your assigned Voter Identification Number (VIN) will be spoken to you. Write this VIN down. It’s a random number, and trying to just remember it from one BallotPoint election to the next will be difficult.

When prompted, use the phone keypad to enter a 4- to 8-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) of your own choosing. Write this PIN down.

Save the VIN and PIN in a safe and accessible place. This may be in your wallet, or anywhere else that you can easily get to whenever you need to vote in one of your union’s elections. Alternatively, save your VIN and PIN electronically (cell phone, PDA, computer), if that’s more convenient for you, and you are comfortable about the security of the location.

Well........that sure kinda killed this thread. I did not think real and useful information was allowed here. :)

Thanks for the info Albie!

That stupid e-mail titled "Special Message Line" you received today has a link that takes you to Ballot Point to vote. It's the same link that Albie provided above, and it's on the ALPA website. (OR, you can just click on the spoon. :) )


The stupid e-mail also has a plea to help a seriously ill retired pilot by donating blood -- you really ought to read it.


If you need a REPLACEMENT ACTIVATION CODE, click here and follow the instructions on the following screen.


That screen will look something like this:

If you have lost your voting credentials or think your voting credentials have been compromised, please click here to request a replacement activation code. After you have been issued a replacement activation code, you must reactivate your ballotpoint voting account within 24 hours. If you do not reactivate the account in 24 hours, a new code will be needed.

Lost or Never Received
Compromised

Click here to request a new authorization code.



After you have been issued a replacement activation code by your Election Administrator, you must carry out the following steps to gain access to your BallotPoint voting account. You will not be able to vote in any of your union’s elections until you do so.

These steps must be performed soon after you are issued the replacement activation code. Replacement activation codes are valid for a very limited time. If not used within that period, you will need to request another replacement code from your Administrator.

1. Call either (866)511-3366 or (866)972-8043, toll-free, to activate your voting account. NOTE: These numbers are different than the ones used to activate an account using the Activation Code received through the US Mail.
2. If you cannot reach either of the toll-free numbers listed above (the toll-frees are accessible from the United States, Canada, and a few other other areas only), then try the direct (tolled) numbers, (971)327-5444 and (503)972-8042. NOTE: These numbers are different than the ones used to activate an account using the Activation Code received through the US Mail.
3. When prompted, enter the replacement activation code provided to you by your Election Administrator.
4. Your assigned Voter Identification Number (VIN) will be spoken to you. Write this VIN down. It’s a random number, and trying to just remember it from one BallotPoint election to the next will be difficult.
5. When prompted, use the phone keypad to enter a 4- to 8-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) of your own choosing. Write this PIN down.
6. Save the VIN and PIN in a safe and accessible place. This may be in your wallet, or anywhere else that you can easily get to whenever you need to vote in one of your union’s elections. Alternatively, save your VIN and PIN electronically (cell phone, PDA, computer), if that’s more convenient for you, and you are comfortable about the security of the location.

The entire process should take no more than 4 minutes. The longest part is waiting for the recording to complete before you can use your Activation Code to receive your VIN and set your PIN (i.e., waiting for the prompt in Step 3).


I wouldn't mind if you voted for me for Council Chairman. :)


(Let me know if you need help with your ALPA Member Number and Password.)




.

Easy Tony,

Its not often we hear from you, although we'd like to more often.

My post was a response to a post Albie made where there (Aeris please correct) was no link and I was only offering a suggestion which he took well.

FYI -
When I did click the link and didn't know my pin, I clicked "troubles logging in", which left me empty and didn't provide a place to reset my pin.

Maybe if Alpa really cared about the junior (capts. and f/os) they would have provided this in their "special message line".

My point to Albie was, as a newly elected official, make it easy for us on this board. As you would and make it a mockery.... spoon feed us.

Just a point...

you did provide a reactivation link which I find useful, as maybe another member of this board would.

DISCLAIMER:


It was nice to get an email about a "retired" captain, it seems thats all ALPA cares about these days.

I'm however very sympathetic to anyone that needs blood especially one that I might now.




-Not spell checked by AerisArmis

....PRICELESS !! Way too funny :D

Eggman,

Better jump off of that cornflake, I think it might be getting soggy. Try one of those raisins, they float.:cool:

I will gladly give blood to a RETIRED captain. ;) Those guys on the line might not be so lucky... (just in fun guys...support this guy)

I don't want you as council chairman. There are offices, however, which you might be aptly suited for.

And leave it to a heavy driver to have a spoon on him...:p Some things never change... You aren't all bad--the fine folks at Kessler showed a WC-130 to my daughter earlier this week. Guys may have a spoon in their flightsuit pocket, but anyone going into a Hurricane probably also has some kind of apparatus to hold their big balls....

The spoon was hilarious. Seriously, thanks for the link. I had lost my pin also.

RTF

I was sadly surprised.
 

Between seeing where Tony stood on the LOA and what I heard about his age 60 stance (in fairness, anecdotal only), I would be reluctant to vote for what sadly seems like the same old story.

I was hoping and really expecting that wouldn't be the case, but after seeing his AOC spin on the LOA, I came away feeling like I had just seen another party-line guy. I was bummed, to say the least, and no less surprised at the time.

And they also make excellent styluses for you EFB boys and girls!:)
fbh

Well...I can't speak for him. He's been the DO in the union the last week, so I imagine his fun meter is pegged right now.

I told you I wanted Vic as chair. Vote as you see fit--but I know what Vic wants and although he's a d@mn yankee (that's a yankee that moves south and stays...) I think his platform on improving comm is vital. However, if you make any of us the chair I am confident we can find a way to work together. Tony and I disagree on "how" sometimes but I think his vision is generally similar to what Vic and I envision. If its not--I'll be the first to say so.

And...if I don't like how guys vote on issues, I'll vote the way I see for block 7. I for one am done with 12/0 and 11/1 votes. I'll tell you what I think is good--and what isn't. I have never thought supporting the union or "unity" hinged on Orwellian mind melding. I may vote against something, but that doesn't mean I won't ultimately support the union. You cannot win every argument (ref: my wife) but you don't have to always nod with the crowd. Tony and I have discussed this in the past... I know there ARE some contentious battles behind closed doors. I just don't think you need to whitewash the walls and then say it is 12:0. I think a 7:5 vote on some issues might be easier for guys to swallow. Sometimes you win, sometimes you take one for the team. But you always fight for your guys. (My favorite analogy: Fighter squadron flight commander. Yes...your guy went into IPUG before mine, but I'm pushing him to get in as soon possible. But when we send the recs to the DO and weapons officer we live with the call they make)


Well...if you check his seniority number my prediction is he won't be back on the MD11 in MEM for some time due to the latest bid. That means ANC or a bid to the bus...IF there are any vacanies not filled by more senior folks. I may be completely wrong, but we'll know in Feb. I think if he gets to commute to ANC for a while or suffers through a training course on the light jet, its safe to say he's going to "walk the walk" for supporting seniority rights. I can't say the same thing for some other folks. Its easier to take "suck it up, fatty" from someone who's also paying a price. So--I say--give him the benefit of the doubt and see what happens. And to an extent unmatched by other reps--he'll engage you and discuss it. I don't always like his position--but I think he has integrity and does what he honestly thinks is best for the team.

I disagreed vehemently on this one too. Burned quite a few cell phone minutes with some of the MEC. However, some on the MEC seemed to genuinely think that the flying would be lost if we didn't "grab" it when we had the chance. As someone who sells sim training to guys getting ready for interviews at JALways, Emirates, Cathay, etc....I didn't think there was exactly of glut of companies, jets, or people ready to be entrusted enough with the "purple promise", and I thought there was a lot more leverage than they did. If you remember--the vote after the STV amendment had more dissention than the original vote--because SOME Of the MEC starting to smell that leverage.

I would have given the flying to someone else before I sent our guys non-vol from home 90 days... That's how much I detested the STV clause...

However--the stated goal of everyone for the LOA was we would SECURE the flying--then pursue more benefits once we had it nailed down. Write that down...remember it...especially you guys in the FDAs. You'll have your own reps shortly, and if you DO NOT see improvements in our next contract then you can vote raise hell, vote no, or do whatever you think is required. We'll see just how much support you get. I haven't forgotten--and trust me--I'll be reminding them.

So--back to the point. I hated the LOA. I detested the STV clause and though anyone who would accept that was out of touch with the masses and was an awful rep--especially voting for it on a junior blocks. However--their hope was lock down the flying. Right or wrong...that part did happen. I wish the scope clause looked more like UPS's, but we get to live with what we got.

................

Brown, you're dead on correct re Tony C and his whole hearted support of the unfortunate LOA. What's sad is now, this LOA becomes the baseline for future negotiations on FDAs. Not Chapter 6 which the Company and MEC with their 11-1 vote effectively removed from our contract. Certainly Vic, and I'm sure Albie (along with EI while he's still there) have what it takes to stand up to DW and the status quo. The numbers are starting to look better.

Cos

Just Voted........easy As Pie.........:D

Now that's confidence. Future negotiations on FDA's? Fat chance based on past performance, right? The damage is done and irreparable.

My greater fear is the FDA LOA becoming the baseline for future negotiations in general. Throw out a few red herrings; "someone else will get our flying if we don't cave and sign a concessionary deal"..."we're all gonna get furloughed if we don't sign this concessionary contract"..."contractual retirement age will go up to 65 if we don't sign this (insert turd du jur here)"...

Professional negotiators, please.

Sorry for the thread creep. Everyone get out there and VOTE!

Albie - are you somehow trying to indicate what exactly the "Scope Improvements/Enhancements" are that the Union is claiming to have gained?

If so, I would certainly appreciate further clarification. I've yet to really find any 'black and white' improvements of the current Section 1 of the contract.

And, honestly, I don't see how we've "secured" or "locked down" any of the flying. Maybe we've made it more inconvenient to bring someone else in. But, as I read it, 1.B.4., and 1.B.7.d. are still alive and well to be utilized by the company if needed.

Thanks for any enlightenment in this area that you can provide. I've pretty much put all the individuals that talked about improvements in the 'spin-meister' category, with associated credibility.

About to vote. LOA ? i guess the voting record answers that one. Age 60 ALPA position? True statement here? Not true?

Since the forum is obviously still monitored - single word answers are fine, as is a PM.

I'm only one vote, so probably no big deal. No answer will work as well also.

I really DIDN'T see the scope improvements. I am with you on the LOA. I voted "no". I argued with several members--Wes, Scott Schwartz, and Tony...at some length. I listened to their input--but still voted "no". I think voting "yes" on the age 60 change was also a mistake--even a symbolic "no" vote would have been better for unity, IMHO.

So--I agree with you on many counts. However--and this is my point--I have a loooooong history of a lot of talks and email conversations with Tony--long before he went to block 5. He has always impressed me as a stalwart supporter of the pilot agenda. In fact--I won't go into HIS story--but he probably has less trust and love for management than most. He was an F/O flex for a while, and had some insights into how things were being done in those areans. So--in summary--I disagreed with Tony on several issues. However, I still think he's a solid guy--and I a HOPING to gain the insights into why so many guys thought the LOA was such a good deal they'd put their names on it.

My agenda for the LOAs will be to add money for the dudes there--hopefully as a non-pensionable/non-dues payable COLA, eliminate the 100 mile restriction, and perhaps put a time limit on guys over there have to serve without a guaranteed bid back to MEM (sort of like the guys who auto-flowed to the S/O seat....) A little more money, and a flow back plan--and I think we'd never have another vacancy over there. Even though it appears we'll hire or fill these vacancies with either new hires or our own guys, the problem isn't going away--we are going to GROW these FDAs so the problems we face with them aren't going to shrink--they are going to grow.

I am sorry Albie, you know I am a stickler for verbiage at times.

Could you please point me to the section of the LOA that contains the "scope clause" you are refering to?

Sorry again for more thread creep...
 

That's all good stuff, and it's somewhat reassuring to see someone committed to keeping the word that was given at the time of the vote to actually seek future improvements.

What I would recommend is for someone to ask the people there what is important to them when the time comes for negotiation again. There are also plenty of low-cost/no-cost items that could be contractually implemented to improve the FDA situation.

Forget the Purple Tails section....we may as well designate an FDA LOA forum!

I think he was referring to the scope section of the CBA, not the LOA - or maybe it's just MIA, in which case we're just SOL;)

I didn't RTFQ.

Amen on that last paragraph, Aaron! HKG training dates bumped up almost a month due to the bid cancellation. . .

I have talked to Tony several times and sadly I agree. I have nothing against him but I believe he represents the status quo. I spent the time communicating with several of my representatives and they all spout the the party line. Before the age change the effect was going to negligible to the crew force, according to all I talked to.:eek:

I plan to make the pilgrimage to mem on the 14th to attend to quarterly meeting. If it is the same as the last few ones it will be the last time I waste my time. There are just so many times I can go an watch anyone who has the audacity to disagree or question the MEC get ripped a new one by them. I have seen this repeatedly in hub meetings about the LOA "BC" especially stand out and at stated meetings.:mad: Sort of hard to get involved when they are not open to any meaningful discussion. Sent a email 2 wks ago to my LEC and received messages back from everyone except my block rep. and his last block letter was 08/07. Maybe if I could just grow that porn mustache! :D

I am not so much mad at what has happened but how it happened and the constant lack of communication from the MEC. How many times can they drop the communication ball and we are expected to just sit back and take it. I now truly believe that the reason they don't communicate more is so they have a out when shi! hits the fan.

OK...which means the LOA gained us NOTHING when it comes to scope.

I don't like revisionist history.

I've never understood this comparison.

Aren't porn mustaches thin, long and narrow....these things all seem to be big and bushy.:D:D

Back in the 70's and 80's EVERYTHING was "big and bushy"!:eek:

It led to that great quote from Drake and Zeke "Honey, you need to either shave that thing, or teach it to hunt"!:cool:

Depends on what you believe. I think the thought process is that it's sort of like squatter's rights. Once we establish that we're doing the flying, it makes it harder to contract out other FDA type flying later.

While there may not be any definitive scope language in the LOA, it would serve to reinforce the existing scope language in the CBA if things were ever to go to arbitration over this type of flying.

What you believe don't mean squat all about squatters rights. If they wanted stronger scope than they should have gotten something in writing. There are lots of "intent" clauses in the contract. Should have at least gotten one more for this turd.

No abla! :D

[quote=FDXLAG;294095]What you believe don't mean squat all about squatters rights. If they wanted stronger scope than they should have gotten something in writing. There are lots of "intent" clauses in the contract. Should have at least gotten one more for this turd.[/quote

I wasn't necessarily saying it's what I believe. I think this is what the Union lawyers believe, however. And there's no intent mentioned, it's past precedent. There are many things not spelled out in the contract that are governed by past precedent.

So if that is the way it is, neither the company or the union would have objected to the following being inserted to the LOA:

Intent: By agreeing to this substandard LOA FEDEX agrees that all flights (over 50,000 MTOGW) into and out of these FDAs carrying FEDEX freight will be flown by FEDEX Pilots on the Master Senority List.

Because after all, that is what you are saying the past precedent is aren't you? That is obviously what the company thinks the precedent is isn't it? If not than there were no "Scope" improvements with this LOA.

Or did we leave it vague because our lawyers can kick the crap out of Fred's lawyers.

You obviously have never had the pleasure of working with ALPA lawyers.

One of the reasons they leave it vague is to give them more work "interpreting" it over the following years. It's all about them, and how they can justify their retainers.

They are incredibly risk-averse, and they have numerous "experts" who they quote to give them cover as they roll over to any company's lawyers. But the membership never witnesses the rolling over. They are spoon-fed the "expert opinions" which back up every concessionary move they make (at your expense - not theirs).

This lack of engagement over the years has caused their skills to atrophy to a point that you wouldn't beleive.

1-800-LAWYERS can out debate the ALPA high-pay, low-production lawyers.

They have only one reason for existing - to maintain an uninterrupted flow of dues money from which they feed.

Those who run ALPA today never did a thing to build this profession; therefore they couldn't care less about what happens to it once they comfortably retire. They are truly "short-term" thinkers as they manage our association.

Been there, seen it first hand, but no T shirt. Has anyone else been there?

I'll bet Albie and Vic will figure this out real quickly.