Amerijet vs. the Teamsters
03-10-2008, 04:41 AM
#1
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Amerijet vs. the Teamsters
Amerijet International, the all B-727 freight operation based in Miami, Florida, has been "negotiating" an initial contract with the IBT for the past four and a half years. This company adamantly refuses to bargain in good faith, and the government-appointed mediator has just about had enough. Instead of accepting the Teamsters on their property, the management have aggresively pushed their individual pilots to decertify the Teamsters, and have an "in-house union". They have allegedly secured enough cards to force a vote on decertification.
Amerijet has been a freight airline, in various capacities, for the past thirty years. Since 2001, they have been almost exclusively flying cargo to the Caribbean. Pilots are on duty for sixteen hours a day, 16 days a month, and are given eight days off. They work away from terminals, cannot leave their aircraft area, are not given catering, nor water, have no toilets, have no access to maintenence personell, and are continually bullied, not only by the Chief Pilot and D/O, but also by sales and load control. Several years ago, a group of young captains lobbied for Teamster representation. They received 90% approval, and the Teamsters have been negotiating ever since.
Since then, Amerijet has played a war of attrition with the pilot group. We all know this story, it has been played out at many airlines over the years. The decertification drive has been spearheaded by former Eastern Airlines scabs, who have few career options, and have always been useful idiots for these types of companies. They have told their group to trust management, as things will be much better if only the evil IBT would get out of the way. Playing the vicimization card, a time-honored tradition.
There must be consequenses within the aviator community when dealing with these pilot groups. Unionization has been a largely positive force in the industry, and the Teamsters has shown an aggresive, no B.S. mentality. Trying to kick out the IBT, in order for a few dollar raise (maybe?) is pathetic and sad. I should only hope that this group will have an asterisk on their resumes when they look for a job at a union airline.
It is interesting to note that some of Amerijet's most anti-union pilots went on the reap the benefits at union operations, such as UPS and Southwest. It's funny how selfish some of our brothers can be. I only know when an Amerijet pilot interviews with my company, I will have some very candid questions for him.
Amerijet has been a freight airline, in various capacities, for the past thirty years. Since 2001, they have been almost exclusively flying cargo to the Caribbean. Pilots are on duty for sixteen hours a day, 16 days a month, and are given eight days off. They work away from terminals, cannot leave their aircraft area, are not given catering, nor water, have no toilets, have no access to maintenence personell, and are continually bullied, not only by the Chief Pilot and D/O, but also by sales and load control. Several years ago, a group of young captains lobbied for Teamster representation. They received 90% approval, and the Teamsters have been negotiating ever since.
Since then, Amerijet has played a war of attrition with the pilot group. We all know this story, it has been played out at many airlines over the years. The decertification drive has been spearheaded by former Eastern Airlines scabs, who have few career options, and have always been useful idiots for these types of companies. They have told their group to trust management, as things will be much better if only the evil IBT would get out of the way. Playing the vicimization card, a time-honored tradition.
There must be consequenses within the aviator community when dealing with these pilot groups. Unionization has been a largely positive force in the industry, and the Teamsters has shown an aggresive, no B.S. mentality. Trying to kick out the IBT, in order for a few dollar raise (maybe?) is pathetic and sad. I should only hope that this group will have an asterisk on their resumes when they look for a job at a union airline.
It is interesting to note that some of Amerijet's most anti-union pilots went on the reap the benefits at union operations, such as UPS and Southwest. It's funny how selfish some of our brothers can be. I only know when an Amerijet pilot interviews with my company, I will have some very candid questions for him.
03-10-2008, 04:49 PM
#3
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I'm not sure who you're talking about but this former Amerijet pilot that has moved on always supported the efforts of the IBT during my time there and in spirit since. If you are implying that those of us that have moved on are doing you or have done you a disservice in some way, I believe that is an incorrect characterization.
03-14-2008, 05:13 AM
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Originally Posted by jetgo166
Amerijet International, the all B-727 freight operation based in Miami, Florida, has been "negotiating" an initial contract with the IBT for the past four and a half years. This company adamantly refuses to bargain in good faith, and the government-appointed mediator has just about had enough. Instead of accepting the Teamsters on their property, the management have aggresively pushed their individual pilots to decertify the Teamsters, and have an "in-house union". They have allegedly secured enough cards to force a vote on decertification.
Amerijet has been a freight airline, in various capacities, for the past thirty years. Since 2001, they have been almost exclusively flying cargo to the Caribbean. Pilots are on duty for sixteen hours a day, 16 days a month, and are given eight days off. They work away from terminals, cannot leave their aircraft area, are not given catering, nor water, have no toilets, have no access to maintenence personell, and are continually bullied, not only by the Chief Pilot and D/O, but also by sales and load control. Several years ago, a group of young captains lobbied for Teamster representation. They received 90% approval, and the Teamsters have been negotiating ever since.
Since then, Amerijet has played a war of attrition with the pilot group. We all know this story, it has been played out at many airlines over the years. The decertification drive has been spearheaded by former Eastern Airlines scabs, who have few career options, and have always been useful idiots for these types of companies. They have told their group to trust management, as things will be much better if only the evil IBT would get out of the way. Playing the vicimization card, a time-honored tradition.
There must be consequenses within the aviator community when dealing with these pilot groups. Unionization has been a largely positive force in the industry, and the Teamsters has shown an aggresive, no B.S. mentality. Trying to kick out the IBT, in order for a few dollar raise (maybe?) is pathetic and sad. I should only hope that this group will have an asterisk on their resumes when they look for a job at a union airline.
It is interesting to note that some of Amerijet's most anti-union pilots went on the reap the benefits at union operations, such as UPS and Southwest. It's funny how selfish some of our brothers can be. I only know when an Amerijet pilot interviews with my company, I will have some very candid questions for him.
Amerijet has been a freight airline, in various capacities, for the past thirty years. Since 2001, they have been almost exclusively flying cargo to the Caribbean. Pilots are on duty for sixteen hours a day, 16 days a month, and are given eight days off. They work away from terminals, cannot leave their aircraft area, are not given catering, nor water, have no toilets, have no access to maintenence personell, and are continually bullied, not only by the Chief Pilot and D/O, but also by sales and load control. Several years ago, a group of young captains lobbied for Teamster representation. They received 90% approval, and the Teamsters have been negotiating ever since.
Since then, Amerijet has played a war of attrition with the pilot group. We all know this story, it has been played out at many airlines over the years. The decertification drive has been spearheaded by former Eastern Airlines scabs, who have few career options, and have always been useful idiots for these types of companies. They have told their group to trust management, as things will be much better if only the evil IBT would get out of the way. Playing the vicimization card, a time-honored tradition.
There must be consequenses within the aviator community when dealing with these pilot groups. Unionization has been a largely positive force in the industry, and the Teamsters has shown an aggresive, no B.S. mentality. Trying to kick out the IBT, in order for a few dollar raise (maybe?) is pathetic and sad. I should only hope that this group will have an asterisk on their resumes when they look for a job at a union airline.
It is interesting to note that some of Amerijet's most anti-union pilots went on the reap the benefits at union operations, such as UPS and Southwest. It's funny how selfish some of our brothers can be. I only know when an Amerijet pilot interviews with my company, I will have some very candid questions for him.
03-14-2008, 07:26 AM
#5
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Originally Posted by Good 7
I'm not sure who you're talking about but this former Amerijet pilot that has moved on always supported the efforts of the IBT during my time there and in spirit since. If you are implying that those of us that have moved on are doing you or have done you a disservice in some way, I believe that is an incorrect characterization.
03-14-2008, 09:44 PM
#6
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Originally Posted by jetgo166
It is interesting to note that some of Amerijet's most anti-union pilots went on the reap the benefits at union operations, such as UPS and Southwest. It's funny how selfish some of our brothers can be. I only know when an Amerijet pilot interviews with my company, I will have some very candid questions for him.
I don't dispute the conditions described in the main body of the originating post, but:
To clarify, my statement was in response to the insinuation quoted above that all former Amerijet pilots should be treated with suspicion. That is false and those comments do not apply to the vast majority of us. If you want to focus on specific people, go ahead. I and those like me supported the efforts of the IBT and the pilot group.
03-15-2008, 10:35 AM
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I am implying that there have been quite a few former Amerijet pilots who consistently subverted unionization, but now are reaping the benefits of the hard work of ALPA or Teamsters in their new airline. Similarly, some former pilots who are now at union shops are currently agitating the current group of pilots into de-certifying the IBT. This is inappropriate action, to say the least. The IBT has fought for the last four years at the bargaining table, and Amerijet is pushing new hires very aggressively into signing de-certification cards. (They claim to have no knowledge of this, but this is an age-old tactic.) There are many of us who have worked for this operation who are watching the process very closely, and are keenly interested in the results. A good contract elevates the entire industry, and Amerijet is the last of the Miami dirtbag freight companies to resist giving humane treatment to their employees. Pushing cards on IOE guys is typical of them. Of course, the strategy will ultimately fail, and they will sign a contract with the IBT. But in the meantime, it will be a litmus test, and those opposing what is trying to be done will be treated in kind. Unfortunately, I do not work for a Teamster airline, but we all should support actions that raise the quality of life for all of us.
03-19-2008, 07:35 AM
#8
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Posts: 400
jetgo166...
Interesting post. However your characterization of Amerijet pilots could easily be misconstrued and I think you have clarified it however be careful stigmatizing your fellow pilots even if they deserve it. That can bite you big time...
As a decorated Amerijet veteran I can tell you my experience there changed my life and perspective on the human condition. I witnessed many change during their time there. Bright eyed and bushy tailed coming in...not so perky going out. It's a difficult and exhausting place to work but in the end what I learned is how to look at the job the way the management looked at me...we were two organisms using each other for mutual gain. I could fly under grueling fatigue conditions ( when I started there a 16 hour day was a luxury) and bring it back in one piece...in turn I got the experience I needed to move on to bigger and better things. Symbiosis is all it is man...give and take. When the deal isn't good anymore you move on...it's that simple.
What changed was the quality of pilots there were getting. When jobs opened up, their core experienced people moved on to bigger and better things and one organism had nothing to gain anymore. That's business...
Business have always fought unions and thats their right...welcome to the United States. Grand isn't it? Nowhere else in the world do organisms have such protected rights to screw one another over so completely. Companies can screw employees and employees can screw back...it's all fair under our free market economy. Pretty soon when you have all those organisms feeding off each other you build a jungle and what a jungle the US economy is!
Amerijet and the pilots who support the company (for whatever reasons) have every right to follow whatever course they chose AS LONG AS it is within the bounds of the law. So do employees...may the best group win. You step outside the law then you have to answer to the man...and man said: "Hey I don't care if you cut each others throats all day as long as you do it by these rules...and here they are...good luck."
Companies fear unions because they think they are unpredictable and wield unchecked power...and that has happened in a very small percentage of cases. History shows us that well run, highly organized unions with excellent relationships with management are a foundation of business success. It's no co-incidence that the most profitable airlines have strong bonds between employees and management...their organism does feed off each other they work together to build a bigger, better animal. There is no doubt in my mind that unions bring quite often the single most valuable reward that is shared amongst employee and management and that is SAFETY. And my God couldn't a place like Amerijet use some serious improvements in safety!
However it's Ajet's choice...if they want to run it that way and we as pilots don't like it, then just get what you need and move on. If you want to stay and fight that's your free and clear choice also and hopefully your safety conscious brethern will support you...it's a free country...you decide!
Interesting post. However your characterization of Amerijet pilots could easily be misconstrued and I think you have clarified it however be careful stigmatizing your fellow pilots even if they deserve it. That can bite you big time...
As a decorated Amerijet veteran I can tell you my experience there changed my life and perspective on the human condition. I witnessed many change during their time there. Bright eyed and bushy tailed coming in...not so perky going out. It's a difficult and exhausting place to work but in the end what I learned is how to look at the job the way the management looked at me...we were two organisms using each other for mutual gain. I could fly under grueling fatigue conditions ( when I started there a 16 hour day was a luxury) and bring it back in one piece...in turn I got the experience I needed to move on to bigger and better things. Symbiosis is all it is man...give and take. When the deal isn't good anymore you move on...it's that simple.
What changed was the quality of pilots there were getting. When jobs opened up, their core experienced people moved on to bigger and better things and one organism had nothing to gain anymore. That's business...
Business have always fought unions and thats their right...welcome to the United States. Grand isn't it? Nowhere else in the world do organisms have such protected rights to screw one another over so completely. Companies can screw employees and employees can screw back...it's all fair under our free market economy. Pretty soon when you have all those organisms feeding off each other you build a jungle and what a jungle the US economy is!
Amerijet and the pilots who support the company (for whatever reasons) have every right to follow whatever course they chose AS LONG AS it is within the bounds of the law. So do employees...may the best group win. You step outside the law then you have to answer to the man...and man said: "Hey I don't care if you cut each others throats all day as long as you do it by these rules...and here they are...good luck."
Companies fear unions because they think they are unpredictable and wield unchecked power...and that has happened in a very small percentage of cases. History shows us that well run, highly organized unions with excellent relationships with management are a foundation of business success. It's no co-incidence that the most profitable airlines have strong bonds between employees and management...their organism does feed off each other they work together to build a bigger, better animal. There is no doubt in my mind that unions bring quite often the single most valuable reward that is shared amongst employee and management and that is SAFETY. And my God couldn't a place like Amerijet use some serious improvements in safety!
However it's Ajet's choice...if they want to run it that way and we as pilots don't like it, then just get what you need and move on. If you want to stay and fight that's your free and clear choice also and hopefully your safety conscious brethern will support you...it's a free country...you decide!
03-19-2008, 08:14 AM
#9
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Well said. I voted with my feet a few years back, that place took years off my life. I agreed to do some really stupid things over there, thankfully the stars were aligned and nothing tragic happened. There were so many things that could have gotten many of us violated by the FAA, thankfully they seem to turn a blind eye to this type of business. I have always hoped that an IBT contract will save Amerijet from themelves, and spare a few people from LOI's. If any decertification were to happen, be assured that the last few good people over there will have an exit strategy. At one time, there were a hell of a lot of great guys there.
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