FedEx Mechanics issues
09-23-2008, 04:32 PM
#1
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Posts: 6
FedEx Mechanics issues
I am a FedEx senior aircraft maintenance technician based at LAX. I have been following this forum for some time to better understand issues that may be mutually inclusive between our two groups. Please allow me some political license if I am not up to the usual standard of banter.
The mechanics at FedEx have as I’m sure most of you are aware, begun an aggressive campaign to organize with the Teamsters Union. In fact some of your peers have spoken at our rallies. My question is, how does your group feel about us organizing and can we expect any kind of support or lack of? Curiously, why is there no conversation about this topic in this forum? Is this subject not talked about in your ranks?
The main driving motivator for our group to organize besides the obvious, is the freezing of our defined benefit pension plan that was replaced with a portable cash balance plan without our support. Please don’t argue the pro and con of different types of pension plans, suffice it to say that the issue is the benefit was changed without notice or approval, causing a severe rift between company and labor. Of course the only labor group within FedEx that retained its defined benefit pension plan happens to be the only group that is organized. This should be proof enough that a contract is the only guarantee that benefits can not be changed unless negotiated. But the struggle is long and hard and there is much internal turmoil along with the usual pressures from management.
What is the feeling among the pilots? I welcome any discussion on this topic.. Regards. Accumulator
The mechanics at FedEx have as I’m sure most of you are aware, begun an aggressive campaign to organize with the Teamsters Union. In fact some of your peers have spoken at our rallies. My question is, how does your group feel about us organizing and can we expect any kind of support or lack of? Curiously, why is there no conversation about this topic in this forum? Is this subject not talked about in your ranks?
The main driving motivator for our group to organize besides the obvious, is the freezing of our defined benefit pension plan that was replaced with a portable cash balance plan without our support. Please don’t argue the pro and con of different types of pension plans, suffice it to say that the issue is the benefit was changed without notice or approval, causing a severe rift between company and labor. Of course the only labor group within FedEx that retained its defined benefit pension plan happens to be the only group that is organized. This should be proof enough that a contract is the only guarantee that benefits can not be changed unless negotiated. But the struggle is long and hard and there is much internal turmoil along with the usual pressures from management.
What is the feeling among the pilots? I welcome any discussion on this topic.. Regards. Accumulator
09-23-2008, 05:18 PM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2006
Position: 767 FO
Posts: 8,047
I think you have the support of most of us; however that and $4 will get you a small starbucks. Other than dues, most of us would not go too far out our way to support ALPA. No doubt I would vote yes in your shoes.
That said I am sure you would have our complete support if it came to (legal) Job actions as we would expect yours.
That said I am sure you would have our complete support if it came to (legal) Job actions as we would expect yours.
09-23-2008, 05:20 PM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2006
Position: Retired
Posts: 3,717
Accumulator, First of all, welcome to APC. There's one or two other mechanics that participate here occasionally, and it's good to have you. As for your post, you're right, it wasn't up to this boards' "usual standard", as there were no spelling, punctuation, or sentence structure errors in your writings and so you'll have to work on those issues for your future posts.
Personally I'd love to see you guys unionize, not just for yourselves, but in part to show the other work groups within FedEx that organization is possible, regardless of where you work. I know you face an uphill battle in your quest for unionization, one that, thankfully, the pilots didn't face, and that is the fact that you guys are spread out throughout the entire FedEx system and yet, like us, you are all one class and craft. It will be tough, and I'm sure the Company will fight you every step of the way, but believe me, if you are successful, you will enjoy a much better work environment as well as gain some control over how the company treats you.
Perhaps this subject is not talked because there are very few mechanics who participate here, and quite frankly, we pilots still have our own union issues to deal with. As for the pilots supporting your organization drive, and assuming you're successful, your union, I would suspect that we would be a very big advocate for you, and support you in any legal way we could.
Best regards, and again, Welcome.
JJ
Personally I'd love to see you guys unionize, not just for yourselves, but in part to show the other work groups within FedEx that organization is possible, regardless of where you work. I know you face an uphill battle in your quest for unionization, one that, thankfully, the pilots didn't face, and that is the fact that you guys are spread out throughout the entire FedEx system and yet, like us, you are all one class and craft. It will be tough, and I'm sure the Company will fight you every step of the way, but believe me, if you are successful, you will enjoy a much better work environment as well as gain some control over how the company treats you.
Perhaps this subject is not talked because there are very few mechanics who participate here, and quite frankly, we pilots still have our own union issues to deal with. As for the pilots supporting your organization drive, and assuming you're successful, your union, I would suspect that we would be a very big advocate for you, and support you in any legal way we could.
Best regards, and again, Welcome.
JJ
09-23-2008, 06:28 PM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,931
I personally support you guys.
I believe ALPA policy is to support other unionized groups in time of need. I'm sure there are exceptions, but I think that is generally the plan. A union is about both the membership and the leadership. Each has a role to play in support. I have heard our leadership supports you too. I hope when you guys need our support the most, you have it.
I don't know what ALPA can do, legally, to support your unionization effort. Good ALPA members support you. As you know, not all pilots are good union members.
I believe ALPA policy is to support other unionized groups in time of need. I'm sure there are exceptions, but I think that is generally the plan. A union is about both the membership and the leadership. Each has a role to play in support. I have heard our leadership supports you too. I hope when you guys need our support the most, you have it.
I don't know what ALPA can do, legally, to support your unionization effort. Good ALPA members support you. As you know, not all pilots are good union members.
09-24-2008, 07:37 AM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,235
Not A FDX pilot, just a UPS pilot with an opinion.
Our mechanics are Teamsters, as are most non pilots on the property.
I like the fact that our mechanics are unionized and we have and will support our mechanics in any legal job action. We actually have it in our contract that we will not cross a legal picket line, UPS found out we where serious about this in 1997 when our drivers struck the company and not even one non management pilot crossed the picket.
Keep in mind that a union is only as strong as its membership allows it to be, if it isn't supported it is a paper tiger.
Good Luck
Our mechanics are Teamsters, as are most non pilots on the property.
I like the fact that our mechanics are unionized and we have and will support our mechanics in any legal job action. We actually have it in our contract that we will not cross a legal picket line, UPS found out we where serious about this in 1997 when our drivers struck the company and not even one non management pilot crossed the picket.
Keep in mind that a union is only as strong as its membership allows it to be, if it isn't supported it is a paper tiger.
Good Luck
09-24-2008, 08:52 AM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,409
You definitely have my support and I am sure the vast majority of the rest of the pilot group. That being said. Our current leadership has on several issues over the last couple years not represented our own pilot group. All bets are off on what kind of support you would get from them when we don't get it ourselves.
09-24-2008, 10:21 AM
#8
Line Holder
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Posts: 98
I am a new hire that came from an other company where the pilots engaged in a long and bitter labor dispute with the company. My experience would suggest that you will get what you get on your own. It would be unrealistic to expect an other group to sacrifice to help you improve your situation.
You will get moral support from many of the pilots.
Support for legal job action means that you will get moral support from many of the pilots.
In a confrontation with management, you will get moral support from many of the pilots, as long as you are engaged in a legal job action defined under the RLA.
The pilot contract has a section that covers existing or impending labor dispute involving other represented employees. Your lawyer can tell you what that means.
There are many examples of carriers with multiple labor groups. Generally, pilots provide moral support for the other groups.
Moral support.
You will get moral support from many of the pilots.
Support for legal job action means that you will get moral support from many of the pilots.
In a confrontation with management, you will get moral support from many of the pilots, as long as you are engaged in a legal job action defined under the RLA.
The pilot contract has a section that covers existing or impending labor dispute involving other represented employees. Your lawyer can tell you what that means.
There are many examples of carriers with multiple labor groups. Generally, pilots provide moral support for the other groups.
Moral support.
09-24-2008, 11:37 AM
#9
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2005
Position: 757/767
Posts: 1,128
Originally Posted by accumulator
I am a FedEx senior aircraft maintenance technician based at LAX. I have been following this forum for some time to better understand issues that may be mutually inclusive between our two groups. Please allow me some political license if I am not up to the usual standard of banter.
The mechanics at FedEx have as I’m sure most of you are aware, begun an aggressive campaign to organize with the Teamsters Union. In fact some of your peers have spoken at our rallies. My question is, how does your group feel about us organizing and can we expect any kind of support or lack of? Curiously, why is there no conversation about this topic in this forum? Is this subject not talked about in your ranks?
The main driving motivator for our group to organize besides the obvious, is the freezing of our defined benefit pension plan that was replaced with a portable cash balance plan without our support. Please don’t argue the pro and con of different types of pension plans, suffice it to say that the issue is the benefit was changed without notice or approval, causing a severe rift between company and labor. Of course the only labor group within FedEx that retained its defined benefit pension plan happens to be the only group that is organized. This should be proof enough that a contract is the only guarantee that benefits can not be changed unless negotiated. But the struggle is long and hard and there is much internal turmoil along with the usual pressures from management.
What is the feeling among the pilots? I welcome any discussion on this topic.. Regards. Accumulator
The mechanics at FedEx have as I’m sure most of you are aware, begun an aggressive campaign to organize with the Teamsters Union. In fact some of your peers have spoken at our rallies. My question is, how does your group feel about us organizing and can we expect any kind of support or lack of? Curiously, why is there no conversation about this topic in this forum? Is this subject not talked about in your ranks?
The main driving motivator for our group to organize besides the obvious, is the freezing of our defined benefit pension plan that was replaced with a portable cash balance plan without our support. Please don’t argue the pro and con of different types of pension plans, suffice it to say that the issue is the benefit was changed without notice or approval, causing a severe rift between company and labor. Of course the only labor group within FedEx that retained its defined benefit pension plan happens to be the only group that is organized. This should be proof enough that a contract is the only guarantee that benefits can not be changed unless negotiated. But the struggle is long and hard and there is much internal turmoil along with the usual pressures from management.
What is the feeling among the pilots? I welcome any discussion on this topic.. Regards. Accumulator
09-25-2008, 05:09 AM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Posts: 425
Union Representation
You will be better off being part of a collective bargaining unit, simply because it ties the Company to a contract, but remember this .......... your Union is only as strong as the membership's will and representation. It is not the answer to everything and in some cases, such as a contract that is "full of holes" because no one spends the time to check the "language intent", can actually be very harmful to the membership. That is a problem for us right now with our current contract, because the time was NOT dedicated towards "language intent", therefore the Company makes changes in spite of the collective bargaining agreement. Contract Language is huge and should be a top priority in any contractual efforts. YES, you will be targeted by the Company, prepare for those games, TALK IS CHEAP !!! Promises, Enuendo and flattery don't pay the bills or take care of your needs. Union Support ? Ask the NorthWest Mechanics and Flight attendants about that, they had problems several years ago and the Pilot group did not support them. Contract Maintenance Fees (Dues), part of the program and don't expect something for nothing !!! BE ENGAGED and INVOLVED, it will make for a better Union .................. GOOD LUCK, you have my 100% Support
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