In talking with the union, it has become apparent to me that they do not know what this word means. They do not feel that the fact that the company badly needs an LOA for CGN is leverage. They feel that if we do not negotiate an LOA outside of contract negotiations, that we will have to give up something in the contract to get the LOA.

I say that it is the company that needs and wants this LOA, so they need to give up something to get it. I feel like we as a pilot force can live without having an FDA in Europe. If this is something that the company wants, then what are they willing to give us in return for signing an LOA?

The same goes for ULR with regard to any aircraft other than the A380. If the company wants ULR for the 777, then what are they willing to give us?

No LOA without a TA.

 

Completely agree!
I've told my rep, but I've not received a reply though.

 

Walrus,

I agree 100%. No LOA until a TA. People that are currently at FDAs knew the deal when they bid the assignment. 777 guys can earn widebody pay since they bid the airplane without a payrate. I am for improving both pay for the FDAs and 777, but it can be done in our next contract.

Coo Coo Ca Choo

 

Actually, it's Goo Goo G'Joob.

 

I am curious how you have talks "With the Union"?
Who did you speak with?

I was just in the MEC office, I spoke with 2 of the 3 officers and 2 block reps and the word was that there are no talks on any FDA LOA.

BTW any "leverage" we have is with us, the Line Pilots.

If the package is Bad then nobody should bid it and the problem will get fixed. Same with other issues. If the line pilots don't do it then the problem usually gets fixed.

 

Those were the words from my block rep. When I told him my thoughts on not negotiating an LOA outside of contract negotiations, he said that another view is that they do not want to have to give up something during negotiations for an FDA LOA, when they could negotiate it prior to a TA and not have to give up anything for it.

If they are going to do cost based negotiating, then I say that the savings to the company for an FDA in Europe far exceeds anything that the company would ever be willing to give us for bidding it. Thus, they are the ones gaining with an agreement on an LOA for the FDA, not us, so they need to give up something equal on the other side for us.

 

When asked at the meeting if the Union had considered.....if the Company came to them with an FDA LOA..... what they would do; try to agree on an LOA or wait to put it in a new contract, SS said a few vague comments, then said that if the Company offered something in an LOA that was good for the pilots, the Union would consider it.

 

100% agree

 

Why are we agonizing over giving something up for FDA language that will allow FDX to open a CGN domicile, or wherever?

The company is wanting something here. We should be prepared to negotiate all issues during the upcoming negotiations. We've got plenty of leverage here let's not screw it up.

 

The leverage here is over timing --- not necessarily over $$$.

They can stretch out contract negotiations for two years before the "end game" can legally play out --- and where the FDX line pilots can demonstrate their true leverage/power.

It appears, that management wants to open a new European FDA prior to that --- perhaps this fall...maybe next spring...but, certainly before Nov 2012.

...and where did I hear the unions position you ask ---- straight from 2 of the 3 Union Officers within the past 2 weeks.

The reply you were given, that "there are no talks on any FDA LOA" is purposely vague.

The question you need to specifically ask is "What's the Union leaderships position on negotiating a FDA LOA outside contract talks."

(...or any other LOA the company may want now that we are in direct contract negotiations)

Once again, our leverage here is in the timing of their wants/needs.

In Unity,

DLax