BigWheelsTurnin

Good Evening,

Long time lurker here but trying to become more active and informed. Newbie at FDX in the grand scheme of things. I know I'm opening myself up to bashing but it is with the knowledge of my own ignorance and humility that I write this...

One of the big things I notice while browsing through posts in the Cargo forum, specifically posts relating to FDX and contract unity, is the great sense of displeasure when pilots don't show active support for the general crew force. Of course I can understand and agree with this but I wonder if much of the time it is due to a lack of knowledge vs meaningful dissent. As a new guy, unless I am active on these forums, how would I know that wearing the "Contract Now" lanyard would mean so much to other pilots and be a true show of unity to the company? Also the whole idea of only working your line and not picking up trips in open time... If I didn't have a mentor at FDX who explained this concept to me or if I hadn't read it in the forums here, I wouldn't have any idea that this goes against a show of unity amongst the crew force. I know early on, I was just picking up extra to supplement that first year pay. I had no idea I was being disrespectful to the crew force and it certainly wasn't my intention...

I was once told that unless you can propose a solution, you don't have a right to air your grievances. With this in mind, is it unreasonable to ask that ALPA send out an email to all pilots with some tips/suggestions on how we as a crew force can show unity? It seems like a reasonable way to reach people who aren't members of an aviation forum or don't have someone to mentor them...

I have thick skin so bring on the artillery :-)

Wildmanny

No need to bring on the artillery. You raise valid points. All of us come from different backgrounds and knowledge of the company/industry we work for and in. Guys are bound to do things that aren't kosher. The biggest thing concerning unity is knowledge and participation...and a healthy willingness as a new guy to keep your ears open. Years ago, I got a very stern discussion on the rules of the road in Anchorage on my very first trip over dinner. My captain told me he didn't recognize my name and assumed I was new in town and in no uncertain terms, laid out a path that would keep me out of trouble. Wise words.

pipe

The union can't do what you are suggesting. The anti-labor leanings of the judicial system would hold the union culpable for fomenting "illegal job actions" if they put out the kind of information you are alluding to. That's why this is so frustrating to many of us. If we wait until the union is given the green light by the legal system, it's already too late and we are at the doorstep of a full-blown strike.

If each member would do their part, individually and independently, we could solve this problem way before reaching the nuclear option.

Unfortunately, "I'm waiting for the union to tell me what to do," is a thinly veiled excuse that many of our union "brothers" use to continue their self-serving gluttony.

Pipe

MD11HOG

It's tough for new guys. But, if your Union specifically request you do something, then it's a no brainer. (Lanyard, Disputed Pairings). The other stuff is an INDIVIDUAL choice and you have to decide when IT'S TIME to make those choices.

Anthrax

First of all, we like our children to been seen and not heard. But since you opened your sewer, your story had better be a good one. But it isn't. I've heard it before, read it, seen it in video. Hell, I don't even like the voice that you're telling it in. Grow a pair, Francis. Stop being so apologetic. So darn naive. When times are good, fly 'til you're blue in the face. When times are bad, (and I'm talking bad for the entire crew force, not for your own selfish self what with seniority and nice trips and shucks, isn't this place the greatest) have the intestinal fortitude to just say no. And just think, with a new contract, you might make the same amount of money that you made a year ago accepting draft and other empty-calorie cookies.

As far as the lanyards go, I still think the entire concept is retarded (retarded said in my best Boston accent, and without apologies). Don't even like the color. And that SIEU logo is good enough reason for me, I guess, not to wear the ugly thing, whatever the heck SIEU stands for, means, represents, whatever. Besides, who want's a contract now? Certainly not the majority of pilots around here who voted in the interim pay raises with the union leadership spewing manure about how if we do this the company will negotiate in good faith; that a full-blown contract will be right around the corner. No. Contract later, what's the rush! Now that's the lanyard for me! And make it in purple. I like purple. Manufacture by OLOA, Obama lovers of America!

Gunter

Read up on the RLA. We are not in a period of self help. Can't ask crew members to withhold services they normally provide. I don't want the union to get sued so I don't have an opinion on what anyone else should do. A special legal costs assessment would NOT make my day.

But sharing with us the state of negotiations and organizing picketing is o.k.

Are you happy with negotiations? Share your story with the rest of us here since it's not o.k. for us to talk about it at work. (see below)

The Chief Pilot has put out a letter to CAs that says try to minimize the distractions from FOs fed up with negotiations. They are aware of our unhappiness and it's a priority to keep those who will get us this contract bottled up. Sharing our frustration is viewed as a threat.

But it's still not a priority to fix anything needing fixing...Oddly This makes me even more frustrated.

Albief15

I would think Captains would also be frustrated, realizing that the non-inflation adjusted cap of 260k on earnings for their pension means a guy retiring next year is getting about 1/2 of what guys got over a decade ago in real dollars. I would think the captains who worked for years here would be frustrated when they were asked to provide a doctor's note when they felt they were unfit to fly, after years of being told how important their judgement was to provide a safe operation. Its not a bunch of whiny FOs our there creating the angst….its a bunch of frustrated pilots, period.

My take from the last few years is simple. I will strongly suggest that in future contracts we have an automatic indexed increase in pay and retirement benefits, so that if they company drags their feet they are still forced to keep up with inflation.

We offered some win/win options. We worked with them in good faith. We got PBS and foot dragging. Noted. They had a chance to work out of the 4a2b mess they created, and the lack of trust it instilled. Its a darn shame.

Gunter

I have decided just this month that without this provision they'll get a no vote from me. Not a single issue voter but it is now a must have. No substitutions allowed for me.

They more they stall the more they'll have to offer to make up for the total lack of respect. I expect more pilots to come to the same conclusion in short order.

Approaching the negotiating table TOTALLY UNPREPARED FOR 3 YEARS has it's price.

"If it's going to be amateur night, the price has got to go up."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrZB5n0tNAI

BigWheelsTurnin

Wasn't aware of that, thanks for the knowledge!

I like the aggressive "trying to get a ruse" tone with which the post started lol. Without regard to that, I get the point you were making with the rest of the post...

One of the best ideas I have read on this board in a while, thanks!

757upspilot

Sorry to say this but, the biggest fear many at UPS have is the FDX unity . If the FDX pilots trip over their lack of unity its going to be really tough for us at UPS to get a decent contract.