Airline Pilot Central Forums - PC's VIPs message, your thoughts?

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronan (Post 1700151)

Well,

I sometimes wonder why a post is worded the way it's worded. If it's truly heartfelt, or a mgt stooge sowing dissension.

From previous posts, I think naka's rationale is heartfelt. But, it is still misguided. Picketing or not, we'll have a contract when mgt is ready for us to have a contract. If we absolutely wanted a contract right now, I'm confident that if we acquiesced to mgt's proposals-we'd have a contract. I don't think we're asking for the moon, so IMO the holdup is mgt's unreasonable proposals-some disrespect to PCs opinion intended.

When our contract expired 10 years ago, we did walk the picket line in June---but, still didn't have a contract by peak.

UPS's contract expired years ago, and they have been in mediation for quite some time.

Downside to RLA is that labor doesn't have nearly as much power, upside for the country is the freight keeps moving.

As for me, I'll just keep enjoying my satisfying FedEx life. Enjoying my vacation days. Wondering how the freight's going to keep moving as we meander towards peak, and adverse weather, with apparently enough people satisfied with their satisfying FedEx life that it's frustrating PC and he's putting pressure on the Union. Get the impression somehow that PC wants the Union to force people to fly voluntary overtime.

As for me, I know if BLG meanders up, I'm not going to be near any of the FAR flying limits. Kinda wonder how good the company's computer is at tracking the various limits under Flag ops. Do know they used to not be so good at the whole 8 in 24. Pretty sure if someone overflys, FedEx will self-report them for certificate action, just as they did in the past

As for UPS, our contract never "expired", it became amendable (and BTW, yours does not expire either), and that occurred LESS than three years ago on 12/31/11 at UPS, and we have not been in mediation in the classic sense, but a mediator has been in attendance for some, but not all of our talks.

We are all really handcuffed by the RLA and all the politics associated with it. Mediators are assigned by people appointed by politicians who are largely owned by other politicians and lobbyists.

We can dress up and parade in front of corporate headquarters, Capitol Hill or the CEO's vacation home every day, but until you/we:

1) Request a release from mediation
2) Said mediator decides that an impasse has occurred after he/she asks his/her boss who asks his/her political master(s)
3) A release is granted
4) 30 or more days passes
5) The president doesn't force you/us back to work using a PEB

Everybody lives status quo with dire penalties for the union and to a lesser extent the company. If anything, labor has more ability to affect pressure BEFORE a release happens...it is not the end-all.

And that is the gist of it all...the time to turn up the heat, and who is ultimately responsible to affect progress at the table is not always as it seems. ;)

It's easy to blame your leadership...a bit harder to man/woman up on your own.