With the official end of "Peak" season upon us, let's get back to Contract discussions ...

UAL pilots get an 8.5% pay raise next month followed by several annual 3% pay raises!

A USAToday article this week said that "all" American Airline employees received a 4% pay raise (on top on any contractually required pay raises; Flight Attendants that were supposed to get a 6% pay raise will now get a 10% raise). It seems that the airline is making significant profits and hopes the raises will promote goodwill from their unions!

Interestingly, it also said that the pilots were not included in the 4% raises. "American and the pilots' union have been contract talks, but those have stalled recently. American's latest offer to pilots is a 23% raise. It has also offered them binding arbitration to break the deadlock.

Hmmm ... a 23% pay raise? How about if we start our negotiations there? The Corporation is making record profits, they can afford it!*?

 

I believe there were plenty of "give backs" included in that 23%, including giving up big time on scope....I don't think that is a road you guys want to go down.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, you have once again responded and performed to meet our customers' needs and represent the best of what FedEx Express Flight Operations stands for. Throughout the month, but especially over the course of this last week, you have stepped up to meet the extraordinary challenges presented by our operations during this holiday season.
Through the wx, scheduling changes, extra legs, extended duty periods, standbys and delays you have performed at the highest level. I would like to extend a special thank you to the many who have been away from family and friends over the holidays, and also to those who stepped up to operate the additional flying that is always a critical part of our ability to successfully Deliver the World on Time.
Your performance over this period is the essence of what we do: safe, legal, reliable and efficient flight operations. We do it better than anyone else, and your efforts are a big reason for our continued success. Thank you for all that you do.
Have a safe and enjoyable Holiday Season and Happy New Year.
Fly Safely,


– Captain BM

 

I really don't think they realize just how insulting a letter like this is. We bust our humps all year long, and, apparently, even more so during peak. Our reward for all this amazing effort? The annual atta boy (girl) letter from management, telling us how valuable we are to the organization, and how we continue to operate at "the highest level", etc. But do we see a timely contract that reflects that contribution, and effort at such a high level? No. Not even close. Instead we get delays, stalling tactics, and now mediation, which will probably drag things out another year, minimum. All the while making record profits and income.

Once again, I can't help but think of the classic movie, Caddie Shack. "Hey, Llama, how about something, you know, for the effort"
Well, in the end, there will be no money. But we will have the annual "Thanks for the effort!" letter. So we got that going for us.
Which is nice.......

Personally, for me, they can keep the damn letter. Just show me the money.

 

At least you get a letter!

 

LOVE IT!!!! Pat you on the back with one hand and then slap you across the face with the other! Thanks for the record numbers and busting your hump, how dare you ask for a raise!

I'm also tired of looking at coworkers schedules for the last 3 months and seeing 120+ hours of pay. UNSAT, running yourself into the ground is no good for your health!

 

Come on, they want to give you a big fat 9% B fund raise!

...you just need to give up that antiquated A fund to get it

Then your favorite coworkers can more fully justify why they work +120 hrs per month...every month, every year

...not just during their high five

You must have missed the latest Holiday Video on line at the Purple Promise Network:

The Holiday Season is not about working smarter, it's about working harder!!

(...volume was up 9% this peak)

Come on, skip that time with your family & friends...and catch that holiday spirit!!

 

For us contractors that were flying out of both the colorful hubs; we're getting about 60% of what you guys get. Swallow that pill.

We're in contract negotiations too, hoping to get about 50% of the difference.

Go play some golf, build a box, fix a car......enjoy your life. Be thankful you have the time and money to do that. Aint nobody getting out alive. Start crossing out the bucket list items.

 

----------------------------------------------------------------
You might remember, ...
A rising tide lifts all boats. .......
You are welcome. .......
In advance!!!!
Btw, plenty of us already doing lots outside of work.
Swallow that pill... as you say.

ALAFLY