Flame baiter...

 

Actually I don't. I have seen agreements where part of the signing bonus is taken to help cover the costs of negotiations. I also do not like how the IBT treats different airlines with different standards. Cape Air pilots have not paid a single cent to IBT while they have negotiated their contract (Cape Air had more pilots on the seniority list than Omni at the time), while Omni pilots, members of the same local have been asked to pay monthly dues.

 

My guess as to why Cape Air didn't pay dues until they were contractual, as with Amerijet is that both started negotiations during Treichler's reign. The new IBT administration felt that there was a lack of representation during initial negotiations due to no one having a financial interest. Taking dues immediately was thought to enhance participation of the pilot group. I am assuming that this is what is happening at Omni. Too many guys complain that the "union" whoever it may be, was not doing anything for them, even though the guy had never laid out one penny of his own money. First contracts can be real difficult, although it seemed companies like Omni wanted to play ball. And as for AJT taking a concessionary contract, there wasn't one ounce of input from that pilot group towards a decent contract, so they got no one to blame but themselves. The rebels who forced AJT's hand were no longer even employed by that company. You get what you earn, so dig in and force the company to give you a humane contract.

One last point about any union contract. You cannot believe how important it is to have free legal representation in your time of need. The old days of freight and charter out of South Florida was filled with horror stories of summary firings and leaving pilots down in South American jails or looking for their own way home. Google Fine, Fleming, Rich, etc. to see their history. Thank your lucky stars that the IBT has locked down almost all of the present companies that run out of MIA. That place was an abomination not too long ago.

 

There was well over 85% eligible pilot participation.

 

Finally we are dealing with real numbers. Thanks.

 

I'm don't think that is what is happening at Omni at all, in regards to people paying dues and complaining that the union is not doing anything for them, although obviously the pilot group was not satisfied with the product that was initially brought to them by the IBT. I do think your right about when the negations began and how that effected if dues were required during negotiations or not, as Cape Air started under the 747 local. Cape Air does not have a contract yet either, for what it is worth.

My point was that people that were not card carrying members were so interested to have a say that they paid up on their dues, sometimes even 1000's of dollars. The initial number of 60 percent participation was way off, and we need to squash that rumor immediately. I do not think that all hope is lost for success here, but I do think you will see lots of people leaving for greener pastures, but truth be told those people were probably going to leave anyways.

My personal feeling is that everyone that will be in the union after the contract passes should have a vote, but that is my personal opinion. I know the IBT is a business, and a business needs to make money to be successful, but when it comes down to voting, everyone should get a say. However, this is solely my opinion, and it is worth about as much as you just paid for it.

 

The increase in percentage makes me feel a lot better. My opinion about AJT is that the Teamsters has poured, and continues to pour a ton of money into the situation since the company even refuses to abide by the contract that they signed. I think that they are pretty leery about ever dealing with that type of pilot group again. The fact that Omni had a larger percentage voting on the contract makes me think that better times are coming soon, just keep the pressure on, and force Omni to bargain, don't leave it in the hands of the lawyers and the mediator.

I think that the initial 60% number was discouraging to me since seeing the JetBlue for for ALPA representation, where a very large number couldn't be bothered to even vote. That was truly pathetic. It is good to see the Supplemental side has more activist pilots. When a contract gets signed, you will have a bunch of formerly frightened pilots get "beer muscles" and pound their chests, declaring that they were instrumental in the process. Just human nature, I guess, but you are right, you will have a much higher participation level.

 

The number hasn't been confirmed yet. But it is over 60%. In fact, a week prior to the vote, it was close to 80% of eligible good standing members from what i heard.

 

way2broke (aka Goober) I wasnt going anywhere and had hoped to call Omni home. That said, its looking like leaving was the best decesion I could have made given where I went to. I am drinking the Koolaide here at Atlas. This is home for me if they can keep up their end of the bargin. One question I had for 1224 is what happened to the real contract they had before they threw in the towel and took a strike vote. This propsed (and rejected) contract looks nothing like that one. What do you suppose happened to it? Hmmmmm....... Somebody (the company) better wake up.....wait you here that? Its the rafters cracking...man the roof is starting to cave in. Everybody at Omni deserves a competitive contract. Good luck. I'm out Jerry!

 

Nice! Glad to see people moving on to greener pastures.

I wonder how long it'll be until they can't staff the flying. It's my opinion that the already horrendous attrition rate will get much worse now that the TA was rejected by such a wide margin.