XJT MEC Alert
January 2, 2013

Earlier today, the Company notified XJT ALPA of its intent to seek opportunities in which to introduce larger, two-class aircraft into the legacy ExpressJet fleet under Section 26 of our collective bargaining agreement. This section provides for an expedited negotiation process to determine terms and conditions for any new aircraft placed under our current contract.

While legacy ASA already has rates established for this flying, legacy ExpressJet does not. Establishing these rates will allow legacy ExpressJet pilots to partake in the RFPs currently in the market.

At this point we have only received initial notice from the Company and we will provide more information as we receive it. We expect negotiations to commence next week and will keep you informed on our progress. Under Section 26, negotiations must be concluded within 60 days. Following that, the contract provides for 20 days of mediation and an expedited arbitration process to resolve any remaining disputed items.

 

I don't think so. With the ASA MEC flight line or stay separate stance, there are no section 6 negotiations. Section 26 of our contract is specifically there to negotiate outside of section 6. But the company wanting cheap rates goes without saying.

We can be screwed if we don't come together. And the ASA MEC has made it clear they aren't really interested in that as much as keeping flight line.

 

If it happens the rates will be negotiated under section 26 of our current contract. Max of 60 days negotiation the mediation and arbitration for the new rates. We will not get to vote on these rates as they will be done outside of section 6.

 

I see what your language is and it sucks. You really think you guys will come to an agreement? This thing is headed to arbitration where they will impose the new industry standard. You guys think you've won something. The company found a way to jack us all.


Might as well take a system that has been available for almost ten years with no customers, hasn't been proven to work, is guaranteed to screw the bottom 30% of line holders every month, and WILL be give guys who don't want it a 20% pay cut a few times a year just make it as bad as it can be.

 

Um....have you looked at this system? The reason ASA guys are so up in arms about it is because it allows junior guys to hold premium trips. You guys really are amazing. If it gives junior guys good trips it doesn't honor senority, and if it doesn't, then it is screwing the bottom of the list. Our MEC is right, it really is a lose/lose with you guys.

 

Regardless, this is the path that management has chosen for us after the ASA MEC refused to negotiate a joint contract. Seems like one side is getting more jacked than the other though.

As for the system, it has a customer, has been proven to work, doesn't screw anyone over (at least not any more than flight line) and doesn't give anyone any pay cuts. On the other hand, it has been shown that flight line would be a QOL concession to the ERJ side as it stands now, would be worse off for everyone as the final product would be worse than the existing one, and requires hours of manipulation by humans to come up with their subjective definition of a solution (socialization).

 

Translation: We intend to whipsaw you against the Legacy ASA pilots by imposing an industry standard CRJ-900 rate which is lower than their current rate, and then using you to bid against them. Happy New Year, and as always Thanks For All You Do.

 

If you guys think this gave you the upper hand, than I guess we'll see you in the unemployment line. We will not cave to whipsaw and scare tactics. Especially when it comes from a branch of our own union.

 

Translation: the ASA MEC has shot themselves in the foot.

 

We didn't do anything. This is Jerry playing chess while you guys play checkers.