Fdxlag2

I certainly agree with all of this, but wouldn't an education campaign tell us how much this would cost? That way we could make an educated decision on other options. Let's not vote yeah or nay thinking that we can increase the cap or get a cola in 2021 by standing firm, with only half the pilots flying extra and selling back vacation, if that is not an option.

kronan

Clipping from NC email--started with statement that Mgt considering the concept...not the numbers

Education process is Beginning. Didn't Start\End with the PPT show linked in this email.

"While FedEx takes some time to evaluate the variable benefit plan concept, we will begin to provide education material to you. In that regard, we need to begin at square one and build upon that information to ensure that the material we are providing is actually useful to you. Your feedback is welcomed and encouraged"

Fdxlag2

I like the concept of education. My point is what we aren't pursuing and why is just as educational as what we are pursuing and why. What we are pursuing today may come to nothing, if so we are not that far away from openers. Which means we are not that far away from the slanted survey that is supposed to be used to establish our openers. What a great time to teach how much more we cost or don't cost FDX than UPS or Delta.

pinseeker

Yes, the company was still making money. You said, "Because frequently, when the stock market goes into the tank corporation revenue is also impacted...and the funding requirements can have a dramatic impact on corporate spending, at a time when they are least affordable due to the diminished revenue stream" as an example of why a VB is better than our current DB.

So in the 2008 example, the company still makes plenty of profit, yet the pilots take it in the shorts in retirement income with the VB plan. With the current DB plan, everyone was just fine.

MEMA300

Leave A-plan alone and max out B-plan with Cash over Cap. Only acceptable solution. No reason to reinvent the wheel.

5millionaire

I’m pumping the breaks until I see actual FACTS on the VB. No use in saying the MEC is this or the company is that...until we actually find out what this VB is. I’ve watched/read everything the union has put out. I still wouldn’t be able to vote with confidence either way because I don’t know the details.

When I buy I new car, I look at specs, read consumer reports, take it for a test drive, ponder, maybe ask my wife if it’s a good idea, maybe argue with her, and then hassle with the salesman if I want to buy. No offense to the MEC, but I want to look at the specs before I take any other steps. They are out test driving with the company right now and I’m in the parking lot looking around shrugging my shoulders.

dckozak

If you like the concept of education than why not sit back, take in with and open mind, and wait till you have a valid question/concern rather than presuming a negative that may or may not be present (or perceived).

????? Totally un-comprehendable, please repeat?
Not sure what you ment here. If if all comes to nothing, than nothing ventured, nothing gained. Back to square one. If it does come to something, you and everyone else will get a vote, and unless the current position the NC is false, you will be able to opt out, only pilots not on the property would be obliged to take the terms agreed upon.

So much for a unbiased look at whatever is presented.
If (federal) law prevents you from losing any accrued benefit, than the only "decision" you have to make is whether you choose to take the RI change or continue on the current path. If you are near retirement, it would appear not to matter what you do, you're likely to have our current (earned) benefit as you only meaningful retirement income.That makes this whole exercise mainly a question for younger Fedex pilots.

A fork in the road, possibly, if we collectively choose to. Either way, change or not, the DB part of our retirement is slowly going to fade away. Inflation for sure, or a very negative event in the fortunes of Fedex. If we can't negotiate an improvement in the DB than something has to give.

If you stand in the middle of the road with a truck barring down on you, you have two options, move or get run over. Wishing the truck wasn't there or hoping it will turn away are not options a smart person would consider prudent. Fedex is forcing a change, at least consider the alternatives.

pinseeker

It's been two years since the MEC started this process, how long do we have to wait for an education on this? I've submitted questions to both my MEC rep and to the FAQ section of the union webpage. After three weeks, still no answers. Either they are selecting which questions support their view or after two years, they still don't have answers to basic questions.

Above you mentioned alternatives. What alternatives? The MEC has already decided on one alternative. It would have been nice to educate the crew force on many different alternatives and then asked the crew force where they wanted to go.

By the way, this VB plan will belong to the company the same exact way the our current DB plan belongs to the company, which means if FedEx turns south and has to declare bankruptcy, they can ask a judge to terminate the plan just the same as the current DB plan.

Fdxlag2

1. Because we appear to have already chosen a path and it appears all the education will be about how this is the right path.

2. Which part is confusing to you, This may come to nothing or openers aren't that far away?

3. Slanted survey was a poor attempt at a little levity, but certainly every survey I have ever taken, particularly ALPA surveys have certainly been designed to shape my response towards the direction the surveyor has wanted me to go.

My over all position is there are still a lot of pilots who assume that if we had held our breath until we turned purple FDX would have added more money to the already most expensive pension plan in the industry. I don't think so, and if the MEC wants to move in a different direction they should start buy educating us on why the 2015 openers were not achieved, in fact were abandoned.

I have been sitting back and waiting for some education on how much we have learned since the books have been opened. I have heard nothing.

PeterGriffin

My issue is with this whole "win, win" proclamation. The result of any changes in our retirement should not benefit the company more than 1 penny...it's already negotiated financial obligations that we would have to be outside of our minds to give back...