BrianH

UA, This is not about me, it is about the best value for the pilots and the opportunity we have before us. All the stars are aligned again right before openers for contract '21ish, nearly six years after the last best opportunity. If you don't want to waist this opportunity, let your reps know the specifics you want in contract '21ish. Have you had success talking to your rep? Do they know were you stand on the issues? Are you confident they support your ideas. Do they support a best value approach, or the possible two year extension last September (with just an improvement in retirement and pay rates)?

BrianH

Okay, how about this tact:

Do we agree ALPA needs to listen to you/me before they can speak for you/me?

I think it is fair to say that improving our retirement is again the number one goal for contract '21ish. Openers will be decided in a month or so. That said, if you want the pancake model and your rep wants to use the current model and increase the FAE to say $420K will you still say ALPA speaks for you? Are you okay with being surprised by what they asked for at the table, or would you like to see detailed openers first?

Noworkallplay

I agree, give input such as the surveys that have just been completed. Engage your rep through email or phone call if you think you have something very different to add that wasn't in the survey. Then sit back and let them work. We elected them for a reason, let them do the job you elected them to do. No need for hand holding. Once something is produced then you get to say yea or neh. I know they do much more work on these subject areas than a line guy like me so I have to put some trust in them. The committee reps and committee guys/gals have always been great any time I have engaged them. They are all very well versed in the subject areas they are working on. I'm just glad so many volunteer so that many of us can just go fly the line and shut our phones off at the end of the trip. The work the union has done during the Covid needs to be applauded. The agreements produced so far have been big wins and pay protected many who otherwise would have had sick banks whipped out. I have also gotten a lot out of the travel agreement with 100% bank and rental cars. Cudos to ALPA for the work.

FDX1

Well said - couldn't agree more!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

BrianH

Isn't that how we got contract '15?

Did contract '15 meet our goals as stated in its surveys? One of the stated goals was NO PBS (secondary line anyone with 20% known res days added for your pleasure (oh and has the new secondary line generator been completed more than five years after signing?)). Another stated goal was significant improvement in retirement ($2700 dollars max increase to your B fund to start with anyone?). How about the total compensation? Were you happy to hear the company spokesman say they would get the increase in pay back in work rules?

Also you state "We elected them for a reason, let them do the job you elected them to do. No need for hand holding." What if they are not doing their job? How do you hold them accountable?

Most importantly, why are you not willing to answer the tough questions posed? You are anonymous here, so why not answer? If ALPA bargains against your desires, will you still say ALPA speaks for you? Curious minds want to know.

Don't we want to have these discussions before we repeat '15? After all, the reps will be given openers at next virtual MEC meeting.

Noworkallplay

We got contract 15 because pilots voted in favor of it. That simple. Based on the stuff put out so far in regards to contract 21 I like the direction they are going. They seem to be using the KISS model and have my full support. Pay rates, increased retirement and some focused other items. In my opinion we have a good contract and just need a few smaller things fixed. Im not in favor of a laundry lists of items and 3 year negotiations. Lets get back to industry leading pay rates. How we fix the A plan is one of those items that everyone will have different opinions on. Do we just go after a bigger uncapped B plan? Do we increase the current formula? Do we look at a different formula? Everyone has different views based on age and risk tolerance.

Once again, once something is produced or we are narrowing our focus then let your opinion be seen through the proper channels. I have done this through the surveys and engaging my rep. Thats what we get as being one person in a union in a pilot group of 5,200 and growing.

As for not having local meetings at this point I can see your issue. I agree on this part and think technology has advanced with virtual meetings that should make this possible. Are they looking at doing this?

I understand a few of your points but think going on an internet forum to shake the roost is the wrong tool. It sounds like the same names who constantly complain on Jetflyers. We are going into negotiations and need unity not division. Division will certainly get us poor results.

UnusualAttitude

Here is the problem, when you were a rep you didn’t practice what you’re preaching now. I personally reached out to you about contractual desires and expectations when ALPA was planning to negotiate the retirement plan outside of section 6. I pointed out various parts of the contract that needed improving to make the variable retirement plan make sense to me. You were dismissive and all but said tough luck and suck it up. In fact, you questioned why I even worker here.

Why are you now saying that ALPA needs to be receptive of exactly what you were not as a rep? feedback and input from those you represent, you only welcomed it if it aligned exactly with your needs and desires. It’s not that some of your points aren’t salient, it’s just that you didn’t represent me the way you are demanding ALPA represent you and I question your motives on this whole post because your stated goals aren’t congruent with my experience when you were a rep.

BrianH

Okay, I'll bite and derail this thread for a post.

First off I have always talked to ANYONE who wanted to talk about any issue that improves our collective position (my record on that is indisputable). My record is three hours and eighteen minutes with one pilot on one call while on vacation.

So to your points:

I listened to your points. Remember, we were not in section six and NO section was open. That was an effort to try to find Mutually beneficial improvements. It needed to be focused. Now that section six negotiations are about to happen, feel free to talk to your rep about any section you would be willing to support being improved. Also wanting improvements that don't float ALL boats is a non-starter. It has to be, just ask the American pilots. About being dismissive, I doubt it, but I have never been accused of being a great councilor. So if I did, I apologize here publicly.

Again, I encourage conversation, it is how we develop ideas, even the ones we don't agree with.

About my positions, I doubt many study the ramifications as much as I do. I voted no on contract '15 because it did not meet its own pillars. Pillars that were not discussed during the roadshows. Running out of money is no reason to have a "TA" in concept, yet that is what happened. A good friend called it, there where going to be 4000 disenfranchised pilots making 350K plus.

About ALPA's job. It is to represent all pilots. When they do not, there is a process. It is called recall. Right now we can not recall because ALPA will not hold virtual Local Council Meetings. So, good luck.

As a member in good standing, I expect to be heard, just like you do. I encourage you to remain engaged, it's how this works. The issue is, your MEC is going in a direction I disagree with, as it is detrimental to the younger pilots.

Do you know where they are going? Put your guess/expectation in writing and I will too.

Now back to the thread's main focus: Does ALPA speak for you?

Does ALPA know what you mean when you say you want the A-plan improved. ( it is the number one issue facing pilots according to the fast read and +rate).

Please let your reps know if you want an FAE improvement, and if so, how much. Or do you want the pancake plan or perhaps the multiplier improved, but remember ALPA has several tenants to Negotiations. One of the tenants is to not incentivize working longer / harder to achieve an improvement.

I look forward to the responses!!

JunkyardDog

BH,
Thank you for your service! I found you to be a faithful and responsive representative who fought to raise the bar for all of us. Thank you for staying engaged. I adamantly oppose the pancake plan, have communicated this loud and clear to block reps and NC Chair. Any TA that includes the pancake plan is an automatic NO vote for me.

HIFLYR

Speaking of the SLG why has the union let the company get away with not producing the new “final” secondary line program? We already gave up capital to get it in the last contract.

Would the variable plan concept “make no doubt about it we would be approving a CONCEPT to be negotiated “designed” with with the company later” be any different?