How do you bid to have "late September" off?
08-08-2022 | 09:48 PM
#21
Nice lookin' tree, there!
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,242
Likes: 14
From: Tool-Box, old man
From yesterday's FDX MEC Fastread:
"With the September bid opening today, we want to bring your attention to important events taking place in September.
As you know, our negotiating sessions with the Company are scheduled to continue through the end of August. We believe this timeframe provides an adequate amount of time for a TA to be reached. Should a TA not be reached, our Negotiating Support Team is preparing another FDX ALPA event in late September."
Since they acknowledge the monthly bid is open, and they certainly want to have maximum participation in the event they decide to have another event, why aren't we being told what day to plan for, and potentially bid around? Why the secret? I can guarantee The Company knows when they are conducting important meetings, and I'd bet a steak dinner that the second FDX SPSC files an application to assemble with the proper authorities in Memphis (required 15 business days in advance, so about 3 weeks), that The Company knows. So the only people being kept in the dark are us -- the pilots who are bidding for our September schedules. (OK, full disclosure, I'm currently in Pay Only status, so I'm available any and every day, but that's not the case for the vast majority of us.)
Worse, though, why are we waiting until LATE September when the rest of the 60,000 pilots in ALPA are going to be picketing on September 1st? Why did we decline to join the "ALL ALPA PILOTS" effort?
"Just as we are engaged in negotiations, many of our fellow ALPA members are also engaged in negotiations.
ALPA recently announced an informational picket set to take place in 16 airports across the United States and Canada on September 1st. It’s no secret that when ALPA pilots stand shoulder to shoulder in support of shared goals, people notice. This event will show the public, our lawmakers, and our airlines that all airline pilots stand together in support of he profession."
While acknowledging the tremendous value of standing shoulder to shoulder in support of shared goals, our MEC has declined to picket on September 1st. It's hard for me to understand how we can beg for One Level of Safety with the passenger carriers and choose to separate ourselves from such an important and symbolic effort. Our absence will not go unnoticed, neither by The Company, nor by the other members of the BOD whose votes we will be soliciting to elect one of our own pilots to the ALPA First Vice President position during the October BOD meeting.
Even if we do get a TA before the end of August (I'm not holding my breath), we could cancel the Sep 1 picketing event, and no harm would be done. We've cancelled a picketing event within hours of it starting before.
"The FDX MEC Strategic Preparedness and Strike Committee encourages you to attend an event near you and stand in unity with fellow ALPA pilots and demonstrate our resolve, pride and collective strength to achieve pilot goals. Those of you living near these locations will receive an additional mailed reminder."
I'm sorry, but this doesn't inspire pride. It evokes embarrassment. I guess those of us living in Memphis won't be getting that additional mailed reminder.
So, anyway -- anybody bidding to have "late September" off?
.
"With the September bid opening today, we want to bring your attention to important events taking place in September.
As you know, our negotiating sessions with the Company are scheduled to continue through the end of August. We believe this timeframe provides an adequate amount of time for a TA to be reached. Should a TA not be reached, our Negotiating Support Team is preparing another FDX ALPA event in late September."
Since they acknowledge the monthly bid is open, and they certainly want to have maximum participation in the event they decide to have another event, why aren't we being told what day to plan for, and potentially bid around? Why the secret? I can guarantee The Company knows when they are conducting important meetings, and I'd bet a steak dinner that the second FDX SPSC files an application to assemble with the proper authorities in Memphis (required 15 business days in advance, so about 3 weeks), that The Company knows. So the only people being kept in the dark are us -- the pilots who are bidding for our September schedules. (OK, full disclosure, I'm currently in Pay Only status, so I'm available any and every day, but that's not the case for the vast majority of us.)
Worse, though, why are we waiting until LATE September when the rest of the 60,000 pilots in ALPA are going to be picketing on September 1st? Why did we decline to join the "ALL ALPA PILOTS" effort?
"Just as we are engaged in negotiations, many of our fellow ALPA members are also engaged in negotiations.
ALPA recently announced an informational picket set to take place in 16 airports across the United States and Canada on September 1st. It’s no secret that when ALPA pilots stand shoulder to shoulder in support of shared goals, people notice. This event will show the public, our lawmakers, and our airlines that all airline pilots stand together in support of he profession."
While acknowledging the tremendous value of standing shoulder to shoulder in support of shared goals, our MEC has declined to picket on September 1st. It's hard for me to understand how we can beg for One Level of Safety with the passenger carriers and choose to separate ourselves from such an important and symbolic effort. Our absence will not go unnoticed, neither by The Company, nor by the other members of the BOD whose votes we will be soliciting to elect one of our own pilots to the ALPA First Vice President position during the October BOD meeting.
Even if we do get a TA before the end of August (I'm not holding my breath), we could cancel the Sep 1 picketing event, and no harm would be done. We've cancelled a picketing event within hours of it starting before.
"The FDX MEC Strategic Preparedness and Strike Committee encourages you to attend an event near you and stand in unity with fellow ALPA pilots and demonstrate our resolve, pride and collective strength to achieve pilot goals. Those of you living near these locations will receive an additional mailed reminder."
I'm sorry, but this doesn't inspire pride. It evokes embarrassment. I guess those of us living in Memphis won't be getting that additional mailed reminder.
So, anyway -- anybody bidding to have "late September" off?
.
08-09-2022 | 03:11 AM
#22
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,813
Likes: 0
Yeah, that's the ticket.
I'll just put 15-17 days of work into the first 21 days of this 5 week bid month and put all other plans on hold until the MEC decides to let us in on the secret. I don't believe that the MEC has no idea of the date like FXLAX stated as the good reason his rep gave him.
I have a better idea, why don't we all try to conflict our entire month so we have nothing on our schedules. Then, while we are waiting for the big announcement, we can fill our schedule getting drafted or picking up AVA out of open time. As long as we don't pick up more days than were on our awarded line, it's ok, right?
I'll just put 15-17 days of work into the first 21 days of this 5 week bid month and put all other plans on hold until the MEC decides to let us in on the secret. I don't believe that the MEC has no idea of the date like FXLAX stated as the good reason his rep gave him.
I have a better idea, why don't we all try to conflict our entire month so we have nothing on our schedules. Then, while we are waiting for the big announcement, we can fill our schedule getting drafted or picking up AVA out of open time. As long as we don't pick up more days than were on our awarded line, it's ok, right?
08-09-2022 | 02:58 PM
#23
Nice lookin' tree, there!
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,242
Likes: 14
From: Tool-Box, old man
Yeah, that's the ticket.
I'll just put 15-17 days of work into the first 21 days of this 5 week bid month and put all other plans on hold until the MEC decides to let us in on the secret. I don't believe that the MEC has no idea of the date like FXLAX stated as the good reason his rep gave him.
I have a better idea, why don't we all try to conflict our entire month so we have nothing on our schedules. Then, while we are waiting for the big announcement, we can fill our schedule getting drafted or picking up AVA out of open time. As long as we don't pick up more days than were on our awarded line, it's ok, right?
I'll just put 15-17 days of work into the first 21 days of this 5 week bid month and put all other plans on hold until the MEC decides to let us in on the secret. I don't believe that the MEC has no idea of the date like FXLAX stated as the good reason his rep gave him.
I have a better idea, why don't we all try to conflict our entire month so we have nothing on our schedules. Then, while we are waiting for the big announcement, we can fill our schedule getting drafted or picking up AVA out of open time. As long as we don't pick up more days than were on our awarded line, it's ok, right?
Keep the faith, I know I am!
fbh
08-09-2022 | 04:16 PM
#24
Thread Starter
Organizational Learning
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,948
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From: Directly behind the combiner
We should schedule our picketing event to occur on September 1st along with the rest of ALPA, and if The Company has a problem with that, they can bring their checkbook to the table before that and we can very easily cancel. Waiting until there is no TA and then planning something sometime later in the month is yet another choice to be weak, to play right in to the hands of the masters of stall, delay, and drag their feet.
.
08-09-2022 | 05:41 PM
#25
Thread Starter
Organizational Learning
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,948
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From: Directly behind the combiner
No mention of a "late September" event in today's Positive Rate Weekly Edition.
I guess they changed their mind.
But, hey, at least there will be another poll.
.
I guess they changed their mind.
But, hey, at least there will be another poll.
.
08-10-2022 | 04:17 AM
#27
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,813
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Pin, Did you ever consider that "the cake is still being made" (ie; the Union and the Company are still in negotiations) and "this" could upset the apple-cart? I'm giving my Rep and the MEC the benefit of a doubt. I also hope you were being sarcastic in the second part of your response. I was being serious, bid to work the first part of the month and be ready should negotiations go south.
Keep the faith, I know I am!
fbh
Keep the faith, I know I am!
fbh
As to your question about being sarcastic, that was what the sarcasm emoji was for. Yes, it was sarcastic.
08-10-2022 | 06:17 AM
#28
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 414
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From: Fetal in the hub
. And do it a straight pay, cause that'll really show them. "By God I am not doing this same trip for one cent more until we get a contract!"
08-10-2022 | 06:47 AM
#29
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Feb 2021
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Please don't conflate the lack of leadership from our MEC to any other issue. Their lack of leadership and abdication of their responsibilities to the "SMEs" stands alone. It should be the MEC's plan, the MEC's ask at the table, and it should be the MEC leading our resolve to "Get'er done."
Saying "all it well, stay calm, all is well" did not work out for Neidermeyer, and it won't work out well for the MEC. It is time for real leadership.
Saying "all it well, stay calm, all is well" did not work out for Neidermeyer, and it won't work out well for the MEC. It is time for real leadership.
08-10-2022 | 11:16 AM
#30
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,756
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Seems like the easy answer would be for the union to relay that they’re scheduling the meeting in early October, as opposed to late Sept, so people can know the date in time to bid for October.
But why do things the easy way?🙈
But why do things the easy way?🙈
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