I happen to believe that senior people have it in them. I believe management went one bridge too far and offered a TA that was a big FU to the people that have spent 25+ years making FedEx work. Does anyone really think Fred respects weakness?

 

About as much as he respects "because we deserve it'.

 

Hey... I'm a 19 yrs. "new hire". Anyway... Can we all get along here? As the infamous Rodney King would of once said? 4,288 independents! I've been more lately examining or scrutinizing our Anthem Buy Up (which I currently have). I'm here to tell you that while I fully expected, and was preparing that OUR insurance premiums would increase. Unfortunately, it's happening NOT only at the Fed Ex Corp., but it's all over and at many companies who are sharing the cost burdens with their employee groups. However, my concerns as they should be with everyone else is also the MAX OUT OF POCKET (per calendar year) increases. Specifically, look at the TA INSURANCE sect. blue insertions. The Buy Up option, "in network" as I'm thumbing through this crap! And, then to top all of this off, by upwards of 20% monthly premium increases through out a 6 yrs. TA! Holy cow. That is more than I had expected to pay, out of my pocket. Anyone else feeling pinched already? I feel that this is unacceptable in the amount of increases, given that FedEx is doing well as a whole. Why are we going to accept these hefty increases? This is a "big picture" item expense for us and needs to be fixed (already). A NO vote is swaying me.

 

Dan's Words: "Don't be timid about voting no. Take a look at what's been going around you. Unions at other airlines have recently turned down TAs. Some have already renegotiated. The post-no process needs to be lean and fast. A short poll, main points identified and mediated negotiations resumed and concluded all within 60 days. UPS has called for a strike vote. Typically, Union unrest at a sister cargo company nets additional business. We are undermanned with peak looming. We can close a good deal before Thanksgiving, one worthy of our dedicated service!"

I've had the privilege of working with Dan since the 777 came on board and respect and value his opinion a great deal. His integrity is impeccable and for those who feel he's being selfish with this all I can say is that's not in his DNA. It's true he's a Marine, and a damn good one at that. There are other Marines on property who have tried like hell to sell us company propaganda like "PBS is a good deal for us." He's not one of them, and when he says something people listen for good reason.

His perspective and opinion is the most important post on this entire TA thread and should be read by all and taken to the bank. I was riding the fence primarily due to external factors beyond our control (the economy, the NMB not being on our side, opinions from a lot of people I trust saying this may be the best deal we get, and the fact we blinked at a very bad time). Dan's letter has persuaded me we need to have a huge NO vote on this, not some 55-45 CF waffle. Let's circle the wagons and follow some sound advice from someone we can trust. All we risk is living under the old contract for a bit longer.

 

Jolly, take a look at Dan's timeline calculations again. Remember that the vote for this TA closes 20 Oct. At one point Dan mentions 60 days. That would be roughly 20 Dec. At another he says "by Thanksgiving". That would be just over 35 days.
Given what will have to happen if this TA gets voted down on 20 Oct, how would you define "a bit longer"? I ask, because you say that is all we have to risk by voting the current TA down.

 

Rock,
I hear what you're saying, but I think the "60 Day Period" Guido refers to is nothing to hang our hats on. It's an estimate, best guess, maybe best case. It could come as early as Thanksgiving if the Company wants to get through Peak with a best case for us to be successful, or the powers at be could dig in and things might get ugly. There are a lot of unknowns. When I say all we risk is living with a old contract a bit longer, that may be a poor choice of words. Ultimately what we risk is living under this old contract for the immediate future, maybe even another year. Guido's letter has swayed me to believe that our best chance of getting some real improvements we deserve is now. As much as I want to surrender and give in, his words have motivated me to hold the line with my fellow pilots. It's moved me to a firm NO. I'm willing to risk working under our old contract until we get what we deserve.

 

Thanks. I think that's a reasonable argument.

 

Guys, look at this website, great comprehensive look at entire TA in a digestable format. The good, the bad and the ugly.

purpleta.com

FDX Pilots TA2015 Analysis

The link may not function in the forum, SO TYPE IT you lazy pilots!!!

 

If a guy who knows what goes on behind the management curtain says vote no, then you know we have all the leverage we need for a better contract than this TA. Anybody on the fence should take this as a sign from above or the Pope since he's here today.

 

The APC world has truly turned upsidedown. Our union is lying to us and selling us a bill of goods, and the smartest thing we can do is follow the advice of someone with direct ties to management.