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A Perspective and Opinion of the Current TA

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A Perspective and Opinion of the Current TA

Old 09-22-2015, 09:14 AM
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Arrow A Perspective and Opinion of the Current TA

The following essay comes from one of the most respected Instructors ever minted at Federal Express. Like E.F. Hutton, when Captain V talks, people listen. Please give your attention:



---------------------------------------------

A Perspective and Opinion of the Current TA
from a Senior Wideboby Captain Approaching Retirement



To the reader, know this opinion paper comes from the perspective of thirty-two years of service, over 20 of which have been as a wide body Captain. This is an important overlook as I have been paying the highest level of dues to our union over a long period of time. I mention this because I expect a return on this "investment". In my case, I have been a union member/supporter at all times.



This TA is both appalling and an insult to those in the twilight of their careers after funding the coffers of FedEx ALPA. The MEC appears to have forgotten those whom they serve by constantly re-manipulating the so-called "pillars" of negotiable desires polled from the constituency and that which was promised by the former MEC Chair. There is "nothing" in this TA that values the financial support of the senior ranks thus insulting their multi-decade contributions. Thank you to "the four" who dissented!



Specifically:



There is no change to the A-plan. This is an incredible slap in the face as it was the most important "pillar" to be captured in negotiations. The increase to the B-plan is worthless to those who will retire in the next 18 to 36 months. (No time to accrue/compound). It would appear that the SLB and SLB Plus are attempts to mitigate the absence of A-plan changes via a buy-off. It is abhorrently flawed. Specifically the clause tied to one's DSA; because it is the lesser of the (3) provisions which gives a pilot with a zero bank NOTHING! So hypothetically a pilot who has been fighting cancer for 2 years has no retirement bonus other than maybe the PLUS, IF he qualifies. This is inexcusable. I cannot imagine anyone developing or proposing such a thing. This in itself nets a no vote regardless of what is contained in the rest of the TA. Those 500+ eligible to retire have no time left to truly benefit from the monetary increases proposed. (Which are woefully low).



Supposedly, at the end of negotiations for the existing CBA, any A-plan modifications were deferred to this round of negotiations. This is a six-year deal! It is not likely to be re-negotiated for another (8) when history repeats itself! For those of a younger demographic, your retirement future needs to be secured now. Retirement is your family's security. Any talk about how defined benefit plans are a thing of the past are mere rubbish. We just happen to have one and it needs to stay and provide meaningful vehicles to keep up with cost of living increases, etc.



IF the SLB and SLB Plus elements of the TA are truly intended as a retirement buyout from the general accounting funds of FedEx instead of overloading the overall pension fund via a cap increase, COLA, increase in multiplier, etc., it would have to be considerably more. Consider that the average male will live to 85, 20 years beyond mandatory retirement age. In very rough numbers, a $285,000 cap would net an additional $12,000 per year retirement income, a 10% increase. So, if the company pension fund can't support that draw, any buyout would have to provide an equivalent plain and simple. In the example provided, it would have to be $240,000 versus the $150,000 proposed in the TA. (Note the $150,000 is the max anyone can draw). Remove the highly discriminatory and insulting tie to the DSA. Sure, keep the retirement date guarantee clause but with one more modification. If the regulatory retirement age changes again after a pilot has guaranteed a date, he can withdraw and gets one more chance should he choose to stay employed. The company can still plan its manning around that. This proposal is only $90,000 more per pilot retiring. This is $1M per 4 pilots retiring over the 6-year term, a very reasonable figure. Without a doubt, while senior pilots are the most experienced and safe, they can be less productive due to higher susceptibility to injury/illness and maximizing of (5) weeks of vacation. If a retirement "buyout" of this reasonable magnitude is accepted, the company gains more productive and less expensive senior pilots and many more pilots will move up the list. And one more point: we no longer foster flying sick or feeble (foregoing corrective surgeries) because retirement bonuses are tied to the DSA.



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 joined our union for two main reasons: I don't believe in a free ride and I wish to have a voice. I've never been a militant member of the constituency and never will be. But I am a realist and this incredibly underwhelming TA which has taken a criminal amount of time to finish is a stunning insult to the support I have given to both the ALPA and FedEx. We need and deserve better.



Captain Daniel T. Ventre

B777







.
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Old 09-22-2015, 09:29 AM
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Wow, after reading this, for the first time since this TA came out, I can now say I'm no longer a definite Yes vote. I am now leaning No.
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Old 09-22-2015, 09:40 AM
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I wonder if there will be a "hell no" button.....
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Old 09-22-2015, 09:49 AM
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DV has and always will be a class act. His perspective should be weighed in GOLD and then some. The crew force better wake up and realize the absolute, stunning failure this TA represents.

This is a PIVOTAL event in our union's history and future. The results of which have a significant impact on every FDX pilot and their families.

Voting YES is an acceptance of less than mediocrity.
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Old 09-22-2015, 10:12 AM
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He was Chief Pilot when I got hired. Been around him a few times and always was a reasonable guy.
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Old 09-22-2015, 10:13 AM
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Kudos Dan for the outstanding write up. Although I have a little over 4 years left to go I will be the first in line to vote No for this crappy TA for the following reasons.

1. The amount of pay raises that are no more than COLA and stretched out over the incredible length of this contract.

2. Nothing improved in the A plan and the B plan joke.

3. The attempted bribe to get one to work like a dog your last two years and then cheating you out of one half of a benefit that one has clearly earned.

4. Work rules changes that clearly favor the company and give the crew forces a few crumbs.

5. Finally I cannot in good conscience let my fellow Fedex aviators have to live with this extremely poor TA for the next 6 but more like 10 years. Oh and the next contract will not be any better. Your lives are going to be a living hell.

Respectively,
Capt. Alan S. Cheak. B777
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Old 09-22-2015, 10:33 AM
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Dan V has earned my respect for his actions and demeanor for over a decade.
Wow, He is a straight shooter. But "I thought" had a tilt towards Mgmt having been one.
Now I can see what he has always been a man of conviction.
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Old 09-22-2015, 10:47 AM
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I have known Dan for over 22 years and long before I was considering leaving active duty in the Corps. He has always had my utmost respect as a leader and I'm proud to say as a mentor. I've been at FedEx 19 years now and my opinion hasn't changed. Wise words from a wise man.
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Old 09-22-2015, 11:18 AM
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I've never met Capt. Ventre but I was a lowly line pilot for his entire "tour" as System Chief Pilot. As I respectfully read each of his e-grams I almost always felt as if I (and all other FDX pilots) was being reprimanded? But ... I (we?) hadn't done anything wrong!*?

Capt. Dan left his SCP position saying, "We have to do something about that retirement cap" which made me assume he was likely making MUCH more than that and he was joining the "We have to fix MY retirement problem!" club?

Well, well, well ... now it's time for him to retire and HIS A FUND hasn't been fixed! What was he able to fix for the line pilots when he was in a Management position? Did he fix any of those things? Did he make ANYTHING better for the average line bubba?

Capt. DV seems well liked and respected by his USMC buds. Maybe he really is a "Stand-Up-GUY" and I'm out and I'm out of line trash-talking him? Personally, "I'm not feeling his pain" as he gets ready to head out of the door with the same benefits as the rest of us ...

Poor guy ... I feel really bad for him! GMAB!


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Old 09-22-2015, 11:22 AM
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Some tools need to go back in the toolbox.
MM has spoken.
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