Educational series will begin in the near future. As stated above, exact survey information published could harm the negotiation efforts so I wouldn't expect it.

What do you guys make of Connies letter this morning?

It makes me even more skeptical of the “Connie can’t wait to throw money at us” theories.

That is absolutely sound reasoning, and has been clearly communicated by the MEC and Chair.

But it also implies a certain level of trust in the MEC by the rank and file. That trust has been stressed by the lack of transparency with other ad-hoc surveys, and the lesson has hopefully been learned.

By all means, use surveys, but unless they rise to the level of requiring lack of transparency (akin to executive privilege), then they should be fully published. Someone among the union is probably smart in statistical analysis, but at the very least, after the data crunching is over, openly publish to the membership:

- State the need for the survey
- Method of selecting the appropriate questions
- Demographic (statistical relevance)
- Results/data
- MEC conclusion/way forward

If an ad-hoc survey is too important to open the kimono afterward, then maybe other ways of measuring the data should be explored. Otherwise you're cashing in the trust capital that will be needed for the big show.

Well... I mean, it's not a surprise per say.

Whenever I hear someone say "I was at YIP last month and they told us that they keep having to turn away so much business...", I want to open MISA and reply "I'm sorry, what were you saying again?"

I think Connie's letter comports with the reality on the ramp. Although for once I wish someone would just let the dictation machine run so we could get it in his own eloquent tapestry of words.

Anytime you publish results of a survey, you're handing those results over to management indirectly. Ask yourself, do you want this information in their hands? Published results of these surveys can impact things as important as grievances, future CBA language, and negotiations. It's just not worth doing. I'm all for transparency, but there is a lot of information that doesn't need to get blasted to the masses. I know that can be frustrating but some trust is required. Trust that leadership is taking this data and making informed decisions, which they are.

I was wrong. Learning has not occurred.

Noted.

Posturing for negotiations? All we ever hear is that we make money hand over fist. I just feel like we wouldn’t have hired all summer if the cargo industry is slowing down...

The way I see it he is just playing his cards close for negotiations with multiple labor groups as we expand and become something more than a 121 supplemental operation. Dispatch, although a small group, has negotiations coming up and are just now unionizing with TWU. I have to imagine this isn't the only group changing and wanting a 'real contract'.

I agree. They probably wouldn't have hired all year if things were getting worse. This is aviation though so crazier things have happened...

have you ever been at an airline in contract negotiations before?