I was working for an airline for 5 years....I had good attendance and did not have any problems with my co-workers. There was an imporant function I had to attend so I used by free flight benefits to attend the function. I could not get back in time for work so I called in sick. The truth of the matter is I just couldn't get back on an open flight. When I returned, I was presented a paper which I signed and shop stewart witnessed. I was terminated. A greivance was filed through my union and they told me they were going to work something out with the company. This process has been on going for 3 years now. When I call my union rep for an update on the case, she ignores or does not return my phone calls. I just feel cheated...I know other people that have done far worse than my case and got there jobs back. Am i being optimisitc? Should I just move on?

Any insights is greatly appreciated.

 

Just MHO, but-don't count on "your" union for anything, if you are not on the property and a voting member. You just don't exist anymore. Just ask the thousands of retired UAL, USA, and DAL retirees what kind of support was received after leaving the property. Forget about it. Find a good labor attorney and if able to afford it, use that angle. The union is fine while you are active and paying the piper, but afterwards..........

 

Every airline/union are very different on how they handle things. I know sick leave abuse (if you can call it that) is a huge topic at our airline. It's very difficult for an airline to fire a pilot for calling in sick. Especially since pilots cannot go to work with even the slightest aliments that other employees can relieve with over-the-counter drugs.

If, and I'm not saying these are your circumstances, the company can prove that you are on the sick list when you're not sick, they'll hammer you, even if you came clean. One way is if you called in sick and then got on an airplane while you were still on the sick list. Whether you were sick or not, at our company traveling while on the sick list is a one way ticket to the unemployment line.

If the evidence is strong against you, there's not much a union or attorney can do for you. It doesn't really matter what others get away with, as unfair as that might seem. This event shouldn't mean the end of your career, consulting with a labor attorney may help. Otherwise, maybe another move might be best.

Good Luck

 

If Sky1 and Old dawg are being genuine about the aircraft they fly (no offense gentlemen but there is an a$$load of posers on here) then it is not by intent to insult them.........but in my experience they could not be more wrong!

I (unfortunately) have personal experience in this one. I broke a rule and after weeks of suspension and the Chief Pilots almost hammering out a deal, a DO got a chubby and I got axed. Two years later I was back. Here's how it works.

1.The company makes a decision. termination

2. The union files a grievance. at the 3 to 6 month point the union ask the company "are you sure" to which the company will always say "yes"

3. Then the grievance is given the next step up which is basically "are you really sure?" again the company will say "yep, we're sure"

4. Then it goes to arbitration and the arbitrator is assigned, it's no longer dealt with in a group thing, and it is handled as an isolated event. the company lawyer and leadership will go to the table with the union leadership and union lawyers. one of two things happens. Everyone makes a deal, or both sides present their case. The arbitrator decides.

In my case we made a deal, I came back, kept my seniority, did a little double secret probation in the right seat, and I am now holding weekends off on our biggest equipment and my chief pilots think I'm doing a bang up job (especially on my landings!)

I will tell you that if you are not getting any response from your union, and you got fired for this isolated event, that may not speak well of how the company and union viewed you as a person. I don't know you, but that is a possibilty to consider.

What's important is that at every step of the way, you're union should be comunicating with you, assigning you counsel, and your lawyer and you should be talking often. If this is not the case, then you should sue your union first.

ALPA and my appointed ALPA attorney did a good job in my case and I'm forever in their debt.

It's embarrassing to admit to all of this, but I feel like if swallowing a little pride can help out a fellow aviator (and fellow bonehead) then it's worth the price.

Stick

 

I've been wrong before, and I hope in this case that I'm wrong again. I'm a little short on details, his story goes: I signed a paper, I'm fired, 3 years later and no one calls back anymore. Nothing about an arbitration. Sometimes the union does good, sometimes they don't. Depends on who's in charge.

Glad to see you made it back Stick, we're all capable of making mistakes.
I hope it works out for this poor fellow.

 

Thankyou gentlemen for sharing your thoughts. I guess all I can hope for is a prayer and leave it in the hands of the arbitrators.

 

Did you actually get confirmation that your case is going into arbitration? I may have misunderstood you, but your original post said you've heard nothing from the union after the grievance three years ago? Usually, you participate at arbitrations also.

 

No I never got anything on the arbitration. They don't even answer my calls when I try to follow up.

 

determined2fly, what airline did you work for and what union represents you? If it's ALPA, I may be able to point you in the right direction to get some answers if your local reps won't respond. PM if you wish.