Apa
 

"Set your sights lower." Tell that to the 1900 furloughs and the stagnated pilots on the line. Your a shoe in for a union position. Come on down.

The NMB has indeed created stability in the transportation by allowing corporate interests to trump that of labor. If the RLA and its pilot, the NMB were truly functional, they wouldn't be assisiting the interests of one side as they frequently do if not directly, then by default.

Several air carriers (notably regionals) have been at effective impasse with their pilot groups and have had amendable contracts for many years. The improvements requested were substantially closer then what the APA is asking for. Self help at these carriers by labor would have minimal effect on the transportation system, yet the NMB will not allow self help by labor (or even the initiation of a cooling off period) which in effect is rewarding the intransegence of obstanate corporations that know full well perpetual stalling is in their financial interest.

When corporations see willing assistance in this strategy by a supposed neutral mediator and facilitator, it makes it virtually impossible for labor to ever be taken seriously by the companies they provide service for. As long as corporations refuse to bargain in good faith by only offering "cost neutral" solutions, there will likely never be any closure toward some "close gap" that would supposedly allow self help by labor if necessary.

The system is completely broken as it is and that's just fine with the two entities that matter, that being our government and the master that owns and controls them...........corporations.

I've read your stuff with interest, and you're smarter than to pretend this is an issue of free-speech.

You've consistently been making an argument about our MEC's approach, in part by drawing a comparison with APA's. There is a theme there, which makes me suspect you're associated with our MEC. Still, I don't resent it, because I think you're making a valid point on our forum, or the Latest and Greatest thread, where your target audience resides. But I think it was crossing the line when you (most definitely) told APA to set their sights lower. There is something a little pedantic in it, and if I may say so, a little pathetic. I know you can do better.

eaglefly, you are 100% spot on. Now, what are you going to do about it?

There are two schools of thought, one demonstrated by APA and one by DALPA.

APA: propose what is "fair", demand nothing less, but get nothing because the deck is stacked against labor.

DALPA: propose something that will pass the sniff test, take the minimal improvements as they come, slowly craw your way back to a reasonable standard of living.

We should ALL be working to make the playing field more level for labor. In the meantime, you have two choices: a) get nothing or b) get a little. There is no option c) get what you deserve.

Each airline union gets to decide which path to take.

What's better? Set your sights on $300/hr and fail to achieve it, thereby staying at $200/hr.

Or, set your sights on $230/hr and achieve it?

Results matter. Sights? Not so much.

Guess again. Below is from the NMB:

The NMB's integrated processes specifically are designed to promote three statutory goals:

• The prompt and orderly resolution of disputes arising out of the negotiation of new or revised collective bargaining agreements;
• The effectuation of employee rights of self-organization where a representation dispute exists; and
• The prompt and orderly resolution of disputes over the interpretation or application of existing agreements.

While you clearly promote the logic of our DALPA/management, I hope all APA members use their own best judgement on how to proceed. Your "bend over" negotiating position is embarrassing.

Carl

Sad isn't it...

Carl

That kind of thinking will never win anything, just somehow survive without any pride or feeling of accomplishment. What is so wrong with demanding $300/hr, and fight until you get it, from a team that makes $10K/hr while you are fighting it? Go for the $300/hr APA, you have my vote..

AA wants yet another concessionary contract from AA pilots. They want scope effectively emasculated so they can eliminate 1500-2000 APA pilots and replace them with commuter caliber contracts from AE as well whipsaw against other contract regionals.

Short of capitulation by the pilots, it really doesn't matter how "reasonable" the APA is. There is no reason for AA to negotiate anything when they have the NMB and the RLA on their side.

That's your call, and I respect your right to make it. In the meantime, DAL, who exited bankruptcy in 2007, now pays their B777 pilots and B737 pilots more than AMR. It is unheard of that a carrier post BK has industry leading rates. CAL took 20 years to catch up after their BK.

Keep up the same strategy, and DAL will pass AMR in ALL categories in 2011.

How much "pride or feeling of accomplishment" is there when APA to date has accomplished nothing? :confused: