Fax your resume in, RAH needs YOU!
 

Dear Pilots:

We understand there are some deep concerns on behalf of the pilot group with regard to the Company filling 170 captain vacancies out of seniority order. The Union was approached by the Company one day before the vacancy bids were due and was informed that the Company had severe staffing shortages caused by high pilot attrition and lack of J for J pilots accepting Republic vacancies, coupled with limited SIM capacity. We were told that the alternatives were to 1) cancel flying on the 170 aircraft and risk possible repercussions from the code sharing partners; 2) cancel all annual vacations for the pilots; and 3) fill the 170 captain vacancies out of seniority order.

We informed the Company that the cancellation of vacation and the filling of vacancies out of seniority were both clear violations of the CBA and we expected the Company to do neither but to cancel planned flying. The Company informed us that they were either going to cancel vacations or fill the vacancies out of seniority, and which violation did we prefer. We told them in protest that we preferred neither, but, if they filled vacancies out of seniority order that the Pilots must be pay protected and it would have to be ratified by the pilot group since it would be an amendment to the Agreement. The Company sent a letter of understanding regarding the bypass issue and we have refused to sign it. We are still in discussions with the Company exploring any and all alternatives.

We are appalled at the audacity displayed by the Company's glib proclamation that the contract will be violated one way or another, then expecting us to choose which violation we prefer. Furthermore we are outraged at the preemptive announcement regarding the seniority bypass in the clear and unambiguous absence of any agreement. There is no support whatsoever for the Company's action under the CBA.

While the vacancy awards have been posted by the Company, there will be no activity with regard to them until April 9th. Until that time, we will continue discussions with the Company in an attempt to resolve this matter. If the issue is not resolved, we will take the appropriate legal action. The Company's action constitutes an unlawful alteration of the CBA.

It is imperative that the membership allow the established processes and procedures to continue until the issue is resolved in a satisfactory manner or until all avenues are exhausted. We are working the problem aggressively and ask for your patience in what is, by its nature, a complicated and time consuming process.

We will keep the membership apprised as the events unfold.

Fraternally,

E.E. Sowell
President, General Counsel
IBT Local 747

Thats nuts

Why are they going to have to fill out of seniority order?? Is there a minimum time requirement for the 170??

Yes, these jets have steep insurance requirements. This is going to be a huge problem for most regionals very soon. There will be a 1500 hr captain and an ab-initio FO with zero time.

so what is the FO / CA insurance minimum? 1500 FO / 3000 CA?

I don't know why we are all suprised? We should have all seen this coming. This is the precursor to higher wages down the line. We should rejoice!! Pilot supply and demand!

This sounds very interesting, hopefully the company will be able to survive without codeshare trouble, and at the same time, hopefully they won't be allowed to bypass the CBA.

It is interesting though, if they're having a hard time staffing the airplanes because the qualified pilots are leaving for other ventures, it would make sense that the best bet would be to find a way to retain those qualified pilots. Which tells me they'll be forced to up pay, or increase compensation somehow. This will probably end up being a problem across the board for people with the large RJ's, especially when demand for these aircraft is growing and qualified pilots isn't.

this is just the beginning my friends...........times are changing, My dear friend skyhigh I am sad for you.......you are going to miss the greatest comeback this industry has ever seen. Rejoice my good friends............rejoice

TT is not the issue here, RAH has not been hiring any 500 hour wonderkids. The issue is that they are so low on all 3 fleets, that when the issue a bid, they don't have any replacements when they send 40 E-170 FO's (example) to training.

So they want to backfill out of seniority only from fleets where they can take the hit.

It's an absolutely crazy time everywhere.....

Ok, I just woke up so I am a little slow. Let me get this straight. Republic is hiring off the street Embraer 170 captains?