Well that's why I said "I believe" I was just reading the order of things, which you've backed, and the way it was written made it sound as if the vote by the pilots to strike comes after the mediation. Mediation did begin in 2006 and since nothing has happened they did request arbitration. I didn't know if they were done or not with this step. The fact the pilots voted to strike led me to believe so. I'll have to get one of the PNCL guys to chime in.

Jan. 2005 bargaining began
Dec. 2005 "best offer" was made
--pilots rejected offer--
--Company has since stalled talks--
Sep. 2006 Mediation began
<<<somewhere in here arbitration was requested, possibly started and finished iono>>>
Dec. 2007 Pilots voted to strike

 

Yeah, but the NMB is the only entity that can release them from mediation. I don't believe that has happened. Even having both parties agree to arbitration would be HUGE news. If either would have happened it would have created multiple page threads.

 

"Want me to recant my statement that PNCL pilots didn't get approved to strike? Ok I will."

Works for me. Just looking for accuracy in the overall scheme of things.

 

Just voted... number 820. Excellent turnout so far.

I voted for the proposal, for the reasons I previously have stated. Based on the fact that many of the folks here who have expressed their no vote, also express that they supported ALPA, I'll guess that this package will roughly mirror that vote.

My prediction: 59% in favor, 41% opposed.

 

Prime example of why we don't get paid what we should.

 

Here's the actual ALPA Press Release:



Release #07.PCL2
December 3, 2007

ALPA’s Northwest Airlink and Delta Connection PCL Pilots Vote Overwhelmingly to Authorize Strike

WASHINGTON – Pinnacle Airlines pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), and flying for Northwest Airlink and Delta Connection, showed their unity and resolve by voting to authorize their elected union representatives to conduct a lawful withdrawal of service if contract talks with management do not result in an agreement and both sides are released to economic self-help by the National Mediation Board.

The 1,200-plus Pinnacle pilots were loud and clear with their message to management, with more than 99 percent of responding pilots voting to support their union leaders should they call a strike “at such time as they deem it prudent and advisable.”

“After nearly three years of negotiations, during which Pinnacle Airlines has continued to post a profit and increase its flying with the new Delta Connection Air Services Agreement, our pilots have had enough,” said Capt. Scott Erickson, chairman of the Pinnacle pilots unit of ALPA. “Pinnacle pilots haven’t had a raise in several years, and we’ve seen very little progress from management in negotiating a contract that recognizes our role in the success of this airline.”

“Pinnacle pilots love their jobs,” Erickson added, “but many are leaving the airline because the company’s pay, benefits and work rule proposals are unacceptable and substandard, and our current contract does not adequately compensate the pilots for the amount of work they currently undertake.”

“Pinnacle management needs to understand there is an extremely high level of frustration among this pilot group that can be easily rectified with a fair contract,” he said.

Pinnacle pilots and management have been negotiating for a new contract since February 2005. Pilots and management remain apart on issues such as retirement, job security and compensation. Both sides entered mediated negotiations in late September 2006.

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing more than 60,000 pilots at 42 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org.



If you'll carefully read what ALPA actually said, and what the Railway-Labor Act says, and discard the inaccuracies that the media tend to inject in reporting, you might be able to articulate an accurate statement about the matter.


For starters, you could just repeat the first line of the story.

"Pinnacle Airlines pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), and flying for Northwest Airlink and Delta Connection, showed their unity and resolve by voting to authorize their elected union representatives to conduct a lawful withdrawal of service if contract talks with management do not result in an agreement and both sides are released to economic self-help by the National Mediation Board."


Or, a shorter version:

Pilots voted to authorize union reps to strike IF they are released to self-help.



When you say something that is less than accurate, you betray a lack of knowledge of the matter and you add to confusion. That may sound rather harsh, but I understand you were only getting your information from the media, so the misunderstanding is not that unexpected. Thanks for providing an opportunity to clear it up.



Your original point was good, and I apologize for distracting from that. I just wanted to make sure that it didn't propagate misinformation or confusion.




.

 

I should have made my posting clearer, sorry. I meant that, compared to all other airlines we rank the highest in productivity meaning performance. Yes, working less and getting paid more while maximizing time off is an increase in QOL and I do feel that SKW pilot are among the best at that as well.

As far as your earlier posting on 1.95%, yes I fully understand what union pilots gain from having representation, but I was making an argument that most pilots at SKW make. Personally I would rather pay the 1.95% because it’s insurance, in many ways. Also, 1.95% being fully tax deductible means what, an extra $100 on your tax returns?

Good day.

 

Thanks for the effort.

This is not what we deserve and you know it. Make any argument you will but the fact remains that Mgmnt owes us much more but well never get it because of our lack of bite.

 

Jim Jones would have love you...

 

does anyone?