I gotta hunch the so called "TA" wont make it past the MEC to the pilot group. It will get shot down and certain sections will get re-opened. Have some faith in our MEC leaders, I think they will scoff at a contract they think will get shot down by the pilot group. If it does happen to pass the MEC and get in our hands and it does suck, then we have every right to vote them all out of office and elect new officers that we think will get the job done. Either way, I still do not see a new contract this year. Maby late next year at best. Strike Hard, Strike Fast!!!!

 

from what I have heard, this TA will be a complete joke. Just start with the pay and keep going. 75% DHD pay etc...
The Memphis flying club strives to make 9E simply the worst... but trust me they are all getting ready to start counting there $ with this so called signing bonus.
We cant not let this go to a W2 wages thing...

 

Remember... It's the north mississippi flying club...

And the couple "club" members that I butt heads with are getting their W-2 wages bonus formula thrown back in their face. Pilots from all ranges of the list, longevity, and seats worked up a new formula. It's still somewhat complex but it pays the top 100%, instead of 5%- and doesn't throw the average joe's who DIDNT get bought off every month under the tug. And no.. I can't release the formula but if this TA does go to a vote and the formula is NOT released I will release it myself and take the heat. This entire process does not need to be politics- it's facts and decisions made by the group in a democratic fashion.

 

I sincerely hope it doesn't make it to a vote...if it does make it, I believe it will pass. The company did a good job of increasing pay in the right areas that won't cost much, but will get votes. Here's what I mean: we have 600 FO's that need $$ and will get a bonus plus all the second year fo's will get a substantial raise (about $10/hr)...That'll be good for over half voting yes...I'm gonna say around 400 FO's say yes so they can afford real food every month. Then you have the super senior guys who don't plan to leave...I'm gonna say those who've been here over 12 years. Rumor I've heard is at 18yrs, CA's go over $100/hr. They aren't turning that down. Mark another 100 votes in. All that's needed is 650 votes +/- and with those 2 groups they have around 500 yes votes give or take 50. There is still at least 400 people to vote and they just need 150 of them to say yes.
The 2 biggest issues for me is SCOPE and BONUS. Scope is rock solid from what it sounds like, but bonus is unacceptable. Bonus is all you really have with a contract. Here are 3 fairly recent contracts (within 5 years): ExpressJet, Mesaba, Comair, all of whom have given concessions on their agreements. Bonus is yours. They've had almost 5 yrs to get my money together and now want to pay me less than half of what's owed when they should be paying intrest! AND they want to do it in 2 checks?!?!? This cannot pass the MEC. SE, SHUT THIS TA DOWN!!!!

 

THe MEC vote will likely be very close, same with a pilot vote. You all need to be communicating with your reps and tell them we don't need to have another crap contract for 8-10 years. Be patient, shoot it down and go back to the table if it sucks as much as it sounds like it does. Waiting for one more year for a much better contract would be way better than waiting for 8-10 years for it.

I can't believe that the negotiating committee was able to sit at the table for almost 5 years and not either 1) Get us released, or 2) Get a decent deal.

 

Don't forget, much of the contract was already agreed to before the current committee took over

 

Send 'em back!

 

This is true, much has been TA'ed for 2-3 years now and is already out of date. The MEC is always making recommendations to the negotiating committee though, they elect them, is thier responsibility to oversee what they are getting done.

 

Remember--hold your tongues guys--daddy's sitting in an air conditioned office somewhere reading this...reminds me of a great German film about the Stasi in East Germany called "The Lives of Others."

 

Keep in mind, A NO vote means:

2-3 years at the current low pay rates

Company can forget about having to pay $10M bonus for 2-3 years, increasing available cash

Scope? Nada, keep growing Colgan

No need to worry about attrition, there isn't anywhere to go

No guarantee that a contract 2-3 years in the future will be much better than this one

Anyone who thinks this wouldn't take at least another 2-3 years, just look at Airtran. Re-electing new union leadership, re-opening all the TA'd sections, waiting to get released again.. forget it.