This is NOT going to be a popular post. But it is sincere and I hope anyone taking the time to read it will likewise take the time to actually consider the intent before they light up their flame-throwers. It is what it is, though...so have at it:

I personally think SM leaving is an opportunity for Union leadership to put-up or shut-up. I could go on for pages detailing how leadership on both sides of the table has been ineffective. Leaders ALWAYS lead...either they lead in an upward trend...or in a downward trend.

The perpetual ying/yang relationship of good vs evil finger-pointing and blame-roulette has existed between labor and management since the first caveman told the second what to do. And ever since that very first instruction, each has assumed the others incompetence and ulterior motives. The inescapable fact is that we are all in the same boat. Neither can exist without the other. Some get it, some dont. But I digress, let me get back on my heading so that yall can begin hammering me for speaking up.

Union leadership has been continually pointing out how inept management is. That's their job. If the union says anything neutral let alone positive about management, they are branded as turncoats and lynched at the first opportunity. Sometimes their accusations of impropriety and misguidedness are even valid. The current Charlie Foxtrot is a stellar example of how the management got it wrong...way wrong...full deflection, reverse sensing, back-course, gear-down/flaps-up, low-fuel, aft-cg, inverted and pulling back on the stick...kinda-wrong. Gratz on calling that one...but its kinda like telling the CA he's drunk but letting him take the seat anyway.

"I told ya so," is of little consolation. But there is the inevitable argument that "We did all we could." And while we can futilely debate the accuracy of that claim. The point is, yeah, folks did stuff. Yay.

But NOW there is a chance for union leadership to strap-on a cape and bust through the door (like superman...not like the Kool-Aid guy) and say: I told you what you were doing wrong...now I'll show you, and fix it. I can save the day.

Its a make it or break it chance to ___ or get off the pot. Stop arm-chair quarterbacking and get your hand on the ball(s). Its just a business. Run the da(r)n thing and stop sniveling. The board is faced with a choice of putting someone in the seat. It might as well be someone with a plan...and something to prove.

If the union can divert this bird away from its pink line into the ground....Then it can dust itself off and say "I told YOU so" to the board. And all the other boards...airlines...consumers...everyone will pay attention.

Fly it all the way to the gate....

Just my observation.

Very VERY sorry for the impact this is having on anyone and everyone in the industry.

 

So are you recommendIng the union run the company?

 

Seems like a no-brainer solution to a no-brainer problem.

If ya want something done right, do it yourself. The union has presented plans for more effective cost reductions and streamlining. They obviously have the brain-power and operational knowledge. Most businesses that tout themselves as "employee owned" seem to survive fairly well. What if you up the anti and make it "Employee RUN".

Yeah, I know. And Santa Clause will deliver this miracle in a sleigh pulled by eight tiny easter bunnies led by a unicorn with a glowing red-horn. I know it'll never happen. Simply because in Business Terminology "Severable Liability"....or as we used to say when we were younger... "1-2-3 NOT IT!!!!" In essence it is so very much easier to criticize someone else than it is to actually DO SOMETHING yourself. This is evident in almost every aspect of modern life, but particularly true in business and politics.

So, again, I know it would never happen.

But think about the possibilities.... What if....

 

 

Just how does a labor union tell the Board and Chief executives "We're in charge now"?

 

Ive apparently overestimated the capacity of our membership.

Simply put, you don't demand control.

You do, however, point out to them that their approach didn't work, and the heir-apparent is likely to be equally insightful in problem solving. Then you point out your past recommendations and once again show the math with an explanation of "Gee wizz...had this and that been done...maybe your investment would be worth slight more than that oil stain under the baggage tractor.

And as you eloquently and politely remove yourself from the bees nest you just stirred up, you might offer the quip: "Ya know, doing the same thing...over and over and over again...and expecting a different outcome. Is one definition of insanity. What's in YOUR game plan? Ours is sitting here ready to go, NOW."

When the officers bail, the NCO's are in charge by default. Somebody somewhere has to make decisions rather than merely crying.

I'll do it. FOR FREE. I doubt I could possibly screw it up any more than other people did...EXACTLY AS THEY DID WITH THEIR PAST EMPLOYERS.

Heck...go find a McDonalds shift lead.

Hire a brand new Business school grad who hasn't developed bad habits yet.

Beg Lee Iacoca to save your arse, and offer him 50% of the company.

Or...turn it over to the folks that are already making it happen; the boots on the ground; the troops in the trenches....whatever metaphor works for you.

You ask how the LABOR side becomes the MANAGEMENT side.

I ask, how can you not? How is it humanly possible to sit back an watch what's going on and only complain about nobody doing anything.

Im not an employee. I have no legal standing. Im merely a bystander watching the trainwreck with lots of my friends on board. I cannot do ANYTHING on the behalf of ANYONE. but there are plenty who can...plenty who SHOULD...and plenty who should be asking why they arent.

 

TASERS!!!!! TASERS D@mm*T!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

The union has asked to help, they don't want it. We wanted to have volunteers go sit in payroll and do whatever was necessary to get this pay crap sorted out, they said no.

 

I don't think he is suggesting the Union physically take charge. More of a "your way didn'twork so why dont we try ours" approach. It could be a good experiment. The Union is always touting that they tried this or that, why not make them prove it. With the direction things APPEAR to be heading, whats the worst that could happen?

 

No.

I am suggesting EXACTLY that the union take charge. Floundering around wimpering "woe is me" doesn't get anything DONE.

Have whoever is the mucky-muck union guy in charge.. the guys whos been saying he can do better than Menke at finding solutions... have him submit a darn application that says CEO in the position field. Heck, have EVERYONE submit an application for the vacancy. Surely there is a huge pool of talent available that doesn't have a graveyard of dead corporations in their closet.

No diplomacy crap. No maneuvering. No B.S.

Actions not words. Product not promises. all that rah rah crap that means nothing until someone actually does something.

As for the pay issues: has each effected employee filed INDIVIDUAL regulatory complaints with the US Department of Labor, Wage and Hours division for failure to compensate? If not, then the union leadership isn't giving very good advice. Has each effected employee THEN filed INDIVIDUAL regulatory Complaints with the Tennessee Department of labor Fair Wage Act that requires full payment in a timely manner? If not...then the union isn't giving vey good guidance. Has anyone files Civil suit against for Fiscal NON-Feasance (look it up), Fiduciary malpractice, or fraud? if not...then the union isn't giving very good guidance.

Again....the point is....there is SO MUCH that can and should be done. we are three weeks past the "I told you so" point of no return. There is nothing to lose. put-up or shut-up. Lead or follow or get the hell out of the way so that someone can.

Menke just got out of the way.