Magpuller

I understand the meat of the RLA as I've read the whole thing cover to cover...but the suggestion that the Govt. would imprison over 2000 pilots for refusing to work under a sub-standard contract is very unlikely. Technically, you are correct, but realistically it wouldn't happen. I understand the fear that such penalties impose. But think about this..if the RAH PG wallked out they would be ordered to return to work...Well...then they just say, only if the company continues to negotiate in good faith, no fine is assessed will we return, otherwise we collectively resign from RAH.

They need to set precedent in how they handle it and as I stated before they need to all be willing to risk unemployment. That alone means it won't happen anyway. Too many armies of one in the ranks of pilots these days.

ross9238

Yep and unity among pilots is just a feel good thing. Sounds good to say it but in reality it will never happen.

Nevets

What does this have to do with the NLRB?

Outsider

The PATCO strike has absolutely nothing in common with a civilian strike under the RLA.
The PATCO guys were government employees and their strike was actually in violation of Federal Law.
They even used the document they were each forced to sign as a condition of employment that stated they understood it was against the law for them to strike.
And actually I don't think it's the RLA that is the enemy.
The enemy is the NMB and what it has become.
I believe an understanding of what the NMB is; a government agency with a "Mission Statement" that has become corrupted and contaminated by politics over the years, is the key to changing things.
The NMB has just as much responsibility to declare an impasse (when one exists) as it does to continue to try to help the parties reach resolution.
Use any and all political clout you can muster to force the NMB back in to its original and mandated "Mission Statement".

Magpuller

Well put, I agree 100%

StuckInReverse

100% true. In fact this is HR day 1 today and you have to be sworn in(!) as agreeing to the terms too. I know because I signed it and left the profession to be a pilot. What I was smoking when I quit, I still don't remember and it keeps getting through the drug tests.

tomgoodman

As I recall, the AFL-CIO leadership thought the PATCO strike was ill-advised and might cause future harm to organized labor. Publicly, they criticized Reagan for overreacting, but privately, they were upset with Robert Poli for not consulting them, and they did virtually nothing to help PATCO.

Outsider

Well yeh, and shame on the AFL-CIO.
But things were very complicated regarding this.
PATCO was not a member of the AFL-CIO and they harbored a grudge against them for supporting Reagan. Not to mention again it was strike in violation of federal law.
The fallout from the strike while it has been significant is more a matter of impression than conception.
At any rate the issue today with pilots is confined to forcing the NMB back to its mission rather than allowing them the power grab they've engaged in over the last 25 or so years.
They are a government agency; any power you allow them to take, they will use.
They actually have gotten to the point where they think their mission is to "successfully" resolve the issues before them.
They actually think that's their goal.
They don't have a goal; they have a mission, spelled out in their Mission Statement.
They must be held accountable to it or anyone under the RLA will be held prisoner to their tainted definition.

another graybeard

RogerDorn

HAHAHAHAH I literally just laughed up my beer!

JamesNoBrakes

The ATO (air traffic controllers) guys still have the best contract in the FAA...food for thought.