Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyby1206
Agreed, but APA is more eager to risk their future on Parker's promises as opposed to Horton's reality.
1. I cant blame them, since they have a duty of fair representation to their members.
2.It wouldnt be prudent to turn away someone offering DAL+ contracts when Horton is trying to gut them.
3.For the record I dont see how Parker can financially support the promises he makes, but that's not for me to worry about.
(Hope you don't mind me re-arranging, to get points across easier).
1. I have the agreement in front of me, and this is absolutely laughable. Have you read it? "Duty of fair representation"...and they cannot even vote it down? Are you kidding?
2. DAL+ contracts...sorry, this will NOT happen, at least not for the first 6 years...and then, guess what, we'll be negotiating again...How long do you think it'll take?
3. For the record, IF you have read this document, it's easy to understand why Parker will be able to financially support the "promises" he made...Because the pilots will be paying for it all...yup, we want something, we have to give something else up...Cost consessions...
APA pilots do not have to vote on this agreement, did you know that? Well, they'll be voting, all right, but if they turn down the agreement with Parker, the agreement already calls for BINDING ARBITRATION...and already have the lead arbritrator name on the agreement. And guess what? The agreement already calls for a super fast arbritration: 60-90 days...So just don't even bother to vote! This is a done deal!
(The same 19 page agrement calls for this super fast arbitration numerous times throughout this document, having the same arbritrator named every time).
I was totally amazed that APA would have signed such an agreement, it would be better to let the judge break the contracts! Don't be fooled by the $172/group II pay that Parker is promising. (BTW, Parker and his team showed up in CLT for a USAPA meeting, and was all ga-ga over the $172 for group II capt. When they didn't get the standing ovation they expected/wanted, they were wondering why? They were told..."well, 172/hr is good, however, it's all in the details"...And these details are eye opening!)
BTW, hearing from APA pilots first hand that they know they're about to get royally screwed, and there is already talk about dumping APA and switching unions to ALPA, Teamsters etc. so as to be able to re-open this contract. When one hear this even before the ink is dry on the document, one has to ask...hmmm.
If this agreement stands, which I believe it will, we'll be taking pay, and/or benefit cuts within six (6) months of the merger...yup, sometime by next summer! We can keep our 172/hr for grp II capt., but we gotta give something else. Vacation, per diem, sick time, retirement, and medical benefit are some items to start thinking about. What would you like to give up to keep 172/hr?
The only way for this NOT to happen, is for Parker to agree to modify some of the language. USAPA negotiating committee is involved at this point, and the East has Change of Control language that might/should give us some leverage. I'd personally like to get the West's rigs, I want to work less, not more!
Remember one thing, there is one person that want this agreement more than most pilots: Doug Parker!