FYI

Negotiating Committee Chairman's Message
October 11, 2015

On behalf of Bill, Tom, and Andrew, I want to thank everyone who attended one of our 7 roadshows around the system, as well as those who participated in the webcasts, call-ins, and hub turn meetings we’ve held since the TA was published. The questions we received were wide-ranging and in-depth, showing a desire for accurate information and an involved membership. We’ve received hundreds of questions through the TA Q&A forum on FDX Pilots > splash2. I would like to thank our ALPA staff and attorneys, both locally in Memphis and at ALPA National. Our local committees have also provided valuable support, knowledge, and expertise, especially in training, scheduling, retirement, and insurance.

As we enter the home stretch of the voting process, we will be conducting call-in sessions (Wed., 10/14 0800-1000 CDT and 1300-1500 CDT; Thurs., 10/15 0800-1000 CDT and 1300-1500 CDT) and taking questions via the website. It’s important that you get the accurate information you need to make an informed decision and vote prior to 10:00 AM EST, Tuesday October 20th.

One of the biggest obstacles in all contract negotiations in recent years is social media. While it provides a venue for contact, camaraderie, humor, and opinion, it also can be used as a platform to deliver inaccurate and unverified data and analysis. Many times, these data points and opinion are also veiled by anonymous screen names without any point of reference for the author. Your MEC Negotiating Support Team has worked tirelessly to provide you access to the most accurate, up-to-date information through communication updates, videos, P2P, Family Awareness, and our website (FDX Pilots > splash2). On that site you can also find communications and opinion pieces from your elected representatives, both those who endorse this TA as well as those who do not support its ratification. There is new information being posted daily.

Some new information that we just received concerns the retro signing bonus. The LOA (TA page 557-559) outlines the distribution methodology and process that will be used post-ratification. Preliminary confirmation of data has been completed with the Company (there will be a further verification of data under ALPA Policy if the TA is ratified) and the signing bonus amounts have been adjusted (higher) due to those per pilot calculations completed with the Company this week. The new amounts are "no less than" estimates, and should be close to what the final distribution amounts will be, subject to the provisions and further corrections and adjustments required under ALPA Policy, as outlined in the LOA.

The new amounts are:

Widebody Captain

$39,000

Narrowbody Captain

$33,000

Widebody FO

$26,000

Narrowbody FO

$22,000

Widebody SO

$22,000

Narrowbody SO

$22,000

I want to again thank you for your unwavering support of the negotiating committee and the long process we have collectively endured. The result of our unity and singular voice at the bargaining table is what delivered the industry leading TA you have before you for ratification.

In Unity,

Why is the signing bonus based on some date in August, instead of date of signing?

Hasn't it always been based on date of signing in the past?

Just guessing here but the initial calculations may have been based on actual data available as of August. It's now approaching mid-October, hence the adjustment. The final "tweak" if the TA passes will be after all data is analyzed for DOS. The new published numbers are minimum. It may remain unchanged or go up marginally.

That assumes accurate calculations by the NC. It's been called into question by the evil social media and NO vote block reps. Maybe the next review should be how the DOS compensation rates were derived. Break out the calculators and get it right.

If we vote the TA down and it takes 2 years to negotiate a new one, the August date will look like a good deal for Management!*?

Negative.
The signing bonus is tied to all credit hours flown. If it's 6 months, a year or more, the hours rack up and the bonus increases. As long as that provision is retained of course.

This adjustment comes across as nothing more than an attempt to buy votes.

I can accept money being thrown at me to buy my vote.

But that minor bump ain't getting it done. We'd have to revisit multiple sections of the contract for that to happen.

It's all about money with the company. I agree. Show me the money. I didn't leave the military many years ago to fly here for some higher, honorable purpose. I'm a freight mercenary ... and so is everyone else. Some know it and some don't.

I like it, sounds good! I appreciated the letter from the NC and the update, to do less would be....... negligent and disingenuous.

"One of the biggest obstacles in all contract negotiations in recent years is social media. While it provides a venue for contact, camaraderie, humor, and opinion"

I voted yes. Nice job from the NC to keep the information flowing.

I started to reply and just had to stop as there is no use.
I like information. I just like it to be complete and without agenda.