First off I agree with you 100% about forcing you to work, and I argued the same things with my union reps at DAL. They told me what I am now telling you. The issue is not what you as an individual do, but what the group collectively does. This is fairly easy for the company to prove even without the paper/electronic trail that has already been promulgated.

As to what would happen - who knows, each situation is different but if the past is any indication this is my best guess.

First off - the company will take legal action to try to win a judgement and/or injunction.

Eventually both sides will come together and conclude a deal and the judgment will be waived as part of the agreement. This is how most other cases have gone but it does not mean that Spirit will follow this path.

So far so good, now here is the bad part. If the company does win a judgement that will go directly to the companies side of the ledger. For example if the company wins (and I am just pulling numbers out of thin air) a $10Million suit your union will start bargaining from a hole.

So what you don't want to do is give your company additional leverage that will be used against you. This is why I say follow your unions advice. The market and supply and demand are clearly and strongly on your side. Hell I bet even your management team (despite what they say publicly) knows that they will be greatly increasing compensation to attract/retain Pilots.

I know its hard advice to follow in the heated section 6 environment but a little patience and discipline will bring far greater rewards then blowing off steam on a forum.

Good Luck Guys!

Scoop

 

No.......we can swap that for the quid they owe us!

 

Thanks Scoop! I totally agree with your last two posts. I'd just like to comment that I think that Bobby brought this upon himself with his "cost neutral or cheaper contract" talk and of course stating just over a year ago that we are "low tier." His public comments along with those of other executives of Spirit Airlines have finally pushed this group just enough. I for one hope the group stays angry until the company comes to the table with a realistic proposal. They are thugs and they are getting the pilot group they asked for.

 

Nailed it!

 

That darned weather must really be having an effect on operations.

Offers for triple pay apparently now going out to LAS crews.

 

Our contract doesn't have provisions for triple pay. I'd like specifics so I can file an NCC

 

Wouldn't that be close to the 150% open time pickup the NC is looking for in the new contract?

 

Dunno the specifics, just heard it from a Vegas pilot.

Either way, I really hope the pilot group bands together on this one here and helps out. This could be serious.

Someone's bonus is on the line!

 

Can't sue the group for not working on their days off.

 

Yes they can. It's already been done.
If the amount of open time being covered by folks on days off has significantly changed from prior to negotiations they sure can. In addition if it's causing the company financial duress today they can.
It's not suing one individual for not working on a day off.
The suit goes against the entire group.

I posted the link to the DAL suit against the pilots.
Here's a copy of a portion of the findings.

"(4) There has been a substantial reduction in overtime requests since August of 2000. This reduction dramatically increased throughout November and the first days of December, 2000. The reduction has resulted in the cancellation of hundreds of flights which has seriously inconvenienced tens of thousands of passengers. When compared to the requests for overtime during the same months of 1999, the statistics differ so substantially that the difference can only be explained by the efforts of an undisclosed number of pilots to undermine contract negotiations, seeking leverage for a salary increase.

(5) An undisclosed number of pilots are actively encouraging, through e-mail and other means, the rejection of overtime opportunities. This "no-overtime" campaign has primarily been effectuated through e-mails, many of which rise to the level of intimidation and harassment. These communications include messages encouraging pilots not to respond to phone calls from Delta regarding inverse assignments. Not answering these calls effectively forecloses Delta's ability to staff the flights that are normally staffed by the pilots electing to fly overtime but are suddenly electing not to.

(6) This reduction in requests for over-time is causing harm to Delta and the traveling public. Delta has lost millions of dollars in revenues, rerouting expenses, extra operating costs, and overnight hotel and meal vouchers. Additionally, Delta has suffered loss in the form of good will and traffic which is immeasurable. The public has suffered loss in time and money from the delays and cancellations which is also immeasurable.

(7) Neither the Union leadership nor the present Delta Master Executive Council ("MEC") of ALPA supports this effort and both have, in fact, counseled against it. The Delta MEC serves as ALPA's coordinating council for Delta pilots. Pilots at pilot bases are represented through ALPA Local Executive Councils ("LECs"), whose elected representatives constitute the Delta MEC."