It's not about his experience for me, although I think the Spirit group has been around long enough, and seen enough, that a study of our history should be part of new entrance. For example, we went through a rough time when a single carrier group of pilots ruled us lead by a very charismatic rep. Croneyism was a problem then, as were dissenting opinions, and phrases like "nothing is going to stand in my way" meant trouble. It's the behavior that gives pause, not JA's experience, because it reminds some of us of some dark days. The fact that the majority of this group comes from a single carrier...

Having said that, it's incumbent on newcomers to work within our union and be effective, not try to remake our union in the image of a former carrier. Our union is functional and has been getting better with every new group and every passing day. The direction change should have been a control input, not a control movement.

[/QUOTE]On another note, the recent LEC 77 communication states specifically that the MEC voted 6-0 on a particular resolution, and yet Amongero refused to act on it. Among other things, given that one of his prime responsibilities is to carryout the policies of the MEC (his feelings aside), I would call that a dereliction of duty.[/QUOTE]

Again, at their very first MEC meeting it was incumbent on them to sit across the table from the MEC and achieve consensus or give fair warning that the end is near. Arguments and threats should have been won or lost on the strength of their convictions. If C and P failed to comply then they could have easily been recalled at MEC meeting number 2. The conference calls they conduct weekly are a place for information to flow between all the officers and some general business, but they don't count when it comes to issues of this magnitude, and they weren't attended by all the reps consistently. Sometimes you just can't replace sitting across the table from folks getting your crazy out in the open. People don't have to be in the same tribe to achieve consensus, but we're better off when they do. Doesn't matter now, that part is done.

Lastly, no matter his experience, it is never a good idea from a human nature standpoint, or one of accountability, to be cut off from the herd. The entire MEC should have attended him, introducing him to Bendo, presenting a unified front even if things were rocky among the 6 of them. The charismatic leader I referenced above was famous for spending too much time with our managers who were definitely not on our side. It doesn't matter that there's no malfeasance, nobody at this airline has ever believed/trusted one of our leaders with the exception of Trimble or Sytsema from the way way back

 

Amen. I hope we don't dick this negotiation up with militant ra ra rhetorical bull sht.

Half if not more of the FO's will bounce

 

Fair enough.

Maybe true; however, to say that the union is being remade in the image of a former carrier is an assumption rather than a fact. Keep in mind that JA is the Chairman, not the MEC. The MEC still makes policy.

Agreed, but I would call a 6-0 vote consensus. The Chairman does not get a vote except to break a tie. That should remind us that whether he agrees or not is irrelevant. It is his responsibility to carry out the policies of the MEC, as I quoted directly from the Constitution.

Agreed again. My only reservation with that is that they had already shown a refusal to comply. If 4 of 6 members had reason to believe that nothing would change between now and the next meeting, then I can only trust their judgement on that because I wasn't privy to the meetings. That said, I think your argument may be valid.

Yup. I actually might add that to my list of great quotes.

Totally, but I don't know the details of how all of that happened, so even though I love a good verbal joust, I won't comment further.

 

Was there anyone who ran against Amongero at his last election? Why not use him?

 

Yea, that tops it all. In reference to harassment in the work place: Don't forget ALPA protocol only required it goes to Pro-standards first. If they don't resolve it there is no reason not to see a resolution from management.

 

Yes there was. He was completely ignored.

 

If there was a mole in the MEC, how is a confidentiality agreement going to stop it? An agreement between the union and the company does not stop a union officer from talking to the company (especially surreptitiously). It stops a union officer from talking to the pilot group or other outside parties that are not a need-to-know concern. Conversely, a confidentiality agreement limiting what a union officer can say to the pilot group is, first, redundant, and second useless. It does not stop him from speaking SECRETLY. Finally, a confidentiality agreement limiting what MEC officers can speak to the company is, once again, useless if it is happening surreptitiously.

 

Official word is that there will be no change to the negotiating committee and/or the direction they are headed in.

There are some other tidbits your p2p reps have. Please engage with them. If they don't have an answer they can get one for you.

Or if you hate talking to people just email: [email protected]

help us put a extensive FAQ together for everyone by submitting your questions.

 

Well that's too bad. Fort Lauderdale still has an outstanding resolution on the table to remove the entire committee of negotiators.

Contrary to what certain members of the Spirit union cabal want us to believe - this group of negotiators IS replaceable.

If you like your 18 hr four days, keep these negotiators.

If you like to fly a red eye turn on day three of a 6:00AM start four day, keep this team.

If you like flying for straight time, blame their masters.

If you want to move past the era of "we know what's best for you" finish the job and replace this team, and everyone associated with them.

The same people have been running the union for 16 years, it's time for a complete change.

 

Dreaming, (wining)!!!!!