CaptainCarl

I have been jumping in and out of the call all night. Anyone who has been listening all night, can you summarize what they have been talking about? Will they post the recording on our ALPA website? Thanks.

Copperhed51

The call began with the MEC guys talking about how the last round of negotiations went. Basically the summary of what they said was that they almost TA'd 4 more sections and the company offered the MEC a package deal on those 4 sections. Apparently the whole thing looked good except for one very important paragraph in the System Board section. That paragraph basically made it so that anything that goes to arbitration is bound by the precise wording of the contract and makes the arbitrator completely worthless. No longer would he be able to use standard practices and historical practices to make rulings. The MEC said that paragraph was like a "poison pill" to the whole thing the company offered so they declined and that caused all 4 sections to not be TA'd. You'd think the company would allow the other 3 sections to be TA'd and then work on the 4th later but nope.

I guess there are 19 out of 28 sections that have been TA'd. A couple of those sections are minor like definitions and such but there are some pretty big ones like compensation, etc.

Also they talked a lot about the process of being released to self help. They were optimistic about the appointment of the new person to the NMB (should be confirmed by congress by the end of May or June I think they said) and think that should help us out a lot. They said the bridge agreement appeared somewhat like a last ditch effort to get us to behave until they can maybe get GoJet figured out or something. That's not the MEC's exact wording but that's the impression I got. The MEC echoed the belief that TSH might be having trouble getting funding for the GJ side since TSA is in negotiations and possibly nearing a strike. They also said that we all know you can go to one bank for a loan and get denied and go to the next and get approved so who knows.

The issue of GoJet came up and they said there is still a grievance open about that but there is a lack of evidence for the traditional sense of an Alter-Ego. The traditional way to create an alter-ego is to close the doors one day and open up the next with the exact same company with just a different name. That's not what happened with TSA/GJ. They also mentioned another avenue of persuing the issue but I forgot what that was. Either way, the grievance is still open but there is just a lack of concrete evidence that ALPA needs. They said they could persue it at any time if they had the evidence.

A lot of the Q&A surrounded the GJ stuff and the MEC guys echoed a lot of what's been said around here. They think GJ is using TSA to fund GJ and if they can just stretch out the negotiations longer, they might be able to get rid of TSA. On the other hand, they say we are the 2nd lowest paid and one of the the top 5 most profitable regionals so there's no reason for Hulas to really want to be rid of us. So who knows what'll happen there.

Another point they made is that in order for us to get released to self help we need to be fairly close to a new contract but just at an impasse on a few sections. So it is in our best interest to TA a few more sections and that's why they think the company offered the 4 sections as an "all or nothing" package. They didn't want us getting too close to TA'ing the whole contract and knew that poison pill would get the deal rejected.

I can't remember much other than that. I hung up after about 6 Q&A questions to do some P90X (crazy good workout for anybody looking for something to do during their furlough). If anybody has anything to add or thinks I should delete anything that is too revealing, feel free to say so.

undflyboy06

Every waterskier, either active or furloughed should send an e-mail to their senator advocating the cause of swearing in Linda Puchala to the NMB. Puchala is a pro labor advocate and her swearing in will give a 2 to 1 advantage in the NMB. I'm going to be making a rough draft tonight and e-mailing my senator tomorrow.

U.S. Senate: Senators Home

This link will take you to a site where you can find the senator that pertains to the state where you live. You can then e-mail your senator.

Purpleanga

Did they say why the company rejected the single list proposal since it wouldn't cost much anyways. Hulas's cover is blown, GJ is using TSA for funding and will eventually be taking over TSA. TSA pilots will strike if there is anything short of job security so why is Hulas trying to dance around the inevitable? Is there a chance for Hulas to cease TSA ops anyways??

250 or point 65

JERK! I skipped Plyometrics to listen to the whole thing. Now I gotta double it up with Shoulders and Arms tomorrow!

My question had to do with the feasibility of actually merging the lists.

I hear BURFLYER and others on here always go on about "gojet's pilots wouldn't go for it" and on and on, so i wanted to know if it were actually possible. So here it is...YES.

The possibility lies in getting mgmt...through the contract...to admit fault in the grievance. Of course, they wouldn't just do this, so we'd have to give a lot to get a lot i think, but thats the negotiation comittee's job

I was really impressed by the whole process and really appreciated the lawyer's views on things. It really validates our position i think.

undflyboy06

I found the discussion that pertains to GoJet possibly using TSA's profits to help fund their fleet very interesting.

It would make sense. The proposal that management made for the bridge program would extend our already expired contract, which would put TSA in a situation where profits can still be make. Then once the time frame for the bridge program expires GoJet will be more financially stable. This will put TSA in a bad situation, because we would loose the leverage of striking.

Copperhed51

Oh man, that sounds like it's gonna be a brutal day. Good luck with that!

I was impressed also. They said that the company won't even discuss the matter of merging the lists right now. They were under the impression that the company is holding that until the very end of negotiations. Maybe something to discuss during the cooling off period. It was a very informative call though.

CaptainCarl

Thanks Copperhead, undflyboy, purp, and 250 for the update. Anyone know the max number on the call? I checked it once at 76.

250 or point 65

At one point i think they updated it at 110....was there a way we could check?

flaps 9

Stay strong and stay united!!!!

When the time comes, do what is right. You will find that there will be plenty of support for you guys when the "line in the sand" is drawn.

Ex waterski

'99-'06

P.S. I hear that I'd be lucky to hold a reserve Captain in STL with my seniority. Is that true????