Alpa e-mail and Trans States...
06-08-2010, 06:50 AM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Position: A320 gear monkey
Posts: 127
Alpa e-mail and Trans States...
This is John Prater with the BOD Update on June 7, 2010.
Another week has passed and our pilots at both Spirit and Jazz still find themselves without new contracts. Time is running out for both of these managements, but you can rest assured that our pilots are prepared for whatever might happen when we reach the cooling-off deadlines for both pilot groups.
The Spirit pilots planned a series of picketing events to turn up the heat on management during its final week of “cooling off.” You can join them on June 8 in Atlantic City, on June 9 in Ft. Lauderdale, and on June 10 in Detroit. For more details, please read the latest SPSC newsletter or go to our website. Meanwhile, ALPA staff and our National SPSC team has been hard at work behind the scenes preparing these pilots for any and all scenarios that might pan out come midnight on June 12.
The following 24-hours will be equally notable in Canada, as our Jazz pilots reach the end of their 21-day cooling-off period, which also expires on Saturday night June 12. The Jazz Strike Committee and SPSC has the Toronto-based strike center ready to roll, while both bargaining teams have agreed to go back to the table earlier this week for one last attempt to work out an agreement. The Negotiating Committee went to this meeting armed with the 99 percent strike vote authorization from their pilots, and for the first time, Jazz management brought key decision makers. Meetings are expected to continue this last critical week.
Moreover, the strike vote garnered attention from the Minister of Labour and the Canadian Labour Congress, who are both urging that settlements be achieved. Capt. Dan Adamus, president of the Canada Board, reiterated that both agencies are ready to assist in the process to facilitate a successful resolution.
I’ll keep you fully briefed on both of these situations later this week. I also trust that you will use your union leadership role in garnering support from our 53,000 ALPA members to support our fellow pilots with the resources it takes to secure the contracts they both deserve. Don’t forget to vote on the two separate BOD ballots to authorize the payment of strike benefits for Spirit and Jazz; we need a two-thirds majority vote and I encourage you to show 100% solidarity.
Two other pilot groups’ negotiations are coming to a head soon. The Pinnacle pilot group is entering the last stage of negotiations, and before they meet with the NMB again, the MEC is prioritizing its list of demands for what they expect out of a new tentative agreement.
Finally, the TSA pilots could be entering their last negotiating session. They’re facing a volatile management that might shut down the entire operation and shift all the flying over to GoJet instead of inking a new deal with our brothers and sisters at Trans States. You should know that these ALPA members are ready to make the critical sacrifice for the whole of the profession rather than accept a contract which lowers the standards for every pilot.*
Right in formation in the number 5, 6 and 7 slot, we have the Air Tran, Wasaya and Air Transat negotiations. I’ll have more updates on those and the entire second wave of ALPA pilot contract negotiations about to begin, in the weeks ahead.
These pilots and their ALPA leaders make me proud—as do all the pilot groups in negotiations who are taking a stand against managers and owners who have not yet recognized the value of their pilots or the value of working with their ALPA leaders and members to reach mutual goals. No, some managers continue to doubt our solidarity and the commitment of our Union. Unfortunately for them and their investors, they have not yet learned the easy way or have concluded wrongly that they can break this Union. I want each of our members and their families who are standing united, shoulder to shoulder, to know that this union of professional aviators stands ready to assist them with whatever decision they make.
From the Hill, Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) has introduced a resolution seeking to stop the National Mediation Board rule change that brings fairness back into the union election system. We’re working hand-in-hand with the Transportation Trades Department and other AFL-CIO affiliates to kill this latest misguided effort to put up a roadblock for airline workers who want to unionize.
Once again we have had personal tragedy strike several of our ALPA families. Our sincerest condolences and hearts and prayers go out to those pilot groups and MECs who so recently lost friends and family. Please take a moment this week to recognize the gift of family and of each other in our fraternal profession.
I’ll end on a note of congratulations to Capt. Dennis Dolan (retired Delta), former ALPA first vice-president, who, not surprisingly, emerged as the top candidate for the General Secretary post with the Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association. In this new role, he will guide the HKAOA through the execution of its agenda—just as he has through various other leadership roles within the aviation community. In addition to holding a national officer position at ALPA, he also served as president of IFALPA and as chairman of the Delta MEC. Everyone here at ALPA wishes Dennis and his wife Maritza the best in this newest chapter of his proud career as an advocate for our profession.
Please check out this week’s FastRead for more information from your union.
Fly safe.
"Finally, the TSA pilots could be entering their last negotiating session. They’re facing a volatile management that might shut down the entire operation and shift all the flying over to GoJet instead of inking a new deal with our brothers and sisters at Trans States. You should know that these ALPA members are ready to make the critical sacrifice for the whole of the profession rather than accept a contract which lowers the standards for every pilot.*"
This is news to me...
Another week has passed and our pilots at both Spirit and Jazz still find themselves without new contracts. Time is running out for both of these managements, but you can rest assured that our pilots are prepared for whatever might happen when we reach the cooling-off deadlines for both pilot groups.
The Spirit pilots planned a series of picketing events to turn up the heat on management during its final week of “cooling off.” You can join them on June 8 in Atlantic City, on June 9 in Ft. Lauderdale, and on June 10 in Detroit. For more details, please read the latest SPSC newsletter or go to our website. Meanwhile, ALPA staff and our National SPSC team has been hard at work behind the scenes preparing these pilots for any and all scenarios that might pan out come midnight on June 12.
The following 24-hours will be equally notable in Canada, as our Jazz pilots reach the end of their 21-day cooling-off period, which also expires on Saturday night June 12. The Jazz Strike Committee and SPSC has the Toronto-based strike center ready to roll, while both bargaining teams have agreed to go back to the table earlier this week for one last attempt to work out an agreement. The Negotiating Committee went to this meeting armed with the 99 percent strike vote authorization from their pilots, and for the first time, Jazz management brought key decision makers. Meetings are expected to continue this last critical week.
Moreover, the strike vote garnered attention from the Minister of Labour and the Canadian Labour Congress, who are both urging that settlements be achieved. Capt. Dan Adamus, president of the Canada Board, reiterated that both agencies are ready to assist in the process to facilitate a successful resolution.
I’ll keep you fully briefed on both of these situations later this week. I also trust that you will use your union leadership role in garnering support from our 53,000 ALPA members to support our fellow pilots with the resources it takes to secure the contracts they both deserve. Don’t forget to vote on the two separate BOD ballots to authorize the payment of strike benefits for Spirit and Jazz; we need a two-thirds majority vote and I encourage you to show 100% solidarity.
Two other pilot groups’ negotiations are coming to a head soon. The Pinnacle pilot group is entering the last stage of negotiations, and before they meet with the NMB again, the MEC is prioritizing its list of demands for what they expect out of a new tentative agreement.
Finally, the TSA pilots could be entering their last negotiating session. They’re facing a volatile management that might shut down the entire operation and shift all the flying over to GoJet instead of inking a new deal with our brothers and sisters at Trans States. You should know that these ALPA members are ready to make the critical sacrifice for the whole of the profession rather than accept a contract which lowers the standards for every pilot.*
Right in formation in the number 5, 6 and 7 slot, we have the Air Tran, Wasaya and Air Transat negotiations. I’ll have more updates on those and the entire second wave of ALPA pilot contract negotiations about to begin, in the weeks ahead.
These pilots and their ALPA leaders make me proud—as do all the pilot groups in negotiations who are taking a stand against managers and owners who have not yet recognized the value of their pilots or the value of working with their ALPA leaders and members to reach mutual goals. No, some managers continue to doubt our solidarity and the commitment of our Union. Unfortunately for them and their investors, they have not yet learned the easy way or have concluded wrongly that they can break this Union. I want each of our members and their families who are standing united, shoulder to shoulder, to know that this union of professional aviators stands ready to assist them with whatever decision they make.
From the Hill, Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) has introduced a resolution seeking to stop the National Mediation Board rule change that brings fairness back into the union election system. We’re working hand-in-hand with the Transportation Trades Department and other AFL-CIO affiliates to kill this latest misguided effort to put up a roadblock for airline workers who want to unionize.
Once again we have had personal tragedy strike several of our ALPA families. Our sincerest condolences and hearts and prayers go out to those pilot groups and MECs who so recently lost friends and family. Please take a moment this week to recognize the gift of family and of each other in our fraternal profession.
I’ll end on a note of congratulations to Capt. Dennis Dolan (retired Delta), former ALPA first vice-president, who, not surprisingly, emerged as the top candidate for the General Secretary post with the Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association. In this new role, he will guide the HKAOA through the execution of its agenda—just as he has through various other leadership roles within the aviation community. In addition to holding a national officer position at ALPA, he also served as president of IFALPA and as chairman of the Delta MEC. Everyone here at ALPA wishes Dennis and his wife Maritza the best in this newest chapter of his proud career as an advocate for our profession.
Please check out this week’s FastRead for more information from your union.
Fly safe.
"Finally, the TSA pilots could be entering their last negotiating session. They’re facing a volatile management that might shut down the entire operation and shift all the flying over to GoJet instead of inking a new deal with our brothers and sisters at Trans States. You should know that these ALPA members are ready to make the critical sacrifice for the whole of the profession rather than accept a contract which lowers the standards for every pilot.*"
This is news to me...
06-08-2010, 07:33 AM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,530
Originally Posted by ehe2
Finally, the TSA pilots could be entering their last negotiating session. They’re facing a volatile management that might shut down the entire operation and shift all the flying over to GoJet instead of inking a new deal with our brothers and sisters at Trans States. You should know that these ALPA members are ready to make the critical sacrifice for the whole of the profession rather than accept a contract which lowers the standards for every pilot.*
.
06-08-2010, 10:32 AM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2008
Position: Seat 0B
Posts: 1,214
Originally Posted by Speedbird172
If this is true it would be a good opportunity for GJ pilots to step up and do the right thing by somehow refusing the flying.
YouTube - Wish in one hand, crap in the other
06-08-2010, 11:04 AM
#6
I'm a man of my word.
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Position: Devil's Advocate
Posts: 2,883
Originally Posted by ehe2
"You should know that these ALPA members are ready to make the critical sacrifice for the whole of the profession rather than accept a contract which lowers the standards for every pilot."
I don't see how Waterskiers giving up their jobs to GoJet would benefit the profession... But I understand not accepting lower standards. Feels like a catch-22 to me.
06-08-2010, 01:52 PM
#7
2 days off
Joined APC: Jun 2009
Position: Embraer Systems Analyst
Posts: 1,853
I'm not sure what Prater was trying to say with the sacrifice thing. Probably something about industry unity but failed miserably in articulation.
Total replacement of TSA pilots would be practically, economically, legally improbable. Doing the flights to replace a striking pilot group indefinitely even under the most remote legal loophole, would be career suicide for those at Gojet. All Gojet pilots would be hunted till the end of time, not just the original ones. Keep in mind, today's regional pilots will be tomorrows mainline pilots. It's not the way to go. Their so-called union should be working with alpa to resolve this so that the whipsaw between them can end once and for all.
Total replacement of TSA pilots would be practically, economically, legally improbable. Doing the flights to replace a striking pilot group indefinitely even under the most remote legal loophole, would be career suicide for those at Gojet. All Gojet pilots would be hunted till the end of time, not just the original ones. Keep in mind, today's regional pilots will be tomorrows mainline pilots. It's not the way to go. Their so-called union should be working with alpa to resolve this so that the whipsaw between them can end once and for all.
06-08-2010, 05:41 PM
#9
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2009
Posts: 596
Originally Posted by minimwage4
I'm not sure what Prater was trying to say with the sacrifice thing. Probably something about industry unity but failed miserably in articulation.
Total replacement of TSA pilots would be practically, economically, legally improbable. Doing the flights to replace a striking pilot group indefinitely even under the most remote legal loophole, would be career suicide for those at Gojet. All Gojet pilots would be hunted till the end of time, not just the original ones. Keep in mind, today's regional pilots will be tomorrows mainline pilots. It's not the way to go. Their so-called union should be working with alpa to resolve this so that the whipsaw between them can end once and for all.
Total replacement of TSA pilots would be practically, economically, legally improbable. Doing the flights to replace a striking pilot group indefinitely even under the most remote legal loophole, would be career suicide for those at Gojet. All Gojet pilots would be hunted till the end of time, not just the original ones. Keep in mind, today's regional pilots will be tomorrows mainline pilots. It's not the way to go. Their so-called union should be working with alpa to resolve this so that the whipsaw between them can end once and for all.
Today's GJ pilots are also [ironically] today's legacy pilots as well. If anybody truly cared, ALPA wouldn't allow an ALPA carrier (UAL) to outsource to such an airline, not to mention supply GJ with furloughed pilots from the major carrier. There's no such thing as flying belonging to a regional airline.
GJ pilots (both off the street and "jet for job" employees) have nothing to fear as far as career expectation. The "originals" as you call them, are never going to leave anyway. They make 6 figures a year, get 14-16 days off a month, including weekends, and live in a city where most of them are from.
06-08-2010, 06:02 PM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Posts: 888
Originally Posted by bernouli
Today's GJ pilots are also [ironically] today's legacy pilots as well. If anybody truly cared, ALPA wouldn't allow an ALPA carrier (UAL) to outsource to such an airline, not to mention supply GJ with furloughed pilots from the major carrier. There's no such thing as flying belonging to a regional airline.
GJ pilots (both off the street and "jet for job" employees) have nothing to fear as far as career expectation. The "originals" as you call them, are never going to leave anyway. They make 6 figures a year, get 14-16 days off a month, including weekends, and live in a city where most of them are from.
GJ pilots (both off the street and "jet for job" employees) have nothing to fear as far as career expectation. The "originals" as you call them, are never going to leave anyway. They make 6 figures a year, get 14-16 days off a month, including weekends, and live in a city where most of them are from.
If NMB will release them this year TSA will strike and then we'll see really where the Gojetters stand, I give it 50/50. The only thing that might grant them some moral fortitude are the United guys who won't want to forever be labeled as true Scabs.
Of course, these may not be career minded United guys since they decided to torpedo their return to united by providing their skills to the regional causing the job loss.
True it all flows from Tilton, but we as pilots don't need to help him out.
And don't give me that feed my family crap, unemployment is more than gojet and if you really want to feed your family perhaps it's time to explore other career avenues since this one is sooo helpful.
