Mainline strike effect on regional carriers
06-12-2010 | 08:59 AM
#1
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Does NOT get weekends off
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From: ERJ - 145
Mainline strike effect on regional carriers
I tried looking this up and read back a few years but couldn't find the answer.
Lets say a mainline carrier (United, Delta, American, etc) has its pilot group go on strike. What would the appropriate action be by the regional carriers who fly the colors of the mainline carrier?
For instance, United pilots go on strike, but Republic flies under "United Express." Do those flying those routes also go on strike? If they flew, is that considered scabbing?
What about "Wholly owned" carriers like Comair - if Delta pilots went on strike would comair pilots also or does that have no effect?
I am a CFI so I have no real knowledge of the intricacies of unions and such. I was just curious. Thanks and good luck Spirit pilots!
Lets say a mainline carrier (United, Delta, American, etc) has its pilot group go on strike. What would the appropriate action be by the regional carriers who fly the colors of the mainline carrier?
For instance, United pilots go on strike, but Republic flies under "United Express." Do those flying those routes also go on strike? If they flew, is that considered scabbing?
What about "Wholly owned" carriers like Comair - if Delta pilots went on strike would comair pilots also or does that have no effect?
I am a CFI so I have no real knowledge of the intricacies of unions and such. I was just curious. Thanks and good luck Spirit pilots!
06-12-2010 | 07:37 PM
#2
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From: 319/320/321...whatever it takes.
It is up to the Union to define struck work. When NWA struck in 98, the union took a "snapshot" of the flying of the regional carriers. The regionals (Mesaba, Pinnacle(formerly Express 1)) were allowed to fly routes that the regionals were already flying, even if NWA also flew those routes. However, if the regionals tried to increase frequency (more flights)or lift (bigger equipment) then that would be considered flying struck work. Obviously one could not go on Mesaba from Detroit to L.A., so it didn't affect the regionals to a great extent, but it was closely monitored.
06-12-2010 | 07:51 PM
#4
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From: 319/320/321...whatever it takes.
Yes they would be Scabs, but their contract has in it a 'no flying struck work' clause. In other words, they can honor a strike and not be disciplined. One of the good things about having a contract (and a Union).
06-22-2010 | 05:11 AM
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This is the wording from the RAH contract:
The way I read it, in the absence of specific guidance to the contrary from the striking mainline union (such as was mentioned above regarding NWA's '98 strike), if it is in that company's paint, it doesn't move.
The RLA also permits secondary strikes.
The Company will not transfer any Company aircraft or schedule
any pilots to fly any trips for airlines that are on strike unless
mutually agreed by the Company and the Union.
any pilots to fly any trips for airlines that are on strike unless
mutually agreed by the Company and the Union.
The way I read it, in the absence of specific guidance to the contrary from the striking mainline union (such as was mentioned above regarding NWA's '98 strike), if it is in that company's paint, it doesn't move.
The RLA also permits secondary strikes.
06-22-2010 | 07:48 AM
#6
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From: Executive Transport Driver
It all depends on how the striking MEC defines struck work. In most cases, it's a "snapshot" like previously stated.
ACA was subject to a similar "snapshot" provision when Comair when on strike. All of our Delta Connection flying was frozen in place, but the company could (and did) end up adding and flying some of the struck routes under our United Express brand.
Even though the flying was done by pilots at the same company and on the same seniority list (ACA), it was not considered struck work because all of the benefit went towards the United side of our operation and not towards Delta.
ACA was subject to a similar "snapshot" provision when Comair when on strike. All of our Delta Connection flying was frozen in place, but the company could (and did) end up adding and flying some of the struck routes under our United Express brand.
Even though the flying was done by pilots at the same company and on the same seniority list (ACA), it was not considered struck work because all of the benefit went towards the United side of our operation and not towards Delta.
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