Are you going to be voting RPC or FAPA?

 

Quick answer: RPC

Long answer:

I still need to learn more about the RPC idea, but I like what I've learned so far. I'll spend the next few weeks learning as much as I can to see what I think the best option would be from my perspective. But to answer your question, I will not be writing in FAPA, nor do I imagine any of the Frontier pilots will.

It seems to me that RPC is a bargaining representative structure that the NMB would recognize as the bargaining representative for all of us. If I understand it correctly, the RPC (being a group of RAH and F9 pilots) would then delegate the day to day administration, negotiations, etc. of each existing CBA to the "bargaining agent" of choice as determined by those working under each CBA. Probably IBT and FAPA for starters, but it really doesn't need to be either of them. The key is that RPC would allow us to take a major step towards unifying our pilot groups without all of the bad blood associated with forcing one group into representation they do not want. It's a "bridge" in a way. Through the RPC, both sides can utilize the experiences and resources of the other to jointly pursue the overall interests of the 2 CBA's. By working together in a joint/cooperative capacity like this, we hopefully can move past the bad blood that has been created by this process. After all, we are all essentially the same, right? Airline Pilots, but working under different capacities under different certificates. To me, RPC looks like a better option as far as the relationship goes. It gives us all time to mend the divisiveness while pilots from both side work as one to guide the overall direction of the labor relationship with the company. Given success there, then I see no reason why RPC may be a huge stepping stone towards the goal of overall integrated unity. It's certainly worth exploring if you ask me.

I tell you what, I'm not going to vote IBT as I have too many issues with them. That's just me (and probably all of my comrades here at F9). I'm also not going to write-in FAPA or ALPA. I like the RPC idea so unless something crazy happens, RPC will get my vote.

 

Wait , are you saying that the current RPC has 3 FAPA and 3 Local 357 exco members or are you saying that this is in the future?

Why would any current 357 members would take part in RPC? Can you explain it to me?

 

Why not? If the vote determines RPC to be the Bargaining Representative for all RAH pilots, wouldn't they want the representation and influence the RPC provides?

Contact me and I'd be happy to explain RPC in more detail.

 

I believe you can send a message to RPC Webmaster to get your login credentials if necessary.

Contact Us

 

The future RPC will have six reps, three from each group.

Why would any current 357 member take part in RPC?

Here we go with the Ben Franklin pro/con list;

Pros;

1. No change from status quo, if they want IBT they keep IBT
2. Go independant if they want, a choice they will lose for at least another two years if the IBT prevails.
3. SLI litigation goes away immediately
4. Pending barrage of DFR lawsuits against 357 go away immediately (local 357 has no ability (financial or manpower) to adminster FAPA CBA
5. Financial support from FAPA dues immediately (shared committees)
6. Possible annual savings in over $700,000 of wasted dues money if they decide to go independant
7. Furlough protection, if we end up on one list, and aircraft start to disappear, the IMSL will determin who goes and who stays (the "no bump, no flush" only applies to the snapshot that occurs when the list is put together.) The fence does not apply to 190's. What aircraft are we taking delivery of starting in August? How many CPA aircraft are scheduled to disapear in 2012? 2013? One list equals furloughs from the bottom of the IMSL. If you don't believe me you need to ask Eischen for a clarification, immediately. I really would not be taking the word of a pilot/volunteer if it meant having a job or being on the street. The Tier III IBT pilots should be demanding a clarification from Wilder and Eischen.
8. Concession protection, FAPA is currently in Indy discussing concessions. Do you want one list, one voice, one CBA with Concessionary negotiations occuring?
9. Ch. 11/1113(c)or (e) protection, if the Frontier restructuring effort fails, RAH will cleave off Frontier and restructure in court (this exact type of holding company/certificate BK was completed at Mesaba)Do you want one list, one voice, one CBA when a portion of the holding company enters Ch. 11 restructuring? How much leverage will the IBT 357 have in negotiating pay raises when a judge is reviewing an 1113 filing?
10....shall I continue?

Cons

1.

I am biased, but I honestly can't think of ANY reason why a current 357 member would not vote for RPC.

Think of everything you have today, then improve the following items.

More robust committee structure
Very experienced volunteers
Dues revenue increase
Potential for future independance

The more I think about it, the question should not be "why should the Local 357 vote for the RPC".

The real question is "why wouldn't you?"

 

It seems to me that many IBT pilots have already "decided" against anything that is not IBT. It's unfortunate to think that people can be so closed-minded, given the impact this vote will have on our careers. I understand why the RAH pilots want to keep IBT and why the F9 pilots want to keep FAPA. The great thing about RPC is that it allows both sides to do just that or to choose something different. Under the RPC structure, the RAH pilots can continue to have IBT administer and bargain for their contract. Is that not what you (IBT) pilots want? The only reason I see not to vote RPC is the fact that you want to force the IBT on a group of pilots that have no desire to have the IBT represent them--and with that same vote claim that we are now "one". The irony would be comical if this wasn't so critical to the future of our careers.

Forcing the IBT on the FAPA pilots would create as much unity as forcing FAPA on the IBT pilots--more specifically--NONE. That's where the RPC has a leg up on both FAPA and the IBT. Personally, I'm not asking anyone to blindly vote for RPC. All I ask is that we all take time to inform ourselves and ask the necessary questions to make the best decision we can. If after doing this, you still feel that RPC is the wrong choice, then vote accordingly. Remember, RPC is not FAPA.

Also, keep in mind that given current changes to the IBT by-laws, F9 pilots are excluded from serving in the IBT for 2 years. Please explain how this fosters the "unity" the IBT supporters keep talking about. Face it, it doesn't. I know many of the IBT pilots have a bad taste in their mouths for FAPA, whether justified or not, but the simple fact is this: RPC is the only option if your goal is for us to have a unified front against RAH management. The IBT will NOT unify us, just like FAPA will NOT unify us.

Lastly, if I understand correctly, the IBT's intent is to finish negotiating and implementing a new RAH contract before starting negotiations on a combined contract. Why is this important? Well, I think we can safely assume this process is at least a year away from completion, especially given all the other external forces currently demanding attention from RAH management. Number of IBT pilots: ~2000. Number of FAPA pilots: ~700. The IBT have the votes required to implement anything they'd like, INCLUDING AN RPC DECERTIFICATION. That's right boys and girls, if you don't like the RPC, get rid of it! It doesn't matter why the IBT pilots are dissatisfied. But there are some timing issues that are important. The NLRB has a rule that a new union is given one year to represent the workers before a decertification election can be held. ONE YEAR! That's it. And, as I was alluding to above, not much is going to change in the next year, so what do we have to lose?! At least in the next year we can see if RPC will work. Think about it.

Cheers,
Mojito

 

Once again...nice try. This paperwork will promptly take its place in the trash can. Luckily, a vast majority of the guys at RAH are aware of this scam going around started by F9'ers and will vote with the IBT.

 

Bro! You seem to be going out of your way to attack and discredit a legitimate option that should be considered by anyone involved with this vote. What is there to lose by learning more about this and discussing with other pilots? Do you fear having your mind changed by some evil Frontier pilots? We are honestly trying to propose a solution that may help us to work together with RAH pilots. This is an effort to smooth things out, take a big step forward, and hopefully work together in a unified fashion.

It is truly your guys choice how you want this vote to turn out. If enough of you want IBT for ALL then I'm sure that is what the result will look like. That might be a fantastic choice if you truly feel 700ish F9 pilots are going to embrace the imposition of unwanted IBT representation. RPC is real. There are real Frontier pilot wishing to discuss this with you in a private forum that hopefully won't be a freak show like APC. We're tired of seeing the petty childish bickering between pilot groups and unions. This is ALL of our careers we are talking about. Let's try and forge something positive while we still have a chance. If you are interested, then join the conversation with an open mind. See if this is an option that might help us all work together. Again, what do you have to lose? You're already wasting time on APC. Spend a few minutes doing something that might provide benefit instead.

P.S. Tiller...If you haven't seen it yet, there should be a number other than ZERO listed next to the words "private messages" in the upper right hand portion of your screen. Come on dude. I'm reaching out to you. I'm not a FAPA rep or anything, just a pilot like you.

 

I'd like to know what FAPA's leadership thinks about this. An official position. I'd also like to know what the IBT thinks about this.

It just seems like a futile attempt to take votes from IBT. I don't want anything to do with FAPA considering they've never wanted anything to do with me. If the RPC involves FAPA then, no thanks.

All this does is give management a way to CONTINUE to play one group against another. Come on FAPA, stop turning this into an new east/west situation.