UalHvy

March 24, 2012

Dear Fellow Pilots,

Despite being 82 days beyond any supposed inflection point, negotiations for a Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA) continue at an unacceptable pace. The Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) and management have been discussing, problem solving, costing, more discussing, more costing, more discussing, meeting in large groups, meeting in small groups, meeting in even smaller groups, all while trying to encourage a change in the tempo of negotiations.

Here is a summary of the last few weeks of negotiations between management and the JNC:

• Executive management committed to me, and additionally to some members of the United MEC, that they would have the decision makers with the authority and trust to “bind the company” at the negotiations. Those committed decision makers spent a total of three days at JCBA negotiations this year.
• At a recent session, one of the management negotiators stated, “I don’t see what the rush is.”

Management negotiators committed to the JNC, before the mediator, that they would work through at least one of two weekends in March in an effort to close as many scheduling issues as possible so as to move onto other sections of the JCBA. Management negotiators did not stay through any weekend.

While there are reports of some recent incremental movement in scheduling, in context we have been negotiating scheduling and work rules since February 2011. This can be compared to starving to death in a debtor’s prison then being passed a stale slice of bread. To the company, the bankruptcy is a long forgotten issue. To our pilots, the bankruptcy era of United and Continental continues to affect us and our families. The company is enjoying the benefits of the merger and looking toward the future while the pilots continue to live in the past with bankruptcy wages and work rules.

Management has made further commitments toward negotiations in Chicago for the next several weeks. We will be carefully assessing to see if they continue to give us only slices of bread or will instead provide sufficient food to feed our families.

We are United,


Captain Jay Heppner
Chairman, United Master Executive Council

bkaz

Is it just me, or do Heppner's messages seem to leave you hanging. Multiple paragraphs about everything that's wrong with our current situation, then when you expect to read about our response or a solution, he writes "We will be carefully assessing to see if they continue to give us only slices of bread or will instead provide sufficient food to feed our families." YGTBFSM. All we are doing is "carefully assessing".

I already knew how screwed up the negotiations are. After reading this message, I don't know any more about what we intend to do about it. Why bother putting out anything at all if this is the best he can do.

SOTeric

It's you.

Heppner is letting everyone know (who cares to listen) that the company, in the presence of the mediator, is bargaining in bad faith. It's building a case, step by step, towards declaring an impasse so we can get to a cooling off period and self help.

Under the stupid RLA this is our best leverage tool.

skippy

Doesnt matter. Ual will NEVER be released.
No major carrier will ever be allowed to strike ... EVER
And if usair and aa get together, that will just solidify my statement

LifeNtheFstLne

Exactly. One day our mostly lazy, and now disenfranchised groups will read between the lines of what our MECs put out. The problem is, our pilots are waiting to hear a message that will never come, due to legal ramifications. We hold the leverage. Use it.

AxlF16

You're exactly right. Some pilots will never 'get it'. I honestly don't know what happened to the Captains I flew with 12 years ago who 'got it' AND shared it with their F/Os. These days I find that the majority of the time I'M mentoring the captains. I am not at all surprised by the company negotiators inability to see what the rush is... I AM surprised that he would say it out load though.

I'm not advocating anything, but i will clearly say that despite my constant refusal to waive the contract or go beyond the REQUIREMENTS of the contract, I have NEVER been called on the carpet or questioned about my decisions. Seriously, I have been reasonable, conservative, and professional at all times (and not stupid) so there's nothing to be scared of.

SoCentralRain

Precisely. The RLA is the reason the company can drag this crap out ad infinitum. It's that simple.

You mad? You pssed off? Look back to 1936, when the airlines were tacked onto the U.S. railway's labor "issues". It's been airline labor getting topped by management ever since. That's where we should put some glaring white light. THAT'S where the strategic battles should be if we as airline pilots want to see any gains. Congress. ::sigh:: Yeah, Congress. Talk to every last one of them bastards.

In the meantime, all an individual union can do is amass examples of bad faith bargaining. The more the better. Then, take them to the NMB. The NMB will probably shrug their collective shoulders and say, "Nah, you're not released (into the cooling off period). We don't want that political hang grenade laying around here with the pin out. Get back to the table."

Sorry, but I'm a pessimist on this one. I think Jay Heppner is right on.

The problem is this, though: Given the injunction hanging over our heads, we as a union can really only do ONE THING--safely fly the contract. No favors. No bending. No "helping 'em out". If the company can't make good tactical decisions when it comes to staffing, maintenance, training, whatever the case may be--the concession stand is CLOSED. Make them fix the problems by knowing the contract and FLYING IT. They're not going to fire you unless you bend metal or harass someone on property. No illegal job actions, either. Man up.

The only thing I waive is "bye".

Damn, I wish more of my brothers and sisters would understand and live this.

SCR

buscappy

these posts get it. here are my thoughts:
1) the cheesey tie tacks and luggage stickers do nothing to move negotiations forward
2) in 1985 and 2000 it wasn't tie tacks and stickers, it was disrupted ops
3) the court order applies to illegal organized behavior. no judge anywhere can order an individual employee to be happy with his compensation package
4) saving fuel, being on time, and working long days often require additional effort, which unhappy employees sometimes are not up to delivering

come on guys, time to get it.

Skybo

Those Captains had insight into the future. Some of this insight rubbed off on some of us. I find some F/O's I fly with would rather sell their soul for the left seat than listen to experience.

Once United

You think it might be the guy they're flying with they don't want to listen to and not his poor experiences. Bet they won't go out to dinner or a beer with you - that would be the first indication they don't like you and have no respect for you.