CAL-MEC Strike Authorization Ballot
 

June 20, 2012

STRIKE AUTHORIZATION BALLOT
Next Monday, we will be opening the strike authorization ballot as part of our plan to obtain the right contract for our pilot group as expeditiously as possible. In their testimony to Congress more than two years ago concerning the merger, management pledged to "continuing our cooperative labor relations and integrating our work forces in a fair and equitable manner, negotiating contracts with our unions that are fair to the employees…" and responded to a question from Congresswoman Jackson Lee with a statement expressing their "ultimate goal (of) working with the unions and our employees, to finalize integration in a fair and expeditious manner." Additionally, throughout the two years since then, management has repeatedly stated their desire to negotiate their labor contracts quickly, including Jeff Smisek’s most recent comment made just weeks ago, "Let’s get this done."

Obviously, management has not lived up to their commitment. It's time for the foot-dragging and indecision to end, and for management to put their money where their mouth is. A strong turnout and affirmative vote on the strike authorization ballot will remind them of exactly how fed up our pilots are with their stalling and tell them in no uncertain terms that, should the NMB authorize a legal job action, our pilots will take whatever legal actions are necessary to get a contract. I will address this topic more in my brief on Friday.

In the mean time, Communications and SPSC have put together a newsletter with information on the how and why of the ballot (click here) which you will find attached to this blastmail. Your representatives and P2P volunteers are also available to you to answer questions and provide information — just look for the red lanyards.

Your MEC urges your support on this ballot. Management has historically underestimated the resolve of our pilot group. During this critical phase of negotiations, it is time to prove them wrong. Thank you for your support.

Capt. Jay Pierce
CAL MEC Chairman

Sooner or later there needs to be more joint MEC releases than not. You would think this would be one of those times. And it is.

From the UAL-MEC:
(Might want to check your Inbox)



To my Fellow Pilots,

Last month, the UAL-MEC passed a resolution authorizing MEC Chairman Captain Jay Heppner to conduct a strike authorization vote. The UAL-MEC joined its counterparts on the CAL-MEC in giving its chairman the authority to conduct such a vote. Each MEC's respective resolution passed unanimously. This is a momentous undertaking, as it places great responsibility on the pilot group to exhibit the resolve and determination to finally achieve a Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA).

The Railway Labor Act (RLA) defines the procedures that govern the process of collective bargaining: Section Six opening letters are followed with bilateral negotiations between the parties—management and labor. If negotiations are unsuccessful, mediation is available, followed by a proffer of arbitration. If arbitration is refused by either party, a 30-day “cooling off” period begins. Finally, the parties can either adjourn or seek judicial help elsewhere. In our case, the two parties are a unified management from UCH (United Continental Holdings) and a Joint Negotiation Committee (JNC) composed of the two airline components.

The bilateral negotiations became mired due to a lack of interest on the part of management, so mediation was requested per the RLA. This too became hindered by an apparent lack of enthusiasm by the company, leading the Air Line Pilots Association to request a release from the National Mediation Board (NMB). That request initially came from each MEC chairman and was signed by the ALPA National President, Captain Lee Moak. Capt. Moak has additionally petitioned the NMB a total of three times as the pilots’ case for release continued to develop. Last week, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka also weighed in with a letter to the NMB Chairman requesting a proffer of arbitration. If either party refuses a proffer of arbitration, the parties would be released from mediated negotiations.

Our main goal is achieving a negotiated JCBA. A negotiated contract is always preferable to any other outcome. As pilots we hope for the best, but must prepare for conditions that are less than optimum. It’s what we do. Shortly, Captain Heppner will ask all of us to vote on the issue the MEC authorized in May—strike authorization.

You will have the opportunity to vote soon to authorize a strike or not. Voting for a strike empowers our union. It signals that we are one; unified in our cause and willing to go to great ends to reach our goal. Regardless of your view, you must vote. A strike authorization vote may come along once in your career and it may well shape your future. It is your duty to consider the options and make your voice count. To vote FOR a strike bolsters the leverage we need to finally nail down this JCBA.

So I ask you to join your fellow pilots and vote. The company may only recognize one metric in this exercise: participation. I ask that you enable your union leaders to use every tool possible to secure the contract we all deserve and vote FOR a strike. Only by being prepared for the worst can we assuage it. A vote FOR a strike is the empowering act that would actually do the most to help avoid a strike.

Again, our main focus is achieving a JCBA. We’ve earned the recognition and respect that demands an industry-leading contract. We’ve earned the right to utilize every legal tool at our disposal to achieve that. Authorizing a strike assures we are using every tool possible to make that a reality.

Respectfully Yours,


Pieter M. Velzeboer
Chairman, MEC Strategic Planning and Strike Committee

Come on guys. We need 100% "yes" on this. This is the easy part, get it right.

Don't need to remind me - June 25th @ 10:00am (ECT) can't get here fast enough to cast my STRIKE nod.

(Window CLOSES on JULY 10th, 2012 @ 10:00am ECT...JUST DO IT.)

Yea, I'm just surprised that every time there is a strike vote, it's less than 100%. I don't get it.

I'd say there is a 100% chance UNICAL doesn't get released.

I think that we will get released by the NMB....being allowed to strike after the 30 day cooling off period is a whole different ball game....Remember The Presidential Emergency Board by Bill Clinton and the APA Strike at American....

I also think that UCH management is too chicken chit to see it through all the way to 11th hour..The remaining issues will be settled during the 30 day cooling off period.

I wish I were that optimistic

NEVER underestimate your enemy.

So...if UAL/CAL pilots strike, should Express pilots call in sick? Flying the Saab 340, I don't fly any (current) mainline routes, however I am concerned for my brothers and sisters that fly RJ's that might potentially face this issue...