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CAL Con Statement

Old 11-22-2012, 05:56 AM
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Wow ... some guys that won't cave to fear! Refreshing! Very Refreshing!

LAX LEC 153 Update for November 21st, The Big Picture
Wednesday, November 21, 2012

I. THE BIG PICTURE
For better or for worse, most of us have experienced the “Adrenaline” (technically epinephrine) rush triggered by a traumatic event. Your heart rate quickens, your react instinctively, and you become acutely focused. But after that initial high, the body eventually experiences a low period when the sympathetic response tapers off. That is when things calm down, your vision widens, and you can think a little more clearly. That is what we are experiencing now that it has been more than a week since the TA has been released. And now that the dust is settling, this is the time to view the TA from the “big picture” perspective.

Last week we presented you with our Dissenting Opinion, which explained why we voted against approving the TA. While the list of items we feel are either concessionary or inadequate was quite exhaustive, in our “big picture” view it really boils down to the four cornerstones- compensation, scope, retirement and work rules. With this TA, we are below the industry standard in both compensation & work rules and arguably at industry standard in both scope & retirement.

Having said that, we would now like to ask you to put that aside for a minute, take a few steps back (both in time and in perspective), and try to envision our collective “big picture.”

When negotiations resumed following the merger announcement, both MECs confidently touted that this was our opportunity to capitalize on our unprecedented leverage and develop an industry-leading contract for our industry-leading pilots of what was supposed to become our industry-leading airline. We knew that for this merger to be successful, our management would need our help. We knew that without the joint contracts that Mr. Smisek testified he could expeditiously achieve, this merger will never be considered complete. We knew we were in control.

So now we have to wonder- what happened? Where did we go wrong? Were we deceived? Did we deceive? Or did we fail? Honestly, we aren't sure. We still have that same leverage, yet we are looking at a TA that does not encompass the best of both individual contracts. Instead the TA we are looking at is middle of the road, and is even a couple steps below the bar in some sections. The truth is that we have yet to come across anyone who has confidently stated that this TA has met their expectations.

What we have seen is that unfortunately, this TA is not being measured on it's merit, but rather it is being considered on the basis of fear. Fear that if we vote this down, we will be parked. Fear that we will lose money waiting for negotiations to resume. Fear that the company will attempt to take back provisions it has already agreed to. And fear that one pilot group will be pitted against the other. While all the above are valid concerns- and it is important to be cognizant of them- most of those are worries that exist in any negotiation cycle. If we succumbed to them every time a contract became amendable, we would end up always biting at the first offer made to us and never get ahead.

We strongly believe that should this TA be rejected by the pilots as a whole, we will quickly reengage with the company and make worthwhile improvements in the process. They recognize that in order for this merger to be complete, they need us to have a joint contract. They know they are close. They know that we expect an industry-leading contract. It is up to us to make sure we receive everything we deserve and make this a contract all of us can work under for many years.

In the big picture- this TA will not only affect our combined pilot group, but it will determine the future of our union and the future of all professional pilots as well. We control the future of this airline and the future of airline pilots across the country. Now is not the time to settle for anything less than industry-leading.

II. TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE
With five “performances” scheduled throughout Southern California, seats are still available for our special LEC meetings in Los Angeles, Orange County, and Oceanside. We look forward to discussing the TA, answering questions and hearing your concerns. All pilots (both L-CAL and L-UAL) are invited, as are family members. After all- this affects them almost as much as it affects you!


III. I AM THANKFUL FOR...
In closing, it is also important to step back and look at all the things we are thankful for in the big picture- family, friends, health, safety, security, etc. Please take a moment to think about all you have to be thankful for and enjoy your Thanksgiving Day...where ever you may be.


Visit our website:www.LEC153.org


Robert McCartney, LC 153 Chairman
Mike Seidner, LC 153 Vice Chairman
Joshua Berlin, LC 153 Secretary-Treasurer
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