2014 Fleet Service Discussion

[Black Magic]

Anyone know on the AA ramp if they use the "unit lead" system or do the let the supervisor delegate assignments? 

 

[ograc]

Not sure about that one Josh. At any rate, contracting out the jobs in the light of the State contract would unleash a media pounding that puts the company in a terrible light.  Even as small as BUF was, the company took a media pounding.  The pounding would be much worse if it crossed that line in Florida since it would also make the Attorney General look terrible and also things could be manufactured that the company breached its contract with the citizens of Florida.  Politically, it would be a lose lose for the AG and the company.  At any rate, with fresh governmental approvals in  mergers, airlines almost always step back from contracting out jobs for a few years.  That's another reason why it is important to get all current stations grandfathered without drop dead dates.  Putting a time limit on JAX will eat JAX alive in about 3 years. Makes no sense.  If a TA is going to be signed then it needs to be done right and not as lazy bastards would do.  The company wants things, and plenty of them in this merger, we are not compelled to sign a TA any time soon unless it is done right.  I hope our NC doesn't do any stupid sh*t like the previous one who went into panic mode before June elections and figured any TA was better than none.  That group ended up getting their collective arses handed to them in June.  Don't do it! 

Tim,
I would agree that normally, with fresh government approvals in mergers, airlines have historically stepped back fron contracting out jobs for a few years. Unfortunately, based on the recent aggressive announcements of potential job eliminations with the unrepresented vendors related to this merger, I have to believe the "New AA" will continue this agenda with the mainline operation. The only obstacle to this agenda is existing labor represented contracts. This is why the company wants Transition Agreement talks to begin ASAP. I, for one, do not put much faith or hope in agreements the company has signed with state politicians. Hard to tell which party is more sleazy. Our best chance, as it should be, for job protection and securitry lies with our union and the NC. It is, after all, why members choose to belong and pay dues to a union. Up to now, the way I see it, the return has been definately lacking.  

 

[Tim Nelson]

Tim,
I would agree that normally, with fresh government approvals in mergers, airlines have historically stepped back fron contracting out jobs for a few years. Unfortunately, based on the recent aggressive announcements of potential job eliminations with the unrepresented vendors related to this merger, I have to believe the "New AA" will continue this agenda with the mainline operation. The only obstacle to this agenda is existing labor represented contracts. This is why the company wants Transition Agreement talks to begin ASAP. I, for one, do not put much faith or hope in agreements the company has signed with state politicians. Hard to tell which party is more sleazy. Our best chance, as it should be, for job protection and securitry lies with our union and the NC. It is, after all, why members choose to belong and pay dues to a union. Up to now, the way I see it, the return has been definately lacking.

you are absolutely right

 

[Harry Callahan]

Just curious do you current AA folks have to take all of these stupid training courses like US does ? (CBT)
Harry

 

[Hope777]

Harry Im not sure but would say Yes.   Remember taking all the Training Courses in Sabre pre Shares....

 

[mike33]

Harry Im not sure but would say Yes.   Remember taking all the Training Courses in Sabre pre Shares....

Same type courses...use to be called " Eagle Courses".....isn't that ironic...

 

[AANOTOK]

Just curious do you current AA folks have to take all of these stupid training courses like US does ? (CBT)
Harry

Yep, and some of them that are not required by the FAA are so redundant that they are basically just keeping someone employed over at headquarters.

 

[Solidarity]

With "Envoy" being announced, you can bet scope will become a HUGE issue. DP's goal will be to outsource everything except the hubs, and some of those may even be in his cross hairs.
 
Also, any remaining cargo/mail facilities AA/US still man, will be gone in my opinion.

In the current CBA LAX, LAS, and PHX are contractually protected for cargo/mail from acceptance at the counter to delivery planeside. The company has probably tried to ask for that in negotiations but the NC (from roadshow in summer 2013) said they will not budge on giving up that or any work.

 

[ograc]

With "Envoy" being announced, you can bet scope will become a HUGE issue. DP's goal will be to outsource everything except the hubs, and some of those may even be in his cross hairs.
 
Also, any remaining cargo/mail facilities AA/US still man, will be gone in my opinion.

SCOPE should be the number one issue IMO with future US Contract and Transition Agreement negotiations. You can bet it will be the number one issue for the "New American" negotiating team. They will be trying to eliminate as many mainline union represented jobs as possible.This job elimination is part of the "synergies" the company has factored in when selling this merger to the shareholders and wall street investors. No dues paying member will be immuned to this strategy. The company will be after job elimination in the outline stations and the hubs. This strategy will be applied to both the existing (AA & US) networks. We better get ready, as a unified membership, to aggresively resist. Additionally, all dues paying members should expect the same level of resistance from their union elected officials and the appointed NC members. It's time to resist the continual erosion and elimination of job security for the benefit of company profit. It's time to dig in our collective heels and reverse the trend. It's time to LOCK and LOAD Brothers and Sisters! 

 

[737823]

SCOPE should be the number one issue IMO with future US Contract and Transition Agreement negotiations. You can bet it will be the number one issue for the "New American" negotiating team. They will be trying to eliminate as many mainline union represented jobs as possible.This job elimination is part of the "synergies" the company has factored in when selling this merger to the shareholders and wall street investors. No dues paying member will be immuned to this strategy. The company will be after job elimination in the outline stations and the hubs. This strategy will be applied to both the existing (AA & US) networks. We better get ready, as a unified membership, to aggresively resist. Additionally, all dues paying members should expect the same level of resistance from their union elected officials and the appointed NC members. It's time to resist the continual erosion and elimination of job security for the benefit of company profit. It's time to dig in our collective heels and reverse the trend. It's time to LOCK and LOAD Brothers and Sisters!

Agreed. It's mind boggling to me why the unions have been so supportive of this when all airline merger have resulted in job losses. "Synergies" do not always materialize in these mergers certainly not at the level the company and their consultants model. Synergies can take time and management needs to uncover them, hopefully this merger will be about revenue synergies from the combined network, not cost cuts, employee cutbacks, and reductions in pax service.

Josh

 

[Tim Nelson]

Agreed. It's mind boggling to me why the unions have been so supportive of this when all airline merger have resulted in job losses. "Synergies" do not always materialize in these mergers certainly not at the level the company and their consultants model. Synergies can take time and management needs to uncover them, hopefully this merger will be about revenue synergies from the combined network, not cost cuts, employee cutbacks, and reductions in pax service.
Josh

The number 1 reason, imo, is that the current union leaders are incredibly stupid. Im not talking about their iq. But they have no ears and no eyes so they have bought into a main focus of just survival. In doing so, they dont realize they are becoming a device for their own destruction. But it is not too late, there is hope.
From what i understand in negotiations, the company has already agreed not to lesson scope or contract out stations in 2014, and the union has agreed not to fight for more scope. The pay raise is also locked into a 3 tier raise. $21 and change at dos. $22 and change ate september, and pay parity in late 2015.
Jg has been brought in to go over "seamlessness" (fence agreements and pro merger language).

 

[robbedagain]

Tim are u saying that for us negotiations that it would be around 21 then go to 22 in sept? If so where is this info comin from

 

[700UW]

I doubt that is correct.
 
I know maintenance is looking around $38 or so an hour.

 

[AP Tech]

I believe if the IAM were successful to get the $38 hr, we will still be the lowest paid in the industry.....And I have serious doubts they will come close to getting the $38. 

 

[Harry Callahan]

Nelson if you keep on quoting "Josh" whom a lot of us have blocked I;m going to put you on ignore & I don't want to do that.
 
Harry