Mike Turpen,
In support of your endorsement for Mike Cleary you wrote:
"Randy Mowrey and I, along with Bob Davison and Kevin Berry worked together to create a seniority list with appropriate conditions and restrictions to protect the pre merger career expectations of our entire pilot group. During the development phase of the conditions and restrictions we had many lively debates about what the final product should look like but under Randys steady guidance, we worked through those issues and finalized what I believe to be a truly fair and equitable way to integrate the two pre merger airlines."
In the names above, I do not recognize one West pilot who had "lively debates" with you about what the final seniority list should look like. With incredible hubris and sense of entitlement, you of the East decided a "fair and equitable" way to integrate the two pre merger airlines in the list passed to the company last year. No neutral third party, no input from those you claim to protect with "conditions and restrictions." Even more laughable, you tout the disenfranchising of the America West Pilots as something you are proud of.
I hope you will be proud of the circumstances, B-scale and slave labor work rules, that many of your East brethren will be retiring on (maybe even you after being there 28 years). Mr. Glass is giving legal "lip service" to negotiating in good faith, but a contract will not be forth coming. The synergies being reaped by management over the devision between East and West is unprecedented. The entire East is working on B-scale with slave labor work rules, while the West is operating as if they have no legal representation which translates into a very fuel efficient, reliable, and on time West operation. Mr. Glass knows USAPA has no leverage at the bargaining table. He is aware that many, if not most, on the West would happily cross any USAPA picket line on all their days off, to fly to FAR mins, for free, in the highly unlikely event of the NMB releasing USAPA to strike. The East's attempt to negotiate a contract without unity with the West is a sad joke on us all.
We will continue to enjoy the fence we are not getting paid for, while you continue to enjoy your B-scale and slave labor work rules. I think our lot is better than yours. In the current economic climate, after the pot is tapped to get the East parity with the West, we on the West probably wouldn't be getting much of a pay raise, increase in benefits, or better scheduling. Even as he threw our top 400 guys under the bus, Nicolau recognized what parity would cost the West in the next contract. Was that reality part of your "lively debate" when coming up with YOUR "conditions and restrictions?"
Personally, I wouldn't mind a return to the days when management was pilot enemy #1, instead of my fellow union brethren. Should I not be fired by an arbitrator on April 1st, at the request of my union, then maybe I will be one step closer to change from within. In the meantime, should those you have endorsed get elected, then change from within will be a joke and negotiations will continue to be "lip-service" only. Enjoy your B-scale and slave labor work rules.
Have a nice day,
Susie Stegmuller
A Bad Union Pilot
USAPA = NO LEVERAGE
email 2steg@cox.net
Perhaps Susie has a different opinion now on the east-west divide..........
Pay close attention Legacy American pilots to the willingness of dear Susie to cross a picket line. Do you dare deny her and others their Triple 7 capt seat?
