AFA labor discussion (Work related)

[Onestep2flt]

BLAH...BLAH...BLAH. All this BS (sorry) when we have a union presented with signatures from the majority of the east membership calling for the recall of Mike and Carol. The signatures were given to Alan, John and Anne. Anne threw dues members out of "HER" office? Ummm this is OUR office @@@@@. Then we have Grace presented with signatures at the airport who goes APE because pics were being snapped of her 'accepting' the signatures. First off you are NOT a celebrity honey and is there a policy somewhere? Anyhow, if these signatures wind up on Kevin's desk and falls on deaf ears I call for a COMPLETE decertification of AFA. The ONLY thing AFA had to offer US f/a's was DOH. Well considering the majors who COULD buy us are either non union, house union or the new UA who may quite possibly swing to IAM. Moving along....the US membership will NOT be silenced. The pony show is OOOOOOOOOVVVVVEEEEEERRRRRRRRRR.

Your frustration is understood by all. However, I believe at this point trying to decertify AFA would be walking a slippery slope. First, do remember that you have east/west flight attendants. You must all be on the same page with this issue or you might very well end up in the same plight as your pilots. At the very least wait until you have a livable contract in hand before ever trying something that drastic.

Second, decertifying your union does not guarantee anything for you. Unless everyone east/west is on the same page and you have another union there to vote for representation you could very well end up with nothing. If you do not reach enough votes for representation you will end up like Northwest. The merger with delta caused that very scenario because delta is non-union. They had to have a representation vote and it was shot down by less than a thousand votes. Every protection that Northwest flight attendants worked for for the last 60 plus years just went away. Delta management is now free to do what ever they desire.


Third problem you have is even if you are lucky to vote in a new union who do you think will run for these offices. The same people that run for office now. Everyone has an agenda regardless of the national representation. You must change your leaders you have to gain any real change at this point.

The most serious problem you guys have right now is apathy. Nobody has time for this or that to do any union work. What is taking place now is people are waking up to that fact. They are finally seeing that your leaders that are negotiating your contract are wolves in sheep's clothing. You sheep herders need to mind the flock and rid yourselves of the impostor sheep!

Fix the mess that is at hand. It does require immediate attention before the wolves come to feed on you with a tentative agreement that makes you the main course. You guys need to do more than talk about it at this point. You are herders with a gun and no bullets. Besides trying to recall the wolves, you need to be spreading the word to all the other herders that there are indeed wolves in their flock. Buy some bullets by making sure that if a tentative agreement comes before you can wipe out the wolves, that everyone casts a vote for no!

Don't give up. You are in the home stretch. The leaders are just restless because they know everyone is watching now and the time has come to lead, follow, or get out of the way. Take back the union you have before doing anything else. One step at a time.

 

[Travelpro72]

I understand what you are saying but the majority of US f/a's have spoken. They want Mike and Carol GONE. If AFA international goes along with the LECP's like Alin, Ann and John only to ignore these signatures AFA must go. You'd find the majority of f/a's unhappy with AFA. The only thing AFA had going for it was DOH and I don't think that will be an issue if we are gobbled up by a bigger carrier that isn't AFA. Back to my point, we will NOT be silenced. Ignore us and this union at US will go down in flames. People are fed up. It's bad enough we have to deal with the likes of the company but do deal with this from the VERY union who is to have OUR best interest is over the top. Ignore us and your gone. PERIOD! ! !

 

[ganesha]

^^^^^Now THAT is a great post! ! ! !^^^^^

I would rather wait 1-2 years or more and get a contract I can work for the next 10 plus years with. I would rather wait, work 100 hours a month at wages less then 10 years ago, then be served a pile of dog sh*t on a silver tray.

And did the company really walk out when the JNC presented the compensation plan? Remember, the company is reading this; if we all stick together we will have a voice.

Just sayin

 

[Travelpro72]

For those that believe the company is going to 'throw' a big hourly raise at the f/a's need to consider who they are dealing with. You are dealing with a management team who thinks you make enough already. They also feel the language negotiated thus far is great for them. WHY on Earth does anyone believe management would agree to a big increase? They are about as cost conscious as a management team could get. Don't kid yourselves.

 

[BoeingBoy]

I'm sorry, I thought this was the AFA thread.

Me too. I think Barrister is lost again...

Jim

 

[Onestep2flt]

Me too. I think Barrister is lost again...

Jim

Don't worry Boeingboy, there have been a lot of drive bys here lately. They eventually find their way out.

 

[DVolpe]

I would rather wait 1-2 years or more and get a contract I can work for the next 10 plus years with. I would rather wait, work 100 hours a month at wages less then 10 years ago, then be served a pile of dog sh*t on a silver tray.

And did the company really walk out when the JNC presented the compensation plan? Remember, the company is reading this; if we all stick together we will have a voice.

Just sayin

As some of the participants may know, I'm the MEC VP for Council 66 in PHX and a member (as of June 2010) of the JNC. Rarely do I post on this site, unless notified by a co-worker that there is something that they believe needs clarification.

For the record, the company did NOT walk out of negotiations when we (AFA) passed our compensation proposal. We passed the proposal and our staff negotiator, walked the company through each point. Most members of the JNC then took some time to explain various issues (regarding compensation) that are critical for our members.

Respectfully, I will not address anything further regarding this issue.

Fly safe and remember to set your clocks back this weekend. I think all of us could use an extra hour of sleep....at least I know I do!

Deborah Volpe
MEC Vice President
AFA Council 66

 

[Onestep2flt]

As some of the participants may know, I'm the MEC VP for Council 66 in PHX and a member (as of June 2010) of the JNC. Rarely do I post on this site, unless notified by a co-worker that there is something that they believe needs clarification.

For the record, the company did NOT walk out of negotiations when we (AFA) passed our compensation proposal. We passed the proposal and our staff negotiator, walked the company through each point. Most members of the JNC then took some time to explain various issues (regarding compensation) that are critical for our members.

Respectfully, I will not address anything further regarding this issue.

Fly safe and remember to set your clocks back this weekend. I think all of us could use an extra hour of sleep....at least I know I do!

Deborah Volpe
MEC Vice President
AFA Council 66

Of course I know you will not comment further, but perhaps since you took the time to show up here you can give a message to the joint negotiating committee. YOUR FLIGHT ATTENDANTS ARE BEING IGNORED IN THIS PROCESS YOU ARE CALLING NEGOTIATIONS! I am only a customer that has flown many miles on US and I can even get it. I am not sure what planet your negotiators are sequestered to, but it is quite obvious there are problems at mission control. I have not heard this much discontent since the days of Wolfe. Please do not try to tell me it is just on the east, because although not as vocal I have been on west aircraft and talked with some of the wonderful flight attendants you have there. Although they do not seem as outspoken as their east counterparts they do show the same discontent for the process.

Please remind your Joint Negotiators that they are just that. Jointly representing ALL US flight attendants. I believe you have an obligation to check out any claims of impropriety whether east or west. Your east MEC seems to believe that only "One unelectable" person is making trouble for them. Sounds to me from what friends have said that it is quite a bit more than one person. I have not flown any segments recently so I am only stating what I have heard from friends.

If you have the time to clarify the pay proposal I believe you can find the time to clarify an even bigger issue of flight attendants being ignored in your negotiations. There are some very valid questions left unanswered and I would call on you to make clarification on them.

Thanks for your time.

 

[Freighterguynow]

Delete

 

[Zarah]

Rumor control on a message board, but let the rumors float around out in the work place. /scratch head.

 

[ggiby]

I would rather wait 1-2 years or more and get a contract I can work for the next 10 plus years with. I would rather wait, work 100 hours a month at wages less then 10 years ago, then be served a pile of dog sh*t on a silver tray.

And did the company really walk out when the JNC presented the compensation plan? Remember, the company is reading this; if we all stick together we will have a voice.

Just saying

I second that....

As far as the recall of Mike.... Who is better out there to do that job..... Know of anyone???? I don't

 

[NoMoreKoolAid]

As far as the recall of Mike.... Who is better out there to do that job..... Know of anyone???? I don't

Come on! <_< If lighting took out Mike or Carol you mean to tell me we don't have any good people that would understand what we want and are capable? I can name some right off the bat. Some post here and brought us the 2000 contract. I am sure they would step up and are more than capable. Sorry that fear factor doesn't fly with me.

 

[Itestwell]

I second that....

As far as the recall of Mike.... Who is better out there to do that job..... Know of anyone???? I don't

There are *plenty* of people that are qualified for the job, despite what Mike is telling people.

His continued defeatist comments such as, "the Company won't go for that", or "we will never get that back", or "it's just not going to happen, maybe in the next negotiations", and the latest (my favorite), "now that Delta voted out AFA, negotiations are going to be much tougher, but I'm going to stay the course..." are simply covers for his inability to negotiate back any of the concessions we coughed up in the last two Bankruptcy contracts.

I think everyone understands that we won't see the 2000 contract again, but most certainly didn't see this many concessions coming. (More cleaning, reserve, 100% sick with only 14 day sick calls (down from 21), Holiday touch replacing weekend touch, Pref Bid (hello! this alone is saving the company millions! where are our enhancements?), split from Pilots, etc...


It sounds as if Mike has you right where he wants you. Please, dare to think outside the box. You deserve better.

 

[ganesha]

I second that....

As far as the recall of Mike.... Who is better out there to do that job..... Know of anyone???? I don't

Really? You must not know of many people. We have a few f/a's that are lawyers. Yes lawyers. And accountants, I can think of a few with those qualifications that I would like see negotiating. I can name many, Michael E, Terry G, Paul F, Paul H George R, Lee H, Bryan O, and any RSV that is fed up and angry with this mess that has passion for the F/A group and is planning on having this career here for a long, long time.

 

[Travelpro72]

I second that....

As far as the recall of Mike.... Who is better out there to do that job..... Know of anyone???? I don't

YEP....sure do. Not that John or Ann would 'vote' her in but Terry Graf could negotiate circles around the monkeys in there now. Disagree?