ALPA BOS F/o Rep. Update - June 25

USA320Pilot

Veteran
May 18, 2003
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www.usaviation.com
BOS Pilots,

What follows is the easiest part of my job as your Rep, and that's telling you the truth. My comments are in bold print below the PHL Council 41 Update.

Respectfully,

Garland



Council 41 Update, June 21, 2006

"Fellow Pilots,

We completed our Second Quarter MEC Meeting last Thursday, June 8th, in Philadelphia. The major topics were: our AAA MEC Budget, 757 "Growth Flying", and a JNC update. Numerous other issues were debated and voted on. Please check out the ALPA Web site for the compilation of action.

MEC Budget

This MEC has finally come to the realization that major changes in the way we spend your money are necessary. Numerous initiatives were debated and voted upon. Our desire is for you, the line pilots, to get more bang for your dues buck. Behavioral changes from many within your union are long overdue. It should be obvious to all that the revenue stream has been severely impacted by years of pay cuts and furloughs, yet very little change has been undertaken to stem the expenditure stream until now. The number and duration of meetings along with locations will be changing, AFB (ALPA flight pay) will under go new restrictions and requirements, and MEC overhead will finally be reduced after years of only discussion on this subject.

As we move forward it is imperative that we become self reliant to free us from the influences of ALPA National. From our perspective, the professional negotiators and attorneys employed by National have done very little to protect the pilots of US Airways.

We often here that we need professional negotiators, well, we have them. Cohen, Weiss, and Simon are one of the largest labor firms in our country. ALPA national has a cadre of advisors and staff. Yet, we continue to be lead down a path of non confrontation and appeasement. Why? Because it costs less, and has less risk to National!"

This is all nonsense. As a result of 2 bankruptcies in 3 years, our MEC's budget proved woefully inadequate, and ALPA National has been giving us grant money in order to help pay with the increased costs. As we are now out of bankruptcy, that grant money has stopped and we have taken the necessary steps to balance our AAA MEC budget.

Cohen, Weiss, and Simon are not professional negotiators, but are lawyers, and are contracted by ALPA to provide legal services. ALPA does have their own professional negotiators, and Bruce York, the head of that department, has been involved in our merger negotiations.

The strategies that your MEC employs to achieve our negotiating goals are decided by your MEC alone, with ALPA National providing legal, financial, negotiating and analytical assistance only upon our request.


"757 Growth Flying

The issue of "Growth Flying" was front and center at this past MEC quarterly meeting. Your PHL Reps debated the points related to the reduction of five pilot positions system wide on the last bid vs. the number of additional pilots we expected with the arrival of three 757 growth aircraft."

This has nothing to do with the requirement to share new flying with AWA. As per the Transition Agreement, the flying on all new aircraft added after September, 2005, will be shared on a "fair and equitable" basis between AAA and AWA. The words "Growth Flying" don't appear in the Transition Agreement, and this sharing of flying on new aircraft has nothing to do with growth.

"We also argued against any proposal that would encourage the company to continue to operate the two airlines separately."

This is straight from the Twilight Zone. None of these proposals would encourage this.

"Without divulging too much strategy, we felt that the last proposal from AWA and the counter proposal from our MEC were flawed. We believed that Pay Protecting the affected pilots from which ever group would increase the leverage of our collective pilot group at the negotiating table when the time comes. Pay protection has been used in past practice. For example, the Piedmont pilots were pay protected when the 737-400 order by Piedmont was transferred to US Air."

Someone was either asleep in class, or is an extremely slow learner. We offered to support the concept of having AAA fly all the new B757's positions with AWA getting pay protection from the Company, but AWA rejected that offer. And since they did, we never got around to asking Doug Parker if he was willing to pay for it or not.

With AWA's rejection of this offer, our choices were either to continue negotiating in order to reach an agreement or go to arbitration. We choose negotiations and reached an agreement whereby AAA will do all the flying on the 3 new B757's with AWA having their share of that B757 flying reserved for them after the two airlines are put together.


"The subverting of seniority by GIVING positions away is also at odds with the basic tenants of our profession. Management would like nothing more than to eliminate the seniority based system within the airline industry. They have been successful at destroying pay, work rules, and benefits - including pensions. The only thing left intact is the seniority based system. If they are successful is dismantling it, management would then be able to cut costs by eliminating the senior employee cost differential. Upgrades would be based on merit (or even which pilots curried favor from management) with no regards to DOH. Image what fun that would be."

Again, straight from the Twilight Zone. This is so bizarre that is doesn't deserve comment.

"For the above reasons and others, Eric and Dave voted against the "757 Growth Flying Proposal". We explained our reasons for voting against this proposal directly to some members of the AWA MEC. We believe it disadvantages both pilot groups moving forward. Unfortunately the majority of our MEC voted for this proposal. Voting against were your two PHL reps, Eric Rowe and Dave Ciabattoni, and Jim Wagner of PIT."

Maybe they explained it to some members of the AWA MEC, but they sure didn't explain it to our MEC. And just sitting there and screaming "NO, NO, NO" is not what I call explaining.

"JNC Update

The MEC persists in spending your dues money on a futile effort to compel management to bargain in good faith on our time frame. The JNC's results demonstrate that the company is true to their words so clearly spelled out in the Hemenway letter dated 11/15/05. They have control of the timeline once again, and apparently intend to use it for all it's worth. Why give us a pay raise when they can drag their feet and have a little longer to keep us down? Also demonstrated is the hollowness and meaninglessness of your MEC words, evidenced by the DFW resolution of 01/05/06. Attached to the end of this update is a copy of the DFW resolution, as well as some comments from one of our resident MEC Blowhards at that time.

In a nut shell, the DFW resolution - which both of your PHL Reps voted against - was to reorder the schedule for negotiating economic issues bringing them on a fast track. The DFW resolution was offered as a substitute to a real chest-pounding (read "hollow") resolution from the usually conciliatory side of the MEC that would pull the JNC from negotiations in order to force a retraction of the Hemmingway letter."

This was Mike Swiatkowski's original Resolution, and one that I supported, until we both were convinced that there was a better way to challenge the Company on this issue. No chest-pounding, and no hollowness, just the exercise of clear thinking in what was really in the best interests of the pilots we represent.

"The DFW resolution suddenly appeared after someone seemed to get weak knees when his words about standing up to the Company due to the Hemenway letter were leading us towards a real-life, actual confrontation.

This substitute was supposed to flush out the company's true intent as to the Hemenway letter. The vaulted ALPA advisors, attorneys, and professional negotiators (whose language in the Transition Agreement is sure to be challenged) were successful in steering some of your pliable MEC members away from a confrontation once again."

And yet another inspiration from the Twilight Zone. ALPA National's advisors were adamantly against our Resolution to reorder the JNC talks.

"Now, some six months later, and minus more of your dues money, we are facing the same challenges with the added complexities of our complicit actions of currently negotiating while having the knowledge of the stated intent of the company as described in the Hemmingway letter. Our collective weakness has handicapped us yet again."

Nonsense. If we had never stayed in negotiations, we wouldn't have a clue as to what the Company was or wasn't going to offer us. Moreover, AWA would then have no reason not to go into their own Section 6, leaving us with LOA 93, and B Scale, until 2010 or beyond.

"Separate Operations and the Transition Agreement

Your PHL Reps requested the presents of ALPA attorney Bruce York and Cohen, Weiss, and Simon attorney Mike Abram at our second quarter meeting. Both of these men were instrumental in producing the Transition Agreement which was supposed to guide the three parties through the merger process. We had requested from Chairman Stephan that they attend our meeting to discuss the continued transgressions by the company of the separate operations language within the document.

They didn't show.

In the months to come both pilot groups will continue to see an increase of cross company flying. For example in July East pilots will see pairings such as LAS-TPA-FLL, PHX-ORD, PHX-CUN, PHX-SEA, and PHX-BOS.

It is obvious to your PHL Reps that the company is attempting to obtain the synergies that were to come at the completion of the merger process without having to actually merge the two pilot groups. If left unchecked, our ability to obtain a fair joint contract will be greatly diminished. It is past time for our expert negotiators and attorneys to answer some tough questions about the advice they have given us."

Asleep in class again. There is no such thing as "cross company flying." We own no domestic flying, and own no domestic routes, and haven't since deregulation in 1978. In the Transition Agreement, however, we have agreed to protect the Hawaii flying for the AWA side and Europe and Caribbean flying for AAA.

"We must continue to prepare for the battles that lay ahead. The current financial success of the airline is obviously coming on the backs of labor and not out of an improved and more productive operation. The only way to force the Company to create a real, successful business plan for this airline is to remove the handicap that our substandard pay and working condition has give this management team."

Truer words were never spoken.

"It is clear that we must build the resolve amongst the pilots that will be required to successfully exert economic pressure on this corporation. We are encouraged by the list of volunteers that continues to grow. We have named Steve Smyser as Strike Prep Committee Chairman and have activated the Pilot-to-Pilot communication program."

Indeed, we, the entire MEC, elected Steve Smyser as Strike Prep Chairman, and I was the one who nominated him.
"As always, the pilots of this airline continue to hold up our end of the bargain.

But if this management team's actions do not change, we won't be much longer."

Welcome back to where the real fight is.

Fraternally,

Eric, Dave & Jim
 
Isnt the BOS rep the head of the GAG(Give away Gang)?

Guess the AWA MEC has a Backbone, unlike the East MEC.

Glass will run all over you unless the GAG gets their act together and learns to stand up against him instead of cowering in fear.

The Company has route authorities from domestic to carribean, PHX-CUN was granted to HP, not US, so the HP pilots until there is a merger should be flying those routes.

Once again you will eat your young to protect your own, instead of unifying and taking the fight to the company you play right into the company's hands and fight each other.
 
Garland Jones is an honest man who speaks the truth. His ALPA role is to protect the interests of the pilots versus those in the past who were in charge of the MEC via "roll call" who became the first pilot leader's in the history of ALPA to provide management a concession greater than the "ask".

That's a fact...period!

When thinking about certain MEC Reps. like those in PHL a quote from Aristotle comes to mind when he said, "Character is that which reveals moral purpose, exposing the class of things a man chooses or avoids."

In regard to Garland's character, "As we become full persons, our knack for "right actions" and good judgement blossoms."

Regards,

USA320Pilot
 
Speaks the truth?

That is the funniest thing I have ever heard.

You should officially change the East MEC title to the GAG and their motto should be "We've never met a concession we did not like!"
 
Garland Jones is an honest man who speaks the truth. His ALPA role is to protect the interests of the pilots versus those in the past who were in charge of the MEC via "roll call" who became the first pilot leader's in the history of ALPA to provide management a concession greater than the "ask".

That's a fact...period!

When thinking about certain MEC Reps. like those in PHL a quote from Aristotle comes to mind when he said, "Character is that which reveals moral purpose, exposing the class of things a man chooses or avoids."

In regard to Garland's character, "As we become full persons, our knack for "right actions" and good judgement blossoms."

Regards,

USA320Pilot

The fact that you support him speaks for it's self. In regards to your above quotes, care to tell us about the furlough you "experienced" again?
 
Its liking watching a bad movie over and over again, everytime management starts putting a little pressure on the MEC the usual suspects start the attack on those with backbone and principles. then comes the "you just dont understand business" line of hogwash. If they spent half as much time defending the pilots as they do trying to justify managements latest attack, this MEC would be a force to be dealt with.
 
Again 320 and his ilk are becoming fearful.

That is why GAG leader Jones responded to the PHL reps update and why GAG member 320 posted that response here.

Any time they feel threatened by pilots willing to stand for the profession the same game plan emerges. This time, however, we will hopefully rally some AWA pilots who will stand with us.

The CLT copilot rep called the transition agreement the best in the history of airline mergers. He too, a strong memeber of the GAG. That agreement has AWA pilots making substantially more money than the U pilots. And sets up the perfect whipsaw scenario for Glass to exploit. With the help of the GAG. They already are helping. See the post above. Again they are trying to divide the U group among each other.

These guys need to wake up. But I doubt the ever will. It's all about them keeping their "job". The hell with the profession. They just want their "job". They are truly pathetic.

pilot
 
USA320Pilot,

AAA Unity for ALL to read. Gotta love it! Please share with us the wisdom of sharing this post with the general public as well as those AAA must negotiate a new agreement.

FA
 
Garland Jones is an honest man who speaks the truth. His ALPA role is to protect the interests of the pilots versus those in the past who were in charge of the MEC via "roll call" who became the first pilot leader's in the history of ALPA to provide management a concession greater than the "ask".

That's a fact...period!

When thinking about certain MEC Reps. like those in PHL a quote from Aristotle comes to mind when he said, "Character is that which reveals moral purpose, exposing the class of things a man chooses or avoids."

In regard to Garland's character, "As we become full persons, our knack for "right actions" and good judgement blossoms."

Regards,

USA320Pilot

And this is gospel because you say so? Either you don't care how thick the horse manure you spread is or you don't have the IQ to see the transparency in the statement above.

Every night on Crossfire, Paul Begala touts the integrity of people like Hillary Clinton and John Kerry and Tucker Carlson says the same about George Bush and John McCain while they attck the integrity of the opposite side. Who is telling it strait depends on the listeners personal politics and the example above is just the same. Every reader here knows your politics, so you can quit campaigning/attacking. Instead of a thoghtful argument, it just comes acrross as irritating shrill.
 
Pilot:

If my memory serves me correctly, former US Airways ALPA Communications Committee Chairman Jack Stephen who is now the MEC Chairman on three separate code-a-phone message’s indicated the PHL Reps. published false information and even used the word misinformation. Stephen never made those comments about Garland Jones.

With all due respect, what is interesting “Pilot†(who I believe is furloughed and bitter) is that Jones seeks the opinion of people like ALPA’s president, ALPA’s financial advisors, ALPA’s legal advisors, ALPA’s director of representation, ALPA’s E&FA (economic and financial analysis department), ALPA’s contract administrator, and a host of other respected people then he makes a decision.

The previous and current PHL Reps. get reprimanded instead.

As Samuel Johnson said, “Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful.â€

In regard to the upcoming contract it is clear people posting in this thread have no clue what is happening inside the JNC or two MEC’s. I fully expect to have a combined contact that exceeds the AWA contract, which will occur, but at no thanks to the PHL Reps.

Let’s not forget that previously after all US Airways ALPA was offered the AWA ALPA contract prior to bankruptcy II. Then the PHL and PIT Reps. via “roll call†turned the offer down and then their Negotiating Committee obtained a TA that provided the company with a concession greater than the “askâ€. Moreover, the Advisor’s told the MEC over-and-over again that each offer from the company would get worse, which it did.

That makes me sick because the pilot group did not have to take a concession so deep if they had listened to every ALPA advisor, every MEC Officer, and two-third’s of the MEC.

Best regards,

USA320Pilot
 
Of course you leave out the fact that 8 of the MEC members never supported the NC or the PIT/PHL reps position and in doing so undermined a unified front. You also fail to mention that the above BOS F/O rep as part of the GAG 8 was on record saying "we need to give ugly and give early." which I am sure informed GLASS and company very well the unified or in this case the ununified postion they were negotiating against. OR LOA 93 or anything else that would cast the political wonks you support in a bad light.
 
Like I said the East MEC and their Cheerleader are cheering "we have never met a concessions we did not like"

Go West MEC, stay strong, stand up to Glass for a change.

It is a pity the GAG and their supporters can't see how the company is pitting them against each other, and the company will win once again.

Isn't the loss of your pension and the lowest paid in out of the majors enough evidence that the company is your enemy and not your friend?
 
Garland Jones is an honest man who speaks the truth. His ALPA role is to protect the interests of the pilots versus those in the past who were in charge of the MEC via "roll call" who became the first pilot leader's in the history of ALPA to provide management a concession greater than the "ask".

That's a fact...period!

When thinking about certain MEC Reps. like those in PHL a quote from Aristotle comes to mind when he said, "Character is that which reveals moral purpose, exposing the class of things a man chooses or avoids."

In regard to Garland's character, "As we become full persons, our knack for "right actions" and good judgement blossoms."

Regards,

USA320Pilot

Chief Revisionist Historian.

Mtnman