USA320Pilot
Veteran
- Joined
- May 18, 2003
- Messages
- 8,175
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Dear Fellow LGA Pilots,
Tuesday July 17, 2007 Captain John Prater brought the AAA MEC and AWA MEC into special session. Captain Prater made some opening remarks and introduced the Rice Committee which is chaired by Capt. Rice, ALPA First-Vice President, a United Airlines pilot. Other members include Captain Dave Webb, Federal Express MEC Chairman and Captain Ray
Miller, Northwest Airlines MEC Vice Chairman who is also a member of the Executive Council.
Throughout the day the Rice Committee outlined three potential bargaining solutions: A single joint contract, separate contracts and section 6 negotiations for the West.
My personal opinion remains unchanged. ALPA national needs to step up to the plate and shelve this windfall infested list in or to ensure that it never sees the light of day. As I stated in an update last week, Sergio and I are committed to achieving this goal. We will not accept the award as a starting point moving forward.
If ALPA continues to skirt this issue, then I feel the AAA MEC and pilots need to continue to operate separately while all legal avenues continue to be pursued. However, as a long-term solution, this particular path is much more complex then just saying no.
Just saying no and not ratifying a single contract will only be a temporary remedy and I don't want to use a bandage when multiple stitches are required. If we are going to go down a separate operation route, then that direction will need to be in place as long as this
award has any life.
The continued existence of this award is devastating to the careers of not only the AAA and AWA pilots but also the survivability of the corporation is in jeopardy. In addition, ALPA national integrity and reputation will be destroyed well into the future.
There will always be dangers when we have two pilot groups working under separate contracts under a single carrier. If we move in this direction of single operation forever, we will need to look at the contract and scope language that will change the direction and definition of consolidation in this industry forever. Just remember how angry every one of us gets when you walk down the 'C" concourse in CLT and see 75% of the gates occupied by RJ's. Imagine walking down the "A" concourse in PHL and seeing like type A/C and not knowing what
pilots are occupying those seats and flying our routes.
IT'S more complex then just saying NO.
First, we must continue to demand that ALPA continue to defend its merger policy and that is to NOT allow windfalls to a pilot group at another pilot group's expense. Secondly, we need to continue to educate ALPA National and the EC on real life personal injustices this award
creates and how it not only destroys our personal careers, it is also damaging to the pilot profession. They need to hear these facts and realities.
Fact
1. If a furlough happens tomorrow, a 17 year Captain will be furloughed and can be replaced by a 3 year F/O. Who gets the windfall? Not only the F/O, the big winner is the corporation. (Real story, just look at the names on the Captain list on the 190 and look where they fall below Dave Odell).
These examples go on forever and I don't need to preach to this choir. We need to continue to educate all pilots of ALL airlines how flawed this process is and how gross this award is. The AWA MEC wants this award. They want to cash that winning ticket for obvious reasons
and they want it very badly. The AWA MEC continued to reiterate that fact multiple times throughout the meeting. I don't blame them and I sympathize with their situation. They know they have been handed the golden goose but it just can't lay golden eggs.
If we are forced to start down the path of permanent separate operations, then dig your heels in because it's not only going to be a long hot summer, it's going to be long, hot and tiring for years. I am willing to commit to that process but this pilot group must follow without exception. You will need to stay informed, follow a plan and get involved. This struggle can neither be viewed nor won from the sidelines. It's your career and no one but you can defend it.
I would like to hear from every pilot in LGA. Email me, call me, but contact us. You have our contact information. I understand the decertification effort is out there working strong but these problems we have spoken about will remain for the immediate future.
We will have to deal with this unjust award by negotiating new contracts and agreements regardless of who the collective barging unit is. You as individuals will need to weigh the pros and cons of a new collective bargaining agent. Just remember that old saying. "The grass is not always greener on the other side."
We continue to be committed to the Pilots of LGA135 and AAA pilots system as a whole. Remember to fly safe and follow the Three Pronged Approach.
Don Iorio
Sergio Fernandez
Peter Moser
Tuesday July 17, 2007 Captain John Prater brought the AAA MEC and AWA MEC into special session. Captain Prater made some opening remarks and introduced the Rice Committee which is chaired by Capt. Rice, ALPA First-Vice President, a United Airlines pilot. Other members include Captain Dave Webb, Federal Express MEC Chairman and Captain Ray
Miller, Northwest Airlines MEC Vice Chairman who is also a member of the Executive Council.
Throughout the day the Rice Committee outlined three potential bargaining solutions: A single joint contract, separate contracts and section 6 negotiations for the West.
My personal opinion remains unchanged. ALPA national needs to step up to the plate and shelve this windfall infested list in or to ensure that it never sees the light of day. As I stated in an update last week, Sergio and I are committed to achieving this goal. We will not accept the award as a starting point moving forward.
If ALPA continues to skirt this issue, then I feel the AAA MEC and pilots need to continue to operate separately while all legal avenues continue to be pursued. However, as a long-term solution, this particular path is much more complex then just saying no.
Just saying no and not ratifying a single contract will only be a temporary remedy and I don't want to use a bandage when multiple stitches are required. If we are going to go down a separate operation route, then that direction will need to be in place as long as this
award has any life.
The continued existence of this award is devastating to the careers of not only the AAA and AWA pilots but also the survivability of the corporation is in jeopardy. In addition, ALPA national integrity and reputation will be destroyed well into the future.
There will always be dangers when we have two pilot groups working under separate contracts under a single carrier. If we move in this direction of single operation forever, we will need to look at the contract and scope language that will change the direction and definition of consolidation in this industry forever. Just remember how angry every one of us gets when you walk down the 'C" concourse in CLT and see 75% of the gates occupied by RJ's. Imagine walking down the "A" concourse in PHL and seeing like type A/C and not knowing what
pilots are occupying those seats and flying our routes.
IT'S more complex then just saying NO.
First, we must continue to demand that ALPA continue to defend its merger policy and that is to NOT allow windfalls to a pilot group at another pilot group's expense. Secondly, we need to continue to educate ALPA National and the EC on real life personal injustices this award
creates and how it not only destroys our personal careers, it is also damaging to the pilot profession. They need to hear these facts and realities.
Fact
1. If a furlough happens tomorrow, a 17 year Captain will be furloughed and can be replaced by a 3 year F/O. Who gets the windfall? Not only the F/O, the big winner is the corporation. (Real story, just look at the names on the Captain list on the 190 and look where they fall below Dave Odell).
These examples go on forever and I don't need to preach to this choir. We need to continue to educate all pilots of ALL airlines how flawed this process is and how gross this award is. The AWA MEC wants this award. They want to cash that winning ticket for obvious reasons
and they want it very badly. The AWA MEC continued to reiterate that fact multiple times throughout the meeting. I don't blame them and I sympathize with their situation. They know they have been handed the golden goose but it just can't lay golden eggs.
If we are forced to start down the path of permanent separate operations, then dig your heels in because it's not only going to be a long hot summer, it's going to be long, hot and tiring for years. I am willing to commit to that process but this pilot group must follow without exception. You will need to stay informed, follow a plan and get involved. This struggle can neither be viewed nor won from the sidelines. It's your career and no one but you can defend it.
I would like to hear from every pilot in LGA. Email me, call me, but contact us. You have our contact information. I understand the decertification effort is out there working strong but these problems we have spoken about will remain for the immediate future.
We will have to deal with this unjust award by negotiating new contracts and agreements regardless of who the collective barging unit is. You as individuals will need to weigh the pros and cons of a new collective bargaining agent. Just remember that old saying. "The grass is not always greener on the other side."
We continue to be committed to the Pilots of LGA135 and AAA pilots system as a whole. Remember to fly safe and follow the Three Pronged Approach.
Don Iorio
Sergio Fernandez
Peter Moser
I'm naturally pleased to hear that you've such kind concern for "the east guys" who are "really going to get hosed"..and whom should, I must presume...instantly accept the complete "hose" job via Nic award..and seek out scraps from the clearly huge expansion now taking place out west?
