Change of Control Award

[GoldenRam94]

Nice idle threats Orioleman and Tim, but let's be brutally honest here. The next contract offer is only going to differ in wording slightly. Many of the items that you think you can get are out of reach in this market. You can live in the past and talk about what you gave up in Bankruptcy, but at the end of the day it is now 2008 and times have changed, and the industry has changed. The BOD is never going to allow a work group to go back to the 'way it was' because that will only bring this company down, even further than it already is.

There are tough decisions that this company has to make to survive and getting a baggage handler back to 1995 levels of pay and benefits is not one of them. You can talk all you want about getting rid of the 100K club. Let's see when all is said and done, I do not really see too much worry from a work group that has historically said one thing publicly then another when the vote really counts. I put you guys in the same category as the voters of New Hampshire. You say one thing publicly, but when it comes to time to make a hard decision, you buckle! You have historically buckled and you will certainly buckle again. Your drive to organize the IBEW was an embarrasing failure on your part. Now you are trying to save face with your 'network.' Is this like Skull and Bones at Yale? Do you guys have a secret handshake?????? 😛

Orioleman, since you are from Baltimore, I will assume you were a Piedmonter if you have enough time. It was the Piedmonters who told all the guys from Philly and Pit, that they wanted the Teamsters yadda yadda yadda, then when the time came to vote you all voted the Union out and started this company on the downward spiral when it came to worker relations. Just like the voters of New Hampshire told the pollsters that they wanted Obama, but when it came time to close the curtain and officially vote for a black man, they voted for Hillary. Fleet workers are historically like the recent events in New Hampshire. You will say one thing publicly, but when it really matters you will buckle.

 

[b737200]

Nice idle threats Orioleman and Tim, but let's be brutally honest here. The next contract offer is only going to differ in wording slightly. Many of the items that you think you can get are out of reach in this market. You can live in the past and talk about what you gave up in Bankruptcy, but at the end of the day it is now 2008 and times have changed, and the industry has changed. The BOD is never going to allow a work group to go back to the 'way it was' because that will only bring this company down, even further than it already is.

There are tough decisions that this company has to make to survive and getting a baggage handler back to 1995 levels of pay and benefits is not one of them. You can talk all you want about getting rid of the 100K club. Let's see when all is said and done, I do not really see too much worry from a work group that has historically said one thing publicly then another when the vote really counts. I put you guys in the same category as the voters of New Hampshire. You say one thing publicly, but when it comes to time to make a hard decision, you buckle! You have historically buckled and you will certainly buckle again. Your drive to organize the IBEW was an embarrasing failure on your part. Now you are trying to save face with your 'network.' Is this like Skull and Bones at Yale? Do you guys have a secret handshake?????? 😛

Orioleman, since you are from Baltimore, I will assume you were a Piedmonter if you have enough time. It was the Piedmonters who told all the guys from Philly and Pit, that they wanted the Teamsters yadda yadda yadda, then when the time came to vote you all voted the Union out and started this company on the downward spiral when it came to worker relations. Just like the voters of New Hampshire told the pollsters that they wanted Obama, but when it came time to close the curtain and officially vote for a black man, they voted for Hillary. Fleet workers are historically like the recent events in New Hampshire. You will say one thing publicly, but when it really matters you will buckle.

This where opinions differ..... we are not from NH and yes we are fed up with union dues that are spent on steak and lobster dinners for the few elite canaleites instead of good service for the ramp workers of usair. GR when was the last time you tied your own shoes? The boyz club worst enemy is the internet
it exposes all your mistrust and deeds. Instead of of laying in bed with the company get up, shower and truly represent the workers whom pay your salary. Stop talking about oil, past wages, what we can't get.
Grow some balls and tell the company what we want instead of asking what thier willing to give.
3 billiion inthe bank, new contracts for execs,new vp's hired.....give me a break. By the way
I ask you before, are you proud of the 17 cent raise you brought back to us? Come on man
hold on to your self respect and represent us or are you afraid you'll end up like big T or Jerry from GSO?
REGARDS

 

[Tim Nelson]

Tim,
what major changes? I believe the ONLY thing that would require a vote would be an extension. That is assuming of course that any offers would be to enhance our existing cba. I believe that if an offer comes without an extension , then it can be accepted without a vote.

P2BP,
it isn't about what you or me believe, it's in the bylaws. Any major changes and there needs to be a vote. Major changes would include not just duration but also the tinkering of other articles. For instance, the lead referendum, small in nature, but it was considered a major change and you folks had to vote on it.

In the last contract there were many concessions that would have triggered a vote, not just the 2 year extension.

Article 1,2,3 by inclusion was also changed and had to be agreed to by the company and union.

some of the concessions offhand that I remember
1. profit sharing
2. wage scale progression was lengthened
3. 19 stations gone
4. many western benefits, in fact most.

In short, the last contract was really bizarre since it was concessionary in nature while a company was making record profits.

Moving forward, the good thing is that officer nominations are coming up in February that will position this district for real bargaining in 2009, and I find it incredibly difficult to imagine that Boss Canale and his whole ticket will get more than 20% of the vote. I doubt it will even be close since the United Airline and Aloha airline workers are just as fed up and probably more fed up with his B*** S*** games. The network moved to secure a competing ticket against those A$$ clowns and quite frankly it was a lot easier than I originally thought. The traveling pimp band show is over for Canale and the pimpettes.

What's important to me is that when Canale gets A$$ kicked back to management, and his clowns get kicked back to the ramp where they belong, the 'get out the vote' turnout against those sellouts need to be above 80% participate and at least 80% against Parker's boy. That will send a message to United and US AIRWAYS that the days of having company whores representing workers is now over. That's the strategy, not only to win but win in a very big way. To that end, things were organized to be successful.

regards,

 

[Tim Nelson]

Nice idle threats Orioleman and Tim, but let's be brutally honest here. The next contract offer is only going to differ in wording slightly. Many of the items that you think you can get are out of reach in this market. You can live in the past and talk about what you gave up in Bankruptcy, but at the end of the day it is now 2008 and times have changed, and the industry has changed. The BOD is never going to allow a work group to go back to the 'way it was' because that will only bring this company down, even further than it already is.

There are tough decisions that this company has to make to survive and getting a baggage handler back to 1995 levels of pay and benefits is not one of them. You can talk all you want about getting rid of the 100K club. Let's see when all is said and done, I do not really see too much worry from a work group that has historically said one thing publicly then another when the vote really counts. I put you guys in the same category as the voters of New Hampshire. You say one thing publicly, but when it comes to time to make a hard decision, you buckle! You have historically buckled and you will certainly buckle again. Your drive to organize the IBEW was an embarrasing failure on your part. Now you are trying to save face with your 'network.' Is this like Skull and Bones at Yale? Do you guys have a secret handshake?????? 😛

Orioleman, since you are from Baltimore, I will assume you were a Piedmonter if you have enough time. It was the Piedmonters who told all the guys from Philly and Pit, that they wanted the Teamsters yadda yadda yadda, then when the time came to vote you all voted the Union out and started this company on the downward spiral when it came to worker relations. Just like the voters of New Hampshire told the pollsters that they wanted Obama, but when it came time to close the curtain and officially vote for a black man, they voted for Hillary. Fleet workers are historically like the recent events in New Hampshire. You will say one thing publicly, but when it really matters you will buckle.

Think what you wish about the network, time will tell. We are forward looking and not looking back towards Piedmont or whatever goofiness you are talking about. At any rate, you will be out of office 'soon' and back to the ramp where you belong.

Goldenram, again, stop looking towards the BOD and boss canale and what they will allow. Brickner already pointed to $100 barrell. Canale is pointing towards 'gloom and doom'. Screw you guys. You guys should be fighting instead of being a company mouthpiece. Don't you know that's why you guys have no 'juice' and are illegitimate and can't go into your own locals without getting 'b#### slapped'?. The company already knows that you guys don't have any juice to come back and push a yes vote, who listens to you guys? Nobody. You've illegitimated yourself by your own device and are powerless in negotiations. Quite a shame when solidarity among rampers is at the highest level.

At any rate, it's all about what is acceptable, therein lies the focus...not what is offered. Nobody can control Parker and the BOD if they want to continue 'laying down the law' with a management that doesn't recognize what fair and equitable means unless it applies to them. If Parker & Canale want to continue playing games on the backs of workers then we can't control that. But such foolishness will just incite more pissed off workers and also it will keep a transition agreement away from Parker, who desperately needs one. If fleet service can't get a contract that has dignity and respect in it then Parker will get his reward for such foolishness. RIght now I'd say he's created a mess since he has not adequately addressed the human predicament with this merger of over two years ago. He has to address the mechanics and fleet service first before he addresses the Pilots and then the investors and then the merger. That's the ladder. If he addresses investors like United did with big payouts, ahead of labor talks, then the ramp would know there's more money to be had. If he addresses the Pilots in profitable times first, then the ramp will know there's more money to be had. Everyone's in line to get some. If he moves forward with a merger and shows all the money at his disposal, the ramp would know there's more to be had. Oops, he already showed the company's financial strength by revealing that the company is viable enough to drop $9 billion on Delta.

At any rate, I'm sure your BOD will allow a big payment to investors after it gets transition agreements in place. That's what this is all about, less for you, more for me. It's not about 'we antz got no money'. Your 'liberal' BOD just approved more VP's and an 'incredibly' lucrative contract for Parker. You fail to acknowledge the reality that this company made 'hundreds of millions' and all analyst point to it making millions again this year, even with the price of oil. OTOH, if this company was in bankruptcy or not turning yearly profits then the leverage for the ramp wouldn't be as high. Now, it doesn't get much higher.

Goldenram, 'you're not in bankruptcy anymore' and the wicked witch judge is not here. Wages in this industry for rampers are actually over $21hour at most carriers, also includes many more vacation,holidays, and other perks like double time, longevity pay, shift premium. What's interesting is that US AIRWAYS has the second strongest balance sheet and was so strong that it was plenty powerful enough to buy Delta, if only delta management would have allowed it. Yet, it's rampers are the lowest paid in the industry.

Stop making it sound 'gloom and doom'. Stop being possessed with management demons. Ramp leverage is high in these negotiations. The conditions are ripe since the company is profitable, and the workers are at the bottom. I'll do a complete breakdown of the industry 'soon enough' and we'll get out the no vote 4 more times if we have to. Again, it's not about the BOD, Parker, and others, it's all about the workers and what is fair for them to accept. Parker and the BOD will take care of itself, don't expect him or the BOD to take care of workers. Workers have to focus on what they can control and the focus must be on obtaining a fair contract. If it can't happen then so be it, screw transition.

regards,

 

[Henderfuzz]

Heres my 2 cents worth or should I say 16 cents since thats all the raise I got becasue of the last T/A being voted out.
Im loosing about 3000 dollars a year right now becasue we voted down the last one.
Guys on the west even more.
I dont give a rats butt about profit sharing becasue when the consolidation of airlines begin and we are left out, the profits will go away. We need to secure a pay increse now and guarrentee all of us better wages for the near future.
Better vacation or better sick time doesnt pay my bills.
So get over yourselves and your high and mighty thinking.
To me and lots of others its all about the pay stupid.

 

[Tim Nelson]

Stop talking about oil, past wages, what we can't get.
Grow some balls and tell the company what we want instead of asking what thier willing to give.
3 billiion inthe bank, new contracts for execs,new vp's hired.....give me a break. By the way
I ask you before, are you proud of the 17 cent raise you brought back to us? Come on man
hold on to your self respect and represent us or are you afraid you'll end up like big T or Jerry from GSO?
REGARDS

Record profits, new VP's, New 'lucrative' contract for Dougie, $9 billion to attempt to buy Delta. The problem isn't the cash and your company's financial position. Airline analyst In a note on the entire sector, "Top" airline analyst from JP Morgan said this morning, "...that airline companies' cash remains at record levels and that the threat of Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings seems to have diminished, among other positives.

Investors, he said, have failed "to remember that recessions have provided outsized returns in the past."

The problem is our union. The company is just doing what company's do. Parker is just doing what CEO's do. The company sees our union leaders as pushovers becasue they are. That's why they call them the "I'll Ask Management" group. The rank and file will have to b#### slap another TA it appears but in the meantime DL141 brothers and sisters are working in unity to throw those guys out of office and clean up this union. These Canalietes don't dictate anything, nothing. They don't tell the company what you want, they make no demands, etc. All they do is listen to the company telling them 'they aintz got nos money." and before they leave the negotiations room, the company Bit### slaps them and tells them to 'now go out and tell that to all the boys". That is what now is happening with Brickner saying the environment has changed, Canale saying the environment has changed, and now Goldenram with more Gloom and Doom. Geez, these guys are actually worse than Parker!

FWIW: While I find nobody who listens to the union Bosses at this point, The network isn't about workers listening to us, it's about a network of workers with a dogged determination to get knowledge and information to workers SO they can make an informed choice.

The last TA went down in flames because of informed consent. A large thanks to this board which enabled us to build the network through pm's and emails.

regards,

 

[GoldenRam94]

What exactly is it you think you are worth? You claerly do such a great job that US is at the top of the list when it comes to customer satisfaction and with a near 80% loss on investments, Wall Street is certainly in love with you. Again just what alternate universe are you living in?
Be realistic at what you face and stop getting people pumped up about something you cannot change.

 

[b737200]

What exactly is it you think you are worth? You claerly do such a great job that US is at the top of the list when it comes to customer satisfaction and with a near 80% loss on investments, Wall Street is certainly in love with you. Again just what alternate universe are you living in?
Be realistic at what you face and stop getting people pumped up about something you cannot change.

Are you worth the 100,000 plus your making? Your name and salary is posted on the DOL web pages,
can't manufacture a lie about that. As far as the company performance...how about res migration, weather,
tools to do the job with, your from PHL, you know what the ramp is like. Investment loss, that's a wall street
problem, nothing to do with fleet service, might want to use brickners quote ( 100.00 barrell for oil) for that excuse. We are in the real world, what about you GR. The heat is turning up and the agc's are starting to feel it?
The people aren't getting pumped up, just fed up with guy's like you whom don't do your job.
ONCE AGAIN, are you proud of the 17 cent raise you brought back from the table?
If a guy at UA makes 20.00 an hour, I'm well worth that too!
Change is inevitable and your going to get caught up in it, welcome back to the ramp.

 

[GoldenRam94]

You work for US not UA or WN or any other airline.

Face reality, or check out this site for a job. www.wawa.com though you may be underqualified!

 

[b737200]

You work for US not UA or WN or any other airline.

Face reality, or check out this site for a job. www.wawa.com though you may be underqualified!

I do face reallity, not interested in working for a convienence store. I work for one of the top 5 airlines in the free us of a, but getting paid like i work for air zimbabwe.
My friend, you should read some stock anylist predictions and compare. With oil at or near 100.00 a barrel
we are still making money and the usair model came out of bk predicting to make money at 60.00 a barrel.
ONCE AGAIN, are you proud of the 17 cent an hour raise you brought back from the bargaining table?
The fleet service emp of this company are not inferior to the agc's, dont' forget who pays your salaries.
Do your job and you won't loose it. Ever wonder why US exec have no fear? They have never been told, always asked.

 

[pit_till_death]

You work for US not UA or WN or any other airline.

Face reality, or check out this site for a job. www.wawa.com though you may be underqualified!

And don't forget where you came from. You too could be making $17 and change per/hr, sooner than you think. What a wake-up call that will be trying to feed your family on that. Just something to think about before you start degrading your previous co-workers. Especially since we pay your salary. Think before you speak.

 

[GoldenRam94]

And don't forget where you came from. You too could be making $17 and change per/hr, sooner than you think. What a wake-up call that will be trying to feed your family on that. Just something to think about before you start degrading your previous co-workers. Especially since we pay your salary. Think before you speak.

Yes, I will take an Italian Shorty with Oil, no mayo, sweet peppers, salt, pepper, oregano. Thanks chief.

 

[pit_till_death]

Yes, I will take an Italian Shorty with Oil, no mayo, sweet peppers, salt, pepper, oregano. Thanks chief.

Or maybe you could go back to work at Sears. By the way, for someone with such a high salary, you sure know where to dine.

 

[Tim Nelson]

What exactly is it you think you are worth? You claerly do such a great job that US is at the top of the list when it comes to customer satisfaction and with a near 80% loss on investments, Wall Street is certainly in love with you. Again just what alternate universe are you living in?
Be realistic at what you face and stop getting people pumped up about something you cannot change.

First, I am not concerned with Parker, BOD, wall street. Trust me, they will take care of themselves, they always do. I completely agree they will say that fleet service is not allowed to be brought up to industry standards. I completely argee that they will say things have changed and campaign as you do with the idea that past concessions were 'permanent concessions'. That's what they are suppose to say. I can't control that. If Parker wants to keep 'inciting the workforce' and piss away his investors money then I can't control that. If he wants to continue his piss clam TA offerings then I can't control that. If he wants to continue a huge mess when it comes to customer satisfaction then he can. We cant' control that, that's Parker's job and he's not doing it very well because he's gone 'solo' on you workers. His workers aren't with him, he's a one man band and the investors are experiencing 'great pain' because of this sloppy mess. Sorry.
This business is all about service and management can't go solo and also expect to return the investments to the stockholders. It's not happening guys. Not until workers get a fair contract that has dignity and respect will this company be able to give a good investment return. I'm surprised Parker doesn't know this. But again, that's his job, workers have no control over that.

What can be controlled is what is acceptable for the masses who Parker has oppressed. This is my concern, i.e., what action does fleet service do.

Parker needs a transition, not fleet service. Parker is in a world of 'Baby do do' as he has failed to transition the company and all analyst are pointing to this as a big reason why there is a loss in stock. The Workers are a variable that can send that stock right back up if they are respected instead of BS'd by management. People aren't stupid. Treat people right and service improves. Beat people up, ax grind them, talk down to them, and therein lies a different kind of reward for Parker.

Here's the present negotiations environment
To start with, consider these givens
1. the environment is very profitable as all analyst mention. The industry is projected to make $5 billion this year alone and US AIRWAYS is projected to make millions again.
2. US AIRWAYS has the second strongest balance sheet in the entire industry
3. US AIRWAYS has a record amount of cash on hand [last report between 3-4 billion]
4. US AIRWAYS had the financial 'juice' to lay down up to $9 billion for Delta
5. US AIRWAYS BOD just approved a 'very lucrative' and 'updated' contract for Mr Parker
6. Plenty of money for new VP's.
7. Analyst have said that even though oil is at $100 barrell, the airlines have found a way to pass this on to the consumer.

That's the context of this negotiations. Leverage for Labor is high in such a context, as opposed to bankruptcy conditions.

Further, US EAST and US WEST are BOTH lowest paid in the industry. Lowest benefits in the industry. Leverage is 'high' in this situation as opposed to those who are the highest paid in the industry. That's the context of these negotiations.

Further, Parker needs this and that is why he was desperate to get back to the table. That's the context.

What is acceptable? A whole helluva lot more than that last TA that was shot down by close to 70%.

If nothing fair can be worked out then we stop wasting our time with Parker and resume section 6 with west. Section 6 should have been resumed a long time ago because we can't assume Parker will come through with a fair TA. It's been 2 years and all I see is Bull Crap and the company laughing at the IAM for being hoodwinked into the idea that it doesn't have to section 6. Sorry, no 'cheater contracts' will be accepted.

In the meantime, we vote out the deadweight Union Bosses, who continually talk down to their members and act like company mouthpieces.

regards,

 

[Hadenough]

Golden Ram
These are not idle threats. The network is alive and well despite your denial. The proof was in the vote for GC in CLT. Why do you think the turn out was so high. We took time out of our day to voice our disgust with the current IAM bosses.


Canale and his underlings must go and if you don't represent us and continue to berate and belittle us you are next.