Mike's Fired Up-US AFA LABOR THREAD

[cactusflyer]

galley princess,

Thanks for the 411. It hurts just to read that and I say no wonder east reserves are unhappy. I don't blame you one damn bit.

Let's hope to see some improvements when/if we ever get a combined contract.

 

[sharktooth]

Is Doug Parker a goober without a clue or what? You didn't know the scheduling section was going back and forth? By far one of the most important sections to the Flight Attendant contract!

Parker has created/tolerated a system by which subordinates feel they must always present "good news", bad must be squelched by every means possible. "Ideas" that sound good are presented with little thought, especially ones that denigrate non-management employees. Embarrassing items like losing half a billion cash on frivolous waste such as buying junk bonds are covered up enthusiastically, with no accountability for the perps. IMHO, criminal behavior, at best.

 

[galley princess]

You're welcome. Reading the scheduling section of our contract is up there with watching paint dry.

So upon Travelpro's advice, I watched the crew news.

I find it interesting that he kept saying that he knows that the combined contract will cost more than the two present F/A contracts so therefore they will "not be concessionary". That's a big ole warning as far as I am concerned.

From what I understand, the mechanics' contract was "cost neutral".

I guess it comes down to this; we are marching towards 2011. There will definitely have to be a cost-benefit analysis comparing time- as in 2011 versus small gain- which is what DP seems to be indicating. I think that this - "it's going to costs more so it's not concessionary" is exactly what has been holding up the process.

My contribution to this disconnect: Anything less than what I had prior to the Concessionary thing that I am working under right now, IS CONCESSIONARY and I WON'T VOTE FOR IT.

This management is not paying itself as though it was 1980, why do they think that I should accept that?

Dig in people.

 

[valuesrok]

If they don't wanna negotiate fair let the contract run to 2011 and get the ball in motion. I'd rather work under this agreement then blow time and money on trying to negotiate a contract with a negotiating team that is going OUT OF THEIR WAY to be difficult.

Just want to remind you that the former America West F/A's are working under a contract that was amendable in 2004. We were in section 6 negotiations when this merger happened. Those talks were stopped, per the NMB, in order for us to engage in merged contract talks with the east and the company.

 

[Toothy Grin]

thanks for posting the info galley princess.

what are both fa groups able to do? Side letters? Hard to believe block holders don't see the inequity of the conditions you are working under.

 

[Travelpro72]

Just want to remind you that the former America West F/A's are working under a contract that was amendable in 2004. We were in section 6 negotiations when this merger happened. Those talks were stopped, per the NMB, in order for us to engage in merged contract talks with the east and the company.

You are absolutely right. The company would have played hardball then as they are now. The negotiations are at a snails pace and "give and take" is a given but the company is being unrealistic in their requirements. F/A's on the east are in this current contract which runs until 2011. We've stuck it out this long. You guys I feel for too. As for the stance of the company and where we are at in talks THREE years later....who knew huh? 🙄

 

[hula-flyguy]

Parker has created/tolerated a system by which subordinates feel they must always present "good news", bad must be squelched by every means possible. "Ideas" that sound good are presented with little thought, especially ones that denigrate non-management employees. Embarrassing items like losing half a billion cash on frivolous waste such as buying junk bonds are covered up enthusiastically, with no accountability for the perps. IMHO, criminal behavior, at best.

Wow, cant believe I'm saying this, but I agree with Sharktooth

 

[ExPit]

what are both fa groups able to do? Side letters? Hard to believe block holders don't see the inequity of the conditions you are working under.
[/quote]

Hi Toothy,
Believe me, there are plenty of block holders that understand and hate the reserve system currently in place. Those of us that were based in PIT with a hire date around 1982 sat reserve. We know how bad it is because most of us sat reserve under the old USAIR system.
Those of us in PIT have proved over and over that we will vote no on an unsatisfactory contract, so I hope the union stays strong.

 

[galley princess]

What are we able to do?

Not much, until the East contract becomes amendable. Obviously every F/A should follow the contract to the letter. I had it happen yet again the other day. "When do you want to board?" That is a question that should not be asked.

If you're International it's 45 minutes, not a second before.

If you're domestic, it's 30 minutes. End of story.

It is extremely important that F/A s realize that as we march closer to it becoming amendable, each F/A will have to weigh what is being offered, with what could be offered if there is pressure brought to bear. The difference will be decided in how strong the F/A group is.

Which is why my own not so humble refrain for the last few years is this: if you don't have some kind of fallback that will feed you, GET ONE!!!

The reason that EAST was so victimized by the concessionary contract is because we all were just enjoying ourselves and our decent worklife. Majorly guilty here. Most F/As have college degrees, but as with everything, if it's dusty. . .well it's dusty. Strength is derived from having something to fall back on. This business is cyclical, and the years have taught me that inevitably labor is an easy target.

If a F/A is on LTO, one of the things that they have, particularly in winter is time. That time could be spent in pursuit of some kind of technical degree that would not take very long but pay for itself in spades in the event of CHAOS, a furlough or the worst case scenario: a Chapter 7.

I am not blind to the economy and its impact on airlines. However, these ruinous pay scales have led to US being the bottom of the barrel in service for years now. Tempe needs to understand that you get what you pay for. You will not have helpful, happy employees until you demonstrate that they are valuable to you and pay them accordingly.

 

[cactusflyer]

Scheduling tried to get a west crew to board an east flight/aircraft because the east crew working the flight was late. The west crew just happened to be deadheading on that flight. They declined and boarding waiting until the working east crew arrived. As long as we are on separate contracts, we (west) should never do anything that bears the slightest resemblance to working an east flight, that includes boarding one and it should be the same way for the east in regards to west flights. The company made this mess and unless they want to pay me east wages, I won't be boarding an east flight/aircraft any time soon. I sure hope I'm not alone in that opinion.

 

[WCT]

Scheduling tried to get a west crew to board an east flight/aircraft because the east crew working the flight was late. The west crew just happened to be deadheading on that flight. They declined and boarding waiting until the working east crew arrived. As long as we are on separate contracts, we (west) should never do anything that bears the slightest resemblance to working an east flight, that includes boarding one and it should be the same way for the east in regards to west flights. The company made this mess and unless they want to pay me east wages, I won't be boarding an east flight/aircraft any time soon. I sure hope I'm not alone in that opinion.

It makes me SO SICK TO MY STOMACH that US Flight Attendants on the West side have stood up for these horrible working conditions for SOOOOOOOOO LONG!!! Enough is enough!! We are on the most stale contract dating from 1999!!! My goodness!???? Where is my PAY PARITY!!!??? We work as US Airways, yet we are payed far less than our East counterparts!!! Where is Union 66, head in the clouds??? Mike Flores needs to take over as negotioating President for East and West AFA period!!! Discusts me that our Union on the West is so WEAK, and contiunes to let this company walk all over US, make up new policies, discipline, gate checks, check rides, etc!!!!!! WAKE UP!!!!!! Excuse after exuse is all I here from our Union 66!!! Grievance my A$$!!!! Have you stood up to Real Contract Violations and held the Company accountable??? NO!! :down: :down:
Poverty Air is getting really OLD for US on the West. RSV's living in government Housing????? Give me a break!!! We need to start taking a stand ASAP, or we are DOOMED!!!!!!!!!
Look at what happened to our LAS base!! Flying keeps dissapearing at a Rapid rate!!
PHX BASE???? :down: :down: :down:

 

[cactusflyer]

WCT-

Because some people, in some places are more interested in spending the memberships money on stupid a$$ s**t rather than pay attention to more important issues. I feel your pain. I keep hearing random rumblings about money issues and our current president, but everyone is too concerned about their jobs and staffing to hold anyone's feet to the fire. I suppose I should get off my duff and get to the next union meeting and start asking questions. Maybe someone else on here from the west knows or has heard more?

 

[sharktooth]

If you're International it's 45 minutes, not a second before.

If you're domestic, it's 30 minutes. End of story.

Responsible pilots can help.

BTW, there is a 35 minute boarding time somewhere in there.

 

[sharktooth]

Scheduling tried to get a west crew to board an east flight/aircraft because the east crew working the flight was late. The west crew just happened to be deadheading on that flight. They declined and boarding waiting until the working east crew arrived.

Agree, entirely. In fact, you may not even be legal to board such a flight, depending on the aircraft. Do you have a flight/time/day?

The east even had a case recently, that I know of, where a deadheading crew member was told to "work" a flight (by a former koolaide drinking poster here, why am I not surprised). The company has told union negotiators numerous times that, because "dead-headers" are not "working", they should not be paid as much for the dead-head. Comply with the company negotiator's wishes, do not work a flight that you are dead-heading on (because, technically, you are "on duty", per FAA), or, in the face of a "refusal to fly", get, on paper, that you will be paid for it, in addition to the dead-head. Seems reasonable to me.

Heck, I hear we had a CSD who was issued a "fly or be terminated" work order in Europe to exceed FAR sixteen hours duty, and the supervisor is still here, after lying to management about how he came to issue that unlawful order.

 

[john john]

We are on the most stale contract dating from 1999!!! My goodness!????

Every union employee on the East side wish they had there 1999 contract back