Tim Nelson
Veteran
To ANnother voice.
I will address 3 things so the readers can be fully informed of your statements.
Question 1 Can the ramp liquidate this company?
I believe the point has been beaten to death about if the ramp has the power to shut this company down or if they don't. My persuasion is well known. Without rehashing the argument presented on the floor, to suggest that the ramp can somehow force this company to pick its ball up and go home is nonsensical.
If you choose to believe the ramp will liquidate things then so be it. Your argument is heard and the jury will decide. Believe what you wish.
Question 2.
You suggested that since the rampers aren't as strong as the mechanics that it should naturally follow that the ramp won't get a better deal since the mechanics didn't.
I'm not understanding your logics. Let me explain.
It isn't that the ramp wants a new deal. We have a contract that goes until 2009, along with a 1113 letter. Last I heard it was the company that came to us because they are the ones that want something. The fact is that the ramp doesn't have to give a thing because we have a contract.
But in the goodness of our "hearts and interest" and realizing the current situation I told you that I believe most rampers including me would approve a new contract if the company cleaned up the "6 page enema" (My 8 points printed above).
If the company doesn't want to settle on, let's say, $7million instead of $14 million than fine, I will keep the modification we already have. What power do I need to have to cheerfully give more other than a willing heart?
Personally I think it would be in the company's interest to take what the majority of rampers is willing to give them.
Question 3
You suggest that management will break its promise backed up in a binding letter and run back to the judge if we vote no.
Now the facts.
1. No Judge has thrown out an 1113 letter from an airline in chapter 11. Nuff said.
2. But precedents are set so for arguments sake, let's say our current management lies again and convinces the judge to throw the 1113 out.
Now you have a work force that is free to do alot of things and it will present troubles to investors of this company, ie., the investors want signed contracts to protect their intere$t, the last thing they want is a "majorly" pissed off and disgruntled work group that is free to take "legal" self help actions at any time.
How does that protect the investment community?
So that, even though US AIRWAYS might put such a statement out that they will seek to abrogate a contract, it clearly isn't in their best interest. They will be better served to ask for a revote on the same thing or improve the enema.
Besides, other groups have gone through the bankruptcy process in fairly similar situations and come out better. For instance at America West, the pilots were given a poor proposals in Bankruptcy [didn't have an 1113 letter] and they chose not to accept them.
They leafletted with information pickets at major airports around the America West system although they didn't resort to other self helps.
The end result was a report of a Tentative agreement with America West that provided improvements from what they had (December 23rd I believe). I don't know if the pilots ratified the T/A or if they are voting on it or what at this moment.
As I said, the last thing the company wants is to provoke a situation with a group that gives the group legal self helps in a situation that is volatile for the company. The company wants organization and contracts so it can project years ahead.
Regards,
Tim Nelson
IAM Local Chairman 1487
215-440-6392
I will address 3 things so the readers can be fully informed of your statements.
Question 1 Can the ramp liquidate this company?
I believe the point has been beaten to death about if the ramp has the power to shut this company down or if they don't. My persuasion is well known. Without rehashing the argument presented on the floor, to suggest that the ramp can somehow force this company to pick its ball up and go home is nonsensical.
If you choose to believe the ramp will liquidate things then so be it. Your argument is heard and the jury will decide. Believe what you wish.
Question 2.
You suggested that since the rampers aren't as strong as the mechanics that it should naturally follow that the ramp won't get a better deal since the mechanics didn't.
I'm not understanding your logics. Let me explain.
It isn't that the ramp wants a new deal. We have a contract that goes until 2009, along with a 1113 letter. Last I heard it was the company that came to us because they are the ones that want something. The fact is that the ramp doesn't have to give a thing because we have a contract.
But in the goodness of our "hearts and interest" and realizing the current situation I told you that I believe most rampers including me would approve a new contract if the company cleaned up the "6 page enema" (My 8 points printed above).
If the company doesn't want to settle on, let's say, $7million instead of $14 million than fine, I will keep the modification we already have. What power do I need to have to cheerfully give more other than a willing heart?
Personally I think it would be in the company's interest to take what the majority of rampers is willing to give them.
Question 3
You suggest that management will break its promise backed up in a binding letter and run back to the judge if we vote no.
Now the facts.
1. No Judge has thrown out an 1113 letter from an airline in chapter 11. Nuff said.
2. But precedents are set so for arguments sake, let's say our current management lies again and convinces the judge to throw the 1113 out.
Now you have a work force that is free to do alot of things and it will present troubles to investors of this company, ie., the investors want signed contracts to protect their intere$t, the last thing they want is a "majorly" pissed off and disgruntled work group that is free to take "legal" self help actions at any time.
How does that protect the investment community?
So that, even though US AIRWAYS might put such a statement out that they will seek to abrogate a contract, it clearly isn't in their best interest. They will be better served to ask for a revote on the same thing or improve the enema.
Besides, other groups have gone through the bankruptcy process in fairly similar situations and come out better. For instance at America West, the pilots were given a poor proposals in Bankruptcy [didn't have an 1113 letter] and they chose not to accept them.
They leafletted with information pickets at major airports around the America West system although they didn't resort to other self helps.
The end result was a report of a Tentative agreement with America West that provided improvements from what they had (December 23rd I believe). I don't know if the pilots ratified the T/A or if they are voting on it or what at this moment.
As I said, the last thing the company wants is to provoke a situation with a group that gives the group legal self helps in a situation that is volatile for the company. The company wants organization and contracts so it can project years ahead.
Regards,
Tim Nelson
IAM Local Chairman 1487
215-440-6392
