Strike When Ready!

[EyeInTheSky]

New Co-Op Airline Offers Cheaper Fares If You Help Fly The Plane
October 29, 2005

SAN FRANCISCO—GreenWay Airlines, a new low-cost, cooperative airline, offers inexpensive fares to passengers who assist with the flight, an airline spokesman said Monday. "Unlike pricey corporate airlines, GreenWay is run by and for the people," said Brad Olson, a member of the GreenWay elected board. "But, in order to keep our ticket prices low, everyone who wants to fly with us needs to pitch in and help us navigate and maintain the aircraft. All positions, from baggage handler to pilot, will be filled by volunteers who sign up for four-hour shifts." GreenWay will begin taking reservations for daily flights between San Francisco and Austin, TX, as soon as someone can figure out how to use the booking software.

 

[sharkstooth]

Frankly now would be a very dumb time to strike not to even mention PITbull's point.

Actually, now would be a great time to strike. With the merger on-going and at least several years of resources spent making it happen, the controllers/owners would be more inclined to come to an agreement than allow the process to be disrupted.

Strikes over time almost NEVER benefit either side. Witness what is going on at NWA with the mechs and that is a highly skilled workgroup. Not to be disrespectful or diminish what you, do but call center work is easily outsourcable and you're easily replacable. Relatively speaking. Despite the widespread dissatisfaction with the call center in Manilla, US Airways is still up and running so it would be possible to shift work.

Possible, but not cost effective. Toss out some more boogy-men, rj.

Your ignorance of union/mgmt interactions as well as PITbull's inaccurate assertions are quite entertaining.

"Informational Picketing" would have an effct at the right time. Stop and think for a second. IMO it is highly unlikely that US East and CWA will agree to coming down to your wage scale so what is likely to happen is a new wage structure that boosts your income and lowers the East scales slightly while allowing things like work from home, performance bonus and other unique ideas.

There is nothing "unique" about "working from home" or "performance bonus compensation". Asking a labor group to defer action is a time honored mgmt tactic, in the eventual "hope" that tempers will cool.

As time goes on, those who do not act, will miss the boat. Happens all the time.

I can well understand your frustration but now is not the time to rock the boat.

and, when, all knowing, pile of meadow fertilizer, would be a good time to "rock the boat"?

 

[700UW]

It is against Federal Law for you to strike, plain and simple.

 

[PITbull]

"Your ignorance of union/mgmt interactions as well as PITbull's inaccurate assertions are quite entertaining.

Toothless,

Indulge me for a second....from your perspective, what assertions are inaccurate?

 

[Bear96]

Bob, I agree with you that sharkstooth was being unnecessarily insulting, and I also agree with much of what you said.

But, sharkstooth did raise a valid point, one which I thought of too when I read your post.

When in your eyes WOULD be a good time to "rock the boat"? Or at least, when -- if ever -- would you not consider it to be a BAD time?

I could be wrong about this (and if so I apologize and won't mind being corrected), but with all the U employees have been through over the last few years, whenever a strike seemed even remotely possible you were there preaching how now would not be a good time to disrupt things. Just wondering if you EVER think it is appropriate for workers to strike, and if so, when?

 

[700UW]

They are talking about US/West, and under the RLA a newly organized group cannot strike, you have to go through the whole Section 6 negotiations before you are allowed to strike.

If they strike it would be a wildcat and illegal they would all be fired and the union be fined.

The RLA is set up to protect interstate commerce and not help the employees.

Step 1 Notice is served under Section 6 of the Railway Labor Act by either party

Step 2 Reply required within 10 days sets time, date of initial conference, which must be held within 30 days.

Step 3 Negotiations begin. No time limit

Step 4 Agreement reached through negotiations, if not go to Step 5.

Step 5 Within 10 days after conferences end either party may request NMB mediation or NMB may proffer mediation

Step 6 If mediation not request or proffered within 10 days, strike, lockout or promulgation of new rules.

Step 7 Agreement reached through mediation, if not go to Step 8.

Step 8 NMB proffer of binding arbitration is offered by NMB or requested.

Step 9 Agreement reached through accepting binding arbitration. If not go to 10.

Step 10 Self help strike, lockout 30 days after NMB notifies both parties that proffer of arbitration was refused.

Step 11 NMB may notify President that it believes dispute will interrupt interstate commerce.

Step 12 President may appoint an emergency board if he/she agrees with Step 11.

Step 13 Presidential Emergency Board reports to President within 30 days.

Step 14 Agreement reached based on Emergency Board report, if not go to 15.

Step 15 Indefinite strike or lockout permitted 30 days after report issued. Agreement may be reached.

Step 16 If no agreement, settlement can be legislated by Congress.

 

[gonzo]

"strike" is a interesting concept. "wildcat" is a dangerous concept. PineyBob's insults are very interesting :jerry: and comical.

I was involved in a "wildcat" strike some time ago. It happened because of the management miss treating an employee for no real reason. It was a personality thing between a supervisor and a member. The supervisor was using his position/"power" to get revenge on a member for making suggestions on how to run part of a maintenance program, to the managers. There's more to it but that is the overview.

No member left the property. We gathered just outside of the hanger doors and waited. The manager on duty, it was a weekend, came out and said that if we left the property he would lock the gate and we would all be with out jobs. No one left. The Steward in charge made some statements to the manager about the supervisor and the situation. The manager listened and agreed that the supervisors actions were not proper.

Long story short........we went back to work. Three weeks later the supervisor was working elsewhere. We were very lucky that the company didn't fire all of us, because they could have. We would have had no recourse. The Business agent was very, to say the least, angry.

I would listen to what is being said about a "wildcat" strike. It is very dangerous. Read and heed the 16 steps that Mr. 700 has listed for your reading enjoyment. two cents 🙂

 

[furloughednow psa]

Phoenix Reservation center agents have not had a pay raise in THREE years. And yet the work LOAD has increased by 100%. Where is the justification in that?....I say it is TIME to show MGT that we ARE important and this company CANNOT survive without KNOWLEDGABLE people on the phones......I say it is TIME to STRIKE and see how well PARKER can run this company with minimum staffing on the phones to answer HIS customers, questions, concerns .....LETS STRIKE!!!!

IF YOUR UNHAPPY HERE AND NOT MAKING ENOUGH THEN JUST QUIT AND WALK AWAY

 

[Awa Contract]

Somebody get the red pencil and mark the calender on todays date, this is one time you will hear me say something that leaves a bad taste in my mouth!!!!!

700's last post on this topic is correct - the RLA is not our friend - there are steps that have to be followed and if you don't there is almost 100% chance you will not work here any longer.

 

[700UW]

None of you seem to understand you just can't strike, the government has to approve of it and the process can take years to reach that point.

 

[Awa Contract]

Do not start down this path unless you have a alternate method of putting food on the table!!!

You will not get popular support by violating federal law. You will most certainly be out of work.

 

[UPNAWAY]

I'm for one getting tired of this rez complaining.
It isn't the place or time.
We are in the middle of a merger. Lets get throught this process and then see what happens. It would be dumb on your part to agree to any new deal now not knowing what all the changes in the next year will bring. A lot of your issues will be addressed naturaly through the processes of aligning two airlines. As for as more work. I think almost all AWA employees will have a ton of more work to do from now until the majaroity of the merger is complete. Give it a rest.

 

[Atlantic]

Strike.--------
A non issue. Look at NW ATM,s

 

[700UW]

ATMs?

Automatic Teller Machines?

You mean AMTs and AMFA was stupid, they did not prepare properly to take on NWA, everyone knew NWA wanted a strike and they prepared for it for 18 months prior.

And it is the time to voice their concerns, they might have more leverage against the company if the transition does not go smoothly.

 

[diogenes]

First of all, Pitbull and 700 are right - you cannot go out on a legal strike.

Second, it doesn't matter. Working to the rule will get management's attention. They cannot afford to have the boat rocked now.

Third, NOW is the time, and this is why.

There are two different contracts representing EACH major work group at US.

The company is going to try to cherry pick provisions from EACH contract that is favorable to them - that is happening RIGHT NOW.

Do UEast res and cs agents want to work under terms of the UWest contract? Probably not.

Can it happen if they sit on their hands?

Why do you think MPA is still around?