US Airways Pilots' Labor Discussion 4/2-4/8

[Richard]

Here is the new thread for the Pilots' Labor Issues.

As always, please follow the rules of the board.


Thank you....

 

[Megasnoop]

The east is not yet eligible for section six. Why would the company even consider mediated discussions at this time. Heck they are not even obligated to be at the table. (Unless you reference the transition agreement but USAPA has a schizophrenic relationship with that document.)

Able, you miss the point. We werent asking for "mediated discussions," just for a facilitator. Big difference. Thats a voluntary service the NMB offers prior to Section 6. But we'll be able to ask for mediation in just 3 months. Regards the TA, no obligation by either side to do anything but show up. Not even "Wake the almitey" can change that. Even IF you win addington, we still get our $70M bonus, we get our snapped back pay. Companys time line dragging out negotiations works for me.

On another front. Still sorry to see all those west furloughs. Maybe well get them back through arbitration. If you took the Wye River offer, youd have none out west and wed all still be stuck with alpa. Even IF you win addington, under "no-bump, no flush," theyre not coming back any time soon. So lets hope we win the arb.

Also just in from the Susie arbitration this week. As the arb said, Susie better think about settling up on her own, because she wont like the arbs decision. Funny, isnt that like what Nic told our bone-head MC? But now youll have to deal with Mike Cleary and he IS duly elected, so you can drop all the "self-appointed" nonsense. If you liked Bradford, youll LOVE Cleary.

USAPA is proactively looking out for best west interests, rather than go through the laborous grievance process. Im not going to repost the whole thing, but it was worked out quickly. As Steve said, no solution works perfectly. Note to file, your (we have one by the same name) David Weeks is an asset and the new head of West crew scheduling appears to be solution oriented. Heard your old CS manager was a road block.


PHX 737 April Line Awards

Company error results in 10 improperly awarded West Pilot Reserve lines.
Association obtains punitive remedy for pilots.


After lengthy discussion, and as provided for in the America West Agreement, Section 25, paragraph A1, the Company and the Association agreed to the following:

The affected pilots would remain on Reserve.
All awarded days off will be considered Golden Days, and the affected pilots will receive an additional Golden Day, to bring the total number of days off to 13.
For each day on which the affected pilots are available for reserve duty, the pilots will receive a minimum of the computed Average Line Value for the position (Captain or First Officer) divided by 17. This amount shall be paid at the Red Flag rate, which results in an RV pay guarantee substantially higher than the standard 77 hours. So these are, in effect, punitive payments for requiring pilots to sit reserve for the month of April when they should have had a regular line.

The missing trips still had to be dealt with. Since it was too late to rerun the lines, the trips had to be placed into Open Time. The missing trips were virtually all four-day trips, which would have made it impossible for them to be picked up (not swapped). The Association strongly recommended splitting the trips into shorter pieces, making them easier to be picked up. Chip Mayer agreed to our recommendation. This is the reason there were a large number of split trips in the 737 Open Time when DPU opened on March 20th.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank David Weeks, our PHX Scheduling and PBS Specialist. David has spent many hours and days working with me on this project. His dedication and hard work were instrumental and invaluable in achieving the successful outcome we have obtained. Please take the time to thank David the next time you see him.

If you have any questions regarding this issue, please do not hesitate to contact David or me. Thank you.

Steve Smyser, Chairman
USAPA Scheduling Committee


snooper dooper

 

[Leonidas]

So where is the new contract? We were promised by the usapa brain trust a contract within 90 days, yet here we are a year later and no closer to a deal.

 

[nic4us]

Not even "Wake the almitey" can change that. Even IF you win addington, we still get our $70M bonus, we get our snapped back pay. Companys time line dragging out negotiations works for me.

On another front. Still sorry to see all those west furloughs. Maybe well get them back through arbitration. If you took the Wye River offer, youd have none out west and wed all still be stuck with alpa. Even IF you win addington, under "no-bump, no flush," theyre not coming back any time soon. So lets hope we win the arb.

Also just in from the Susie arbitration this week. As the arb said, Susie better think about settling up on her own, because she wont like the arbs decision. Funny, isnt that like what Nic told our bone-head MC? But now youll have to deal with Mike Cleary and he IS duly elected, so you can drop all the "self-appointed" nonsense. If you liked Bradford, youll LOVE Cleary.

USAPA is proactively looking out for best west interests, rather than go through the laborous grievance process. As Steve said, no solution works perfectly. Note to file, your (we have one by the same name) David Weeks is an asset and the new head of West crew scheduling appears to be solution oriented.


snooper dooper

Snoop,

David Weeks is a true pilot advocate, and works very hard to help anyone wishing to understand our PBS bidding system. I do not always agree with some of his positions, but I always respect him for what he does.

I do not know how the judge will rule, but he can change alot. He does not have to follow the TA.

I hope you get your 70mil, but I think one of the crew news says company does not believe you are getting snapback payscales. Go figure.

I heard a totally different take on the Susie arbitration. In the version I heard, USAPA came to the hearing with no intrest in seeking termination, after months of threatening it. Me thinks they know they are not going to collect some 2mil in dues, and have to owe those who paid.

I too am upset over the latest round of furloughs. As you say hopefully they will get their jobs back in the arbitrations, that will help take the sting out for USAPA, when Addington favors the West.

I am sure Cleary will be well recieved by the West USAPA members, as for me, I do not care who runs the circus, the clowns will do just as well as the hire wire walker.

 

[lynyrdskynyrd]

Snooper dooper is getting dooped big time. He still thinks this new union is historic. Well, it is, but not like the dooper and his buddies were thinking.

 

[cleardirect]

Also just in from the Susie arbitration this week. As the arb said, Susie better think about settling up on her own, because she wont like the arbs decision. Funny, isnt that like what Nic told our bone-head MC? But now youll have to deal with Mike Cleary and he IS duly elected, so you can drop all the "self-appointed" nonsense. If you liked Bradford, youll LOVE Cleary.

snooper dooper

OK Snoop hold on to something. USAPA did something right. Yes I will give usapa credit for helping the west pilots with the scheduling screw up. Nice work. That is one. But it does not offset the huge number of errors by usapa so far.

Example: The nominating process. Appeal board ruled today. Big mistake.

Suzie arbitration:
Have you got some transcripts or just rumor? Where you at the hearing or just rumor?

I hear it went pretty good for our side. No Suzie is not going to be fired even if she losses. Question. If usapa loses this will they live up to THIS arbitration or try and deny this too?

Man I have to do it again. You are right Bradford is better then Cleary. Bradford is just a weak leader trying to get this disaster set up. Cleary is actively working to damage the west. My guess is that not a lot will change. Cleary has always been behind the scenes. Bradford just blunted some of it.

Now it is all on Cleary. If/when this association craters. We all know where to point the finger. Should be fun to watch.

 

[EastUS]

Cleary is actively working to damage the west.

My guess is that not a lot will change.

1) It's my honest feeling that you need no help with that from any external source. Given that the west's been of zero use in even helping the very efforts that would/may well return west furloughees to the line..etc.

2) Probably not from the west perspective, EVER...whatever the union's able to achieve at any level, on any issue, at any time.

I thank providence itself for continued, seperate ops. May it always be so.

 

[toganoflex]

Even IF you win addington, we still get our $70M bonus, we get our snapped back pay.

Dream on and really dream on.

And if by some miracle you do get your first installment of the $70M, you can bet it'll be put into escrow to cover the damages that USAPA is going to have to pay.

 

[EastUS]

Dream on and really dream on.

And if by some miracle you do get your first installment of the $70M, you can bet it'll be put into escrow to cover the damages that USAPA is going to have to pay.

As you said = "Dream on and really dream on."

Seperate ops..an idea that actually works

 

[nycbusdriver]

...you can bet it'll be put into escrow to cover the damages that USAPA is going to have to pay.

You guys really crack me up with this stuff you dream up!

 

[lynyrdskynyrd]

More stuff and another election, thats the latest usapawatch.com article out today. The first two paragraphs are good for a belly laugh. Good stuff, whoever puts that out.

 

[cleardirect]

1) It's my honest feeling that you need no help with that from any external source. Given that the west's been of zero use in even helping the very efforts that would/may well return west furloughees to the line..etc.

You should check your facts before making incorrect statements like that.

2) Probably not from the west perspective, EVER...whatever the union's able to achieve at any level, on any issue, at any time.

I just gave usapa credit for helping west pilots. Now the rest of usapa's achievements are a lot harder to find.

I thank providence itself for continued, seperate ops. May it always be so.

Not much longer. Enjoy them while you have them. By the way enjoy that separate assessment coming your way.

 

[EastUS]

Not much longer. Enjoy them while you have them. By the way enjoy that separate assessment coming your way.

Yawn........Meanwhile..back in the real world...the seperate ops are just fine. In actual fact; I'd think anyone clinically insane that actually wanted to mix these groups together in any cockpit. Meanwhile...We'll all have to do what human beings always do = see what the future holds, only when it's become the present.

 

[Megasnoop]

Snoop,

I do not know how the judge will rule, but he can change alot. He does not have to follow the TA.

I hope you get your 70mil, but I think one of the crew news says company does not believe you are getting snapback payscales. Go figure.

He cant force a contract completion date. If he could, no point negotiating. The company will write whatever contract they want. On snapback, what do you think parker is going to say?

I heard a totally different take on the Susie arbitration. In the version I heard, USAPA came to the hearing with no intrest in seeking termination, after months of threatening it. Me thinks they know they are not going to collect some 2mil in dues, and have to owe those who paid.

I too am upset over the latest round of furloughs. As you say hopefully they will get their jobs back in the arbitrations, that will help take the sting out for USAPA, when Addington favors the West.

USAPA has never wanted Susie fired, only pay up from April to December. Getting money back? Youve got to be kidding. But shell most like pay up, so well never know. We all know adington will be appealed, regardless who wins.

So where is the new contract? We were promised by the usapa brain trust a contract within 90 days, yet here we are a year later and no closer to a deal.

LEO: Dont think anyone was stupid enough to guarantee a 90-day contract. Care to share where that came from? When you use the term "brain trust," your going the insult mode. I thought we were trying to get beyond that. Guess not.

el-snoopo

 

[toganoflex]

[USAPAWATCH.COM

http://usapawatch.com

Thursday, April 02, 2009

More stuff and another election

A Temporary Presidency

Just when you thought you were safe from the daily dose of political emails from the power hungry national officer candidates, we feel obligated to report that the cease fire is only temporary. Mr. Cleary may think he won the presidency last week, but his ascension to the throne is only temporary. Unreported by PMI Theuer and the USAPA noise machine is the investigation by the Department of Labor into the legality of the election. TheEye has confirmed that the election will be overturned and we will once again be subjected to a daily dose of manure in our inboxes by those seeking the presidency.

USAPA members hungry for a second bite at the apple in Judge Wake’s court room will have to settle for that second bite coming in the form of an election redo. Since USAPA advertises itself as the sole source of the truth, we will defer to PMI Theuer to enlighten us with the sordid details of this major blunder by the self appointed Cleary faction. In fact, it wasn’t really a blunder at all but a spear right through the core of democracy itself.

USAPA’s flippant attitude towards free elections is proof positive that the Association is nothing more than an authoritarian state. The people (or pilots in this instance) are completely powerless.

We encourage all members to call their domicile reps and national officers for their version of the story. Regardless of what they tell you, there will be another vote.

Fortunately for the membership, standing between Mr. Cleary and absolute power is the Department of Labor and the U.S. Constitution.

The good news is that maybe next time a better candidate with true leadership skills will step forward.

With no money in the bank – Section 29 must be the answer!

USAPA has decided to go after 250 pilots who have apparently done nothing - that is they have not applied for membership or objector status. We guess Mr. Seham decided these pilots were low hanging fruit and ripe for harassment. The out of control legal bills pouring into USAPA’s headquarters must be so overwhelming that a desperate attempt to coerce more potential members for money was just too much for Mr. Cleary’s new (and temporary) regime to pass up. We are not sure, but it seems to be business as usual at USAPA - and rather than work out ways to increase unity and membership, the USAPA leadership and their advisors continue to find ways to divide the group.

LCC for Sale or Restructuring in our Future

A cause for concern for all pilots is the return of former AWA Executive VP Steve Johnson. For those new to this debacle, Mr. Johnson was Bill Franke's “yes this airline is for sale†right hand man (Franke and Johnson were the west equivalents of Wolfe and Gangwal). Given Mr. Johnson's anti-labor bent, as well as his bankruptcy and restructuring legal background, we were wondering if this signals some changes in our future. Of course the bond rating agencies keep lowering our credit ratings, our stock is still the lowest among our peers and we’re dumping seats for cents on the dollar on Priceline and Hotwire faster than Mr. Parker can spend his salary buying stock. We have no idea what the future holds, but Mr. Johnson's arrival does not bode well for any hope for a positive turn in labor relations at this company - and that is probably a direct result of USAPA's terrible performance at the negotiating table and their failure to build any positive relationships with management to get us anywhere close to on track for a new contract.


Just to recap the “stuff†going on:

The presidential election will be overturned by the DOL.
USAPA is broke.
The airline is probably for sale.
The trial starts April 28 and it’s not a second bite at the apple.


What’s the definition of insanity again?