US Pilots Labor Discussion

[Move2CLT]

So yeah I'm annoyed and if I could decide who to be mad at more I'd have more to say. It's like when my Junkie Ex's 14yr old got arrested for breaking into a house. Cops brought him home and I said "You know I don't know which is worse, you breaking into a house or being so bleeping stupid as to get caught". Kinda where I am on this topic.

Thank you Sparrow for not knowing when to shut up.

 

[USA320Pilot]

Unbiased Facts' Update: November 7, 2011

Dear Subscriber,

Update for November 7, 2011

Quick Fact #62: If USAPA's leadership enters into discussions to merge our independent union with a national union how would our interests best be served? Would we be better served by merging with a union representing major passenger airline companies or a union that represents non major airline pilot groups like Fractional Jet, Regional Jet, Non-Schedule, and Cargo pilots, as well as Flight Attendants, Stock Clerks, Fuelers, Dispatchers, and other Ground Workers?

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[USA320Pilot]

AirTran MEC Chairman Special Message: November 7, 2011

November 7, 2011

Fellow Pilots,

It is decided. The Seniority Integration Agreement has been approved. With an 83.58 percent vote of the ATN pilots and an 83.56 percent vote of the SWAPA pilots – both in favor of ratification – our collective hands have extended and accepted Southwest’s offer as to how the pilot groups will be merged. As such, the next few weeks will be busy as we start the process of combining flight operations. The momentum of this integration will accelerate in the coming months and before long our last pilot will have made the transition to Southwest Airlines. Once a phoenix rising, AirTran Airways will have flown its final flight.

Before we look to the future, however, we must take time to recognize the contributions that the ATN pilots have made to AirTran Airways. We helped build an airline from scratch, and then rebuilt it again and again. The AirTran of 2011 is distinctly different from its precursors in 1993 and even from itself in 2001.Through it all, we remained steadfast in our dedication to the success of the company and the professional execution of our duties. These traits, our core ideals, set the foundation for a high quality experience from a low-fare carrier. By exceeding the expectations of both our passengers and our most ardent opponents, AirTran, perpetually the underdog, succeeded in the face of intense competition.

Similarly, through most of its 40-year history, Southwest and its employees were also underdogs. They were fortunate, however, to have the visionary leadership of Herb Kelleher and Colleen Barrett, who encapsulated the “Southwest Way:” a Warrior Spirit, a Servant’s Heart and a Fun-LUVing attitude. They created a whole corporate department to foster and preserve this culture, while we had to adopt these principles organically. We did it in a vacuum, amongst ourselves, because we knew that our future as airline pilots was dependant on the success of a business over which we had little control. This is our identity – professionals in the face of adversity.

Even now, we have sacrificed to ensure the success of the company. But, by ratifying this agreement, we, along with SWAPA pilots, have taken ownership of our pilot integration and the future of Southwest Airlines. From Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon, Southwest Airlines will extend a reach only imagined when it began flying its first Dallas to Houston and San Antonio legs in 1971. CEO Gary Kelly has also spoken of his desire to push even further: to Mexico, Canada, Alaska and Hawaii. The synergies unleashed by the merger of our two airlines will power this expansion with nearly eight thousand pilots at the helm. Together, with every other employee, we will benefit from our improved competitive position and the opportunities created by this growth.

So let’s look ahead; not through rose colored glasses, but with plain sight. Our future lies with Southwest Airlines. In order to facilitate a smooth transition, we must focus on building upon those common traits which unite us with our peers, and we must recognize that it is in our collective interest to work together to help our new company navigate through uncharted territory.

With that in mind, I commend you on your unyielding professionalism. Together, we will write the next chapter of our careers.

In unity,

Linden Hillman, Chairman
ATN Master Executive Council

 

[USA320Pilot]

SWAPA Executive Blog: November 7, 2011

From your SWAPA President, Steve Chase

Fellow SWAPA Pilots,

Today the members of SWAPA and our counterparts at AirTran-ALPA voted in favor of accepting the seniority list integration provided for in Side Letter 10, paving the way for a full integration of flight operations.

Results of SWAPA's vote, with 95.1 percent of members voting:

83.56 percent in favor

16.44 percent against

Click here to view full results PDF on the SWAPA website.

Results of AirTran-ALPA's vote, with 93.99 percent of members voting:

83.58 percent in favor

16.42 percent against

The affirmative vote should not be seen as an endorsement of the Company's decision to grow through the acquisition. We all know that it is this pilot group's acceptance of the agreement that will best mitigate harm incurred as a result of the Company's decision. Your Association and Southwest Airlines realize that this agreement did not come without sacrifice. Both pilot groups are owed a debt of gratitude for their ability to come to an agreement that will provide Southwest Airlines with what they assert is needed to return our airline to the growth and unrivaled prosperity to which we have become accustomed.

The Company's plan is to begin transitioning aircraft late in the first quarter of 2012 beginning with the 737s at a rate of three per month. It is estimated that Single Operating Certificate (SOC) status will be granted near the same time.

To be perfectly clear, we do not support the strategy of growth through acquisition, not now, or in the future. It is our belief that organic growth is the best for the Company, its Employees and its Culture. Gary has assured us that this plan will lead to significant growth and expansion opportunities, and therefore we trust Gary's comment that "one plus one is greater than two." With the added benefit of seniority list certainty, we expect to realize that result sooner rather than later and will now begin the task of integrating the AirTran pilots into Southwest and SWAPA. This will be a relatively slow process; however, as we work to bring these two groups together, I am sure we will continue to operate as professionals. With this vote our focus is now cast upon Southwest Airlines management and their efforts toward creating a growing and more profitable airline.

On behalf of SWAPA leadership I sincerely thank you for your vote as well as your continued support and professionalism throughout this process.

Steve

SWAPA Headquarters
Brookview Plaza
1450 Empire Central
Ste. 737 Dallas, TX 75247
(214) 350-9237 - Phone
(800) 969-7972 - Phone
(214) 350-0647 - Fax

 

[USA320Pilot]

She Leeman Gets Busted: November 7, 2011

Click here to watch the YouTube video.

 

[SparrowHawk]

She Leeman Gets Busted: November 7, 2011

Click here to watch the YouTube video.

And this type of thing is helpful how?

 

[luvthe9]

Not to be an ass or anything but. But we told them so. The west pilots told the east pilots that Seham was a bad lawyer but as usual they would not listen.

You are correct Seham's record is poor. He finds emotional labor groups tells them a story and gets paid.

Seham is the one that came up with the idea to sue members for RICO. We all know how that turned out.

Seham is the one that came up with the idea that changing unions can get you out of an arbitration. We will see how that turns out.

It is funny now how the hard core usapa/Seham supporters are turning on Seham. How, now they all knew he was bad guy but went along. You east guys might want to think about something. Seham is the one that told you a story of how to get out of arbitration. He is also the one that told you what the ninth said. His opinion. Ever think that his opinion was wrong and the only thing the ninth said was not ripe.

Seham was wrong about the RICO. Seham has been wrong at the other labor groups he has represented. What if it turns out he was wrong about changing union voiding arbitration and you guys just wasted 6 years and millions of dollars for nothing?

You guys going to apologize and repay the west? Will you ever admit that you were wrong? Will you ever accept responsibility or always find someone to blame? It has already begun.

From Cleary:



Never Cleary's fault. Except Cleary was president for years and left Seham in place. He could have replaced Seham if he wanted. But as usual never accept responsibility.

This is just too funny! let's see, Seham blows Leonidas out of the water in the 9th SF and got Jacobs to take 2 million from Leonidas. Sparrowhawk is clueless as usual, and forgets the dumba$$ Jacobs took the wests' cash for a case that wasn't ripe. That, was the best yet!
Of course Clear Direct won't talk about that one :blink: :blink: :blink: :blink:

 

[Move2CLT]

And this type of thing is helpful how?

For you its not helpful at all. It has nothing to do with you. It wasn't directed at you.

 

[SparrowHawk]

This is just too funny! let's see, Seham blows Leonidas out of the water in the 9th SF and got Jacobs to take 2 million from Leonidas. Sparrowhawk is clueless as usual, and forgets the dumba$$ Jacobs took the wests' cash for a case that wasn't ripe. That, was the best yet!
Of course Clear Direct won't talk about that one :blink: :blink: :blink: :blink:

Do you have a Date of Hire Seniority List to submit to US Airways that would move the negotiations forward?

If your answer is YES then I am indeed clueless.

If however the answer is a resounding NO! Then someone else is either clueless or delusional.

I'm like Doug Parker in one way and that is I'm a bottom line guy. Do you have a DOH? NO, you don't! Ergo up until this very second you have by definition LOST! Dies the West have the NIC? Ergo up until this very second they have by definition LOST!

So, that being the factual account who then has WON? It would appear that the only party who has achieved their goal of the lowest possible labor cost would be (Drum Roll) Yep you guessed it! US Airways and Doug Parker are the only interested party with even an once of claiming victory.

I do agree that Seeham blows as an attorney. Show me ONE clear cut victory he has won for Labor anytime in his entire legal career. I'd suggest you not ask the former AMFA members at NWA for a reference on Lee Seeham.

 

[Move2CLT]

This is just too funny! let's see, Seham blows Leonidas out of the water in the 9th SF and got Jacobs to take 2 million from Leonidas. Sparrowhawk is clueless as usual, and forgets the dumba$$ Jacobs took the wests' cash for a case that wasn't ripe. That, was the best yet!
Of course Clear Direct won't talk about that one :blink: :blink: :blink: :blink:

How's that DOH coming along. Oh ya, it isn't because AoL shut that down and now you're begging for parity at every crew news.

Addington is still alive and well and ready for DFR 2. Oh, wait, we're a class now so its not just the original Addington plaintiffs anymore.

And why is it such a great attorney, in your words, is being vilified by Cleary? Did you read this small part:

I am extremely confident that we are in a position to move forward with more competent legal counsel than we had before.


Cleary says he was incompetent yet you think he's a hero. Maybe you should call Cleary and get your facts straight.

Oh, and it sounds like the fight is on.

Seham has retained counsel which specializes in defending attorneys against ethics charges and disbarment proceedings. I for one find it interesting that he feels the need for this when he has simply been asked to provide substantiation for his billing to us. USAPA has an absolute right to the information we are requesting. The audit will proceed, with or without Mr. Seham's cooperation.

 

[luvn737s]

Do you have a DOH? NO, you don't!

Actually, yes they do. USAPA's sole victory is in preserving that by delaying a vote on a combined contract, at the expense of the west.

 

[SparrowHawk]

Actually, yes they do. USAPA's sole victory is in preserving that by delaying a vote on a combined contract, at the expense of the west.

Pardon me counselor, let me rephrase the question,

Does USAPA have a DOH based seniority list acceptable to the company that allows negotiations on a combined contract to move forward?

 

[luvthe9]

Pardon me counselor, let me rephrase the question,

Does USAPA have a DOH based seniority list acceptable to the company that allows negotiations on a combined contract to move forward?

Pardon me counselor, I'm sure you know the company does not need a combined list for negotiations to move foward. Why would the company even want a contract?

 

[Move2CLT]

Actually, yes they do. USAPA's sole victory is in preserving that by delaying a vote on a combined contract, at the expense of the west.

USAPA's sole victory would have been a contract in the promised time with DOH as the SLI. They've done neither so there is no victory on their part.

And how is that at my expense? I'm not on LOA93, am I?

For me its status quo which isn't too too bad.

For the east its status quo and that sucks.

That delay you speak of is plan C and is being used because every other channel has failed them.

So delay away.

 

[Move2CLT]

Pardon me counselor, let me rephrase the question,

Does USAPA have a DOH based seniority list acceptable to the company that allows negotiations on a combined contract to move forward?

Take a hike Sparrow, I got this. This doesn't concern you.

Don't you have a 14 year old to belittle?