US Pilots Labor Discussion

[Claxon]

Michael Cleary is an absolute genius. Look at the western scurrying about. They have no idea what great ideas he has. React and react. Franke himself would be disappointed in their lack of cohesion.

 

[Claxon]

I say let the company and the corrupt usapa's brain trust try this. Numbers on the street and my hired lawyers stated this is an easy $3 billion dollar payout lawsuit win to the west pilots for the company collusion with usapa and a very well known hybrid DFR.

OTTER

The only hybrid will be the Depends you will fashion to contain the damage you suffer as a result of the doctor gone mad. He is after the next group of millions coming his way. Michael Cleary is an absolute genius.

 

[nic4us]

Another false statement.

Cleary's statement was well received by the west. We see it as caving and the beginning of the end for the DOH crowd.

I took Pi's statement to mean that the West is not open to any ideas of negotiating new seniority terms, or new C&Rs to usapa's DOH plan.

So plain and simple, Cleary's plan is not going to be "well recieved" on the West.

 

[Black Swan]

190+ posts on awappa web board in support of AOL in < 2 days since cleary spoke...What gave you the first clue Einstein? Ever wonder why we love this guy cleary?

LMAO again.

Hope to see you 12/01/11 in Judge Silver's court room..If you can't make it..I'll give you an honest play by play of the new and improved usapa legal team. I hear that scott theuer (seniority is like negotiating for crew meals) may not be able to make it.

OTTER

Flash forward, DFR 2......

therefore, the case is REMANDED to
the district court with directions that the action be DISMISSED.
No costs to either side.

 

[lynyrdskynyrd]

I have Dec. 1st off, unless it's a rare event and I get only one day off after five on, and I plan on making the court date. Usapa in an instant goes from full on bravado, to all the sudden this? Uh, somethings wrong with that, all bluster aside. After everything that's happened so far, I don't see how anyone could expect the west to just jump on this and say 'sign me up.'

Should be an interesting day in court.

 

[nic4us]

Michael Cleary is an absolute genius. Look at the western scurrying about. They have no idea what great ideas he has. React and react. Franke himself would be disappointed in their lack of cohesion.

Did you say you are not a pilot at LCC??

From the context of your post, and the complete lack of intelligence contained therein, I am guessing you work for the FAA?


Am I right???

 

[BoeingBoy]

Come on Jim, you know have to talk to the judge. Has nothing to do with any sentiment at all. The spanking has already happened at a higher level. She knows that. She just doesn't want to be the Desert Judge II and we are going to help!

Have to talk to the Judge? All this time you've been claiming complete victory - that USAPA's free to do whatever it wants according to the 9th. All USAPA has to do is point out to Silver that the 9th has already settled everything in USAPA's favor so no need for even a hearing. So why this sudden interest is talking, to the west or the Judge, when you've claimed that USAPA has already won all the marbles? You'll have to explain how USAPA has already gotten everything it wanted (according to you) yet suddenly is interested in mediation to reach agreement with the west...agreement that you've constantly claimed wasn't needed...

Jim

 

[Black Swan]

Have to talk to the Judge? All this time you've been claiming complete victory - that USAPA's free to do whatever it wants according to the 9th. All USAPA has to do is point out to Silver that the 9th has already settled everything in USAPA's favor so no need for even a hearing. So why this sudden interest is talking, to the west or the Judge, when you've claimed that USAPA has already won all the marbles? You'll have to explain how USAPA has already gotten everything it wanted (according to you) yet suddenly is interested in mediation to reach agreement with the west...agreement that you've constantly claimed wasn't needed...

Jim

You are telling lies again. Nobody said they couldn't be harmed or represented.Just define what the real definition of harm is. Theirs, or the real interpretation. It is always smart to talk to your opponent. Smarter yet to deal with a judge. Looking forward to Dec 1st.

 

[OTTER574]

Michael Cleary is an absolute genius. Look at the western scurrying about. They have no idea what great ideas he has. React and react. Franke himself would be disappointed in their lack of cohesion.

You in the running to replace scott..boy I hope so.

OTTER

Note from Communications Chairman Scott Theuer

Fellow pilots,

It has been quite a long time since I have communicated to you directly; my job is to work in the background, facilitating communications within the union. Those of you who know me know that I have dedicated the last 4 1/2 years to the development and support of an independent union for the US Airways pilots. A few months ago, in accordance with the Union Operating Manual (UOM), I notified the Secretary-Treasurer, who in turn notified the Board, that I was working on medical status. At the time I was hopeful that the situation was temporary; it has, however, become apparent that it is not. With this in mind, and in consideration of the limitations in the UOM regarding working on MED status and the eventual transition they require, after substantial thought and mixed emotions I have decided to resign my position of Communications Chairman for USAPA, effective December 1, 2011. President Cleary notified the Board of my decision during the BPR telephonic meeting on Tuesday. Having broken that news, I'd like to give you my opinion one last time regarding the state of the union and your part in it. I don't mean the following to be negative; I'm simply going to call it as I see it.

First, I continue to support the direction of this union. As the last USAPA founder still working full-time (giving absolute due deference and a tip of the hat to Captain Steve "Spike" Szpyrka, PHL Domicile Chairman, who was here before I), I can tell you that we envisioned a tough, no-nonsense union that would finally stop capitulating; one that would instead draw a line in the sand with the Company and stand up for the professional pilots that work here - both to defend them and to attempt to regain the pay and working conditions the job description demands. (This required the ousting of our previous bargaining agent; a conflicted, national union that routinely capitulated.) And this is exactly what we have done, and are still doing.

Regretfully, there are those who, while they said they supported the direction in theory, when it really comes down to it have proven they don't have the backbone to stick together and remember who the real adversary is. Instead, they sit at home on their computers slamming out derogatory newsletters, web board postings and blog updates; screaming from their soapboxes with criticism for all and actual solutions for none; creating fiction and division instead of standing by their fellow pilots in unity to work towards a better life. They don't perform actual union work because they're too lazy and/or they want to be in charge; all chiefs and no indians. They're desperately hoping you're not really paying attention so that they can capture you with innuendo, gossip and allegations. While we have some pilots near the poverty line, pilots' widows being denied benefits, pilots struggling on disability with egregious offsets, multiple terminations without just cause, routine compromises on safety and outright theft by the Company (all being fought by the union), these naysayers want you to focus on, for example, volunteers' personal lives, irrelevant relationships and invented conflicts of interest. Their newsletters and web posts read like the National Inquirer: "Read about the latest alien abduction in the USAPA office!!" Incredibly, some are so detached from reality that they blame the union for the very disunity they create. I ask that you ignore the rants from those uninvolved in the actual work; you are doing yourself a disservice every time you read a ranting newsletter rather than simply calling your Rep.

I urge you to remain engaged in your union and educated as to the issues. Attend the meetings. I realize they're boring and it seems like you have better things to do, but see for yourself, attend the meetings! Read the updates. Routinely communicate with your Reps; demand less politics and more unity. I know that none of you elected a new union to fight internally; we certainly saw plenty of that with ALPA, and we've had plenty of time to ponder just where that got us. Contrary to what some have said, no one is a rubber stamp for the President and there is always vigorous internal debate as ideas are flushed out; don't take my or anyone else's word for it - attend the meetings and see for yourself. Agreement with the President is not, by itself, a bad thing, as some would like you to believe: "Read all about it, XYZ Rep agrees with President!!"

* Dissention is not the goal, and those that promote it are not representing you. Unity, a new contract, and defense of it - those are the goals.
* Dissention does not necessarily prove someone is smarter, or brave enough to voice an alternative opinion, or that the dissenter is doing a better job of standing up for the pilots. Often it simply proves an inability to work with others and come together to find common ground for the betterment of all.

When we first launched this union, we knew it would be hard work, and that it might take a while to make progress in some areas. Of course, there was no way for us to know, even prior to certification, that merger euphoria would so quickly turn into furloughs as we entered one of the deepest recessions in recent memory. Palpable motivation on the Company's part turned, almost overnight, into absolute inflexibility. The fight has been tougher, and gone on longer, than anyone imagined. Winston Churchill said, "If you're going through hell, keep going." The advice is succinct, and intuitive once considered, but some just don't get it. In my opinion, the efforts of most of the Board to stay the course when times are tough, no matter what, are laudable. Some, regrettably not all, understand that unity is the only way we will get to the finish line, and that the Company is counting on division; hoping you will give up and start negotiating against yourself.

* Management is hoping we'll continue to squabble over childish, irrelevant issues and not notice that the house is on fire.

So, enough of the pep talk; do with it as you will.

I have worked for quite some time now with Communications Vice Chairman Todd Fieser, and have recommended that he succeed me as Communications Chairman. Todd has been doing a great job in assisting me in Comm for about two years now and I could go on at length about him, but he is reliable, earnest, honest and a true pilot advocate; he works hard and understands the issues. I recommended PHL A330 First Officer Chris Fillar for the position of Vice Chairman of Communications. I have known Chris for almost 26 years, and he stepped-in very capably during our transition to a new Communications Specialist. Chris is a proactive self-starter; very proficient technically, did a tremendous job with background organizing and training, and will round out the Comm team nicely. I recommended that P4P Vice Chairman Courtney Borman assume the position of P4P Chairman; those that know Courtney know he is as dedicated a union worker as one could possibly hope for. Todd and Courtney recommended that P4P member Glenn Kunkel assume the P4P Vice Chairman position. I have noted on the P4P conference calls, and during other conversations, the seriousness with which Glenn takes his job, and wholeheartedly supported their recommendation. I ask that you welcome all of these pilots as they work for you in their new positions. I can assure you that they, in turn, welcome your input with regard to how the union can better communicate with you.

Righteous battles are rarely easily won; however, no matter the time, effort or sacrifice, in retrospect they are worthwhile and something of which to be proud. Thank you for the opportunity to work for you, and with you, in this righteous cause of independent unionism and improvement of condition. Never give up.

Scott

Captain Scott Theuer
Communications Chairman

 

[BoeingBoy]

You are telling lies again. Nobody said they couldn't be harmed or represented.Just define what the real definition of harm is. Theirs, or the real interpretation.

Why bring "harm" into this. I only asked about the sudden interest in mediation after you've claimed for so long that the Nic issue was settled in USAPA's favor.

It is always smart to talk to your opponent. Smarter yet to deal with a judge.

So are you saying that USAPA has been dumb all along because they didn't talk to the west? Interesting...

Smarter yet to deal with a judge? Why did USAPA file an emergency motion to stay all DJ proceedings? Why did USAPA file a motion to dismiss? Why did USAPA file a motion for an extension of time? Why did USAPA file a motion to prevent class certification of the west? USAPA did everything it could to slow/stop the DJ proceedings and keep the west class out but now it's smart to talk to the west and even smarter to talk to the Judge?

If you were a washing machine you'd only have one cycle - spin...

Jim

 

[Move2CLT]

Okay, thanks. I will tell him you said so, it should make him feel better.

And tell him he's got our vote and to keep up the good work.

 

[prechilill]

Oh come on pre, everyone knows you love me. Don't be sheepish!

Has anyone ever told you that you make a good barometer? From your posts I can see what type of storm is coming from the west. Thanks!

Glad I can be of some help! You've got a big heart in helping me move to AVL- moving truck should be coming soon!

 

[Black Swan]

Why bring "harm" into this. I only asked about the sudden interest in mediation after you've claimed for so long that the Nic issue was settled in USAPA's favor.



So are you saying that USAPA has been dumb all along because they didn't talk to the west? Interesting...

Smarter yet to deal with a judge? Why did USAPA file an emergency motion to stay all DJ proceedings? Why did USAPA file a motion to dismiss? Why did USAPA file a motion for an extension of time? Why did USAPA file a motion to prevent class certification of the west? USAPA did everything it could to slow/stop the DJ proceedings but now it's smart to talk to the west and even smarter to talk to the Judge?

If you were a washing machine you'd only have one cycle - spin...

Jim

Maybe the fact they got classed makes it possible to talk. I think the junior West isn't too happy about this. They now ran out of excuses why they couldn't. Let's work this out. I hear there are a lot of West senior guys that are coming out of the woodwork now to talk. Regardless of what Aqua says, the reality of the situation says the more senior West guys want to deal.

 

[nic4us]

You in the running to replace scott..boy I hope so.

OTTER

Note from Communications Chairman Scott Theuer

Fellow pilots,

Captain Scott Theuer
Communications Chairman

Whew....

I started to read that letter, got to about the part where he starts talking he is on medical and thought to myself....

I am not wasting the time it takes to read this letter to get this a-holes opinion on anything.

But thanks for posting OTTER.

 

[Black Swan]

Why bring "harm" into this. I only asked about the sudden interest in mediation after you've claimed for so long that the Nic issue was settled in USAPA's favor.



So are you saying that USAPA has been dumb all along because they didn't talk to the west? Interesting...

Smarter yet to deal with a judge? Why did USAPA file an emergency motion to stay all DJ proceedings? Why did USAPA file a motion to dismiss? Why did USAPA file a motion for an extension of time? Why did USAPA file a motion to prevent class certification of the west? USAPA did everything it could to slow/stop the DJ proceedings and keep the west class out but now it's smart to talk to the west and even smarter to talk to the Judge?

If you were a washing machine you'd only have one cycle - spin...

Jim

Because the more senior West guys apparently are approaching USAPA now in a large group and want to avoid years of litigation by the junior guys and Leonidas. You yourself said there was no West to talk to, well, all of a sudden there is. Imagine that.