US Pilots Labor Discussion

[Res Judicata]

As of today, despite having 60+ fewer hulls than when the merger was announced, there are NO east furloughed pilots.

Today is irrelevant. You know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that without this merger you would ALL be unemployed. Nicalau understood that clearly.

 

[USA320Pilot]

Update for December 21, 2011: US Airways-America West Pilot JNC Contract, What USAPA Gave Up, Part 3 of 9

Dear Subscriber,

Update for December 21, 2011

Quick Fact #215: During the fall of 2007 the ALPA JNC was closing out sections of the new post-merger pilot joint contract with the Company. One important section being finalized was Health Care. On September 25, 2007 the Company provided USAPA its improved Health Care Proposal. Should US Airways' pilots look for a new direction and seek representation by the only national union that represents major airline pilots?

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[Pi brat]

Today is irrelevant. You know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that without this merger you would ALL be unemployed. Nicalau understood that clearly.

Today is irrelevant? Great view! You know, or should know, that without this merger you would ALL be unemployed.

 

[Res Judicata]

Today is irrelevant? Great view! You know, or should know, that without this merger you would ALL be unemployed.

The FACTS are on the West side. The PID is the only date that matters just like it is at every merger. Just because you've thrown a 5 year hissy fit doesn't change anything.

 

[USA320Pilot]

President's Message (Communications Committee Leadership Staffing): December 21, 2011

Fellow Pilots,

Our Communications Committee suffered a recent setback when the Board of Pilot Representatives voted by a slim majority (6-5) not to approve the appointments of both the Chairman and Vice Chairman. This action is sanctioned by our Constitution and Bylaws and Union Operating Manual, but like any action, there needs to be a common sense plan to affect a successful outcome. In this instance, it appears that voting against the appointments was the end of their plan because, to date, none of the six "no" voters have brought forth any plan to re-staff these positions. All that has been forthcoming are vague references to "opening up" the process and conducting interviews. No timeline, no guidelines, no specifics, just six "no" votes and an unclear demand for some new process.

The six BPR members who've called for a change to the well-established practice are referencing the following language contained in USAPA's Union Operating Manual, which reads: "The President may call for interviews for committee assignments to be conducted at BPR meetings." In practice, this provision hasn't been utilized except for initial appointments to the Negotiating Advisory Committee and Merger Committee; every other committee appointment has been approved after presidential appointment without issue. While there is undisputedly a provision which allows the President to call for interviews, it is not mandated and there are, in fact, several good reasons to use this provision sparingly.

Many questions abound about what sort of interview process they envision. Board interviews are potentially complicated. One thing I certainly want to avoid is the political fire storm that characterized this process under ALPA. Our Constitution was designed to prevent the politicizing of committee appointments and foster strong team building within committees. With a few exceptions, I can report to you that this has worked. In those committees which have suffered some breakdown in teamwork for whatever reason, allowing the President the authority to appoint new members and have them start work immediately is an important tool for quickly recovering the work product of that committee. Interviews have been conducted on a routine basis by the relevant Committee Chairman and the Officers. Although Board interviews of dozens of pilots might be valuable in some instances, my strong sense is that the Association will suffer if we change this established process. Alas, as noted, none of the BPR members who effectively dismantled the Communications Committee leadership have crafted a workable plan. They voted to strip Communications of its Chairman and Vice Chairman and have been largely silent about how to recover our ability to accomplish our work.

And in the spirit of just that -- accomplishing our work -- I am compelled to once again staff the Communications Committee with a Chairman and Vice Chairman. Just as USAPA has done since inception, these appointed members will start work immediately while awaiting BPR approval. If the same BPR members intend on voting against approval, I implore them to work with their fellow Board Members and the Officers to craft a plan that will satisfy their desire to "open up" the process without caustically interrupting the work of this essential committee. Compliance with the UOM requires that four committees are fully staffed at all times: Safety, Security, Communications and Grievance. While our Communications Committee leadership was dismantled, there have been critical Legal updates, Domicile updates, and news of the new Flight Time and Duty Time regulations that require a great deal of work to disseminate properly. We do not have the luxury of waiting weeks to staff these positions. Furthermore, this committee must be fully staffed to handle the unexpected, and I simply cannot allow the lack of planning on the part of certain Board Members to expose us to any further risk. We've patiently allowed this slim majority on the BPR to exercise their constitutional right to disapprove committee appointments. I am, however, now bound by that same Constitution to reinstate the Communication Committee Chairman and Vice Chairman at this time.

Sincerely,

Captain Mike Cleary
President

 

[Pi brat]

The FACTS are on the West side. The PID is the only date that matters just like it is at every merger. Just because you've thrown a 5 year hissy fit doesn't change anything.

Oh you mean the PID where the east had 270 A/C but 2 years later Nicolau only gave us credit for 226?

You need to do some research instead of parroting the AOL bs.

 

[Metroyet]

President's Message (Communications Committee Leadership Staffing): December 21, 2011

Fellow Pilots,

Our Communications Committee suffered a recent setback when the Board of Pilot Representatives voted by a slim majority (6-5) not to approve the appointments of both the Chairman and Vice Chairman. This action is sanctioned by our Constitution and Bylaws and Union Operating Manual, but like any action, there needs to be a common sense plan to affect a successful outcome. In this instance, it appears that voting against the appointments was the end of their plan because, to date, none of the six "no" voters have brought forth any plan to re-staff these positions. All that has been forthcoming are vague references to "opening up" the process and conducting interviews. No timeline, no guidelines, no specifics, just six "no" votes and an unclear demand for some new process.

The six BPR members who've called for a change to the well-established practice are referencing the following language contained in USAPA's Union Operating Manual, which reads: "The President may call for interviews for committee assignments to be conducted at BPR meetings." In practice, this provision hasn't been utilized except for initial appointments to the Negotiating Advisory Committee and Merger Committee; every other committee appointment has been approved after presidential appointment without issue. While there is undisputedly a provision which allows the President to call for interviews, it is not mandated and there are, in fact, several good reasons to use this provision sparingly.

Many questions abound about what sort of interview process they envision. Board interviews are potentially complicated. One thing I certainly want to avoid is the political fire storm that characterized this process under ALPA. Our Constitution was designed to prevent the politicizing of committee appointments and foster strong team building within committees. With a few exceptions, I can report to you that this has worked. In those committees which have suffered some breakdown in teamwork for whatever reason, allowing the President the authority to appoint new members and have them start work immediately is an important tool for quickly recovering the work product of that committee. Interviews have been conducted on a routine basis by the relevant Committee Chairman and the Officers. Although Board interviews of dozens of pilots might be valuable in some instances, my strong sense is that the Association will suffer if we change this established process. Alas, as noted, none of the BPR members who effectively dismantled the Communications Committee leadership have crafted a workable plan. They voted to strip Communications of its Chairman and Vice Chairman and have been largely silent about how to recover our ability to accomplish our work.

And in the spirit of just that -- accomplishing our work -- I am compelled to once again staff the Communications Committee with a Chairman and Vice Chairman. Just as USAPA has done since inception, these appointed members will start work immediately while awaiting BPR approval. If the same BPR members intend on voting against approval, I implore them to work with their fellow Board Members and the Officers to craft a plan that will satisfy their desire to "open up" the process without caustically interrupting the work of this essential committee. Compliance with the UOM requires that four committees are fully staffed at all times: Safety, Security, Communications and Grievance. While our Communications Committee leadership was dismantled, there have been critical Legal updates, Domicile updates, and news of the new Flight Time and Duty Time regulations that require a great deal of work to disseminate properly. We do not have the luxury of waiting weeks to staff these positions. Furthermore, this committee must be fully staffed to handle the unexpected, and I simply cannot allow the lack of planning on the part of certain Board Members to expose us to any further risk. We've patiently allowed this slim majority on the BPR to exercise their constitutional right to disapprove committee appointments. I am, however, now bound by that same Constitution to reinstate the Communication Committee Chairman and Vice Chairman at this time.

Sincerely,

Captain Mike Cleary
President

I thought Majority Ruled. Isn't that the sacred, sacrosanct foundation upon which our Dear Union was built upon?

Here's a joke. You fill in the punchline.

"How do you know when your President suffers from Narcissistic Personality Disorder?"

 

[cactusboy53]

"...Compliance with the UOM requires that four committees are fully staffed at all times: Safety, Security, Communications and Grievance. While our Communications Committee leadership was dismantled, there have been critical Legal updates, Domicile updates, and news of the new Flight Time and Duty Time regulations that require a great deal of work to disseminate properly. We do not have the luxury of waiting weeks to staff these positions. Furthermore, this committee must be fully staffed to handle the unexpected, and I simply cannot allow the lack of planning on the part of certain Board Members to expose us to any further risk. We've patiently allowed this slim majority on the BPR to exercise their constitutional right to disapprove committee appointments. I am, however, now bound by that same Constitution to reinstate the Communication Committee Chairman and Vice Chairman at this time."

Theuer stepped down: "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."

Talk about drama! To steal from one of my buddy's (that doesn't visit or post here to my knowledge)....."It's a miracle, a Christmas miracle!"

USAPA = THE LAUGHING STOCK OF AIRLINE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGENTS!!

 

[Metroyet]

Oh you mean the PID where the east had 270 A/C but 2 years later Nicolau only gave us credit for 226?

You need to do some research instead of parroting the AOL bs.

ALPA filed suit right after the award based on a number of areas they thought Nic. over stepped his bounds. As Judge Silver pointed out, USAPA FAILED to keep running with that ball and see that litigation through. If it had any merit what so ever, (and we all know how low USAPA set the bar qualifying a lawsuit as having merit) why didn't USAPA supplant itself as the plaintiff and simply carry on? Is that just another USAPA failure or are you just wrong?

 

[BoeingBoy]

Is that just another USAPA failure or are you just wrong?

We all know how good USAPA is at winning grievences and court cases. As for PI, he just thinks he's found a smoking gun and won't let it go even if it's not.

Nic could just as easily have used the May 2005 East fleet but in conjunction with the May 2005 East list. The Nic list would look the same except it'd have lots of retired pilots on it (like me). Then Pi could complain about Nic putting all those retired pilots on the list...

Instead, Nic updated the fleet and list to 2007, removing airplanes and pilots that weren't there on 1/1/2007. Same end result, just two different ways of getting there.

Jim

 

[Res Judicata]

We all know how good USAPA is at winning grievences and court cases. As for PI, he just thinks he's found a smoking gun and won't let it go even if it's not.

Nic could just as easily have used the May 2005 East fleet but in conjunction with the May 2005 East list. The Nic list would look the same except it'd have lots of retired pilots on it (like me). Then Pi could complain about Nic putting all those retired pilots on the list...

Instead, Nic updated the fleet and list to 2007, removing airplanes and pilots that weren't there on 1/1/2007. Same end result, just two different ways of getting there.

Jim

Damn. FACTS are a pesky thing aren't they?

 

[prechilill]

We all know how good USAPA is at winning grievences and court cases. As for PI, he just thinks he's found a smoking gun and won't let it go even if it's not.

Nic could just as easily have used the May 2005 East fleet but in conjunction with the May 2005 East list. The Nic list would look the same except it'd have lots of retired pilots on it (like me). Then Pi could complain about Nic putting all those retired pilots on the list...

Instead, Nic updated the fleet and list to 2007, removing airplanes and pilots that weren't there on 1/1/2007. Same end result, just two different ways of getting there.

Jim

It astounds me how obstinate some people can be. The PID was in 2005, Nicolau brought the two lists current by removing retired pilots (still pre age 65) but the data was still from the same 2005 PID date. That's why the term "third lister" was used to identify new hires post-PID. Consider this, if the FAA changed the retirement age in 2005 Nicolau wouldn't have needed an updated list. So simple even a silver-spooned cave man should be able to understand. Perhaps not?

 

[A320 Driver]

Consider this, if the FAA changed the retirement age in 2005 Nicolau wouldn't have needed an updated list.

Consider this, the FAA didn't change the retirement age. Congress did.

Driver...

 

[cleardirect]

Today is irrelevant? Great view! You know, or should know, that without this merger you would ALL be unemployed.

This from an interview this week. Parker has also said it several times in crew news. US Airways was going to go OUT OF BUSINESS. Find anywhere that Parker has said AWA was going out of business. He never said that. So you can stop trying to drag the west down with you drowning man.

INTERVIEW: US AIrways chief executive Doug Parker


By: Lori Ranson Washington DC
12:21 20 Dec 2011

Acknowledging it is not the easiest message for employees to accept, Parker says: "They wish it was not the case as we all do." But he need only point out that the former US Airways got uncomfortably close to ceasing to exist after filing for bankruptcy protection in 2002, and again in 2004, to highlight the importance of cost control.

The company "went through a lot of pain and almost went out of business", Parker says. "None of those things are the situation now. Indeed, we have a major airline [American] that filed for bankruptcy today and US Airways is doing just fine. It says a lot about how far we've come, but we can't lose sight of how we got here."

 

[prechilill]

Consider this, the FAA didn't change the retirement age. Congress did.

Driver...

Didn't realize we flew under congressional air regulations, thought they were Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 😛