Right.
I support honest union people versus those who run or support USAPA. NLG provided comments that are slander regarding my military record, which speaks for itself.
You know what USA? Sometimes I am amazed that you just don't know when to shut up. I guess you just can't remember all the crap you have flung over the years. Are the following examples of the "honest people" you support? I can't understand why a single person would ever take you seriously.
USA320Pilot
Posted 13 September 2007 - 12:27 AM
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Junebug & AWA320,
It is my understanding you are in for some big surprises in the not-to-distant future and John Prater just told a colleague of mine that his goal is to get both sides to the table and if they didnt work together to "let them stew in their juices".
Furthermore, USAPA now has about 2,400 cards. On September 17 the next furlough recall class will commence and USAPA will know from sources at the CLT Training Center exactly who will return to the company and who will not. The last furlough recall class will be held in a couple of weeks and then USAPA will know exactly which representational cards are valid and which ones would be voided.
When the number of cards is compared to the combined seniority list (with an exact/certified US Airways - AWA pilot list obtained from George Nicolau's Award), USAPA will know exactly how many cards are necessary to to have the NMB order an election. Therefore, the Company's recall timing is perfect and welcome news to USAPA''s Officer's.
By the way, if you would like to print an authoirization card click here.
By the way, I'm sure you're wondering if electing a new bargaining agent enhance our ability to redress the inequities of the Nicolau award?
Well, I understand the Nicolau Award is the product of an ALPA-mandated process and ALPA is bound to defend that process. The ALPA-US Airways MEC cannot prevail in its current litigation because it voluntarily submitted to the ALPA-mandated process. The USAPA, however, is not bound by ALPA's Constitution and cannot be subjected to ALPA’s political control. USAPA will assert its right under the Railway Labor Act to negotiate over the terms of any seniority integration. Under the RLA, seniority is a mandatory subject of bargaining.
By the way, did you see this letter?
I know, I know, you're going to threaten a DFR lawsuit and I say go ahead. As you know Lee Seham indicated believes your new/pending union, USAPA, has a federally protected right under the RLA to change union representatives. A successor union, such as the USAPA, has the legal right to negotiate changes in the terms and conditions of employment, including seniority. Federal courts have routinely upheld a union’s right to address seniority issues within a wide range of reasonableness.
Finally, I understand USAP nees 50% +1 of the total pilot voting population to force an election. The NMB will determine the pool of eligible pilot-voters from which this number is derived. This number includes, all active pilots East and West, furloughed pilots not working for another airline, pilots on medical leave and LOA or military leave. The MDA pilots and J4J pilots may or may not be included, that will be determined by the NMB - therefore it is critical that MDA and J4J pilots submit Authorization Cards.
Regards,
USA320Pilot
USA320Pilot
Posted 12 September 2007 - 09:05 PM
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If USAPA is not going to represent all of the new US Airways pilots then why are the former AWA pilots so emotional?
If the Nicolau Award implementation is such a "slam dunk" then why are the former AWA pilots so emotional?
Regards,
USA320Pilot
USA320Pilot
Posted 12 September 2007 - 01:42 PM
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OpEd Thoughts for the Day
Today US Airways announced that it is going to add 490 pilots to the seniority list before the end of 2008, which is largely due to the East pilot group attrition and PHL International Expansion. Virtually none of this hiring was brought to the merger by the AWA pilots, except for the merger synergistic effect.
Thus, the question is, what should the US Airways pilots do to capture this attrition, which they and not the AWA pilots brought to the merger? Furthermore, if ALPA National's solution is a 1-2 year fence (likely the fence option provided by the AWA MEC) and economic benefits of a joint contract, then what could be the only other meaningful option to keep the attrition-based career expectation where it belongs?
Therefore, my question is have you sent in your card yet?
To further this discussion, please read the two articles below:
Ready to Fly? US Airways to Hire 350 New Pilots - Airline also recalls 140 pilots currently flying for regional carriers
See Story
ALPA National to East US Airways Pilots -- ``Buzz Off''; National Association Abandons East Pilots, Seniority
See Story
In my opinion, ALPA National has two objectives in the US Airways - AWA dispute.
1. Build the largest pilot union possible, which provides the most amount of dues.
2. Raise the pilot economic bar, which also provides a greater amount of dues.
According to John Prater at his recent CLT pilot meeting, US Airways are the lowest paid major pilots in the industry. This situation makes it very difficult for other pilot groups to negotiate pay raises when their contracts became amendable. Therefore, getting the US Airways pilots a better contract is very important in the big picture. And, the only way for us to get a better contract is for the Executive Council to help us find a solution to the Nicolau Award induced mess.
Thus, is ALPA National somewhat self serving?
Therefore, when you consider whether or not to submit a USAPA card consider the following points:
1. USAPA Constitution requires the merging of seniority lists by "date-of-hire" and no other methodology. Can this happen? I have heard two different legal opinions on this subject, both of which make sense and are opposite; however, the US Airways pilot goals are not in alignment with ALPA National and the only way out of the Nicolau Award problem may be kicking ALPA off of the property.
2. A NMB request count of 50% of eligible US Airways-AWA pilots, plus one, is required for an election to be held. However, during the follow-on election a simple majority of voting pilots will determine the new collective bargaining agent.
3. USAPA will represent only US Airways pilots and the conflicts of interest associated with a large national association, which I listed above, will be avoided.
3. The best-compensated pilots in the domestic passenger transport business, AirTran, Southwest and American, are all represented by company-specific unions.
4. The American pilots, represented by the Allied Pilots Association, were previously affiliated with ALPA and were assisted in their departure from the association by the same law firm assisting the US Airways pilots today.
5. According to John Prater, “The (Nicolau) award controversy is squandering leverage that could benefit US Airways pilots and the entire profession for many years to come.
In conclusion, John Prater said, “Management has made recent proposals that increase pay, improve vacation, allow for greater contributions to retirement plans, and substantially enhance work rules. It’s clear that they are not finished bargaining and more significant improvements are possible. Management has also stated its willingness to consider reasonable career protection provisions that are mutually agreed to by both pilot groups. Your families can finally escape the bankruptcy and ATSB hell, but only if you tell your LEC reps to find the one solution that both East and West pilots can support.â€
USA320Pilot's conclusion: I agree with John Prater’s comments in the paragraph immediately above, but if the AWA MEC is unwilling to negotiate a “realistic solution†to the Nicolau Award that both the East and West pilots can support, then I believe there is no other option except to support USAPA.
For the US Airways pilots USAPA “fence sitters†consider this. Doug Parker told the East and West pilots in his recent letter, “Please understand that I do not think a joint contract necessarily means immediate seniority integration. I have talked to enough US Airways pilots to know that such a proposal would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to get ratified. I happen to believe that if we could get everyone together at the negotiating table, we could work something out that meets everyone’s needs.â€
Therefore, I strongly believe the best and maybe only way to obtain the best pay rates possible and accelerate the process for senior and junior pilots alike and reduce or eliminate the effects of the Nicolau Award and break the log jam to obtain improved pay and benefits, is to support USAPA. If not, there is absolutely no hope of getting a joint contract ratified with about 2,400 pilots signing USAPA cards.
Regards,
USA320Pilot
