US Pilots Labor Discussion

[Move2CLT]

And speaking of puppets, here's Cleary's puppet Bill Glynn speaking for the other Cleary puppet McKee.

Bill's website is down, btw, and I cannot wait to see the trash that's posted once Bill get's it up and running.

A letter from Glynn:


Well, this is an interesting election. Bill Mckee lost by less than 90 votes out over 3000. Gary Hummel did not win a majority of the east votes. Add Steve Seavier's 110 votes and you can see just how close this all was.

So what's next? I'm sure that Hummel and his Compass Misdirection people assume that we on the east will just fall in line and vote for him. But not so fast.

The one thing I hear from so many pilots is that even after they have read his campaign literature, watched his videos and talked to him, they still don't trust him. Why? Because Hummel cannot point to a single accomplishment in the time he has been working for the union. The ONLY thing he has going for him is that he is a puppet of the Rowe/Ciabattoni/Manear crowd.

These guys know that they can't win their own election around here after their track record of name calling, bad contracts and the politics of personal destruction. So the next best thing is to find some likable yet incompetent and pliable guy to marionette.

If you like the product that these guys produced for you last time they were in office, then please vote for them again. I have no doubt that if
Hummel survives this election and actually becomes the President, you will see many of them appointed to important committee positions and we will be right back to the glory days of old ALPA.

Another reason Hummel is also not to be trusted is because he shades his words about 'Date of Hire' and the Nicolau Award so that he is leaving
himself some wiggle room. Guys are not stupid. They understand that he just doesn't seem to want to fight for us and has other priorities.

First he says let the courts decide, but how hard will he fight for us in court? From all accounts, Hummel has NEVER participated in any strategy sessions regarding the fight to save our seniority. He has shown no inclination and zero ability to guide this process going forward.

In addition, Hummel has made the absurd statement that seniority is "just up to the courts now." This statement just goes to show you how many meetings/ strategy sessions Hummel has actually missed -- ALL OF THEM. The Officers in this union work every day to organize, strategize, produce the evidence and develop positions working with the lawyers. Who is going to fill that role with Hummel as President?

Gary's own words are inconsistent. They show how little he knows about our case and the importance of every sentence that the President makes about our legal case. The President's words have the power to bind this union.

We cannot afford the sloppy, unprepared way of doing business that we saw when he was EVP. Some days he says "let the courts decide" and some days he tells people he supports 'Date of Hire', but again the devil is in the details. Will he do as much as Mike Cleary has done to keep Nicolau out of here? Even if he wanted to do as much, does he have the skills and knowledge to do it? Why should we think he will or could since he has done nothing for the last 2 years except be disruptive and campaign for those 2 years to be President?

It seems that Gary has a credibility problem and more than half the east pilots have not voted for him because of it.

So now Hummel expects us all to vote for him. After all, why would we vote for Eric Ferguson when he has already said he would ignore the USAPA Constitution and submit a contract with Nicolau in it? But with Ferguson at least we know what we are getting. With Hummel, it will be like the failed ALPA leaders of the past -- 'death by a thousand cuts' and we won't realize how bad it was until it's over and Nicolau has been forced on us. If the east pilots decide to vote to elect Ferguson, we will have strong grounds to recall him and hold new elections. In addition, if we are going to avoid Hummel, there is not a question that Bradford needs to be avoided for the very same reasons. But we can discuss him later.

These are not idle thoughts. I have heard many pilots talking about how they think this idea has merit.

No one should expect our votes just because he thinks we have no alternative. Are we better off with Hummel and Bradford showing little commitment and skill in keeping Nicolau in the trash heap of airline history or are we better off taking the process back into our own hands and finding a candidate that is knowledgeable and committed and trustworthy?

If we don't trust him, what makes us think that anyone else who has to deal with him will? I can't imagine Hummel and Bradford walking into APA Headquarters to lead our merger effort with American. If Hummel and is so willing to say things that could jeopardize our seniority, can you imagine him on the witness stand in Federal Court?

I don't trust either one of them to fight for us and from what I am hearing, many of you don't either. Time to take back the process from the politicians.

Bill Glynn

 

[Beancounter]

I wish I could say this surprises me, but it doesn't. These guys are absolutely lacking in integrity or intelligence for that matter. Previously I felt it would just be a basic decision for the east to make. Do you want to remain separate to take advantage of the attrition or move forward toward a better contract. If these meat-heads get back in power I think it will get more complicated than that. Currently I don't think there is any danger of a bump/flush for the east. If they willfully do enough harm to the west however that may become an option for a remedy. These guys won't stop until they've done serious damage to both groups (all US pilots). What am I saying? Those guys won't stop even after that.

 

[nic4us]

In addition, Hummel has made the absurd statement that seniority is "just up to the courts now." This statement just goes to show you how many meetings/ strategy sessions Hummel has actually missed -- ALL OF THEM. The Officers in this union work every day to organize, strategize, produce the evidence and develop positions working with the lawyers. Who is going to fill that role with Hummel as President?

So now Hummel expects us all to vote for him. After all, why would we vote for Eric Ferguson when he has already said he would ignore the USAPA Constitution and submit a contract with Nicolau in it? But with Ferguson at least we know what we are getting. With Hummel, it will be like the failed ALPA leaders of the past -- 'death by a thousand cuts' and we won't realize how bad it was until it's over and Nicolau has been forced on us. If the east pilots decide to vote to elect Ferguson, we will have strong grounds to recall him and hold new elections. In addition, if we are going to avoid Hummel, there is not a question that Bradford needs to be avoided for the very same reasons. But we can discuss him later.

Bill Glynn

Note to self.......add Bill Glynn to list of usapa scabs to be named in coming RICO complaint against criminal union!!

 

[jetjok1]

Your wife called. Said its time to quit acting like a crybaby and go get a pay raise.

You and Phoenix are adults....right? You guys fly big airplanes......right? Probably have families and, at least, are a head of some household.....right? Then, start acting like it. My 23 year old has more maturity than the both of you combined. You guys aren't even funny.

 

[jetjok1]

Oh no, you guys got caught, now you are in the back peddle mode this group is sick of you guys, we are all voting for Ferguson and Koontz. Your pathetic group is finished you are worse then any westie. YOUR PUPPET IS NOT GETTING IN.!!!!!!!

The vote will tell the tale!!!!!!

 

[luvthe9]

he's delusional again. Probably fell off the wagon.



Hey Clax, what about your predictions of more UA furloughs? Did you see that the no furlough protections were extended along with other T&PA sections that were expiring? Did you see what we got in return for the one thing they let expire? Did you know that Smisek has been showing up personally to NMB brokered negotiations in order to move the process along? Did you hear that we are 90% done with the scheduling sections and will then move on to the final "big 2" of scope and pay? Did you know about our recent leverage we got since the company came to us for relief on training and SLI timelines? I guess not!

The only prediction I had that did not come true is when I said that by the end of 2011 we would either have a contract or be on strike. That was in response to the idea that furlough protection was expiring and UA would start to furlough. I stated that it wouldn't matter. I was wrong on the date, but not the fact that it didn't matter, since furlough protections have been extended, as well as flying ratios, block hour protections, and base closures. So all is still well here at UAL for now.

My other predictions are still on track, including that we will have an industry leading contract LONG before you see the end of LOA 93; our f/o's will all be making more than most of your captains; USAPA will continue to lose court case after court case and continue to prove the ineffectiveness of your sham union; and last but not least that you will not ever see a DOH integration. (Something I've been telling you since our failed acquisition attempt of USAir in 2000.)

Let me know when you are right about something. Anything!

BTW, I see you stopped posting UAL MEC updates since they now talk about JCBA progress and unity with the CAL MEC, proving you wrong once again. 😛

Mike, when is the contract up overseas? Do you come back to West or UAL?

 

[luvthe9]

he's delusional again. Probably fell off the wagon.



Hey Clax, what about your predictions of more UA furloughs? Did you see that the no furlough protections were extended along with other T&PA sections that were expiring? Did you see what we got in return for the one thing they let expire? Did you know that Smisek has been showing up personally to NMB brokered negotiations in order to move the process along? Did you hear that we are 90% done with the scheduling sections and will then move on to the final "big 2" of scope and pay? Did you know about our recent leverage we got since the company came to us for relief on training and SLI timelines? I guess not!

The only prediction I had that did not come true is when I said that by the end of 2011 we would either have a contract or be on strike. That was in response to the idea that furlough protection was expiring and UA would start to furlough. I stated that it wouldn't matter. I was wrong on the date, but not the fact that it didn't matter, since furlough protections have been extended, as well as flying ratios, block hour protections, and base closures. So all is still well here at UAL for now.

My other predictions are still on track, including that we will have an industry leading contract LONG before you see the end of LOA 93; our f/o's will all be making more than most of your captains; USAPA will continue to lose court case after court case and continue to prove the ineffectiveness of your sham union; and last but not least that you will not ever see a DOH integration. (Something I've been telling you since our failed acquisition attempt of USAir in 2000.)

Let me know when you are right about something. Anything!

BTW, I see you stopped posting UAL MEC updates since they now talk about JCBA progress and unity with the CAL MEC, proving you wrong once again. 😛

Mike, when is the contract up overseas? Do you come back to West or UAL? Best wishes 😀 😀 😀

 

[luvn737s]

So Woody thinks he can do as good a job of creating a Boogeyman as anyone else. Sure, Ferguson is out to ruin the careers of all US pilots - who wouldn't vote for that platform? NOT!

Ferguson will change the course of labor relations, which is really his only mandate. To move things forward, the pilots will have to elect a Board that will cooperate to achieve that mandate.

The most junior are the most vocal, but they do not represent the interests of the majority of US pilots. They are allowed to have disproportionate influence because of pilot apathy, not some warped perception of unity among the east. Ferguson (although admittedly junior himself) will set out a course that pulls USAPA out of the legal ditch the AFO's have run us off into, and onto a course that benefits ALL US pilots. Given the disastrous term of Adolph Kleary, how can the case be made to fear west leadership?

I think that it is altogether fitting that the leader of Leonidas be chosen to lead USAPA as the chosen strategy would culminate in negating the need for Leonidas. The union could do more than simply wage a Civil War in the courts and actually serve it's membership. Ferguson would be barred from advancing the goals of Leonidas at the expense of the general pilot population and would be in a very visible position of having to lead an integrated pilot group and lead it effectively.

Woody's alter-whisper campaign to introduce doubt into the minds of would-be Ferguson supporters as unknowingly assisting McKee, is despicable. The emotional JATO that launched this ill-conceived union has run out of fuel, and the east pilots will not be played as fools again. Ferguson is the only one who has been visible in all bases and honest and forthright with his platform. Voting for him is not equivalent to voting for the Nicolau, although he has stated that effective, progressive leadership will take the path through the Nicolau eventually. What you will get with Ferguson is true bipartisan, pragmatic leadership and administration of your union by someone who is not driven by emotion.

Choose a leader or a boogeyman.

 

[high*flyer]

So Woody thinks he can do as good a job of creating a Boogeyman as anyone else. Sure, Ferguson is out to ruin the careers of all US pilots - who wouldn't vote for that platform? NOT!

Ferguson will change the course of labor relations, which is really his only mandate. To move things forward, the pilots will have to elect a Board that will cooperate to achieve that mandate.

The most junior are the most vocal, but they do not represent the interests of the majority of US pilots. They are allowed to have disproportionate influence because of pilot apathy, not some warped perception of unity among the east. Ferguson (although admittedly junior himself) will set out a course that pulls USAPA out of the legal ditch the AFO's have run us off into, and onto a course that benefits ALL US pilots. Given the disastrous term of Adolph Kleary, how can the case be made to fear west leadership?

I think that it is altogether fitting that the leader of Leonidas be chosen to lead USAPA as the chosen strategy would culminate in negating the need for Leonidas. The union could do more than simply wage a Civil War in the courts and actually serve it's membership. Ferguson would be barred from advancing the goals of Leonidas at the expense of the general pilot population and would be in a very visible position of having to lead an integrated pilot group and lead it effectively.

Woody's alter-whisper campaign to introduce doubt into the minds of would-be Ferguson supporters as unknowingly assisting McKee, is despicable. The emotional JATO that launched this ill-conceived union has run out of fuel, and the east pilots will not be played as fools again. Ferguson is the only one who has been visible in all bases and honest and forthright with his platform. Voting for him is not equivalent to voting for the Nicolau, although he has stated that effective, progressive leadership will take the path through the Nicolau eventually. What you will get with Ferguson is true bipartisan, pragmatic leadership and administration of your union by someone who is not driven by emotion.

Choose a leader or a boogeyman.

 

[Phoenix]

You and Phoenix are adults....right? You guys fly big airplanes......right? Probably have families and, at least, are a head of some household.....right? Then, start acting like it. My 23 year old has more maturity than the both of you combined. You guys aren't even funny.

Sarcasm isn't meant to be funny. You are owed nothing.

 

[Move2CLT]

I guess the east guys think income taxes are like crew meals as well.


Former pilot convicted of tax fraud


By April Bethea
abethea@charlotteobserver.com
Posted: Monday, Mar. 12, 2012

A Mooresville man and former US Airways pilot faces up to 33 years in federal prison after being convicted in a tax fraud case.
A jury convicted Charles A. Davis, 63, today of ten counts of filing false tax returns and one count of obstructing the Internal Revenue Service, announced Anne Tompkins, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Her office said Davis will remain in custody until he is sentenced.
In addition to a prison sentence, Davis also faces a maximum fine of $2.75 million, according to a news release.
According to federal authorities, Davis worked as a pilot for US Airways from 1983 until last November. They said he did not file income tax returns on a timely basis between 1996 and 2007, and that his employer withheld little or no federal tax from his wages because Davis falsely claimed that he was exempt from income tax withholding, according to a news release.
Authorities said Davis filed five fraudulent amended income tax returns in 2006 in which he claimed to have earned little or no adjusted gross income from 1997 to 2005. He later filed returns for 2004 to 2008 in which authorities said he falsely reported the amount of income tax that had been withheld from his wages, and requested up to $1.5 million in refunds that he was not entitled to, according to the news release.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said evidence shown during a three-day trial showed that Davis “obstructed and impeded” the Internal Revenue Service as the agency tried to collect the tax he owed, including submitting false documents. Authorities said he also filed for bankruptcy and diverted money to his 401 (k) account as part of ways to avoid levies on his US Airways payroll account.
Authorities said Davis also owes more than $150,000 to the state of North Carolina after he used a fake address in Texas to avoid paying state income taxes.

 

[BoeingBoy]

I vaguely remember someone pitching a scheme to avoid paying income taxes to pilots (not necessarily US pilots only) in the late 90's. Don't remember any details about how it was supposed to be accomplished legally since I figured it was a scam. It could be that this guy bought it hook, line and sinker.

Jim

 

[Move2CLT]

Easties censoring easties and its only getting better.


From the easties about other easties:

"President Ferguson, on Day One, decides to give up the east Change of Control (which does not protect west pilots anyway) in exchange for the NIC"

"President Eric Ferguson, on Day Two, could hire Polsinelli Shughart PC, the West Plaintiff Law firm, with your dues money to be USAPA’s law firm."

"It should also be noted that the Officers, including the EVP, do not vote at the meetings"


Eric Rowe PHL-A330
Woody Menear PHL-7i


Their names cannot be found on any ballot. They do not volunteer for any USAPA committees. Yet these two pilots are running for the highest office of our union. Just as they did when ALPA was on property, they want to control every aspect of your careers. In their minds, they know best. The thought of losing control is too much them to bear.

They have chosen three surrogates to be the kindler and gentler faces of their administration. Once in office, they will capitalize on the inherent weak leadership qualities of Hummel, Bradford, and Smyser and yield considerable power without any responsibility or accountability.

Up until this point in the election cycle, everything was going as planned . With the defeat of the Cleary legacy ticket they believed that it was just a matter of time before their re-ascension to power was complete. But time has also worked against their plan. The pilots are starting to awake to the fact that a Hummel administration will serve as a puppet regime for these two failed former representatives. Now, with the election possibly slipping out of their hands they are resorting to

FUD

Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt


There is absolutely no evidence nor reason to believe that a west pilot would cede a huge piece of leverage in exchange for a list that has already been accepted by US Airways. Lee Seham and Steve Bradford are the only ones that ever suggested forfeiting negotiating leverage in exchange for a seniority list. Remember, unlike the Nicolau Award, USAPA's date of hire proposal was rejected by management. To assert that the West would give up something in exchange for what they already have is sheer lunacy.

Yet lunacy is exactly what we are dealing with here. Rowe and Menear fear losing the election so much that they will say anything to get your vote. To them, a contact that moves us all forward is beyond repugnant. They would rather you suffer years and years under the status quo just so they can stay in power.

Sickening, we know.

A vote for Hummel, Bradford, and Smyser is a vote for Row e and Menear. Let's not relive the last 20 years. We deserve better.

 

[crazystnic]

Compass Correction Coalition Update (Careless, Wreckless, and Cavalier!): March 12, 2012

Let's get this straight…

Some of you out there have heard about a “Whisper Campaign” being fostered by a few angry East pilots, who supported Bill McKee. The idea seems to be that we all vote to elect Eric Ferguson, the Leader of the Army of Leonidas; the very personification of Nicolau. That is Step One…now, follow along.

Next, they plan to immediately recall the newly and duly elected President Ferguson; that is Step Two. Finally, they get the entire election rerun and their "Rock Star," Charlotte Chairman Bill McKee, is swept into office via the new election. We are not joking here; certain guys are actually advocating this as a viable strategy, starting with Mike Cleary. Mike just cannot wrap his mind around the fact that his presidency was a disaster and his buddy Bill McKee isn’t going to be the next USAPA President.

Does this complicated, possibly illegal and risky idea even make sense? It does too the loyal followers of Mike Cleary. No amount of pain and damage is too much for others to suffer when it comes to assuring that Mike has some kind of full-time, flight pay loss position. That will not happen, with either Hummel or Ferguson; simple.

The idea is to use Billy Glynn’s “Phillypilot” website to create a whisper campaign and to keep the idea going. Bill Glynn is the same guy, who only a couple of weeks ago excoriated anyone, including Gary Hummel, who dared even talk with Eric Ferguson….now, we are supposed to vote for him?

Perhaps this makes a lot of senses if you are "Biff," from “Back To The Future;" it makes no sense to us! If you are a rational and half-way intelligent human being, it reeks of desperation, cowardice and a longing to cling to power at all costs. There are many ways it could go wrong.


Billy Glynn-B767driver@aol.com, who is, we might mention, a USAPA Communications Committee Member, wrote the following:

“Another reason Hummel is also not to be trusted is because he shades his words about 'Date of Hire' and the Nicolau Award so that he is leaving himself some wiggle room. Guys are not stupid. They understand that he just doesn't seem to want to fight for us and has other priorities.”

It is the epitome of hypocrisy to accuse the DCA reps, Eric Jordan of PHL and EVP Gary Hummel of sometimes voting with the West, (on issues totally unrelated to seniority) and then to advocate that our pilots vote to elect the West Pilot, of All West Pilots! It should also be noted that the Officers, including the EVP, do not vote at the meetings. This whole unfortunate turn of events is unbelievable and defies logic. If you think this election/recall/election idea is good…. then there is a bridge in Brooklyn that we would like to sell you.

Gary Hummel, Steve Bradford and Steve Smyser support Date of Hire unconditionally. The question is in the hands of the courts. They will fight it in Phoenix, in San Francisco at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, and up to and including the United States Supreme Court, if that is what our pilots tell them to do.

The Officers do not vote on this issue, the BPR does. The Board members then speak to express the will of their constituent pilots. The Officers are constitutionally mandated to follow the wishes and votes of the BPR. The only guy who ignored that hierarchy was Mike Cleary! He filed law suits, (we just lost that one) - without a Board vote and ignored five BPR majority votes and meetings, about where to move an office.

Gary Hummel, Steve Bradford and Steve Smyser are committed to go the distance to follow the dictates and binding votes of your elected representatives, to see this seniority fight out in the courts until the very end. They will only stop the fight when of the pilots tell them to stop.

They will abide by, support, and follow the will of our pilots as defined and enumerated in the USAPA Constitution and Bylaws.

IF USAPA PILOTS WANT TO TAKE THE SENIORITY DISPUTE ALL THE WAY TO THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT THAN THAT IS WHERE IT IS GOING!


They intend the pursuit of USAPA rights to a Date of Hire integration, because it is right, objective and ultimately fair to all. That is all there is to be said about that.

Anyway you cut it, voting for the leader of the Army of Leonidas, only to attempt to recall him and have another election is definitely a careless and reckless act. It could go wrong on many levels and it is not a responsible path for those seeking honest representation. Moreover, this is a cavalier approach to meeting the needs of the most vulnerable (aka The Juniority) on the East property; it is doomed to fail!


Bear in mind as you read below: it takes a minimum of FIVE MONTHS to get a Recall done. The following is our best guess about what will actually happen should Ferguson be elected.

President Ferguson, on Day One, decides to give up the east Change of Control (which does not protect west pilots anyway) in exchange for the NIC. This is HUGE in a merger for Parker, because it makes us cheaper and expendable. While he legally may not be able to do this – he could do it anyway…Mike Cleary has set that precedent with his impromptu visit to Parker during the announced UAL deal. The ultimate outcome would only be known after years in court. The damages to the east pilots would be staggering. What judge is going to put US Airways into potential bankruptcy to right the wronged east pilots?

President Eric Ferguson, on Day Two, could hire Polsinelli Shughart PC, the West Plaintiff Law firm, with your dues money to be USAPA’s law firm. Remember Mike Cleary hired the O’Dwyer law firm, without BPR approval, to file a law suit against the company. That’s the Eastern District of NY filing that was dismissed a few days ago, a summary judgment against USAPA without even going to oral argument or formal briefs; a total strike out.


USAPA President Eric Ferguson would have full access to all internal USAPA legal documents, privileged information and legal strategy in the East / West litigation to date. This is a fact, no matter what law firm represents USAPA.

The USAPA President, in this case Mr. Ferguson, gets to appoint all committee members and chairmen. Mike Cleary appointed two negotiating committee members, Communication Chairman, Merger Committee members without BPR approval or prior notice. The precedent has been set. How about an all West - Merger and Negotiating committee?

We don’t know about you, but Woody Menear and Eric Rowe believe this is stupid and extremely risky. Anybody who would suggest east pilots should vote for Ferguson MUST have some ulterior motive. Some of our union leaders/candidates are thinking of their own interest, in contrast to what is best for the pilots. Not only that, but this insane scheme makes a mockery of the whole election process.

We say, if you support Eric Ferguson, then vote for him and live with it. If you do not, then vote for Hummel, Bradford and Smyser. If you do not vote at all, you’re voting for Team Tempe!
Why don’t you ask Bill McKee who he is voting for?

Your “Destiny” is in your own hands VOTE- Hummel, Bradford and Smyser.

Fraternally,


Eric Rowe PHL-A330
Woody Menear PHL-7i

If that was the case, why would you not vote in Hummel and then recall him and put McKee in?

 

[crazystnic]

Oh no, you guys got caught, now you are in the back peddle mode this group is sick of you guys, we are all voting for Ferguson and Koontz. Your pathetic group is finished you are worse then any westie. YOUR PUPPET IS NOT GETTING IN.!!!!!!!

did someone take over your computer?
Did some westie hack in and start writing your posts?
unbelievable.