Why is PHX Fleet Service run different than the other Hubs

[necigrad]

it may have changed quite a bit since I left a few years ago.

Doubt it. You've actually quite accurately described the LAS hub from probably '95 - '08 as well. Personally I think part of the problem is that AWA hired anyone with a pulse that could clear background. It didn't matter if they were good employees, just that they filled a FTE or half FTE. If you were a DEPENDABLE FTE or half FTE THEN it mattered.

 

[ChockJockey]

What I noticed about PHX Fleet is that including cargo and leads, there were about 1000 people in this combined group at the time I was there, and it was a complete fusion of different personalities and mentalities. Full-time, Part-time, students, retirees (from previous careers), commuters, people there just for flight benes, people there dependant on every penny earned and picking up every available extra hour, etc. Mix all that together and you DO NOT have a common focus amongst the group. Everyone has a different agenda and, therefore, beat to a different drum so to speak. As a whole, most people are really good people and quite approachable. There was a union presence and you knew who they were and how to contact them if you needed their assistance. There were stewards available on each shift and the rep was out and about making contact with the employees. It was actually a decent place to work and I look forward to possibly working there again if I get recalled anytime soon for Full-time work.

Well said, quite accurate.

 

[Frontier69]

Who is the current Director of Ramp Ops in PHX now?

 

[ograc]

I can't compare PHX Fleet Service to East Hubs because I have never worked any East cities. I have had the opportunity to work in PHX on the ramp within the past 5 years and after the merger of HP/US. (I wish I was there now and not sitting out on furlough waiting to be called back!)
What I noticed about PHX Fleet is that including cargo and leads, there were about 1000 people in this combined group at the time I was there, and it was a complete fusion of different personalities and mentalities. Full-time, Part-time, students, retirees (from previous careers), commuters, people there just for flight benes, people there dependant on every penny earned and picking up every available extra hour, etc. Mix all that together and you DO NOT have a common focus amongst the group. Everyone has a different agenda and, therefore, beat to a different drum so to speak. As a whole, most people are really good people and quite approachable. There was a union presence and you knew who they were and how to contact them if you needed their assistance. There were stewards available on each shift and the rep was out and about making contact with the employees. It was actually a decent place to work and I look forward to possibly working there again if I get recalled anytime soon for Full-time work.

I think the complex make-up of the population of Fleet employees there contributes to the perception that is "run" different and unique to the other Hubs. I don't know that I support the idea that it is made up of "ME, ME, ME" first. It is just a melting pot of personalities and agendas that there really isn't a shared concept of how it should be. Just my $.02, it may have changed quite a bit since I left a few years ago.

bagchucker,
I am a 30+ year east employee. I have witnessed, through mergers with PSA, Piedmont and US the challenges faced by the union in building solidairity among employees (members) who come from vastly different work cultures. One thing, through the years, has remained a constant. It is paramount we, as a union, bridge the differences that divide us from one culture to another. The company views us as one group. It is critical we unite as such. Going forward, how do you propose, to the candidates running for future DL 141 Officer positions, we proceed to obtain solidarity that is inclusive of our members in PHX, LAS and former America West stations?
I respect and invite your input,
ograc

 

[bagchucker]

bagchucker,
I am a 30+ year east employee. I have witnessed, through mergers with PSA, Piedmont and US the challenges faced by the union in building solidairity among employees (members) who come from vastly different work cultures. One thing, through the years, has remained a constant. It is paramount we, as a union, bridge the differences that divide us from one culture to another. The company views us as one group. It is critical we unite as such. Going forward, how do you propose, to the candidates running for future DL 141 Officer positions, we proceed to obtain solidarity that is inclusive of our members in PHX, LAS and former America West stations?
I respect and invite your input,
ograc

That task might be as complex as the make-up of PHX Fleet... however, my first thought is to strengthen the appearance of those that are elected to leadership roles. The reason I say this is because the AGC's that have been assigned West cities(dating back to the merger in '05) have been rarely seen or active on the level of the members. So, from a member standpoint, the idea of "out of sight, out of mind" comes into play quickly. I would suggest more visibility out West from elected Leaders for starters. Those AGC's that are responsible for the East hubs are all active and visible from what I gather and, therefore, create a better image for the members there. We are losing stations (systemwide), a trend that US Airways has kept in place no matter which leadership team is heading the DL141. There is a real sense of disconnection if you work in a field station. If you are lucky enough to know a few people from making contacts over the years, you know who to call with a problem, but, again, it is all local, there is no "national" solidarity with 141 and US Airways members, and until everyone is on the same page as to the goals, my guess is that it will always be the way it is. I had hoped to see change with the ND, and from an isolated field station out west that just got the axe, I am more disenchanted with both the union and the company than ever before. It is almost like a conspiracy between the union and the company that actually endorses the reduction of members! Why there is a clause to allow for the disposal of members jobs so willingly is just asinine! I have always figured that a union is in place to regulate and KEEP members jobs, not sell them out! But what is worse is that a majority of members actually vote to ALLOW this when given a contract to vote on. Knowing this, the leaders should move to take out any language that allows out-sourcing, to prevent it from even being an issue... but they don't! Outsourcing is nothing new with 141/US Airways, so why it is still an accepted practice is beyond comprehending. Anyway, I was trying to answer your question, but kinda got on a tangent here. It is no easy task to create solidarity when people are divided for many reasons. I would inventory the reasons why there is little solidarity and work backwards to eliminate those obstacles and create and foster and environment where solidarity can flourish again. As a leader, it starts by having a visible presence and a voice that can be heard, recognized, and respected. As a member, it involves trusting that leader, something there is little of right now...there is work to be done!

 

[Solidarity]

Well said bagchucker. Leadership is the key in PHX

 

[Solidarity]

I would like to see PHX run like PHL and ClT and have all Fleet Service Agents on the same page. A question to all is ...Why is PHX so different in the Lead responsibility than other hubs?

 

[PHX Devil]

I would like to see PHX run like PHL and ClT and have all Fleet Service Agents on the same page. A question to all is ...Why is PHX so different in the Lead responsibility than other hubs?

That is easy to answer, because the ramp director doesn't want too because they dont want to pay the OT. This is something we want and have filed grievance after grievance only to be denied in step 3. Last I heard was that it was going to be heard in an arbitration but was cancelled because the agc's heard the BUF station closing case instead.

A few years ago, I think the last time anyone saw MC in phx we disussed this in the break room and he told us to "file a grievance" and he would resolve this right away. Well we did but it still happens. The funny thing is that we have been hearing from the transfers that the other stations are starting to do it the PHX way so maybe this isn't just a PHX problem but a system wide issue.

 

[ograc]

I would like to see PHX run like PHL and ClT and have all Fleet Service Agents on the same page. A question to all is ...Why is PHX so different in the Lead responsibility than other hubs?

Solidarity,
I am from the east. This is the first I have heard of this issue. please enlighten me on why there is a difference in the Lead responsibility from one hub to another. Exactly what are the differences? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the Lead responsibilities are clearly defined in the contract.

 

[ograc]

That is easy to answer, because the ramp director doesn't want too because they dont want to pay the OT. This is something we want and have filed grievance after grievance only to be denied in step 3. Last I heard was that it was going to be heard in an arbitration but was cancelled because the agc's heard the BUF station closing case instead.

A few years ago, I think the last time anyone saw MC in phx we disussed this in the break room and he told us to "file a grievance" and he would resolve this right away. Well we did but it still happens. The funny thing is that we have been hearing from the transfers that the other stations are starting to do it the PHX way so maybe this isn't just a PHX problem but a system wide issue.

PHX Devil,
As I asked Solidarity could you provide more details concerning this issue? MC in PHX? Who's bright idea was that? He's your AGC and you havn't seen him for a few years? In a hub city? Wow!

 

[Solidarity]

Some differences with the Lead responsibility. The Lead is responsible for rounding up all the ground equipment for his gate. All ESOMs go to the Lead. I heard a story about a Lead getting a ticket for the potable water cap not replaced and the Lead didn't do the water. They pull agents to upgrade to Lead daily. Just a few.

 

[PHX Devil]

Not sure where your getting your info but it is everyone's responsibility to round up equipment. As for the eson, that has been a point of contention in every area. The lead does not get an eson because someone messes up but depending on the supervisor, everyone will get one if they were responsible for the safety issue. The company does pull agents to lead (qualified people only) but they do that to avoid ot. Like I said we grieved that and are waiting arbitration.

As for MC he has been MIA in the west for two years.

 

[ograc]

Not sure where your getting your info but it is everyone's responsibility to round up equipment. As for the eson, that has been a point of contention in every area. The lead does not get an eson because someone messes up but depending on the supervisor, everyone will get one if they were responsible for the safety issue. The company does pull agents to lead (qualified people only) but they do that to avoid ot. Like I said we grieved that and are waiting arbitration.

As for MC he has been MIA in the west for two years.

Are the agents being assigned Lead putting in for Lead pay? I'm a little confused about the esons. Is it the Lead is being issued the eson for someone else's safety infraction or the Lead is being expected to issue esons?
MIA in a station the size of PHX, or any other station for that matter, inexucsable.

 

[bagchucker]

I will vouch for MC being MIA. He is supposed to be the contact AGC for the station I worked at that just got the axe. He was of no support during that process or any time before that process that he was "assigned" to this region. Just WHERE is he and WHAT is he doing to "earn" that nice compensation package that AGC's get??? Inquiring minds want to know! Sorry to get off topic, but I am just adding to recent comments on this thread. All part of a larger problem with the relationship the IAM has with its US Airways members, I think. Probably a large contributing factor to the impression that PHX beats to its own drum!

 

[ChockJockey]

Are the agents being assigned Lead putting in for Lead pay? I'm a little confused about the esons. Is it the Lead is being issued the eson for someone else's safety infraction or the Lead is being expected to issue esons?
MIA in a station the size of PHX, or any other station for that matter, inexucsable.

In PHX, leads can either be "hired-on" permanent leads or lead-qualified agents that can be temporarily upgraded.

Agents that are "upgraded" to Lead for a shift automatically have their pay increased for that shift as well, it shows up in Workbrain as a pay differential for that day. If an agent is upgraded in the middle or end of his shift, he (is supposed to) receive lead pay for the whole shift. Only agents with "quals", or team lead qualifications, can be upgraded or pick up lead shifts. Once you're qualified, the only way to become unqualified is either sign up to have your qualifications dropped with management (which they rarely allow) or get on a level three disciplinary level. I know of a few leads that either have or were considering getting on a level three just to lose their lead qualifications.

Agents that are qualified to be leads and are not "hired-on" dedicated leads may at the beginning of a new bid period sign the "no pull" list which basically puts them towards the bottom of the upgrade list. A lot if not most lead qualified agents sign the no-pull list but in a pinch they'll still upgrade people from it anyway.

This problem used to be more severe until a couple of years ago when PHX was effectively opened for transfers and furloughs to come to be leads, in fact becoming a FT dedicated lead was the only way a lot of those people were able to make it to PHX. Before that time easily half the leads on the ramp for a given shift were upgrades. Even though they had a slew of hired-on lead positions filled since that time, management has never stopped relying on the flexibility that comes with being able to upgrade certain agents at will.

A lead may get an ESON for something amiss at his or her gate, such as the main gear not being chocked, or a missing delineator or what have you since they are responsible for that gate; in fact if they wanted to they could give the whole gate crew ESON's for no one having noticed it or done anything about it. A lead won't and shouldn't receive an ESON when an agent on the crew is neglecting something that that agent is personally responsible for or his doing with his person; for example if Johnny Idiot is hopping between carts and over tongues his lead isn't going to get the ESON for it, Johnny is.

Leads do not issue ESON's in PHX, never have. Hope this clarifies...