tyler durden

No one relishes the thought of multiple strikes, but I would GLADLY suffer through endless strikes just to watch investor confidence in this charade crumble, sending the stock price down to the junk bond nether regions where it belongs. I can't wait. Bring the rain.

FloridaGator

Hey guys, quick question.

I didn't understand that we were allowed to strike at any time. My understanding was that the judge ruled in our favor on the status quo lawsuit and gave the company a time period to comply with status quo. That time period has lapsed, and now we (the pilot group) are going back to the judge to get his verdict on weather the company has complied or not. Allegiant is obviously claiming that they are in compliance. So, it is in the judges hands at this point. He can 1) say the company has come into compliance and nullify our status quo strike. 2) he can side with our pilot group and THEN we are legally allowed to strike... and 3) he could actually give the company more time to comply.

I don't think we are allowed to just walk off at a time of our choosing.

My next question is in regards to having to what a status quo strike is allowed to accomplish. Does a status quo strike ONLY give us the power to bring status quo back?

I can't tell from any of the communications what the procedure on this thing is. If it only allows us to bring the company back to status quo.... who determines when that is accomplished? Are we allowed to go on a status quo strike and have an intense bargaining session to hash out our first contract?

Are we allowed to hold our "right to strike" and continue negotiating and have the strike as an immediate threat if there is still no progress?

Does anyone know if ANY airline has EVER done a status quo strike before? I have a feeling that our management and F&H are the only ones to ever just simply not comply with the status quo.

Thanks guys...

flyingdutchman1

I hate to do this to you, but you need to ask these questions to your local union leadership. These are very valid questions and the union in all their communications have been very good about telling people that if they have any questions to feel free to ask any of them. I have found the union leadership here to be both very knowledgeable and willing to answer any questions you have. Remember this is a public forum and anybody with the real answers to your questions may not be allowed to post them here. Please ask your union leadership, I know they will be happy to answer any of your questions and concerns.

tyler durden

Looking at this week's Q and A letter, the union is NOT going back to the judge to determine the verdict. The verdict was determined last summer. What the IBT HAS done is file a motion for civil and criminal charges for the company's continued violation of the judges order.

Allegiant can claim they are in compliance but we all know they are not. They lied in court and are still lying. They have appealed, but an appeal does not vacate the lower court ruling and it stands until overturned. Since last summer, the company has failed twice to get relief and the unions legal council believes the 9th circuit will also uphold the district courts ruling. If the 9th Circuit overturns the finding, the current "law of the land" changes and we go back to work.

Why are we the first airline to ever face a status quo strike? I don't know, maybe other airlines didn't think they were "different" and thought it might be wise to follow a judges order. According to legal, status quo violations carry criminal and civil penalties and are clearly defined. After the 90 day deadline the company was still in violation, as they are today.

To your other question, the Q and A letter stated the purpose of this strike is to return us to status quo. Period. Negotiation side is still pending proffer approval from the NMB. That may or may not happen so this might be our only shot at a wake up call to management and investors. They will not listen to anything but the deafening silence of jet engines sitting idle.

Xbone

I am not a union executive nor I’m I a union volunteer. I am just a freedom loving American. That’s for all the little management moles trolling. Things are gonna start getting ugly around here.

To answer your question, from what I understand listening to the last two union conference calls, the magic legal words that the judge pronounced were ‘major dispute’. From that our status quo world was sprung, so to speak. You’re right, I can’t think of any airline that has struck legally on that point alone. It’s going to be super-awesome to be the first airline to do so, if that’s the case.

Are we allowed to negotiate during all of this? Formal NMB directed negotiations are a separate issue. We could be negotiating right now without the nmb, but this company doesn’t want to do that. They don’t and will not accept our union negotiators as anything other than an annoyance. Whether or not we can still negotiate the contract, has always been the company’s refusal to take the process seriously. Procedural delays and F&H lawyer maneuvering. Good’ole fashion union busting 101.

I am completely satisfied with our legal footing and found the last two weeks of union communication to be stellar and crystal clear. If all of this isn’t enough for you, then you need to call one of our union reps [I am not one of them]. God bless America! Long live Freedom!!

GVGUY

By simply stating a fact doesn't mean you know my beliefs and can comment on them as such. Clearly, the strike is a sore subject for you. I live in Vegas and would more than willing to meet face to face with you to clear up any differences you may have. Please feel free to pm me.

Xbone

Wrong. Not a sore subject for me Internet guy. I’ll pass on your invite. Thanks though. You never know who’s fishing do you.. These are interesting times..Cheers..

Hovernut

FA showed me an email where the NMB approved the Dispatchers to hold a vote. They're represented by IBT now. Choices from what I remembered were:
1. IBT
2. No representation
3. Self-representation
4. ...can't remember last choice

Wonder what's up there? Company trying to get IBT knocked-off in the SOC.

Packrat

Of course. That is exactly the way one of my Unions in the past got decertified. The company made a lot of promises and the rank and file voted for no representation. Funny thing was, after the Union was gone the company reneged on EVERY SINGLE ONE of their promises.

grnclvrs

It was lead by RD, one of the dispatchers, and he is a choice on the ballot. They should all vote for him and then sue the **** out of him when he fails his duty of fair representation.