What Next, FDX?
07-24-2007, 08:53 AM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: leaning to the left
Posts: 4,184
What Next, FDX?
When the LOA fails...What next?
Dust off the hats, boys. Everything we did during contract negotiations would be perfectly legal today. Might be a little more effective if everyone got on board. We'll see if management wants to help energize the troops with their actions.
FDX hates bad press. So do I, for that matter. But, if that's what it takes to get a legitimate agreement that includes all 4800 of us. Then, so be it...
Dust off the hats, boys. Everything we did during contract negotiations would be perfectly legal today. Might be a little more effective if everyone got on board. We'll see if management wants to help energize the troops with their actions.
FDX hates bad press. So do I, for that matter. But, if that's what it takes to get a legitimate agreement that includes all 4800 of us. Then, so be it...
07-24-2007, 09:02 AM
#2
done, gone skiing
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Rocking chair
Posts: 1,602
Still too early to declare victory
Still a bit early to declare the LOA DOA. Voting continues for a couple of weeks. Many pilots will still not have voted or even considered its ramifications. Continue emailing/calling your fellow FedEx "friends" and educate them about the LOA. Hold off on lighting the cigars for a while. The "plan" will emerge soon enough. 
07-24-2007, 09:11 AM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: leaning to the left
Posts: 4,184
I know, I know. Maybe one less shot of espresso?
However, I don't know how many times I've seen the questions asked here: What are we going to do if it doesn't pass? What leverage do we have? Blah-blah-blah.
So, just thought I'd try to get the wheels turning. On both sides!
However, I don't know how many times I've seen the questions asked here: What are we going to do if it doesn't pass? What leverage do we have? Blah-blah-blah.
So, just thought I'd try to get the wheels turning. On both sides!
07-24-2007, 10:02 AM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2006
Posts: 2,889
Hard to take our little poll of malcontents as a solid reflection of 4800 pilots. However, if we make the leap that 51% or so vote no....here are some options.
The company can still fill the FDAs under the current CBA. Time will tell if they will be easy or hard to fill. Either way--nobody will be inversed into them. Like the postal LOA (or lack thereof) the company just works around it. Some guys miss out on tax equalization and 2700 cola. Moving packages from current CBA apply to those adventurous souls who go over there.
If there are vacancies, poolies and/or new hires might fill some of them. Tough duty for a new guy--but to join this team many will probably gladly take it. TonyC threw boxes...lots of guys did pro IP or corporate to get here--so there are prices we'll pay to be on this team.
The company could also approach the union and address some of the shortfalls of the LOA and try again. I don't know if management would consider this "weakness" and decide to forego any further tweaking. However, just redlining the STV would likely have gotten them the 51% they need--perhaps a lot more. Add some COLA and tuition offsets and I'll bet it would FLY through. How much more money? Hmmm....we could fight all day about "what you need" but I'd say another 2k or so and no STV and it would pass. Then again--I'm no MEC negotiator--so what do I know?
The huge fear is the company goes outside our brand to do the flying. I think our product and reputation are enough to keep that from happening. I also think 4800 highly agitated pilots would do everything they could to make self help the next step. Again--not a negotiator or RLA expert--but every action has a reaction. If we are really trying to work together here I don't think solutions are that far away that would satisfy the large majority of the crew force. Most of us dig the job, dig the company, and like the people we work with.
It won't be the end of the world if this fails--for the company or the crew force. Maybe our union will start listening and soliciting a bit more input instead of just "assuming" it knows what is best for us. On the other hand, most of us will do fine if it passes too. It won't be great for SOME of the force if it passes--but we'll hold our managers to their word and see how the STV plays out. With all the "we promise" speeches about STV is anyone does get inversed for more than 30 days I think the damage to the credibility of some of the managers would be incredible. Whatever happens, however, I do think it will be the end of the term for some of the union reps who tried to sell it to the force with fear and a sense of detached condescension.
The company can still fill the FDAs under the current CBA. Time will tell if they will be easy or hard to fill. Either way--nobody will be inversed into them. Like the postal LOA (or lack thereof) the company just works around it. Some guys miss out on tax equalization and 2700 cola. Moving packages from current CBA apply to those adventurous souls who go over there.
If there are vacancies, poolies and/or new hires might fill some of them. Tough duty for a new guy--but to join this team many will probably gladly take it. TonyC threw boxes...lots of guys did pro IP or corporate to get here--so there are prices we'll pay to be on this team.
The company could also approach the union and address some of the shortfalls of the LOA and try again. I don't know if management would consider this "weakness" and decide to forego any further tweaking. However, just redlining the STV would likely have gotten them the 51% they need--perhaps a lot more. Add some COLA and tuition offsets and I'll bet it would FLY through. How much more money? Hmmm....we could fight all day about "what you need" but I'd say another 2k or so and no STV and it would pass. Then again--I'm no MEC negotiator--so what do I know?
The huge fear is the company goes outside our brand to do the flying. I think our product and reputation are enough to keep that from happening. I also think 4800 highly agitated pilots would do everything they could to make self help the next step. Again--not a negotiator or RLA expert--but every action has a reaction. If we are really trying to work together here I don't think solutions are that far away that would satisfy the large majority of the crew force. Most of us dig the job, dig the company, and like the people we work with.
It won't be the end of the world if this fails--for the company or the crew force. Maybe our union will start listening and soliciting a bit more input instead of just "assuming" it knows what is best for us. On the other hand, most of us will do fine if it passes too. It won't be great for SOME of the force if it passes--but we'll hold our managers to their word and see how the STV plays out. With all the "we promise" speeches about STV is anyone does get inversed for more than 30 days I think the damage to the credibility of some of the managers would be incredible. Whatever happens, however, I do think it will be the end of the term for some of the union reps who tried to sell it to the force with fear and a sense of detached condescension.
07-24-2007, 10:35 AM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2006
Position: 767 FO
Posts: 8,047
The company can make involuntary STVs not applicable by:
Make the Expat package better. At almost no cost to the company they could 50% match housing costs above $2700 up to the IRS housing exclusion max.
Make Voluntary STV's worth while by offering an incentive pay of 25% or make the bid lines 90 hour (4 week) or 110 hour (5 week) guarantees. The additional hours are about what the company would pay in deadhead hours for a 1 month STV (assuming they plan on paying DH hours).
Make the Expat package better. At almost no cost to the company they could 50% match housing costs above $2700 up to the IRS housing exclusion max.
Make Voluntary STV's worth while by offering an incentive pay of 25% or make the bid lines 90 hour (4 week) or 110 hour (5 week) guarantees. The additional hours are about what the company would pay in deadhead hours for a 1 month STV (assuming they plan on paying DH hours).
Last edited by FDXLAG; 07-24-2007 at 10:59 AM.
07-24-2007, 11:45 AM
#7
Bourgeoisie
Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: 787 SO
Posts: 617
The company can make involuntary STVs not applicable by:
Make the Expat package better. At almost no cost to the company they could 50% match housing costs above $2700 up to the IRS housing exclusion max.
Make Voluntary STV's worth while by offering an incentive pay of 25% or make the bid lines 90 hour (4 week) or 110 hour (5 week) guarantees. The additional hours are about what the company would pay in deadhead hours for a 1 month STV (assuming they plan on paying DH hours).
Make the Expat package better. At almost no cost to the company they could 50% match housing costs above $2700 up to the IRS housing exclusion max.
Make Voluntary STV's worth while by offering an incentive pay of 25% or make the bid lines 90 hour (4 week) or 110 hour (5 week) guarantees. The additional hours are about what the company would pay in deadhead hours for a 1 month STV (assuming they plan on paying DH hours).
Then again, we certainly don't have any "unique skills", so what am I complaining about.
This whole mess disgusts me. Shape of things to come I imagine.
07-24-2007, 01:05 PM
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: Row well and live...
Posts: 494
07-24-2007, 01:39 PM
#9
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: Gear Monkey
Posts: 3,199
Hard to take our little poll of malcontents as a solid reflection of 4800 pilots. However, if we make the leap that 51% or so vote no....here are some options.
The company can still fill the FDAs under the current CBA. Time will tell if they will be easy or hard to fill. Either way--nobody will be inversed into them. Like the postal LOA (or lack thereof) the company just works around it. Some guys miss out on tax equalization and 2700 cola. Moving packages from current CBA apply to those adventurous souls who go over there.
If there are vacancies, poolies and/or new hires might fill some of them. Tough duty for a new guy--but to join this team many will probably gladly take it. TonyC threw boxes...lots of guys did pro IP or corporate to get here--so there are prices we'll pay to be on this team.
The company could also approach the union and address some of the shortfalls of the LOA and try again. I don't know if management would consider this "weakness" and decide to forego any further tweaking. However, just redlining the STV would likely have gotten them the 51% they need--perhaps a lot more. Add some COLA and tuition offsets and I'll bet it would FLY through. How much more money? Hmmm....we could fight all day about "what you need" but I'd say another 2k or so and no STV and it would pass. Then again--I'm no MEC negotiator--so what do I know?
The huge fear is the company goes outside our brand to do the flying. I think our product and reputation are enough to keep that from happening. I also think 4800 highly agitated pilots would do everything they could to make self help the next step. Again--not a negotiator or RLA expert--but every action has a reaction. If we are really trying to work together here I don't think solutions are that far away that would satisfy the large majority of the crew force. Most of us dig the job, dig the company, and like the people we work with.
It won't be the end of the world if this fails--for the company or the crew force. Maybe our union will start listening and soliciting a bit more input instead of just "assuming" it knows what is best for us. On the other hand, most of us will do fine if it passes too. It won't be great for SOME of the force if it passes--but we'll hold our managers to their word and see how the STV plays out. With all the "we promise" speeches about STV is anyone does get inversed for more than 30 days I think the damage to the credibility of some of the managers would be incredible. Whatever happens, however, I do think it will be the end of the term for some of the union reps who tried to sell it to the force with fear and a sense of detached condescension.
The company can still fill the FDAs under the current CBA. Time will tell if they will be easy or hard to fill. Either way--nobody will be inversed into them. Like the postal LOA (or lack thereof) the company just works around it. Some guys miss out on tax equalization and 2700 cola. Moving packages from current CBA apply to those adventurous souls who go over there.
If there are vacancies, poolies and/or new hires might fill some of them. Tough duty for a new guy--but to join this team many will probably gladly take it. TonyC threw boxes...lots of guys did pro IP or corporate to get here--so there are prices we'll pay to be on this team.
The company could also approach the union and address some of the shortfalls of the LOA and try again. I don't know if management would consider this "weakness" and decide to forego any further tweaking. However, just redlining the STV would likely have gotten them the 51% they need--perhaps a lot more. Add some COLA and tuition offsets and I'll bet it would FLY through. How much more money? Hmmm....we could fight all day about "what you need" but I'd say another 2k or so and no STV and it would pass. Then again--I'm no MEC negotiator--so what do I know?
The huge fear is the company goes outside our brand to do the flying. I think our product and reputation are enough to keep that from happening. I also think 4800 highly agitated pilots would do everything they could to make self help the next step. Again--not a negotiator or RLA expert--but every action has a reaction. If we are really trying to work together here I don't think solutions are that far away that would satisfy the large majority of the crew force. Most of us dig the job, dig the company, and like the people we work with.
It won't be the end of the world if this fails--for the company or the crew force. Maybe our union will start listening and soliciting a bit more input instead of just "assuming" it knows what is best for us. On the other hand, most of us will do fine if it passes too. It won't be great for SOME of the force if it passes--but we'll hold our managers to their word and see how the STV plays out. With all the "we promise" speeches about STV is anyone does get inversed for more than 30 days I think the damage to the credibility of some of the managers would be incredible. Whatever happens, however, I do think it will be the end of the term for some of the union reps who tried to sell it to the force with fear and a sense of detached condescension.
Just wanted to point out a small typo though, that definitly needs clarification for those who may not understand the key importances between such terms.
No one will lose $2,700 in COLA if this LOA doesn't pass.
There is no COLA in this LOA --- zero, zip, nada. No mechanism at all for the value of the benefits in the LOA to change with the fluctuating US dollar (...and the HKG $ may not stay fixed forever guys)
The $2,700 is for housing and you can't put that in your pocket --- first, because it will cost you much more then that for housing and second, you have to show you've spent the whole $2,700 to the company (...for those thinking of doubling up)
A COLA, as given by US Gov't for overseas federal employees (and in some high cost cities), is based on a percentage of your pay and is money you can actually chose what to do with --- spend it on clothes, beer, utilities, food, travel, whatever YOU want--- the housing offset offered is NOT COLA.
OK, rant over --- but zero COLA is just another aspect where this LOA falls well short compared to other expat packages.
OK - now rant truly over.
07-24-2007, 04:40 PM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2006
Posts: 266
The very worst thing (IMHO) is the company opens the FDA's anyway. Some people will bid them, that is there choice. The company then has to make up the shortfall with new hires or SIBA.
Fedex has already said that the lines can't be done with SIBA, I think they are wrong. It would just take overlapping SIBA lines and 3 times as many crews.
In either case those of us on the property just got more senior because of all the bodies required to do this without the LOA.
When the company sees what all those extra bodies will cost them, IMHO, they will come back to the table and work with us on a better LOA
Fedex has already said that the lines can't be done with SIBA, I think they are wrong. It would just take overlapping SIBA lines and 3 times as many crews.
In either case those of us on the property just got more senior because of all the bodies required to do this without the LOA.
When the company sees what all those extra bodies will cost them, IMHO, they will come back to the table and work with us on a better LOA
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
