SuperMario

Not entirely true. Based upon JG's email and reliable inside info, the Union DID reengage mgmt on the MLV issue in December, but mgmt didn't want anything to do with it. Mgmt was touting the necessity of MLV last June, but now they're not interested!

Busboy

And guys, lets not forget that this company is still making money. Alot of money. The proposals the company has made are draconian, if we keep that in mind.

The cuts made prior to management invoking 4.A.2.b. are in line with what the rest of this company's employees are taking.

Gunter

The backing off of MLV makes perfect sense.

When the company wanted it they were not in a position to invoke 4a2b. Arguably they aren't now, but they were less so then.

MLV would have given the company an opportunity to increase reserve utilization. This is a hot button with them.

Now, with 4a2b, reserve utilization is going up. No need for MLV. It doesn't hurt the company one bit if one person makes 130 hrs and another 58 hrs.

ConnerP

In this business------- if you have to ask what your leverage is------ you either:
a. don't understand this business
b. don't really care
c. wear blinders and earplugs always
d. have never been through a nasty contract negotiation or furlough
e. can't read between the lines-- ever!
f. all or some of the above


Ring me up-- I'm out.

Busboy

Sure it does. We currently have enough pilots to cover all the carryover, without anyone making any EXTRA pay. Supposedly.

990Convair

I must respectfully ask you, what other "tangents" would you have suggested ALPA follow??

If you read JG's masterful submission, it is patently obvious that it is the company that is not negotiating in good faith.

It is the company that is seeking to extract dollars from our collective wallets in the form of 4A2B.

They will have an excess, but I predict they won't furlough. Let's remember one thing. It was costing the company a measly 1 million dollars per month to buyup all of the lines. Now that BLG's are sub 62 in some seats, what the average is I don't know, they are probably banking in the neighborhood of 3 million a month savings. That is our money folks. If they furlough, the BLG's snap-back, i.e. no more 3 million a month savings, they lose this crewforce's loyalty, most likely for ever since the junior folks will inherit the farm eventually and we are the ones being trampled on most, and Wall Street will take notice.

Quit questioning the Union, and just follow the CBA. It isn't hard to do.

Convair Out

Gunter

The company is having trouble walking a straight line with their moral compass.

Can't bring on Pros because 4a2b is like a furlough. They can't get on the list.
But we can still do volunteer and draft, because there is no furlough.


nothing...I mean NOTHING is preventing the company from giving us enhanced leave of absence and early retirement options without a LOA or other type of agreement from the union.

If this was a manning issue we'd have those things right now. Apparently what we really have is a cost reduction issue.

R1200RT

Why do any of you think the union can fix carryover, or even has a say in it? The company can unilaterally fix the carryover today. They don't need the union to do that. Cap and bank system?, yea the union would have to buy off on that. And, I support it right now.

I think the "boy" is right (what, who said that? ). If it makes financial sense to furlough it's going to happen. Personally, I think the threat is being used as a tool by the company to sway the crew force. IMHO the contract is being used as a cost cutting tool and that's not right. We have the contract to guarantee pay.

Man I'll work for 25% pay if it will actually keep guys from getting furloughed, but I don't think that's what's going on here.
So, my official sentiment to the company is:
If you need to furlough do it, because I honestly don't think they will, and I don't want to panic over a threat. Let the grievance run it's course and let the excess do what it will. We can't stop either from happening.

BoyCaptain also thinks Webb is the only player in the Union and all the other volunteers do his bidding. I hope he is wrong we need some good tough guys driving the bus right now. He is also right that we need the Union and the company to be talking.

I've heard we are not getting the full story from the Union, if not the company needs to post their official proposals so we can see if we are being lied to by the union. Most of us can read and until the company does that I have a hard time believing the union is not telling the truth. Black and white proposals is what we need to see.

Lets hope we have great guys on both sides, we are all on the same burning boat!

Gunter

????? You are supporting my argument. Thanks.

BOYCAPTAIN

sorry busboy..i'll do better next time....i hope i am wrong about DW this time...i guess i'll just sit back and wait to see what comes...fly safe guys!