Bitme

If what you say is true, then "the regime" you speak of is everyone who voted for the LOA, needs to go. I believe most of the comments on this board are misdirected at the MEC, who are basically caught between a rock and a hard place. I don't remember any of the MEC doing a sales job although in hindsight now that is the prevalent belief. I remember words to the the effect "it's not great, but it's the best we can get". I remember them saying "it's more than we have now" in the current contract language pre LOA. If this crew force knew how to read between the lines, what was being said was "it's the best we'll get with the support we have".

The MEC had to make a call and it was the right call, because about 90% of you voted for it. If it was the wrong call it would have been voted down by the MEMBERSHIP!

It slays me that a poll on this board comprises 130 votes out of over 4600 pilots and anyone puts any credence into it. It may bring some thought provoking posts to the about 25 of us who post here and maybe the 200 or so lurkers , but what I sincerely wish is that the MEC chooses the right people for the job based on their knowledge of the people running and whether they will be able to make the hard calls, because until the company creates another unifying event not much will change.

I like Wes, because he can walk into a room and give you the facts and back up why. He's smart and going into section 6 IMHO is no time to vote for change for the sake of change. I'll not debate DW on this thread because of thread creap, but our society always wants to blame someone else for their woes and for everything I can think of here it's the pilots that need to look in the mirror, not the MEC, or it's leadership.

FDXLAG

Well I certainly remember a joint MEC/Company sales Job. Either way the MEC was wrong; it was not the best we were gonna get, the LOA improved several times thanks, IMHO, to the efforts of many on this board and in spite of the efforts of the MEC.

Three month STV was the biggest insult and scariest thing I could imagine. Yet, block reps of all seniority voted yes and argued it was a good deal. Then they conspire with the company and contend that the written language was never what was intended. Only to be proven liars when the company refuses to simply pen and ink the change from 3 bid periods to 1 bid period without adding more concessions. A very clear case of the union selling out the lower third of the seniority list.

Not to outdone, they then proceed to sell out 90% of the seniority list by demanding retro age 60.

I like Wes too, I understand he was just doing his Job. The FDA LOA still sucks but it is a big improvement over the original one approved 11-1 by the MEC. Any officer that thinks (or trys to sell) letting the company target a certain demographic is the way to raise the bar should not be in his office.

Gunter

25 posters, Yes.

But you grossly underestimate the number of folks who read this board

Bitme

I wouldn't know for sure, took a wag at it, but it still slays me. K

Buckwheat Jones

From the Special Message Line:

"The MEC has decided to proceed with the meetings scheduled for next week. We believe that it would be better to proceed and see how much the MEC can accomplish prior to any self-help action by Unit 1. If Unit 1 elects to strike sometime next week the MEC will discontinue operations where they are and reschedule the balance of the meeting at some time in the future. It is the hope of the MEC to at least be able to accomplish the elections."

Time for the black helicopters? Can't the MEC count by themselves without office staff? Does the DW/DM/WR cabal need more time to cut deals? Maybe we can get Jimmy Carter to stop by and monitor the vote!

MD Abuser

Wait...let me get this straight. The kind of union leadership that you want is one that will cross a strike picket line? Did I read that right? If so, you might as well crawl back in your management cubicle right now.

Buckwheat Jones

Yeah, a management cubicle is right where I reside... I find it strange that a union cannot negotiate in good faith with their own unionize employees without forcing them to strike every two years.

I didn't say anything about crossing picket lines, hiring scabs, etc. I guess it would be difficult to have the MEC conduct a vote without office staff doing their jobs. I simply thought the Chairman could call the meeting to order, ascertain if a quorem existed, and then ask for nominations, seconds, and have the Sec-Treas record the votes.

Buckwheat Jones

Nice 11th hour campaign letters by TH & WR! WR basically said that hard working, line pilot union volunteers, who have busted their butts for years, are not experienced enough to represent us! TH stated the same thing in his postings here and in previous campaign letters to the crew force. The sense of entitlement and revisionist history by both are amazing:

1. Wasn’t TH the campaign manager for MW in 1998 and DW & WH in 2000? Didn’t SSch mention him in his version of our union history and triumphs in his self-serving departure letter? Why would WR mention TH in his campaign letter, if not only for diluting the first round of voting so he can survive until a runoff? Or maybe as a back up to himself? Either way, WR or TH, years and years of the same status quo stuff. Just what we need!
2. WR has been involved with the EXACT things he mentions being messed up in his campaign letter… but he takes NO responsibility whatsoever. He basically states that he is “entitled to ALPA officer” jobs forever because he got in with DW. Don’t worry about his past poor performance; it should not be a factor as he knows best. If hard working line pilot union volunteers should be excluded from consideration for officer positions, the MEC must elect WR so he can continue his union progression up the ladder. No doubt he envisions taking over for Prater once he completes his fleet up process.
3. Why do WR & TH feel the need to rewrite history so much? Can it be that the facts hurt? WR, as an incumbent should be the hands down favorite among the MEC with whom he’s worked so effectively for years! His and DM’s utter lack of MEC support should speak volumes.

How about this: Let’s have “hard working, union volunteering, line pilots speak for us and lead the union this time! Enough of the professional politicians; SS for Chairman, TM for Vice-Chairman, DC for Sec-Treas. WRITE YOUR BLOCK REP. WRITE ALL THE BLOCK REPS.

2cylinderdriver

Do not know the status of his pay code...but he is working VERY hard this month! north of 150 CH at straight time rates. That will not help us out of 4.a.2.b..

Busboy

And, the plot thickens... First thought, from looking at the calendar. But, I'm wondering if the 98hrs/mo for MEC officers might be a pay cut.