Voluntary leaves of absence at UPS
10-27-2011, 02:46 PM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: -400 CAPT
Posts: 483
"Today, your EB reached an agreement with UPS that allows IPA crewmembers the option to take unpaid time off with full benefits on a bid period by bid period basis. Starting today, on strictly a volunteer basis, crewmembers will have the ability to request taking off the December and January bid period. The Company will then decide how many leaves to grant by fleet, seat, and domicile and award them on a seniority basis.
As an alternative, crewmembers may volunteer to bid a part-time December/January schedule. Again, the Company will decide how many part-time lines to build by fleet, seat, and domicile and then award them on a seniority basis. Both volunteer programs may be offered at the Company’s discretion in future bid periods. The Voluntary Time-Off Letter of Agreement (LOA 11-03) is available on the IPA home page.
Members will rightly ask: “Why are these programs being offered, and why offer them now?”
First, in the crewmember contract negotiation survey, an overwhelming majority of IPA members (over 80%) indicated their desire to have the option of taking incentivized time off utilizing programs similar to those offered in connection with 2009’s Voluntary Job Protection Program (VJPP.) The overwhelming majority of members indicated that they desired and would like the option of taking time off with full benefits. Most ranked this as an important priority to achieve in the next contract.
Rather than expend negotiating capital on achieving this objective in contract negotiations, the EB saw an opportunity to put in place time-off programs desired by the membership right now. While this new LOA will expire with the current contract, a successful “test drive” of these programs now will increase the likelihood that they are included in the new contract without prolonged negotiations. We think that’s important.
Second, to the extent that crewmembers voluntarily take time off each bid period, this will reduce system staffing availability. This LOA, working in conjunction with the IPA Solidarity Policy, will eventually, we believe, speed up the day when all of our furloughed members are back on property. It is important to emphasize that this is a voluntary program. The EB will not support or tolerate attempts to pressure members to participate.
Will the furlough end quickly? Well, it will not happen overnight. The Company is of the belief that they are overstaffed. The Company’s belief that they are overstaffed is the main reason we have been able to get them to agree to one of our contract objectives now outside of the negotiating process. But we firmly believe that these two programs—the Voluntary Incentivized Time-Off LOA and the Solidarity Policy—working together, can and will eventually tip the balance and make a real difference in expediting the return of our members.
Now let’s discuss some details. The Voluntary Short Term Leaves of Absence are pretty much modeled off of the previous VJPP program. Benefits, including A-Plan pension credits and health care, will continue even though you are away from work, just like the prior program. A big change is that you will not have to sign-up months in advance, but rather on a bid-by-bid basis for a single bid period off.
Next, part-time lines, still to be known as reduced guarantee or “RDG” lines, are different in some respects. Most significantly, regular, non-reduced VTO lines will be built and awarded prior to the building of reduced RDG lines. The Executive Board reached a consensus that building the lines in this order—a significant change from the original program—was desirable to protect the seniority rights of regular, non-reduced VTO line bidders. In order to make this change possible, the opening of line improvement trip trade submissions has been moved three hours from 12:01 to 15:01.
RDG lines will carry a guarantee of 37.5 credit hours. All duty is restricted to eight (8) duty days within a fourteen (14) day block contained within the pay period unless all duties are contained within one pay period with no duties in the other. These rules prevent the spreading of flying throughout the bid period and ensure that RDG lines will contain larger blocks of time off. Again, the specific rules and changes are outlined in the new agreement.
We would like to have had more time to have these details available to you prior to the December/January bid. As it is, the ink is literally just drying on the agreement and the volunteer sign-up period for bid 12-01, as a result, will be compressed.
If you are interested in taking December and January off or flying a reduced time line during these months, you can go to the IPA web site homepage starting today and indicate your interest. We will transmit the data to UPS. The volunteer window for this bid (12-01) will close by 17:00 SDF time Tuesday, November 1, 2011.
Again, the reason for this action is two-fold. One, it is a move to take a piece the membership wants in contract negotiations effectively off the table by putting it in place right now. No negotiation chips will be spent. Second, the Voluntary Time-Off LOA will predictably reduce block hours being flown by crewmembers in the system. This, together with your continued support of the IPA Solidarity Policy, we strongly believe, will expedite the eventual return of the furloughees.
In a time when the Company firmly believes they are overstaffed, we aren’t predicting a quick end to the furlough. But it is time to do all we can to help steer the ship in a different direction, particularly if we can gain a contract objective in the process. We think this is a good move for all members, furloughed and active.
Thank you for your time. Please fly safe, be professional and remain united."
As an alternative, crewmembers may volunteer to bid a part-time December/January schedule. Again, the Company will decide how many part-time lines to build by fleet, seat, and domicile and then award them on a seniority basis. Both volunteer programs may be offered at the Company’s discretion in future bid periods. The Voluntary Time-Off Letter of Agreement (LOA 11-03) is available on the IPA home page.
Members will rightly ask: “Why are these programs being offered, and why offer them now?”
First, in the crewmember contract negotiation survey, an overwhelming majority of IPA members (over 80%) indicated their desire to have the option of taking incentivized time off utilizing programs similar to those offered in connection with 2009’s Voluntary Job Protection Program (VJPP.) The overwhelming majority of members indicated that they desired and would like the option of taking time off with full benefits. Most ranked this as an important priority to achieve in the next contract.
Rather than expend negotiating capital on achieving this objective in contract negotiations, the EB saw an opportunity to put in place time-off programs desired by the membership right now. While this new LOA will expire with the current contract, a successful “test drive” of these programs now will increase the likelihood that they are included in the new contract without prolonged negotiations. We think that’s important.
Second, to the extent that crewmembers voluntarily take time off each bid period, this will reduce system staffing availability. This LOA, working in conjunction with the IPA Solidarity Policy, will eventually, we believe, speed up the day when all of our furloughed members are back on property. It is important to emphasize that this is a voluntary program. The EB will not support or tolerate attempts to pressure members to participate.
Will the furlough end quickly? Well, it will not happen overnight. The Company is of the belief that they are overstaffed. The Company’s belief that they are overstaffed is the main reason we have been able to get them to agree to one of our contract objectives now outside of the negotiating process. But we firmly believe that these two programs—the Voluntary Incentivized Time-Off LOA and the Solidarity Policy—working together, can and will eventually tip the balance and make a real difference in expediting the return of our members.
Now let’s discuss some details. The Voluntary Short Term Leaves of Absence are pretty much modeled off of the previous VJPP program. Benefits, including A-Plan pension credits and health care, will continue even though you are away from work, just like the prior program. A big change is that you will not have to sign-up months in advance, but rather on a bid-by-bid basis for a single bid period off.
Next, part-time lines, still to be known as reduced guarantee or “RDG” lines, are different in some respects. Most significantly, regular, non-reduced VTO lines will be built and awarded prior to the building of reduced RDG lines. The Executive Board reached a consensus that building the lines in this order—a significant change from the original program—was desirable to protect the seniority rights of regular, non-reduced VTO line bidders. In order to make this change possible, the opening of line improvement trip trade submissions has been moved three hours from 12:01 to 15:01.
RDG lines will carry a guarantee of 37.5 credit hours. All duty is restricted to eight (8) duty days within a fourteen (14) day block contained within the pay period unless all duties are contained within one pay period with no duties in the other. These rules prevent the spreading of flying throughout the bid period and ensure that RDG lines will contain larger blocks of time off. Again, the specific rules and changes are outlined in the new agreement.
We would like to have had more time to have these details available to you prior to the December/January bid. As it is, the ink is literally just drying on the agreement and the volunteer sign-up period for bid 12-01, as a result, will be compressed.
If you are interested in taking December and January off or flying a reduced time line during these months, you can go to the IPA web site homepage starting today and indicate your interest. We will transmit the data to UPS. The volunteer window for this bid (12-01) will close by 17:00 SDF time Tuesday, November 1, 2011.
Again, the reason for this action is two-fold. One, it is a move to take a piece the membership wants in contract negotiations effectively off the table by putting it in place right now. No negotiation chips will be spent. Second, the Voluntary Time-Off LOA will predictably reduce block hours being flown by crewmembers in the system. This, together with your continued support of the IPA Solidarity Policy, we strongly believe, will expedite the eventual return of the furloughees.
In a time when the Company firmly believes they are overstaffed, we aren’t predicting a quick end to the furlough. But it is time to do all we can to help steer the ship in a different direction, particularly if we can gain a contract objective in the process. We think this is a good move for all members, furloughed and active.
Thank you for your time. Please fly safe, be professional and remain united."
10-27-2011, 02:47 PM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2005
Position: 757/767
Posts: 1,128
10-27-2011, 02:56 PM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2005
Position: 757/767
Posts: 1,128
10-27-2011, 03:11 PM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2009
Position: SDF’s finest dive - Toasting Jungle
Posts: 182
So let me get this straight, we actually AGREED to this and signed it?? And what ground did the IPA gain by doing so??
UFB that this was even considered. I would have asked for them to start bringing people back or at least tell us when that might happen.
All we have done here is let them have flexibility and MEF more often. All at a lower cost. I hope the membership tells them where to put it.
Change you can believe in, sound familiar?
UFB that this was even considered. I would have asked for them to start bringing people back or at least tell us when that might happen.
All we have done here is let them have flexibility and MEF more often. All at a lower cost. I hope the membership tells them where to put it.
Change you can believe in, sound familiar?
10-27-2011, 04:15 PM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Mar 2007
Position: Unknown
Posts: 372
So, UPS has total control of which leaves they approve (fleet, seat, dom). Who ON EARTH thinks they're stupid enough to approve leaves in such a way as to "reduce block hours flown by crewmembers" and necessitate recall of furloughees?? I mean, I didn't get my MBA from Harvard, but even I can see they'll ONLY approve leaves to their benefit. If anything, this signals a longer wait for those on furlough, NOT a shorter one.
I genuinely hope this improves working conditions/contract negotiations for those currently on property. However, for those on furlough, I'd seriously plan on something else. I really believe UPS will wait until the 5 year point (after which, recall provision in the contract doesn't apply) and just fire us. At a minimum, they'll make us reinterview for our jobs and won't hire anyone. They realize it's much more in their interests to start with fresh recruits than deal with the increasingly disgruntled furloughees. At some point, they'll hold out on hiring and cut their losses. Meanwhile, they can fill all the flying spots they need with new, cheaper-version managers (these guys don't make what the pre-Davis FQS did -- really not much more than a year 5 furloughee, and if you consider they fly to the FARS, prolly cheaper per hour rate).
I genuinely hope this improves working conditions/contract negotiations for those currently on property. However, for those on furlough, I'd seriously plan on something else. I really believe UPS will wait until the 5 year point (after which, recall provision in the contract doesn't apply) and just fire us. At a minimum, they'll make us reinterview for our jobs and won't hire anyone. They realize it's much more in their interests to start with fresh recruits than deal with the increasingly disgruntled furloughees. At some point, they'll hold out on hiring and cut their losses. Meanwhile, they can fill all the flying spots they need with new, cheaper-version managers (these guys don't make what the pre-Davis FQS did -- really not much more than a year 5 furloughee, and if you consider they fly to the FARS, prolly cheaper per hour rate).
Last edited by Buck92; 10-27-2011 at 04:28 PM.
10-27-2011, 06:12 PM
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2011
Posts: 218
FC,
I'm not a UPS guy, so please pardon the intrusion, but after reading your post for the third time, I'm wondering if anyone, other than yourself sees anything good coming out of this new negotiated short-term agreement? Being somewhat familiar with Brown, I wonder why you actually think that they will publish lines and accept volunteers (for part-time months), while leaving themselves "short" of help. If you ran a business, would you do that to yourself? I do agree that it would be nice to have the ability to shorten a work-month now and then, but from reading your post, it seems that you will only realize this benefit when the company allows you to.
Also, you say "In a time when the Company firmly believes they are overstaffed, we aren’t predicting a quick end to the furlough. But it is time to do all we can to help steer the ship in a different direction, particularly if we can gain a contract objective in the process. We think this is a good move for all members, furloughed and active."
To this I'd reply that I hope when your negotiating committee actually sits down opposite your management, in full scale negotiations, that they negotiate the types of things you've brought up here, but with some teeth, such that regardless of what management wants, you guys could bid a reduced schedule, with all the "benefits" you've outlined above (if that's what your membership wants.)
Good luck, and I hope your furloughed pilots are recalled ASAP.
I'm not a UPS guy, so please pardon the intrusion, but after reading your post for the third time, I'm wondering if anyone, other than yourself sees anything good coming out of this new negotiated short-term agreement? Being somewhat familiar with Brown, I wonder why you actually think that they will publish lines and accept volunteers (for part-time months), while leaving themselves "short" of help. If you ran a business, would you do that to yourself? I do agree that it would be nice to have the ability to shorten a work-month now and then, but from reading your post, it seems that you will only realize this benefit when the company allows you to.
Also, you say "In a time when the Company firmly believes they are overstaffed, we aren’t predicting a quick end to the furlough. But it is time to do all we can to help steer the ship in a different direction, particularly if we can gain a contract objective in the process. We think this is a good move for all members, furloughed and active."
To this I'd reply that I hope when your negotiating committee actually sits down opposite your management, in full scale negotiations, that they negotiate the types of things you've brought up here, but with some teeth, such that regardless of what management wants, you guys could bid a reduced schedule, with all the "benefits" you've outlined above (if that's what your membership wants.)
Good luck, and I hope your furloughed pilots are recalled ASAP.
10-27-2011, 06:26 PM
#9
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2005
Position: looking for a bridge to sleep under in ANC
Posts: 180
I'm not a big conspiracy guy but at this point I think the #1 guy on the seniority list should start considering what life is going to look like post UPS airlines. Given, the economy is bumping along the bottom but UPS continues to put in record quarters. Meanwhile Fedex continues to hire while UPS talks about being overstaffed and needing to furlough more?? Really? Sorry, but either they are full of %$#@#$ or their business model of owning/operating their own airline is about to change. My guess is they are headed they way of DHL which doesn't operate/own a single airplane. Industry leading scope. Ya, right - sounds like it may be put to the test. I hope I'm wrong........
10-27-2011, 07:29 PM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2005
Position: 757/767
Posts: 1,128
I'm not a big conspiracy guy but at this point I think the #1 guy on the seniority list should start considering what life is going to look like post UPS airlines. Given, the economy is bumping along the bottom but UPS continues to put in record quarters. Meanwhile Fedex continues to hire while UPS talks about being overstaffed and needing to furlough more?? Really? Sorry, but either they are full of %$#@#$ or their business model of owning/operating their own airline is about to change. My guess is they are headed they way of DHL which doesn't operate/own a single airplane. Industry leading scope. Ya, right - sounds like it may be put to the test. I hope I'm wrong........
We just voted in two new guys and evevryone seems to think ups is gonna hold hands with us and play nice, YGBFKM
Mr. EB why don't you tell us what is really going on? Oh wait this must be one of those behind the seen secrets that we can not know and as usual just be patient and report management flying and trust your EB.
Hey TK make sure next time you see Davis in one of those stockholder meetings shake his hand again and thank him for the good job he's doing.
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