TonyC

No, actually, I did not know what you meant. I am not a mind reader. I must therefore rely upon the words you use, and the rules of the English language. When you say federal mediator, I must presume you mean federal mediator. If you want me to think you said NMB, then you need to say NMB. Fair enough?



It's been two years since we began Section 6 negotiations -- plenty of time to put all the proposals on the table. Why do you suppose The Company is holding that one back? What do you suppose is in their proposal that might upset pilots? Use your imagination. What has changed in the world of retirement in the past, oh, 5 years?

We have less than 6 months until the amendable date of our current CBA. Do you think we'll be able to negotiate Section 28 to a conclusion if The Company gives us their proposal a week before the amendable date? A month? Right now?


Like a fiddle ...






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MaxKts

Thanks, Tony for the long version answer. But, I really wanted one of the "rose colored glasses" wearers to answer the question.

pinseeker

I thought we were in interim discussions, not section 6 negotiations. Is that what you meant? I'm not a mind reader either. I think you have officially communicated more since being recalled than you ever did as a block rep. I'd vote for you just to shut you up. Not really.

Busboy

Don't quit your day job there, Pinseeker. Mind reading is obviously not your forte. We entered Sec. 6 negotiations with management Aug 2010, over 2 years ago.

I agree with Tony, you'd think they'd have had time to prepare ALL of their proposals... They have had over 2 years to get them ready.

And, I don't think Tony's current communications can be referred to as "official".

HIFLYR

Tony,
I really do not see much difference between now and when you were in the know "a block rep". Except way more info is available to the crew force electronically in the form of web pod cast videos of meetings etc. I think the difference you notice is simply you are like most of us now and not privy to the behind doors info you used to get. You know and have actually told me before discussions have to be kept private so people can speak freely etc. As you have basically told me before about my concerns let the process work.

Gunter

They like to take their time.

Why exactly are you in a hurry? Are you worried we will suddenly lose our desire to vote No and react accordingly over a proposed retirement give back?

The danger I see is moving too quickly.

pinseeker

And we exited section 6 when we ratified are current contract in February 2011. We are currently in interim talks.

Sorry if my other statement was confusing. I was saying that it is official, he has now communicated more since being recalled than he ever did as a block rep. Would one of these help?

Busboy

What? Worry about this group suddenly losing their desire to vote NO and act accordingly?

That's crazy talk. Why would anyone worry about that?

FoxHunter

Retirement?
Retirement Heist: How Companies Plunder and Profit from the Nest Eggs of American Workers: Ellen E. Schultz: 9781591843337: Amazon.com: Books

TonyC

I apologize for not making it clear. As Busboy said, we entered Section Six negotiations over two years ago. That's when we swapped Openers, with us telling The Company what sections we wanted to change, and The Company telling us what sections they wanted to change. Section 28 Retirement was on their list.

Since that time, we have been in one sort or another of negotiations, talks, or discussions, except for a brief pause to ratify a contract. Our Negotiating Committee has met with their labor attorneys regularly over the course of the 2+ years, and we still haven't received their proposal about Section 28 Retirement. What are they waiting for? When will they drop the bomb?

HIFLYR -- I don't think we need to know the specifics. If I read a Negotiationg Committee Update that says, "We've received The Company's proposal on Section 28 Retirement and we are crafting a counterproposal," then I at least know it's something within the realm of reasonable. If I read, "We've received The Company's proposal on Section 28 Retirement, and we are very disappointed in the direction they want to go," I know to be concerned. If I read, "We are still waiting for The Company to give us their proposal they've had over two years to work on," I know they're not terribly serious about getting this thing done under the Interim Process in order to achieve The Company's stated goal of labor peace.



You've certainly seen more, and it's certainly easier to communicate in the open. It's a lot easier not having to go through the Communications Review Protocol (the "Chop Chain") to get something published, especially when the officers and attorneys don't like what you're saying, and they have the power of the editing pen. It's also a lot easier to speak as a "private citizen" instead of as a fiduciary of the Association.

What you didn't see was the daily barrage of e-mails and phone calls which were handled out of the public eye. Considering the time spent dealing with those communications, I would say I communicate far less now.

But it's a bit ironic what you say about voting for me. A lot of people voted against me because they thought it would shut me up.






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