AFW_MD11

or quote the MEC Chairman's email from the other day where he explained in detail the pros & cons of involving the NMB in the process

kronan

Yes,
And Yes.

UPS reportedly opted for mediation in February after 2 1/2 yrs of section 6 talks

SS discussed it. IMO it's not a panacea for all that ails us, process sounds much more formal and deliberate.
Yet SS still relayed it's a playing card in the deck, and depending upon the tenor of upcoming discussions, one that we might consider playing

Busboy

We should learn from history. At the very least, our own history.

iarapilot

Unfortunately, we are just like society at large.

tennesseeflyboy

Sdnumber2 ............ You are exactly correct and right on, this process of meetings and no meaningful progress can be quickly repaired with full scale mass informational picketing, radio ads, tv ads, newspaper ads, etc., etc., etc.
There appears to me, that the negotiations are stymied in part by a lack of collective will, to bring the other side to their knees and it is possible if it is done in a manner that produces the quickest results, such as what is mentioned above. Negotiating only produces what you put into it to a point, then you have to bring out the big hammer. To suggest that you don't want to **** off the other side is tantamount to believing that you don't deserve better ..............

Gunpig

The unions email this week about the next bargaining session being off site for a 3 (now extended to 5) day bargaining session is hopefully a sign that the step raised in this thread might hopefully not be required.

It benefits us all to resolve these negotiations without damage to the corporate reputation

RedeyeAV8r

I agree with you, BUT, while Picketing can be an effective tool, it is up to the Negotiating Committee to determine and inform the MEC that Negotiations are at a standstill.

If called upon by the MEC, I am ready, however……..

Informational Picketing and a Negative Ad campaign do not guarantee success. In fact, sometimes it can be a disaster. Just recall 1995 here and the Billboard on Lamar and the USA today and the 19 folks that showed up for picketing in front the FedEx Office on Poplar Ave.
What if today the MEC scheduled Informational Picketing and the only ones to Show up were MEC members or Committee members? What message would that send to the Company and Wall Street?
Now I realize things have changed here since then but……

Before we line up for "Picket's Charge" it would be nice to see
everyone wearing their ALPA Pins and ID Necklaces.
everyone voluntarily deciding not to opt for a Disputed Pairings.
everyone (or majority) attending local FAM Awareness events and LEC meetings………

There are more and other things each member can voluntarily choose to do. It is an Individual Choice.
Do the Majority of FDX Pilots truly individually support the process?

How many DPs still get voluntarily flown?
How many UofMEM Tigers or Fly Navy or Purple and Orange Necklaces do you see Still being worn? not to mention F-16, F-15 or Navy/Marine tie tacks.

Many seem to Talk the Talk, but how many really Walk the Walk?

The Reality is that the majority of the Line FDX Pilots must first prove to the Corporation and Shareholders as well as the MEC, Negotiating Committee , not to mention each other, that they are serious about getting what they are worth.

The Membership ultimately are the ones who drive the process from our side. When everyone truly starts showing their support, then and only then, taking things to the next level might be a smart and viable option.

MEMFO4Ever

Well put. I agree that the membership holds the power, but no amount of lanyards or tie tacks will change anything. If you want a profit driven organization to bend ever-so-slightly to your will, you have to affect (or sincerely threaten to affect) their bottom line. Senior and executive leadership do not care about employees or their attitudes beyond the impact it might have on the shareholder. We are a cost center and it is high time we started acting like it. IMO, marching in a line while wearing the company's costumes won't do it either.

That said...

There are a ton of folks here making serious scratch, living paycheck to paycheck, to ever REALLY put Momma's weekly nail appointments and the Denali/McMansion payments in jeopardy. Just the reality of the situation.

Like rising petrol prices influencing driving habits, it simply isn't uncomfortable enough yet for the vast majority of the membership to sacrifice or risk anything significant. And so, we go on.

RedeyeAV8r

I agree, simply wearing a pin and a Lanyard isn't going to bring the Company to it's knees. My point is…

If pilots will not even wear a Pin and a Lanyard when requested by the Union Leadership, how can we as a group anyone expect the same individual to support a Union initiative which takes things up a notch?


How tough is it to wear an ALPA Pin and Lanyard?

Rhetorical Question. If we can't get ALL of our Group to follow a simple, easy & Cheap and low threat request such as wearing their ALPA Pins and lanyards, how do you think we would fare as a Group if we are asked to do something that might cost each of us a little money, and force one to put his or her Head above the ridge line?

It is a simple litmus test really. Both the Union leadership and Management take notice.

Albief15

Preach on brother Redeye!