Some ting wong

I'm thrilled that we are once again engaged in bargaining under the auspices of the NMB. While I am hopeful that we will achieve meaningful and deserved gains in both our new and previously stated cornerstone issues, I do sometimes have to question the good sense or lack there of, emanating from certain Block Reps and Committee Chairs.

Allegedly, and from a trusted source deep within the bowels of ALPA, our SPSC Committee attempted to schedule a flash mob picket of an upcoming China to DC panda flight. Sounds like they even bought a full sized Panda costume for the planned event. Fortunately, some lonely kirby grown up(s) heard about the plan, and squashed it. Oh well, someone at least scored a sweet costume for the Haloween party.

I probably have at least 1 terrible but fleeting idea per day. However, the fact this plan nearly came to fruition without any disclosure to the MEC is, to use my favorite word of 2023, uncontainable. Seriously.

Of course, there is a time and place for everything but one is left wondering if a prerequisite of a Strategic Planning Committee is to have members who can actually "think' strategically. Maybe there will be some vacancies publicized, in the near term.

HelpABrotherOut

Well that is just embarassing on so many levels. I'd say the SPSC lead needs to go and they need to reevaluate the oversight!!

Smart move, ****ing off/embarassing a communist country where we operate heavily. I'm sure the NMB would also think it was super cool.

Freighthumper

I'm not really sure what I think of the flash mob with a panda costume idea. A lot of details to give things more context would help. What I will say is that having people in the union that aren't afraid to turn the heat up a little bit is a welcome change. With all of the limitations the RLA puts on us during negotiations, we need to find other way to apply pressure and it sounds like our SPSC is trying to do just that.

HelpABrotherOut

I'm not seeing how this would actually move the needle with the company? One of our own running around in a panda suit like a jackass is going to make them come to the table? I'm all for turning up the heat, but it has to be effective. This would have been embarassing.

Freighthumper

Not as embarrassing as FedEx pilots (or management) publicly airing our dirty laundry on the internet. The real question is are you foolish enough to be doing that right now or are you management trying to make us look like fools. If your not management, you sure are doing exactly what they want you to do right now. If you have a problem with the SPSC or its chairman, why don't you pick up the phone/email/DART? Posting your grievances on APC is just suspect right now.

HelpABrotherOut

Yeah, I'm making us look like fools. Is that panda suit hot?

Huck

"They told me I had clever ideas when I was at PSA....."

Jamo

I would love to see this happen! Who are you people afraid of upsetting? Management? Why? Wouldn’t want that now would we.

Although just a rumor at this point by an anonymous poster, sounds like the strike committee is thinking outside the box. Change can be a good thing. Considering everything else we have tried the last 3.5 years has been so productive.

Well I guess management did just kick up the SchedulingMaximizer3000 to 💯 % , in turn helping us get our QOL a bit closer to hell. But let’s not do anything to look negatively from their perspective. Now let’s get back to licking those unappreciative boots people!

HelpABrotherOut

Again, I'm for any means necessary...as long as it is productive. Do you honestly believe that this would motivate the company to come to the table? Is running around in a furry suit embarassing us, or the company? Is it going to make the NMB move things along for us, or look at us as a joke?

Pounding fists and yelling into the void have not proven to be good tactics here. Maybe other trades or airlines, but I'm just not seeing it.

hemaybedid

I’m curious what you think has proven as good tactics here. Historically, we have ratified TA’s at around 20% below industry standard. That is until they all were forced to come down to us.