They hate us. We hate them. It starts early.
02-19-2008, 10:50 PM
#1
New boss = Old boss
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Mar 2005
Position: Ca B737
Posts: 2,762
They hate us. We hate them. It starts early.
When asked by people you know, "Why don't pilots and management get along?" You can tell them it starts early in your career.
Skyway Management Denies Pilots Severance Package Given to All Other Employees
Decision to exclude pilots from receiving termination benefits is anti-union, discriminatory
Milwaukee, WI—The Skyway pilots union, a unit of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l. (ALPA), is reporting to its pilots that Skyway management has refused to offer Skyway pilots severance packages. Skyway, dba Midwest Connect, announced in January that it will cease its flight operations in April, effectively terminating more than 190 pilot jobs.
“We are bitterly disappointed at management’s mean-spirited and vindictive refusal to give Skyway pilots the same severance pay package it has given to all other Skyway employees,” said Capt. Rendell Schmidt, chairman of the Skyway Master Executive Council (MEC). “As a result, pilots will not receive any severance pay, nor will they receive a COBRA cost-sharing package.”
In addition to excluding pilots from the severance pay package, management has offered very little of value that is not already required by law in exchange for work rule changes that well exceed the value of what they were offering the pilots.
“An already ugly situation at Skyway Airlines has just turned uglier. It is evident that Skyway management is punishing the pilots for having union representation and a collective bargaining contract,” said Capt. John Prater, ALPA president. “ALPA is exploring our legal options. Clearly, by its vindictive targeting of the pilots, Skyway management has behaved in a manner that is discriminatory, anti-union, and anti-ALPA.”
In public statements at the time of the shutdown announcement, Midwest Air Group management indicated that all employees losing their jobs would receive severance pay and other assistance. However, in its response to the MEC regarding the union’s proposal, management refused to extend to its pilots the same severance pay package that it has given all other Skyway employees.
During a February 13 meeting with management representatives, including CEO David Reeve, union leaders asked management to reconsider its position, pointing out that the company is not legally required to offer severance benefits to any employees—union or non-union. Indeed, the recently organized Skyway flight attendants will receive the severance benefits package denied to the pilots. Mr. Reeve replied that the pilots have had the benefit of a collective bargaining agreement for ten years, while the other employees have not.
Capt. Prater pledged ALPA’s continued assistance to Skyway pilots throughout this ordeal. “Through jobs and benefits conferences, ALPA will provide every possible means of assistance for them to move forward with their lives and careers. We will work to make sure that every Skyway pilot is back in the cockpit when Skyway shuts down.”
Capt. Schmidt added, “While we understand that Skyway pilots are outraged over management’s decision, we are confident that they will remain professional through this ordeal and continue to fly passengers to their destinations in a safe and timely manner.”
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing more than 60,000 pilots at 43 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. Visit the website: www.alpa.org.
Skyway Management Denies Pilots Severance Package Given to All Other Employees
Decision to exclude pilots from receiving termination benefits is anti-union, discriminatory
Milwaukee, WI—The Skyway pilots union, a unit of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l. (ALPA), is reporting to its pilots that Skyway management has refused to offer Skyway pilots severance packages. Skyway, dba Midwest Connect, announced in January that it will cease its flight operations in April, effectively terminating more than 190 pilot jobs.
“We are bitterly disappointed at management’s mean-spirited and vindictive refusal to give Skyway pilots the same severance pay package it has given to all other Skyway employees,” said Capt. Rendell Schmidt, chairman of the Skyway Master Executive Council (MEC). “As a result, pilots will not receive any severance pay, nor will they receive a COBRA cost-sharing package.”
In addition to excluding pilots from the severance pay package, management has offered very little of value that is not already required by law in exchange for work rule changes that well exceed the value of what they were offering the pilots.
“An already ugly situation at Skyway Airlines has just turned uglier. It is evident that Skyway management is punishing the pilots for having union representation and a collective bargaining contract,” said Capt. John Prater, ALPA president. “ALPA is exploring our legal options. Clearly, by its vindictive targeting of the pilots, Skyway management has behaved in a manner that is discriminatory, anti-union, and anti-ALPA.”
In public statements at the time of the shutdown announcement, Midwest Air Group management indicated that all employees losing their jobs would receive severance pay and other assistance. However, in its response to the MEC regarding the union’s proposal, management refused to extend to its pilots the same severance pay package that it has given all other Skyway employees.
During a February 13 meeting with management representatives, including CEO David Reeve, union leaders asked management to reconsider its position, pointing out that the company is not legally required to offer severance benefits to any employees—union or non-union. Indeed, the recently organized Skyway flight attendants will receive the severance benefits package denied to the pilots. Mr. Reeve replied that the pilots have had the benefit of a collective bargaining agreement for ten years, while the other employees have not.
Capt. Prater pledged ALPA’s continued assistance to Skyway pilots throughout this ordeal. “Through jobs and benefits conferences, ALPA will provide every possible means of assistance for them to move forward with their lives and careers. We will work to make sure that every Skyway pilot is back in the cockpit when Skyway shuts down.”
Capt. Schmidt added, “While we understand that Skyway pilots are outraged over management’s decision, we are confident that they will remain professional through this ordeal and continue to fly passengers to their destinations in a safe and timely manner.”
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing more than 60,000 pilots at 43 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. Visit the website: www.alpa.org.
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Last edited by mike734; 02-20-2008 at 09:01 AM.
02-20-2008, 02:04 AM
#3
Banned
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Posts: 339
And with that, I'll send out my next check for $130 for annual ALPA fees
02-20-2008, 04:14 AM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Posts: 119
The answer is Prater will yell SO LOUD TO EVERYONE and say THIS IS ANTI UNION AND UNREASONABLE, and start chewing at thin air, then all the pilots will end up applying to Mesa and end up with garbage contracts at the bottom of the seniority list.
And with that, I'll send out my next check for $130 for annual ALPA fees
And with that, I'll send out my next check for $130 for annual ALPA fees
02-20-2008, 04:33 AM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2005
Position: A320 Captain
Posts: 1,114
What can be done? We arent sure yet....this has never happened in the history of the airlines before. yes companies have gone under but no one has just stopped flying and continued as a company. ALPA is looking to see if we can take legal action but i doubt it. its simple to management, a severance package is not in the CBA so they dont have to give us one. they arent in anyones contracts as far as i know but that doesnt matter.
02-20-2008, 04:49 AM
#7
Am I Wrong??????????
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Position: ThE jEtTtTtTtT
Posts: 662
I guess Skywest thought giving you guys preferential hiring was more than gracious 
. And it screws alot of you guys over too...im sure ya'll are comfortable living in Wisconsin....instead of commuting to an RH base, youd have to stick with SKW and pray u get MKE or ORD.
Like i've said before....its just a matter of time before we are all wearing Skywest or Republic ID's
. And it screws alot of you guys over too...im sure ya'll are comfortable living in Wisconsin....instead of commuting to an RH base, youd have to stick with SKW and pray u get MKE or ORD.Like i've said before....its just a matter of time before we are all wearing Skywest or Republic ID's
02-20-2008, 04:55 AM
#8
Sequester bait
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: UH-60, AS-350, C-550
Posts: 273
What can be done? We arent sure yet....this has never happened in the history of the airlines before. yes companies have gone under but no one has just stopped flying and continued as a company. ALPA is looking to see if we can take legal action but i doubt it. its simple to management, a severance package is not in the CBA so they dont have to give us one. they arent in anyones contracts as far as i know but that doesnt matter.
02-20-2008, 07:28 AM
#9
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2007
Posts: 147
It does feel like a slap in the face, but to be honest I wasn't expecting much if anything. Midwest has done a pretty decent job lying to us so why expect them to change their tune now.
I think the thing that annoys most people is the higher ups obviously knew about this probably right after the TPG thing when through. Skywest obviously knew about it before us, they had 3 career fairs like a week and a half after we got the news. We all would have been a lot better off two months ago before this age 65 business went through.
I think the thing that annoys most people is the higher ups obviously knew about this probably right after the TPG thing when through. Skywest obviously knew about it before us, they had 3 career fairs like a week and a half after we got the news. We all would have been a lot better off two months ago before this age 65 business went through.
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