Originally Posted by higney85

We have 1 on full time leave (chair), negotiator(s) bought off for actual negotiations, and occasional buyouts for the vice-chair. The only leave beyond that for reps are MEC meetings which are preassigned 2-3 times a year, 2-3 days in length, and worth less than what a typical trip yields and really screws up the month's bid. This is NOT a money-making opportunity as a rep. The only "money" that shows up is for a cell phone expense (part of the bill)- which after having to up your plan for all the additional phone calls is pretty much break even. O- and there is a $100 a year to have to PAY for insurance in case you screw up trying to cover someone's tail. Yea, making big cheese let me tell ya. Those who think this is all money have to look at it and see it's like the rest of the industry- the top can make some good coin as a "union guy" but the rest of us are at the opposite end of the stigma. I don't think you will find a single status rep who does the work for the money- it's because some want to help others and try and get crap done and a bad situation made better. Keep also in mind that most guys are dealing with their reps on THEIR time off- nights, weekends, early mornings, holidays, etc. I'm not b*tching about it, but it is extremely frustrating for those to start the "what have you done for me" routine when they have not even picked up a phone for answers and think that this is some high paid lavish "job" with benefits. It's volunteer work for fellow pilots, and yes- YOU are the union. Look at other carriers that have been successful in mgmt altercations, then look how our group operates. I can't advocate anything but our performance is back up after being put on ICE! Yea, how about "what has the union done" now? I won't sit here and knock fellow pilots but I will say this- before you cry out to the public that things aren't going your way and it's you rep's fault answer these questions....

1. Have you contacted your reps to ask the questions that concern you?
2. Have your passed on any views or ideas to your reps?
3. Have you told you reps what you would do differently?

A rep is an extension of the group he/she represents. Make sure your part is heard. I have about 30 guys that call me regularly that I have NEVER met in person or flown with, they ask the questions, give feedback, vent, etc. There are also another 20 or so that I know as either friends or have flown with that call/email/text to get their info. These guys are all livid, just like the rest of the pilots, but they are able to at least tell me what they are looking for. Everyone pays their 1.95% and all come to work, do the job, and go home- how many take the same amount of time to complain as they do trying to make a difference? It's amazing what can happen when folks work together instead of just being angry with each other. Mgmt has always been a "divide and conquer" strategy group- see how well it's working for em?

Now, if you want to talk about where we are, what we have accomplished, and what's to show for it.... If you are MEM based I would be surprised if you are unaware of what guys are wanting to change. If you aren't MEM based I think you should ask your reps about it. I'm not going to start throwing the crud around on a public board. Feel free to email me, I'm sure if you are at 9E you can figure out who I am.


*This is not a knock on the OP or anyone else, but this is my vent and I do feel better- thanks. Talk to your reps if you don't like what is going on- it's the ONLY way you can say your voice is heard.

Originally Posted by flapsfail

I'm not sitting here with me arms crossed saying you, higney, aren't doing what you can or aren't putting the effort out. My biggest complaint is this; I, we, may be the union. I can pick up my phone and call/text/email/or whatever to the lec reps and if I had/have a personal work issue or have something minor I would most certainly do that and do. However we are dealing with some major issues: contract, attendance policy, aquisition of another airline ect and I feel the union should be addressing us, not individulal pilots calling the local reps to see what's going on. More specifically I feel the mec should be addressing us more and advising. Note....these are some major issues and they all can't be solved in one day and I understand some of these things take some sort of time. After listening to the conference call a week ago and the "plan" (lack there of) is bull. I feel we need to stop being so political and do what needs to be done, minus a work action. There were a couple of guys asking the chairman, whats next and what plan do you have? All I heard was a lot of "ums" and we are going to talk and try to do some informal picketing. Why hasn't this been going on anyway? It's time for the leaders to step up and address this group with a serious game plan.
The mec seems to have no idea and it is showing. Meanwhile the company can change a policy, redefine a sick event, violate this and that and there is nothing coming from the top. That is my problem...

Originally Posted by higney85

Hey, I agree with the lack of leadership. We need action and we need it now. That's not to say illegal job actions, it's not to tell everyone "hey, be safe"- it just doesn't work right now when folks see 200% for open time and are in fear of what happens if they call in sick. I think we have had people using the mindset of "A bad schedule is 1 sick call away from being great" and pilots have used sick calls for "personal days". I won't blame the pilots- it's a mix of PBS, a lack of pilots (high time lines), and the apparent inability for schedulers to take a pilot's drop/swap/trade requests and put effort into making things happen. In the end, everyone comes to work and "does their job" but doesn't go any farther by adding some personal touch. Unfortunately morale is in the toilet, everyone is simply covering their tail instead of trying to work together, and the results are anger and hostility to everyone from everyone.

As far as leadership- something must be done. Picketing and family awareness events historically don't get much turnout but there are many ideas being thrown around. In the next MEC meeting we will be working to deal with the MEC's of the other 2 carriers, our contract, and our strategic plan with action going forward. There are legal lines to cross which helps us, and the company wants dual qual- which they can't have until we have a contract. I would also expect a very short ICE period at this point with the purchase after it is apparent the healthcare roadblock was backloaded with a carrier purchase.

There are lots of pilots who are angry, we know we need action. I'm sure you have seen the chairman's update by now and it's unfortunate that the company still hasn't told us what the heck they want to do. Expect info to start coming in the next couple weeks as legal, MEC's, and the company have time to have their meetings and make strategic plans.

Originally Posted by PCLCREW

Higney

You guys must know by now that the MEC is totally losing the pilot group?? I have not heard anyone say anything good about what is going on. I do have to agree with some of the other posters, where is our leader? He has been totally MIA as of the last 6+ months. You guys are totally losing this pilot group and its getting much worse. You guys HAVE to correct this situation ASAP. I remember the union said they would get much better with the flow of information to the pilot group, and it has not, its gone totally backward. You have to regain some control here, because you are about to lose it forever.

Originally Posted by Inconceivable

It is worth remembering that MEM Captains tried to put forth Charlie K. as a possible rep last year--you want to talk about an agent for management?