CRJAV8OR

That in no way changes the fact that a large super majority of Atlanta pilots don't necessarily agree with your point of view and voted overwhelmingly to remove their reps over the very issue you are so vocal about.

yoke jerker

jusr curious...were there forums in ATL for all transient pilots to come check the issues on the both SLI proposals?......in between flights and to talk to union reps so a broad consensus of what the pilots thought could be heard?

PCL_128

The union received hundreds of emails and phone calls from individual pilots, and a meeting was held over a period of three days in Atlanta where pilots were welcome to come and express their opinions about the first deal. But a 3-1 margin in both the emails/phone calls and in-person statements at the meeting, pilots told the MEC to kill that deal. Only afterwards, when Gary started making public threats, did they all tuck their tails between their legs and cry for mommy. That's when the recalls came. The reps got attacked for doing exactly what the pilots told them to do.

PCL_128

Only about 7% of the pilot group is part of that lawsuit. No one else was interested. I think that speaks volumes.

WHACKMASTER

What he said.

CRJAV8OR

I can only conclude that many of the AirTran pilots were assuming that they did not need to voice their opinions for or against the agreement because they assumed that they would be able to cast a vote as stipulated in the process agreement. I didn't voice any opinions to my reps because I figured my vote on the deal was the only voice I needed in the matter. I have to admit I was quite surprised that they chose not to let it go to a vote considering this language:

(c) If the Merger Committees (subject to applicable governance provisions of SWAPA
and ALPA, respectively) reach a complete agreement regarding the integration of their
respective seniority lists (whether during negotiations, mediation, or arbitration), it shall
be accepted by Southwest.
(i) The integrated seniority list reached through negotiations shall include an
implementation schedule agreed to by the Parties.
(ii) SWAPA and ALPA agree to submit the complete agreement to their
respective memberships for ratification. Both the SWAPA and ALPA
ratification votes will close on the same date and time, and the results will
be announced simultaneously.

PCL_128

Then you must be functionally illiterate, since the MEC put out dozens of communications over a period of months, including numerous communications in the weeks right prior to the MEC vote, stating emphatically that the MEC decides whether the deal goes out to a MEMRAT vote. And then, of course, there's this language in the Process Agreement that you were apparently unable to read:

Section II(c): If the Merger Committees (subject to applicable governance procedures of SWAPA and ALPA, respectively) reach a complete agreement.....

In other words, any agreement reached by the MC is subject to the normal governance processes of both groups. For us, that meant MEC ratification before pilot group ratification. For SWAPA, it meant BOD ratification before pilot group ratification. If there wasn't MEC or BOD ratification, then it didn't go to the membership. This was clearly communicated over and over again. Either you chose not to read, or you are illiterate. Either way, a troubling verdict.

CRJAV8OR

I guess I am just dense then because I took the same position as ALPA national legal counsel that advised the MEC that lack of a membership ratification vote would lead to litigation, which of course happened. I won't deny that the MEC had the right to not allow a vote, I will however say it was a poor decision. I am not alone in this view. It has been echoed by ALPA National legal counsel and a large number of AT pilots.

PCL_128

ALPA legal counsel never said that. You should stop listening to the lies told by someone who is trying to bill you $500 up front and $50 a month indefinitely just for the privilege of being listed as a plaintiff on a frivolous lawsuit.

yoke jerker

good luck to you...hate to see a pilot getting threats from venting angst over a deal that kind of went sideways from what you've said..could have had a different outcome.....in retrospect, the BOD maybe should have had a deal for the pilots worked out and attached to the "sale".... kind of a little good will for the folks who made airtran...i have many friends there...