AxlF16

Startling???!!! BWAAAA HAAAAA HAAAAA!!!! Management reneging on a verbal agreement?! Say it isn't so

Even IF you aren't totally FOS, the fact that you would put ANY credence in a verbal agreement from management speaks volumes about your credibility.

Thanks for the laugh.

Monkeyfly

Latest UAL LEC update
*********************

As the three of us leave for a Special MEC Meeting to be held in Denver today, your local council officers are keenly aware that all eyes are on the Joint Collective Bargaining Process. The Transition and Process Agreement calls for the parties to conclude negotiations by October 5, 2010. If there is no TA by October 12, then the parties agreed to apply for mediation by October 14, 2010. It is becoming clear that despite the Joint Negotiating Committee’s best efforts, the October 5 deadline will not be met. This should not be misconstrued to imply that the process has broken down. UAL MEC Negotiating Chairman Jay Heppner reports to the MEC frequently and all parties are continuing to work towards the goal of bringing the pilots an industry leading contract, but it is taking more time than all parties had anticipated. Further, we will not rush this process “just to get a contract.” The JCBA must meet the desires of this pilot group.

No doubt the average line pilot agrees because the current contract is unsustainable. Both United and Continental pilots currently work far below industry average, much less industry leading. Massive outsourcing at the top and bottom ends of our class and craft have decimated our ranks. There is simply NO wiggle room for the new management of United Airlines going forward: They are going to have to pay us an industry leading wage as part of a contract we can all be proud of. Period. That is the goal and we shall not waiver.

Everyone knows that we have been grinding under this duress-imposed contract for so long that it has taken a huge toll. With that in mind you can expect that management will employ the age old tactic of toying with your emotions through propaganda and rhetoric. The recent, highly offensive, “United Express Education Sessions” on Skynet is a perfect example. In the face of this it is imperative that we all stand tall, keep a good attitude as much as possible, for goodness sake NEVER take any frustrations out on your fellow United employees, and maintain a focus on exactly what we do best – flying these jets safely, day in/day out, as no one but we can do.

If the situation deteriorates you can expect to hear quite a bit more from your local officers, MEC officers, and MEC Strike Preparedness Committee. In the meantime your MEC and committees will drive on and try to bring you something to consider sooner than later. All it will take is United saying “YES” – their choice. How we collectively respond is also their choice.

SKMarz

Wow, not going to make the October deadline? Gasp....what a "shock." I'm very surprised there is no mention of the importance of scope, only industry leading wages, and I can't help but wonder if this means we should be prepared for being sold down the river once again? I'm hoping for the best, but after all that's happened, it's hard not to be cynical. All about wages? Does Contract 2000 ring a bell? No furlough cause disappeared and 2172 hit the streets.......

EWRflyr

Hmmm, seriously? The line pilots all felt this wouldn't be finished by October 5th. All parties actually thought this would be done by then? I doubt it.

In response to that, I would point to the following section:

Wages are just one piece and based on Wendy's response to the RJ education campaign the company was spewing last week I think it is clear scope is very much on the minds of everyone at the table.

oncea57cap

Things seemed to have changed rather dramatically in a very short period of time. Apparently UAL management's answer to it's renege on scope is that since merger approval they are no longer are in charge of any "operational" decisions in the new company going forward and that all operational decisions are being made by CAL. Here is the spin on how they expect to buy a relaxing of scope with 40% pay increases. (Incidentally giving 8000 pilots a 40% pay raise saves the company about 500 million annually when compared with giving 12,000 pilots a 30% pay raise.) Imminently 70 seat RJs will start operating out of IAH, EWR and CLE under the United banner. There is nothing prohibiting UAL from starting new service out of these cities, as they still are two different carriers. However, there will be no growth of the overall RJ fleet as this flying is nearly maxed out under the current contract and therefore there will be no shrinkage of mainline flying, but it is a great scare tactic. Management will say "we are going to do it anyway, so you may as well accept 40% pay raises as you won't do any better in mediation." Management will also promise the return of all furloughees with work rule restoration which will bring back all furloughees next year - another great sell in the short term. That is how it goes to vote and passes. Here's the down side long term. After the no-furlough provision expires and the two carriers operationally merge, expect UCAL to shrink about 30% as 70 seat flying grows along with new domestic code-share agreements, in preparation for further acquisition and consolidation. These are the facts, vote carefully.

Fritzthepilot

I smell the Miami Mafia.

RightSized

57Capt,

Your insight seems very plausible and logical. But, I don't honestly UAL pilots will sell scope. I also believe that our fellow pilots at CAL have the same resolve. I see scope being the number 1 issue. I am furloughed currently and would like to return very much to the career I choose, but will gladly extend my furlough for a contract that has scope protections, industry leading pay, and work rules. In the event you're correct, we better get a contract that includes flow down protection to the express ranks in the LEFT seat.

I would like to know how you get this information? I see have seen nothing not backs up your statements. Not wanting to bash your ideas, but really, how do you know all this?

SKMarz

A dramatic turn of events? No, it would merely be the leopard showing the spots its always had. If this is how they are trying to play it, would anyone really be shocked? The only thing that would shock me is if UAL is actually ready to do the right thing and did it.

According to you, they are going to bring back the furloughees, then shrink after the no furlough clause expires????? Only problem with that theory? The no furlough protection didn't extend to those who weren't actively on property at the time of the merger announcement. So why bother bringing anyone back or furloughing them again? Oh wait, I'll give you that point, Dejas vu.......

You can predict how everyone will vote? Sure there are some who don't understand how vital scope is, but I believe the majority understands that now. Not to mention that the JCBA is voted on by both UAL and CAL pilots. I rather suspect CAL's pilots understand just how important scope is.

There is no doubt that your scenario rings true in terms of how management has operated these past several years, but it is interesting that time and time again, when directly asked, you have avoided giving ANY source of your 'facts.'

gettinbumped

A TA brought to the pilots that had a 40% payraise but scope relaxation that would result in a combined list of 8000 pilots would go down 99%-1%

contrail67

I really hope that Wendy would never even present that kind of contract...if she does...then she goes.