The 79 Snippet

To 3 or not to 3

29Dec11

Dear Fellow Anchorage Pilots,

Next week the MEC will be having a special meeting to determine the course of negotiations throughout 2012. If the MEC opts to take the 3%, we continue in status quo of Interim Talks for the next 12 months and can return to RLA Section 6 Negotiations after the February 2013 bid month. If the MEC opts to exercise the “Relief Valve,” the contract becomes amendable the first day of the March 2012 bid month but we’ll give up the 3% pay increase.

Some pilots have asked “What exactly does Section 6 mean? Does that refer to Section 6 of our CBA?”

Section 6 refers to Section 6 of the Railway Labor Act (which governs collective bargaining for airline and railway employees) and allows for a formalized process to engage in contract negotiations. The standard course through Section 6 is the exchanging of openers and conducting direct negotiations. If direct negotiations are unsuccessful, then mediation (governed by the NMB), arbitration, a cooling off period, and self help are all part of the legal processes a union can utilize to negotiate pay rates, work rules, and benefits.

By contrast, the Interim Talks we’ve been engaging in are a much less formal process to negotiate the same items, but without any of the legal options available under Section 6 if talks do not produce an agreement.

So where are we now?

After the TA was approved March 23 by 68% of the 84% of pilots that voted, Interim Talks have been taking place since April. Subjects have included Real Time Trip Trading, Deadheads and Deviations (CBA Section 8), Filling of Vacancies (CBA Section 24), 4.A.2.b, FDA issues, Jumpseat issues, and Disability Tax Issues relating to LAX. Although we cannot legally “TA” a section during interim talks, none of the CBA sections have yet to be closed out. In all fairness, Section 8 and 24 have been discussed in earnest only since the end of August and the Negotiating Committee characterizes that they have been pleased with the pace and progress of Interim Talks.

Many pilots have expressed support of continuing in Interim Talks and taking the 3%. The most cited reason for taking the 3% was that the FTDT Rules had not yet been published. As you recall, waiting for the publication of the new FARs was one basis for pursuing a “Bridge TA.” Other reasons included memorializing the 11 Sections that had already been TA’d in Section 6, capturing improvements in the FDA LOA, and bringing our industry leading safety programs (ASAP, FOQA, and FRMS) online. Remember also that the MEC originally wanted a 1-year deal and FedEx Labor Relations countered with a 2-year deal. Hence we have options and find ourselves at a fork in the road.

Will re-entering Section 6 Negotiations in March 2012 be a more efficient and effective method of negotiating our contract or is it better to take the 3% and continue in Interim Talks? That is the question the MEC will have answer next week when we discuss the “Relief Valve” decision in earnest with the Negotiating Committee, Representation, and Economics experts. The “Relief Valve” opinion question was asked as part of the Negotiating Committee survey, because pilot support is critical no matter which direction is taken.

In light of recent developments, I’d like to solicit your thoughts one last time:

Is taking the 3% the best course of action to achieve the contractual improvements in work rules, pay, and benefits we need or is taking the 3% just a rationalization of the path of least resistance? If you deem that taking the 3% is the best choice, then you believe in the next fourteen months we will close out many of the remaining sections of our CBA so when we return to Section 6 it will hasten the conclusion of negotiations.

OR

Is Section 6 the best course of action to achieve the contractual improvements in work rules, pay, and benefits we need or is a return to Section 6 just leaving money on the table? If you deem we should forgo the 3%, then you believe we will make faster and better progress at the negotiating table under RLA Section 6 and are committed to the hard work, support, and dedication that the Negotiating Committee will require in order to achieve that progress in contract negotiations.

Please let me know your preference on the 3% and a supporting reason(s), so I have the most pertinent and timely data to support my decision making process next week – email/text preferred – susie.latvala@alpa.org or 360-775-0002. I’d love to hear from every ANC pilot! As always, I am grateful for your interest, participation, and support. Have a very Happy New Year!

We Are ALPA,

Susie

Captain Susie Latvala - Chairman, Council 79    susie.latvala@alpa.org

Captain Ted Duell – Vice Chairman, Council 79 ted.duell@alpa.org

FO Bill Hubbell – Sec/Treasurer, Council 79        bill.hubbell@alpa.org

fedex-lec79@alpa.org

“Schedule With Safety”

ALPA Motto Since 1931