Last week the MEC met for a Special Meeting to determine our negotiations strategy for the next 12 months. Would RLA Section 6 or continued Interim Talks (with a 3% raise) get us closer to concluding contract negotiations as we negotiate for better work rules, benefits, protections, and compensation?
The 79 Snippet
The 79 Snippet
Relief Valves,
Remembering, & Rumors
11Jan12
Dear Fellow
Anchorage Pilots,
Last week the MEC met for a Special Meeting to determine our negotiations
strategy for the next 12 months. Would RLA Section 6 or continued Interim Talks
(with a 3% raise) get us closer to concluding contract negotiations as we
negotiate for better work rules, benefits, protections, and compensation?
MEC Meeting Recap
After
thoroughly vetting and weighing issues relating to strategy, preparedness,
progress, economics, politics, input, and timing, as you know, the MEC voted
unanimously to not return to Section 6, to continue interim discussions, and
lock in a 3% raise during our next twelve months of negotiations. Why? Continued
economic uncertainty, the tenor and directness at the negotiating table, ability
to achieve our goals, exit strategy, maintaining strategic preparedness, and
enhancing pilot unity.
Many of you
who shared your opinions also expressed your support for the MEC and Negotiating
Committee no matter which path we chose. That unity statement speaks volumes.
It takes a mature pilot group to offer unconditional support of the MEC and
Negotiating Committee and I truly thank you for that, because as leaders we
cannot make those difficult decisions without having your unconditional support.
As a result,
the MEC has now set a clear strategy that has definitive goals and timeframes by
which to measure future progress. In an ideal world, we’d be able to conclude
negotiations quickly and inside of this window of interim talks. As you know, we
don’t live in an ideal world.
Negotiations and Pilot History
What happens
if we are not able to conclude contract negotiations within the framework and
timing of the interim talks over the next 12 months? Barring some unique
circumstances, we will find ourselves back in Section 6. If you haven’t already
begun, now is the time to begin preparations so that we are all ready to support
the Negotiating Committee in the end game. How? Financial, family, and mental
preparedness will be key. Consider saving that 3% raise in a “strike fund” (or
as much as you can afford). Certainly we never want to have to dip into that
savings account, but the insurance of having it there buys us leverage and
options at the negotiating table. Being prepared can never start too soon!
At the
February 2012 MEC Meeting, the MEC will receive extensive briefings from the
Negotiating Committee on the recently closed survey that will further refine our
contract goals. Those goals will be based upon all the input provided to the
Negotiating Committee through the survey, contract enforcement, the MEC, and
direct feedback. The survey results will not be made public as they are the
basis of our negotiating strategy, but we plan to share with you as much as we
can from a macro perspective.
Now is also
a good time to review our
FedEx Pilot History, especially if you’re a new hire – the MEC website has a
link for the first twenty years of our history. It’s an interesting and
informative read as are the “Articles
Every Pilot Should Read for Negotiations.” Additionally, if you’ve never
read Flying the Line and Flying the Line, Vol. II, by George
Hopkins, those books give a great overview of ALPA history and various contracts
and challenges our union has faced. FO Bill Hubbell has extra copies, so please
drop him an email if you’d like to
borrow/have one. Lastly, Confessions of a Union Buster by Martin J.
Levitt is a negotiations must read that covers the divide and conquer and direct
dealing union busting tactics that many managements try use to their advantage.
Rumors and Recalls
Normally, I
wouldn’t address rumors that are the genesis of “Airline Pilot Central.” I do
not read the forums and find that in many cases the inaccuracies and
pontification contained therein are detrimental to our unity. However, in this
case, I am compelled to set the record straight relating to the rumors of a
recall vote at last week’s MEC meeting.
If you’ve
never been to an MEC meeting, it’s important to know that the majority of the
meetings are held in open session with various observers in the gallery ranging
from line pilots, to ALPA guests, ALPA staff, and MEC committee members.
Occasionally the MEC goes into executive session to discuss strategy issues that
shouldn’t become public knowledge. Often the guests are allowed to stay in the
room, but sometimes not, depending on the subject matter. Last Thursday, the MEC
opted to go into executive session consisting of only the 13 members of the MEC.
Contrary to public perception, when this occurs, I have never seen any fist
fighting, yelling, or behavior that would be characterized other than courteous
and respectful amongst the 12, now 13 members of the MEC.
Now imagine
being in a family consisting of 13 brothers and sisters; it’s easy to recognize
there are many different personalities and opinions. In order to lead as a
unified body and by example, there are sometimes internal issues that need to be
addressed. There is absolutely no reason that internal issues should be aired in
a public arena for obvious reasons, yet these internal group discussion are
normal and necessary for our continued success. No matter what your personal
opinion of some of the reps on the MEC, rest assured we all share the common
goal of moving our pilot group forward and succeeding in contract negotiations.
Now to
address the rumor that the MEC held a vote to recall our MEC Chairman - that is
absolutely false. If a recall had occurred, it would be public knowledge as all
recall votes occur on the record in open session.
It is
important to remember how the governing bodies of ALPA function, especially
relating to the recall process. The MEC (Master Executive Council) is the body
made up of the elected (Status) reps from the Local Councils. As the MEC does
not meet continuously, MEC Officers are elected by the MEC to carry out policies
set forth by the MEC. Any MEC Officer can be recalled at any time with or
without cause (ALPA CBL IV.13.a.)
As such,
since the MEC sets policy, the members of the MEC are in the best position to
determine whether or not an MEC Officer is effectively carrying out that policy.
Naturally, MEC policy is established on behalf of the pilots we represent. In
many cases, that policy is strategic in nature so the membership cannot be privy
to all of the details. Of course, if pilots don’t believe they are being
properly represented, then any MEC member (Status Rep) can also be recalled in
accordance with the ALPA Constitution and By Laws (ALPA CBL III.F.) If you
really want to appreciate what goes on behind closed doors when it comes to
setting strategy and policy, I encourage you to step up and volunteer as an MEC
Rep in the next local council election!
As an aside,
although we haven’t had much of a history of recalls at FedEx, in 1998 recall
petitions were circulated for the FPA Negotiating Committee Chairman Paul Cassel
and FPA President Mike Aiken (refer back to the
FedEx Pilot History.)
FTDT Rules and the Cargo Cut Out
The MEC will
be participating in a detailed briefing Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012 with Captain
Moak, ALPA Air Safety, ALPA Legal, and ALPA Legislative Affairs. I plan to
report back to you after that briefing with more information that will answer
some questions and address many of the concerns we all have regarding the new
FARs and the Cargo Cut Out.
Anchorage Airspace Restructuring
From Gary
Janelli, Safety Vice Chairman:
On February
9, 2012 at 0901Z (0001L) the airspace in and around Anchorage AK will undergo a
major restructuring. This restructuring is necessary because of the
decommissioning of the “ANC” VOR and the relocating and the commissioning of the
new “TED” VOR that will be located within the Anchorage International Airport
property. This change will affect numerous fix locations, procedures,
frequencies and magnetic variations. There will be 62 procedure changes at 13
different airports including PANC. The Enroute High and Low charts will
have 52 amended airways and 8 original airways added. This included 1
Amber route, 6 Q routes, 5 T routes, 21 victor airways and 10 jet routes. Also
PANC runway 14/32 will be changed to 15/33 but the numbers on the runway won’t
be repainted to show this change until a later date.
Aircrews
that depart for PANC prior to the changeover but scheduled to land after the
February 9, 2012 0901Z change over time should ensure they have copies of the
new procedures prior to departure. According to Anchorage ATC, aircraft arriving
at PANC within a few hours after the new procedures are in effect can expect
radar vectors to the ILS and will be given alternate missed approach
instructions.
Mark Your Calendar
Third Thursday
Thursday – January 19, 1630-1800
@ Simon &
Seaforts - 420 L St # 200, Anchorage, AK, 907.274.3502
Validated
Parking @ Captain Cook Garage
A la Carte
Family Awareness Event – spouses encouraged to attend!
Susie