Things are heating up...

[kellwolf]

So, checked my mail today, and there was a DVD sleeve with the return address for ALPA. I'm thinking "Huh. Must be another one of those training DVDs like the radio comm one last year." Nope. Video message from the MEC chairman. Strike vote ballots are coming out, and the MEC is asking everyone to authorized a strike. That doesn't necessarily mean it's gonna happen (we still have to be released, and THAT'S a serious up hill battle), but the authorization from the pilot group to strike is a HUGE message to management. Basically, we're shooting for a high percentage of "yes" votes and a high voting turn out.

[sate]

How many "yes" votes do you guys have to have ?

[surreal1221]

Good Luck

[dc3flyer]

I vote YES, oh wait.... I am not an ALPA member.

So, all of you that are should vote YES!

[kellwolf]

Ballots haven't made it out yet, so not sure. Should be arriving in the mail sometime this week. From the grumblings I hear we SHOULD have a high turnout and "yes" vote count.

Then again, at the last picketing event, when asked if they were gonna go over, some guys said "Nah. I'm gonna go home and be with my family." What they don't realize is that by spending 1-2 hours that day, they could gain more DAYS off with their families....

[Soul Brotha']

Originally Posted by kellwolf

Ballots haven't made it out yet, so not sure. Should be arriving in the mail sometime this week. From the grumblings I hear we SHOULD have a high turnout and "yes" vote count.

Then again, at the last picketing event, when asked if they were gonna go over, some guys said "Nah. I'm gonna go home and be with my family." What they don't realize is that by spending 1-2 hours that day, they could gain more DAYS off with their families....

Burn that place down!!!!!:nana2 :


No really, get a fair deal that raises the regional level. Nothing less.

[PCL_128]

Good to hear. I expect to see about 98% vote in favor. You guys have a great MEC Chairman leading you right now. Give him the authority he needs to lead a strike. Vote YES!!!!!

[JBUCREW]

Just heard the new hire class in MEM was planned for 4 and only 2 showed... dont know about any future numbers for classes anybody hear?

[OldTownPilot]

And they probably wanted 16 for the class.

[H46Bubba]

Originally Posted by JBUCREW

Just heard the new hire class in MEM was planned for 4 and only 2 showed... dont know about any future numbers for classes anybody hear?

Must be those ETOPs questions!

[SmitteyB]

Kell- I'm not ALPA as you know...

How hard of a decision is that to make?

Now-a-days the company will go to a judge and he'll block the strike...

[Velocipede]

Strike votes are two edged swords. If you get an overwhelming approval, it gives your NC a huge weapon.

If the response is lukewarm, you just screwed yourself.

[PCL_128]

Originally Posted by Velocipede

If the response is lukewarm, you just screwed yourself.

Based on the Wilson Polling data that we received when I was on the MEC, I wouldn't worry about a lukewarm response. I expect something very close to 99%. The PCL pilot group is pissed off, and rightfully so.

[PCL_128]

Originally Posted by SmitteyB

Now-a-days the company will go to a judge and he'll block the strike...

Judges don't have that ability. A judge won't even be involved if the NMB releases the pilots to strike. You're thinking about bankruptcy, and Pinnacle is most certainly not in bankruptcy. The only thing that can stop a strike that is authorized by the NMB is the President himself with a PEB, but even that would only delay it by 30 days.

[SmitteyB]

Originally Posted by PCL_128

Judges don't have that ability. A judge won't even be involved if the NMB releases the pilots to strike. You're thinking about bankruptcy, and Pinnacle is most certainly not in bankruptcy. The only thing that can stop a strike that is authorized by the NMB is the President himself with a PEB, but even that would only delay it by 30 days.

Yep- you're right. I was citing Comair 2006 in my mind and you're completely right they were in bankruptcy.

Good catch. Still a tough choice...

[Firebird2XC]

Originally Posted by kellwolf

So, checked my mail today, and there was a DVD sleeve with the return address for ALPA. I'm thinking "Huh. Must be another one of those training DVDs like the radio comm one last year." Nope. Video message from the MEC chairman. Strike vote ballots are coming out, and the MEC is asking everyone to authorized a strike. That doesn't necessarily mean it's gonna happen (we still have to be released, and THAT'S a serious up hill battle), but the authorization from the pilot group to strike is a HUGE message to management. Basically, we're shooting for a high percentage of "yes" votes and a high voting turn out.

Good luck! Give 'em hell!

[PCL_128]

Originally Posted by SmitteyB

Still a tough choice...

What's a tough choice? The strike vote? I think kellwolf can vouch for the fact that not many Pinnacle pilots will find it to be a tough choice at all. Most of the Pinnacle pilots (myself included when I worked there) were ready to burn the place down.

[kellwolf]

Originally Posted by PCL_128

What's a tough choice? The strike vote? I think kellwolf can vouch for the fact that not many Pinnacle pilots will find it to be a tough choice at all. Most of the Pinnacle pilots (myself included when I worked there) were ready to burn the place down.

Not a tough choice at all. My wife's response was "You're voting "yes," right?" That took her all of 2 seconds after I finished telling her. We've already got contingency plans in place assuming the stars align, the NMB releases us and a PEB expires after 30 days. Folks, there are reasons I keep my CFI certs active, and this is one of them. Guys have actually been calling for a strike vote for months now, and the union has been telling them "No, the time isn't right yet." Well, not the time is right, and I'm guessing it's gonna be an overwhelming "yes" vote. Guys that are still on probation can't vote, which leaves people that have been run over by the Pinnacle machine for over a year left....and we're all pretty pissed.

[dingo222]

Just out of curiousity, what happens to those on probation? I'd assume that they would either keep working or get fired. Does alpa have a plan to take care of them? Again, just assumptions. Good luck, and hopefully mgmt will unscrew themselves before a strike goes down. IT's good to hear that you are thinking forward and have a contingency plan; and have the support of your spouse. Give em hell :-)

[kellwolf]

Originally Posted by dingo222

Just out of curiousity, what happens to those on probation? I'd assume that they would either keep working or get fired. Does alpa have a plan to take care of them? Again, just assumptions. Good luck, and hopefully mgmt will unscrew themselves before a strike goes down. IT's good to hear that you are thinking forward and have a contingency plan; and have the support of your spouse. Give em hell :-)

It's illegal for the company to fire them. Just b/c they're on probation doesn't mean the company can fire them. The RLA gives protection to them, and it specifically states that NO ONE can be fired from their job as a result of a legal job action.

As an update, the vote opens on the 14th and closes on the 30th.

[Seggy]

Any word on the scope grievance yet?

[kellwolf]

Originally Posted by Seggy

Any word on the scope grievance yet?

Haven't heard anything. I haven't forgotten about ya, man.

We were told earlier this week that we'd know something by the end of the week. From what I can gather, the ruling looks like it's gonna come out at the last possible second....