duxfan

the summer of 2000 might as well be the summer of 1956, its about as revelant. somehow, airline employees seem to be the only ones who haven't realized that the world changed on 9/11.

so now we're watching the mechanics attempt to "get theirs" because the pilots managed to "get thiers".

what seems to be forgotten is that both parties "got thiers" in the last contract! everyone wants to point at the wage cuts, as if they were one sided. they weren't! the employees received something in exchange for that wage cuts. they received a share of the company which they agreed was equal to the value of what they gave up in pay! they didn't simply take a pay cut, and get nothing in return. that seems to be getting lost here.

that being said, the mechanics have a responsibility to work to increase the value of their holding. as i see it, they have two ways to work through this problem.

1. the pilots set the new "standard" with their contract. that contract is currently helping strangle UAL. so perhaps the mechanics should negotiate a contract that reflects the current realities, and negotiates wage snap backs and healthy bonuses ONCE profitability goals have been reached.

not only would they see wage snap-backs and bonuses, the value of their investment in the company would grow as well. yes, they invested in the company when they agreed to the pay cuts during the ESOP.

or..........

2. they can continue to argue that they are due to "get theirs", and use the PEB to negotiate a contract that will continue to keep costs high. who knows, maybe UA will need a LF of 103% just to break even, instead of the current 96%. hey it's only 7%, right? just lay down in the overhead bin, sir. we'll open the door for you when we get to BKK.

of course if they take option 2, the value of the stock which they worked for
(again, they worked for that stock) during the ESOP will have no value after the chapter 11 filing....

why wouldn't the mechanics play hardball? i'm compelled to ask "why would they?" right now. you play hardball when you have leverage. considering the state of the industry, and that they are directly effecting the value of their own investment, i don't really think they have the leverage they think.

they are easier than ever to replace right now....

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All Hail Mighty Oregon!

GO DUCKS GO!

gabrielz

Just got this very pleasant (and unexpected) response from Tom Buffenbarger to my email (above):

Gabrielz:

Thank you for your recent comments on the ongoing negotiations with UAL.

Rest assured, UAL's books do not paint the picture former board chairman Jim
Goodwin depicted a few weeks ago.

I have faith the IAM will deliver a leading contract for our members.

In any event, your patronage of UAL is appreciated by all of us.

Good luck to you.

Tom Buffenbarger

doc

Glad to see that you received answer!

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United Airlines, mechanics to meet - report

UAL Corp.'s UA and its mechanics union will meet Thursday in Washington at the urging of the National Mediation Board, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Thursday.

Both sides characterized the talks as an ``exploratory'' meeting rather than the formal resumption of negotiations, the newspaper said.

The National Mediation Board last week declared an impasse in the contract talks, starting a 30-day countdown to a possible strike by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, representing 15,000 United mechanics.

http://biz.yahoo.com/rf/011129/n29324987_1.html

doc

Tommorrow is THE day!

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Strike Vote at UAL Set For December 13

Fifteen thousand aircraft mechanic and related employees at United Airlines represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) will conduct a nationwide strike vote on December 13, 2001.

The vote will authorize a lawful strike at the nation’s second largest airline following the federally mandated 30-day cooling off period, set to expire at 12:01 AM on December 21, 2001.

“The right to strike is hard won and highly prized by union workers across America,” said Scotty Ford, IAM District 141-M president and lead negotiator for the mechanic and related group at United. “The countdown and threat of a strike is meant to require both parties to bargain in earnest. However, United has opted to withdraw all proposals and is hoping to delay negotiations further by lobbying for a Presidential Emergency Board.”

http://www.iamaw.org/news.asp?c=2423

doc

United Airlines Mechanics Authorize Strike

Mechanics at United Airlines have voted to authorize a strike in the first major labor relations test for the struggling airline industry since the Sept. 11 attacks, though the United mechanics likely cannot hit the picket lines for two months.

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/news/...es-united.html


http://biz.yahoo.com/apf/011214/united_mechanics_1.html


[This message has been edited by doc (edited 12-14-2001).]

doc

The 13,000 mechanics at United Airlines have voted for a strike which could push the struggling US carrier into further massive financial difficulties.

An overhwelming majority of mechanics, who claim they have had not received a raise in pay for seven years, voted Friday in favor of taking action.

A warning that the airline, which has seen passenger numbers nosedive since the September terrorist attacks, could go out of business was given only two month ago. Its then chief executive, James Goodwin, said United may "perish sometime next year." Mr Goodwin has since been replaced.

The potentially crippling strike could go ahead as early as Friday next week, but President Bush is thought likely to use emergency powers which can delay any stoppage by up to 60 days.

http://news.airwise.com/stories/2001/12/1008416174.html

doc

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Sad, but true!

doc

United Airlines' labor woes will get fully aired this week—behind closed doors—as independent arbitrators appointed by President George W. Bush convene to hear from top officials of parent UAL Corp. and the International Assn. of Machinists

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-b...-01-06&id=4207

doc

Union President Tom Buffenbarger said in a statement that the mediation board acted ``arbitrarily and capriciously.''

...A UA spokesperson said the company was committed to working with the union and the government to resolve the contract dispute and confident there would not be any disruption in service.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum50/HTML/009673.html

travellin man

Here is why many Unions make me ill --

"Scotty Ford, president of the IAM mechanics local at United, says he'll ask the board to adopt the union's last proposal, which was on the table before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks radically changed the Elk Grove Township-based carrier's financial outlook. The board is slated to issue recommendations later this month."

So the mechanics are PRETENDING that the airline is fine and Sept. 11th never happened. I wonder what color the sky is in their little world. Any contract they manage to squeeze from United will be meaningless, as a strike or a huge increase in labor costs will probably drive the carrier into the ground.

I wonder what effect this potential strike will have on bookings. Even the threat of a strike is probably hurting United already. I know I have tickets LAX-SYD on Feb 26th, and I would change them if I could.

doc

United Air union in court to fight no-strike order

A federal judge will hear arguments on Friday that the government erred when it intervened to prevent mechanics at United Airlines from going on strike last month.

The International Association of Machinists is seeking to overturn a White House order establishing a presidential emergency board to block the threatened strike and resolve a long-running contract dispute.

Its creation just before the heavy Christmas travel season delayed any strike at United until the end of February at the earliest.

http://money.iwon.com/jsp/nw/nwdt_rt...as/money/cm/nw

doc

Order to Block United Strike Stays

Federal Judge Denies Union Request

Union spokesman Frank Larkin did not know whether they would appeal.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum50/HTML/010039.html

doc

So is the IAM winning the battle thusfar?

http://iam141.org/peb_report.htm

I really do not know for certain, but UAL management surely has some REALLY tough decisions to make - and soon!

For the latest please also see:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum50/HTML/010180.html

[This message has been edited by doc (edited 01-21-2002).]

doc

United Ponder Raise for Mechanics

United Airlines Directors Ponder Recommended Raise for Mechanics

http://biz.yahoo.com/apf/020122/united_mechanics_1.html

http://biz.yahoo.com/rf/020122/n22198258_1.html


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UPDATE:

United Accepts Mechanics' Pay Raise

http://biz.yahoo.com/rf/020122/n22163965_1.html

http://biz.yahoo.com/apf/020122/united_mechanics_3.html



[This message has been edited by doc (edited 01-22-2002).]

doc

Vote "NO" on the new contract.

http://www.iam2294.org/

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum.../008458-2.html

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That's the way things are these days in the friendly skies!