More news on Jazz

[prop2jet]

It seems to me that crossing picket lines is common place these days when a labour contract includes such terms as no "strike action" with a valid contract. Nothing like unity between different unions .

Hypothetically if the pilots at Jazz were to sign on to a TA and the F/A's were embroiled in a strike action, the pilots would be expected to cross the lines. As to the qualifications of the replacement F/A's, one would expect that the Captains' would ensure that the replacement F/A's are up to the task.

[rudder]

Hypothetically if the pilots at Jazz were to sign on to a TA and the F/A's were embroiled in a strike action, the pilots would be expected to cross the lines. As to the qualifications of the replacement F/A's, one would expect that the Captains' would ensure that the replacement F/A's are up to the task.

It has happened before. Capt is legally responsible to ensure competency of crew. Ask a few safety and procedure questions. One wrong answer and the scab is gone.

[Conquest Driver]

I'd suspect that the Pilots would try to honor an F/A picket line.

If they were forced to cross, I'd anticipate a rash of snags, illnesses, and Captains declaring replacement F/A's as unfit or incompetent for duty. In some ways I'd rather see a definite strike, At least that way I could plan, rather than wondering if my Dash 8 has a 50% chance of "going mechanical" for phantom snags.

I just hope this thing doesn't spread to Air Canada somehow.

[Ifly]

You would not be required to cross an active picket line. If the company can provide you with a safe and legal way to go around a picket line, then you would be required to go to work.

[North Shore]

I dunno that much about picketing (although I've been unionized for most of the last 20 years, I've never gone on strike yet) but, it seems to me that if you picket a place of work, then the whole place is struck, not just the door that has the line in front of it. Therefore the 'go in the back door' dodge outlined above shouldn't work..

[mel gibson]

I dunno, those FA's look pretty tough.

It would probably harder to take CRM to the
next level on the future overnights though.

[Johnny767]

Picket Lines, mean nothing.

Jazz (ALPA) Pilots will have a clause in their collective agreement that requires them to go to work. As I'm sure most other unionized employee groups will have.

Airlines have historically arranged transportation around any visible picket lines.

[Captain S itmagnet]

Even if the pilots were coerced into using the "tradesman's entrance" to get to work, there are no F/A's to work the flight anyway.
( and vice versa )

[North Shore]

^ Divide and conquer..

[jetdoc]

^ Divide and conquer..

That is the only way Air Canada and their kin know how to manage. Getting pretty old.

[Doc]

So, what are the basic demands? Nobody will give employees a 25% pay increase, so I'm just wondering what the ball park figures are they are looking for? Is there another carrier Jazz is using as a "model"? Most American feeders don't fair any better. Some are just silly bad. Are they looking for major increases at the top end, or entry level?

[Pourdu_fun]

So, what are the basic demands? Nobody will give employees a 25% pay increase, so I'm just wondering what the ball park figures are they are looking for? Is there another carrier Jazz is using as a "model"? Most American feeders don't fair any better. Some are just silly bad. Are they looking for major increases at the top end, or entry level?

Loosing the B scale would be a start.

[Inverted2]

B Scale is for the flight attendants only, but all the pilots are essentially on a "B" scale when you consider all the concessions that were given up over the past decade. I've been here almost 5 years and take home ~2600-2700/month and I am not making any more than I was 2 years ago because the company keeps jacking up the benefit premiums and all the other nickel and diming off our paycheques!!!

Sure they can compare us US carriers but that is apples to oranges. I just want to make a decent living. I don't want to go to the middle east or asia to fly the big stuff. It's a good job here but the pay and working conditions have taken a serious nosedive and the management at Jazz are too busy stuffing their own pockets at the expense of their own employees!

[Doc]

"B" scale, I'm assuming means a smaller compensation package for more recently hired employees?
Never give up concessions. When you climb a mountain, putting one foot behind the other is counter productive.
Never let them call you and "essential" service.
What's the ratio of management vs. rank and file. I'm guessing it's pretty high?
Best of luck guys/gals. Do not go easy into the light.

[moreccsplease]

I can clarify one point from above:

Jazz and ALPA entered into a signed agreement before negotiations began that none of what Jazz does can be considered an essential service.

Also, if Jazz decides to try and persuade the government to legislate us back to work for whatever reason, remember, the timing is perfect right now for these negotiations; our current government is a minority government, and it's highly unlikely this legislation would pass to force us back to work in a minority government.

Career Contract - We are NOT asking.

[moreccsplease]

Jazz Pilots’ Strike Center Up and Ready

The Jazz SPSC confirmed that its Toronto-based National Strike Center is fully staffed and operational should the pilots decide to strike. “Our strike center is equipped with a wide array of resources, thanks to our union support, and we’re ready to move forward if and when it becomes necessary,” said Capt. Barry Turner, the Jazz SPSC chairman.

After a brief hiatus last week following months of bargaining that produced nothing for the pilots, negotiators for both sides agreed to go back to the bargaining table this week for one last attempt to work out an agreement.

“The pilots of Jazz Air have given their Negotiating Committee a resounding vote of confidence with a 99 percent strike vote,” said Capt. Rod Lypchuk, Jazz MEC vice chair. “We believe the vote results have forced negotiators for Jazz management to take our bargaining efforts seriously this time around.”

The recent strike ballot and overwhelming vote to strike if a deal is not reached has captured the attention of the minister of labour, who is urging both parties to reach a settlement. The Canadian Labour Congress has also expressed willingness to assist in facilitating a successful resolution, according to Capt. Dan Adamus, president of the Canada Board.

“We’re keeping the communications lines open with the Labour minister’s office, and we’ve contacted the Canadian Labour Congress to ensure they are aware of the possible strike action,” said Adamus. “They are standing by ready to assist.”

In anticipation of increasing heightened interest of the Canadian media and labour organizations, Jazz pilot group leaders met with ALPA’s media team this week to fine-tune their interview technique in preparation for the days ahead. “Everyone who attended believes this intensive training provided by ALPA is invaluable should we decide to strike,” said Adamus.

Though no strike deadline has yet been established, the mandatory 21-day cooling-off period that began in May ends at midnight on June 12.

Over the course of more than 50 days of face-to-face meetings and three weeks of conciliation, the management of Jazz Air has offered the pilots nothing whatsoever at the bargaining table, according to Jazz negotiators.

http://www.alpa.org/portals/alpa/fastre ... story1.htm

[CanadianEh]

1 week!

[crooked timber]

Jazz Pilots’ Strike Center Up and Ready

The Jazz SPSC confirmed that its Toronto-based National Strike Center is fully staffed and operational should the pilots decide to strike

[Inverted2]

And we will "Use the Force!"

[Doc]

Jazz pilots....never lose touch with the fact that your passengers are your friends. Treat them like gold. Even when you know you're going to strike. I've seen a couple of American companies start treating their customers like crap (Eastern Airlines, come to mind) and it does no good. Hard feelings from "Joe Public" will not help the cause. Be a little more courteous than normal. Work on building public confidence. It'll pay you back in spades. Good luck to you all!

[ivanhoe]

It sounds like you guys are well prepared and ready to take this "all the way".

A five year guy taking home $2700/mth is pathetic , especially in light of what shareholders and senior executives are squeezing out of the "golden goose".

JR and his cronies seem to be unmoved by your preparation and resolve. It never ceases to amaze me how obstinate these "exec type" guys can be while taking home their large pay cheques. Hopefully you will prevail and get close to what your'e looking for. I'm trying to remember a pilot group in North America that has gone on strike in the last 10 years and come out ahead. I can't come up with one...so I'm guessing this situation will be watched very closely.

Good luck.

[EPR]

ivanhoe: Comair pilots end strike
The Erlanger-based company's pilots Friday ratified a contract, ending the 27th-longest strike in U.S. airline history at 89 days. The airline immediately made plans to put planes back in the air July 2.
The contract, which one union official who requested anonymity said increased total pilot compensation by approximately $55 million over its five-year length, makes Comair's pilots the highest-paid in the regional industry

[ivanhoe]

EPR

Well , that's good news.

Hopefully the Jazz situation may be resolved similiarily without the strike which only hurts both sides.

[prop2jet]

Also, if Jazz decides to try and persuade the government to legislate us back to work for whatever reason, remember, the timing is perfect right now for these negotiations; our current government is a minority government, and it's highly unlikely this legislation would pass to force us back to work in a minority government.

morecc...:
Don't be too quick to think that the Federal Government would not be successful in passing back to work legislation. They have mastered the task of governing like a majority and to be quite honest I don't see the liberals rushing to our defence. Politicians are more in tune with the desires of their constituents whose only concern right now is the misconception that flying is already expensive or that their summer plans may end up disrupted.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/strik ... owork.html
http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2009/11/3 ... trike.html

Doc: I could not agree more. Personally I see no advantage gained by mistreating passengers leading up to a strike, and frankly I have not witnessed this type of behaviour. Our MEC feels that for the time being, that including public awareness outside of the media is not going to be of any benefit. The public is short sighted and frankly would probably feel that what we earn is probably more than enough.

[moreccsplease]

It is the opinion of the Jazz MEC that back to work legislation is unlikely.