Colgan Air FA contract

I just found out today, from a brand new FA was paired with, that the only new FA's who were allowed to vote on the contract were the ones who finished IOE. Still, I'm not too happy that they were allowed to vote considering they haven't been out on the line yet. :rolleyes:
 
I guess, although I don't think doing IOE for a few days with an instructor gives you the "full flavor" of the job and the company.
 
I have to give credit to one of the new guys. I think his name was Dale. Was kinda loud with a New York accent, but he made it working being "A" F/A and I think the old school guy helped him. We both were on IOE together and on the learning curve. Turned out to be a great day.
 
Maybe PCL_128 could chime in on this subjet, but lets look at the events that led to the ratification of this contract.

Aug 2007- ALPA vote failed. Flight Attendants began to "organize" and explore the idea of unionizing. Interest cards went out for AFA.

Sep 2007- Colgan decided there was enough interest and assigned the USW (PNCL flight attendants and ground agents union) Or basically a push-over union.

Oct 2007- Negotiations began. None of the flight attendants voted for representatives or a union chair, one was just assigned.

Dec-Mar 2008- Flight Attendants were supposed to make suggestions on what they would like to see. An overwheling majority requested per diem for day trips. The Company said, " HELL NO ". And basically told them "We will not give you ANYTHING that increases cost, we will just NOT AGREE to it whatsoever. End of discussion". The USW said, "OKAY, Buddy".

Present- Since there was no ratification of the United Steel Workers, the NMB says that the "Union Dues Checkoff" card is sufficient ratification of the applying union.

Well what do you think was in the contract package? A Union Dues Checkoff Card. While the flight attendants thought they were saying "Okay, you can take dues" They were, at the same time, VOTING for the United Steel Workers union to represent them.

Yep, Colgan FA's...the company pulled a fast one on you. That is the problem with having incompetent chairpersons. 90% of Colgan's FA's have NO CLUE what a union would do. They think they're going to see the world and get paid to do it.

Those are FACTS.

Now lets look at what they actually got...

1. No strike clause. (Company pulled another fast one on them)
2. No hotels required on standups. (I hope you like the Q, because thats where you'll be sleeping, possibly)
3. A 34 cent raise.
4. The warm and fuzzy feeling, knowing that your legal representative is in Uncle Phil's back pocket. What a pushover union. Disgusting.

This should be a lesson to all Colgan pilots. ALPA or BUST. No one is as tough or as loud as ALPA. Personally, I'm sick of the taste of sh** in my mouth, because the company keeps shi****ng on me.

Flight Attendants- the company does NOT care about you. They don't care about ANYONE but themselves.

I know a lot of flight attendants didn't vote yes, and those are the ones that need to be recognized. They were trying to make it better for themselves.
 
I agree with most of what you said. HOWEVER, the union card was NOT a "yes" vote...We had to mail in a separate piece of paper with a "yes" or "no" on it. Now, if you ask me "how do we know they counted correctly," that's another story. You can bet I'll try to become active on a committee.
 
Velocipede said:
Show times. I'm kind of a "get there early guy". I like to ease into the day...get a cup of Joe, pull the paperwork, take my time. If the F/O feels he can do his job by coming to the airport right at show time, that's up to him.
Click to expand...

I hate rushing too.

Chances are, if I cut it too close, I'm going to be late because I keep running into people I want to talk to. I tend to be a chatterbox at work. Ask any of the guys that work with me here! ;)
 
Qgar said:
I agree with most of what you said. HOWEVER, the union card was NOT a "yes" vote...We had to mail in a separate piece of paper with a "yes" or "no" on it. Now, if you ask me "how do we know they counted correctly," that's another story. You can bet I'll try to become active on a committee.
Click to expand...

There was two "Yes's" to send in.

There was a Dues Checkoff Card and the Contract Vote.

The Dues Checkoff Card counts as a vote FOR the union, in the event there wasn't a vote. Which there wasn't.
 
I just hate to see Uncle Phil and his Mephis Cronies do that to our flight attendants. I love you guys.

It just reaffirms that this company doesn't care about any of us.
 
All I know is we have a great boss at EWR. He is the best advocate we have and we all love HIM to death. :nana2: Oh yeah, we love MOST of you guys, too! :rawk:
 
Smitty, the dues checkoff cards aren't what were used for the union vote. The original "authorization for representation" cards were used, and the company voluntarily accepted the union on that basis, which is legal under the RLA.
 
You could be correct.

The whole thing is a big mess, I'm sure orchestrated by Management. Honestly- it's hard to believe anything this management team says.

The Colgan's are the exact same now. Dot seems unwilling to help anyone, Lisa doesn't answer. No one gives a • about the operation WHATSOEVER. No one but the flight crews who have to deal with the PAX.
 
Found something out last night I didn't know. The AFA is actually an off-shoot of ALPA from back when FAs were ALPA members. Go figure. Amazing what you learn reading those "Flying the Line" books.....
 
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