The Atlas Council side came out with this. Wasn't sure where to put it since it covers a little of the arbitration to compel Polar to merge and how the recent ALPA Executive Board decision ordering Polar to start negotiating might be entered as evidence in it. A few other things also.
Looks like the "Battle Stars" came through from ALPA National reinforcing the ADR that the Polar MEC thumbed their nose at in their message. One side of this equation is losing a lot of support and allies..
Good evening fellow crewmembers, this is MEC Chairman Dave Bourne with a VARS message for Monday evening, January 21, 2008.
Last week we met in Washington with the ALPA Executive Council and today report back to you with two very important announcements.
First, the Executive Council has ordered Polar to immediately begin the Joint Negotiations process with us. This order by the council means that the Polar MEC has been ordered to have their Negotiating committee meet with the Atlas Negotiating committee to begin the process of a joint opener. As you know the company has filed a grievance to compel the Polar MEC to meet its obligations to complete the merger. ALPA's directive does NOT start the 270 day clock for negotiating a new CBA but does make Polar begin preparations for a merger with Atlas Air. This of course is contingent on the outcome of the grievance. We thank the Council for taking this step and look forward to the beginning of negotiations.
The second decision by the Council validated not only the report of the independent ADR Board selected by ALPA President Captain Prater, but tells the world what we've all known all along. The Executive Council approved ALPA "Battle Stars" for all Atlas crewmembers who were on the property during the Polar strike. The battle star signifies that we went on strike...in our case the first and only successful secondary strike in ALPA's history. We were able to get some to take to the Miami base meeting and will be coordinating with Herndon to get them out in the mail very soon.
The preliminary results from the first round of Wilson polling are now in. We will post the data in a few days on the Council web page for you to download.
On Thursday, we travelled to Miami to meet with crewmembers and the instructors and check airmen to discuss various issues and the concerns of the check airmen going forward for the training department. We believe that there are some valid issues to discuss with the company and met with and look forward to continued meetings and open discussions with the new Director of Training Resources Richard Rolland as we go forward.
The base meeting in Miami was very informative; the company is continuing to make steps to secure business and grow for our company with the goal of ensuring job security for the long term. The addition of the two new 400's, increased growth and new customers for both the 400 and the new 800's that are coming to Atlas all point to a strong and diversified business model that will be good for each of us. We were also advised that due to the early filer status of the company with the SEC, we might see the profit sharing come out early, probably in late March.
Thanks again to everyone who came out to meet us, it was great seeing you and we look forward to the next council meeting, which will be in LA in late March.
Until the next update, thanks for calling.
Fly safe.