Pilot Suspensions / Mt Cook Airlines
 

See in the Otago Daily Times that several Mt Cook pilots have been suspended in the last week for refusing to work other than the roster. also hear on the grapevine that these pilots were left high and dry and required to get their own way home from Queenstown - two days later after the snow in a rental car. Isn't that pretty low of the management. What is going on at Mt Chook? :ugh:

Well they are working to rule down there so I guess this was expected to happen at some stage or another:ugh:

Not bagging management but it does appear that its a whole lot of sqobbling over very small amounts of money.

A little good will from said company (returning the good will pilot group has shown) would prob go a long way to having this dispute sorted.

Good luck to all:ok:

Good job.

They need to get over themselves down there. The boys in NSN might be getting closer to flying ATR's.

removed post, decided not to argue with the idiot above

The MEN in NSN will never fly ATR's........Q400s maybe!

boys... you are deluding yourselves to ever consider that the NSN boys will ever get their hands on the Q400's. Just a management ploy to create competition amongst the troops who effectively work for the same company. You need to be working together, supporting better working conditions etc etc. Nsn and Q400's will NEVER happen. It came up with Nsn's negotiations last time and i can assure you it will come up next time.:ugh:

Quote "Good job.
They need to get over themselves down there. The boys in NSN might be getting closer to flying ATR's."
stoidiuoy-do you have any idea what the issues are with these negotiations?
If you did you wouldn't be making those idiotic comments.
Get back in your tomahawk and shut up!

Stupidiuoy: Remove the blinkers and open your eyes buddy. To even consider Nsn would fly the ATR's or Q400's is stupid. i will give my left nut to Ron Jeremy if that ever happened.:rolleyes:

Hi,

Can you please package pack left nut in ice and send by courier.


Thanks in advance,

Ron Jeremy


PS: As previously discussed on the phone, before sending I would like the use of wax rather than razor. Cheers Ron.

:} The whole point here is for other pilot groups to be supportive! the whole reason this industry is going the way it is, is because we numb nuts like idiot and we lay down to easy (not talking in the sack).

Its about bloody time a pilot group stood up for what they wanted. Also remember they are working to rule! not shuting the company down by walking out for a day, shows good will is still there.

Good luck to the boys and girls at chook, hope you get what your asking:ok:

Never Do It!
 

FRF,

If you are a pilot, you should already know:

1. You can bet your job;
2. You can bet your wife;
3. You NEVER bet your balls......:}

However, I've met a few soprano pilots in the last couple 'o years.:E

FRF,

The "bigger aircraft" issue did come up last contract nego and did get incorporated into the present contract........NEVER say NEVER!

I don't agree with the "divide and conquer" strategy employed by big brother but the leverage obtained between the subsidiaries is the reason that they have been allowed to continue as their own entities until now....

Typical blardy pilots!!!
Here's a group of guys who have stood up to the penny pinching miserable management that is universal in this industry, they held the line, and sounds like they have now paid the price.

And within a matter of a few threads this post has deteriated into a bunch of twits bleating on about how they could possibly benefit from it.

This thread typifies the state of our industry - We take one small step forward and before the bed has even gone cold, our supposed colleagues are circling overhead and scrapping over the carcasse.

I am bloody sick of it! If only I could wind the clock back, with the benefit of hindsight I would not have my arse rotting in a aluminiuim tube. There are too many snakes and rats in this game, and it aint gettin better!!!!!

:* :*

To all the NM boys and girls at the coal face who are up against the might of the overlords - good luck to you, I have no idea of your case or cause, but thoughts are with you. :ok:

One left Nut,More money, Ron likes the wax affect.
 

:D
I stated along time ago that in order for pilots to not continue getting screwed, all need to get together and keep the aluminium on the ground.
Weed out the soft cocks::mad: :mad:
In 1986 flying a Motueka air services Az-truk & PA:31, I was getting NZD's $34,500:
To re- enter the NZ system now with 13500 hrs,and have to be happy in the right seat, and get $36.000,
and have to move location, and be thankful for being allowed to operate within a third world, yes I said third world managed operation, that pay up their compliance fee's, get the box's ticked, and a management that buries their heads in the sand with their professional Act.:ugh: :ugh: :ugh: I shall add under a CAA run by self serving so called professionals ,that have long lost their aviation passion, and just take take take:
In 1997 as a expat depending on the exchange rate I was earning circa $NZD's $150,000.
Enter Sept 11th: (Yeah I know they all used it as an excuse for some reason to lay off heaps?. ) through to October 2004, we had to sign 4 new "permanent" contracts, each with a demise in salary, 2004 it was NZD's $ 68,000 :
I have to my "shame":p known whores that had more self respect than I then had:
One morning I woke up; and did not want to do it anymore, I did not enjoy it anymore.
I actually called them and told them ( so childishly) to stick it := := Man it felt SO SO good, they could'nt believe me, they even had the audasity to ask what was wrong:ugh: :ugh:
I quit:
Pay for your training, pay for your type ratings, $100.000 student loans, then get paid peanuts, Oh and don't forget the tube of KY to add to your flight case.:eek:
My mate ( I have the Odd one you know) is driving a courier run 5 nights a week for a bank, He makes NZD's $130.000.
And yes I am now living back in NZ:
Now its 04:30 am and I am going for a beer or three.
Am I passionate about aviation? dam right I am, and now I get great reward in giving my time to young ones that maybe can't afford the money? in teaching them subject matter, and Micro lite instruction.
Don't continue to bitch about it, have some faith in your self and bloody well do something about it.
Crack.
Bring on the Vitriol comment.:ok:

This whole argument is about a couple of minor points in the contract negotiation.

The new pay rates have already been agreed to, but management refuse to backdate them to the end of the last CEA (about six months ago). The only reason any backdating is required is due to management's refusal to negotiate fairly in the first place. The other issue is firm business class travel to the sim (this should be a given).

Anyone who thinks this is acceptable management practice needs their head read. I would imagine the small amount of money required to finalise negotiations has now been spent many times over dealing with the industrial action. Flights are being canceled on a daily basis, which creates a huge headache for much of the domestic network.

This is simply a case of management cutting off their nose to spite their face. It is childish of them to try and keep the pilot group under the thumb like this, particularly a group of pilots who normaly do their utmost to keep the operation ticking along as well as it does. We're now seeing what results from removing that good will.

As others have stated, we need to stick together with our Mt Cook colleagues. Talk of Air Nelson taking over is not helpful, and borne out of ignorance and greed. Any Air Nelson pilot who is rubbing their hands together at the prospect should be put out of their misery.

To the boys and girls at Mt Cook, keep standing firm. We are all behind you.

BTW, if you hear traffic staff bagging MC pilots for the disruptions, please educate them as to the real cause of the problem.

Quote:

---

The new pay rates have already been agreed to, but management refuse to backdate them to the end of the last CEA (about six months ago). The only reason any backdating is required is due to management's refusal to negotiate fairly in the first place.

---

Does this sound like another sleezy company's tactics?
EASTERN's:ugh:
Stand 'yr ground boys:ok:

TDI

Cloud mate...great post and well said,...you say minor points,that maybe true,but for those of us who have been in negotiations with mgt before AND been threatened with punitive actions,...those minor points ultimately show the backbone,ethics,and principles....of those involved.

Some may scoff at those as illusions,but let me tell you this,....pilots who are behind you but dont feel they want to be in the negotiation process or know there are better qualified people to handle the tricky parts,will thank you for your service,s...not all want to be at the table,but anyone who care,s about their livelyhood will always take a keen interest and show support when required.

This Mgt is no different than any other,and we all know the game,and its all about stiking the best deal for whatever side you are on.....the bottom line,..both sides need to be able to compromise.

stoiduoy......where do you live,I,d like to come and see you:E

I would'nt mind seeing the great idiot in person too. PM the address Pakeha when you know, we'll make a road trip of it!

Good post Cloud.:D
P.S. It's approaching 9 months of :ugh: now for the troops, but understand mediation later this week so who knows what may happen.

Any more news re these suspensions?

My faith is renewed! There are some REAL people out there!

Ref my earlier post;
Stoidiuoy - you and your ilk are the snakes and someday, somewhere, somebody will step on your head.

To the others that have shown me that intestinal fortitude still exists - good onya.

My best wishes to the NM drivers, and hopefully they will come out of this with their heads held high. To do so will benefit all in some way - even the snakes! :*

Outa curiosity, where does Mt Cook go for SIM's and on who do you travel ??

Thanks

PS; I would suggest there is little to zero chance of the Air NSN boys/gals operating ATR 72/42's (or any other Mt Cook aircraft) so dont get too upset about a clear " wind-up"

Banggers for sims, travel in there own time hence the want for the better seats! Even EAG has that clause for crying out loud:eek:

I like your first quote better Blix.

Yes, because of course, a pilot group's right to comfortable long haul travel should depend on the size of their equipment...... hmmmmm :ugh:

Cloud/ Nike
 

Smart buggers, point I'm tring to make is that is a standard contract clause for all airlines! Its not greediness on behalf of the pilots but the complete opposite. Any management team with thier fingers on the pulse would see the benefits of it.

"PILOTS, we will travel in our own time to the destinations to save the company the hassle of 2-3 extra days travel because of duty time"

"COMPANY, hell no your trying to rip us off!!!!!!!!!"

Silly way of making the point but come on:ugh:

I will attempt to be more serious in future:ok:

Well Hanz, I hope the atempted humour in my post was not lost on you either. Serious is for boring people ;)

Nike, they were just day suspensions due to crews refusing to fly flights after unscheduled overnights as per the strike notice (well, crews offered to position to Christchurch empty but were told no thanks, and then in some cases non-union pilots were paxed in to do just that!) Hence some pilots were told to find their own way home to Christchurch from the places they were stuck in. About the lowest most digusting act from the company in the dispute so far. :yuk: Real "Family Culture" attitude being shown from the management. The stream of crap being spouted is beyond a joke. At least the company's tactics have brought and kept the troops all together. :ok: If you're keen on Cook, get the CV in, a lot of good people are assessing their options and there might be some folks moving on sooner than they planned to. :{ Taking it's toll on the non-union guys too having to pick up so much slack. All this nonsense for pilots, cabin crew, ops, check-in and traffic staff and passengers is ridiculous. At least Vincent is loving it I guess!

Good on you Cloud and others, the guys (and gals!) appreciate the support from you all. :D As for Stoidiouy, I thinking dropping the 's' is more befitting of you.

P.S. The meeting this week referred to earlier went, well you can probably guess..........:ugh:

Thanks Airslasher.

Why spend so much time & effort seeking out good people to then treat them with contempt?
I hope your management has that epiphany before it's too late.

I heard that AirNZ Management have called in some independant arbitrators to try and settle this contract dispute asap.

Anyone else who can verify this move??


S2K

S2K your motion is second vote:ok:

Another mediation was due to happen today, after PO told to bring someone to the table who is able to negotiate.

Anyone know how it went?

That was a rumour Cloud. No more meetings yet. Company and ALPA have made new/(probably old reworded) submissions to mediator and he'll let 'em know what he thinks of them next week. PO has gone on leave now anyway-perhaps on a P&O cruise. That guy is just great. Anyone else want him?

Sqwark-Different mouth-same :yuk:

Any word? some good news maybe?:confused:

Few tumbleweeds blowing past in the negotiating office.

The Mount Cook management have gone on vacation (a lot like the Air New Zealand management common sense), Hasn't made a lick of difference to the rate of progress. Still Zero, Good one guys :D

Just give me more of the pineapple this time thanks........ :ugh:

Ahh, the gentle rustle of management folk. AirNZ/Mt Cook have taken issue to the employment watchdog citing the pilots for passenger disrupts etc, almost as if to say they haven't been bargining in good faith!!!:D :D :D :D :D :D Hahahahahahahaha!!!! Ahhhh they never fail to impress. Carefully placed CEO talk of parking up an aeroplane(s?) and laying off pilots and flight attendents adds to the flavour. Good one Pete! Leading the company to prosperous times!!!!

And to the disrupted passengers,


Dear Sir/Madam,

We would like to apologise for your disrupted travel plans. The good will of our pilots by working on their days off/annual leave covers sickness and unforseen disruptions. At the moment we are penny pinching and trying to shaft them, both in less than CPI wage increases from 9 months ago when their contract ran out and half decent travel to their simulator details in Thailand. All other AirNZ pilots groups have this 'right' but 22 hours travelling followed by a test that requires a pass to keep your job is not reason enough. Oh yeah, we're the ones who send them to a 2nd-3rd world city with recent bombings but they're so well treated.....honest. Anyway, these evil, overpayed, underworked pilots aren't working on their days off now so your flight had to be cancelled. Don't worry though because as passengers you are as valuable to us as our staff so we will treat you accordingly. If your flight hasn't been cancelled please find your Vincent aircraft at Gate 10, ready to board approximately 3 hours after your booked flight. Have a great week!

Sincerely

The powers that be.

[good faith!!!:D :D :D :D :D :D Hahahahahahahaha!!!! Ahhhh they never fail to impress. Good one Pete! Leading the company to prosperous times!!!!

And to the disrupted passengers,
Airslasher you have hit the nail on the head, however the actual letter that 'Asymmetric Pete' is giving out to the customers goes something like this and is just as funny.

Dear Customer
Your flight today has been affected because of industrial action by Mount Cook Airline pilots. in my capacity as General Manager of Mount Cook Airline, I wish to express my sincere apologies for the resulting disruption to your schedule.

Whilst both Mount Cook Airline and Air New Zealand have endeavoured to minimise the impact of this industrial action, regrettably on this occasion the cancellation of your flight has been unavoidable.

I trust that any alternative travel arrangements we have made for you are not too unfavourable. Should you require further assistance please approach one of our staff or call Air New Zealand reservations toll free on 0800 737 000.

Once again, please accept my sincere apologies for the inconvenience this cancellation has caused.

Yours sincerely,

GM:(
MT Cook Airline

This airline is too much!!! Couldn't obviously give a toss about its staff or its customers.

I wonder if the reluctance to agree to firm business class has anything to do with the recently announced withdrawal of Air NZ on the Singapore route? Assuming this has been in the pipelines for some time.

Oh dear it just gets worse:yuk:

Wonder how those guys sitting on YES letters with Cook are feeling at the moment!

The way AirNZ treats its staff from year to year I doubt that the ones on the yes letters really give a $%#^^%.....Still Takingitfromfyfe

Unfortunately they may need to be reinterviewed by the time the next flow of jobs comes along. (News of the park ups) Year 200*:8.. Rather be sitting half way up any seniority list than on the bottom of the AirNZ one.

Glad to see some replies to this thread, pilots were showing as much interest in it as the GM shows in good business sense, the can do attitude, family culture, efficiency focus, relationship with AirNZ:} (Do you think Pete has bigger plans?? butt kisser).

It affects us ALL in some way... direct or indirect.

and yes, still t.i.f.f.:ouch: MMMM Rob give it to me longhaul style

Eureka, yeah, got a copy of that letter myself. Another letter at Dunedin airport showing the correspondance between a staff member (their concerns with the current situation) there and Big Rob is as funny as OEI (One Engine Inoperative for those uninitiated) Pete's effort.

Anyway, mediation back on for the coming Monday and possible Employment Relations Authority for Wednesday.

I can't even see how this could be (the only apparent reason) 'getting one over the staff." They're already earning less than the last 3 years with inflation, and that would still be the case with the amount proposed for agreement. Taking It From Fyfe is right, I used to like pineapple!

Cloud. To be frank it doesn't matter a sh*t where AirNZ's routes are. You don't stick staff on longhaul work travel (in their own bloody time!) in coach with min. rest and expect them to perform in Sim checks. Last I recall we lived in NZ in 2006, not Victorian England. If they hadn't tried to shaft Thai Airways at the start of the year they probably would have a half decent arrangement with them now anyway. Put the lads on Emirates, Thai, Singapore, Qantas, whoever and via wherever. It's not our problem if a bean counter in Auckland wants to pull out of Singapore and fly more to half arse destinations in China!

Between passengers and staff dealing with the management balls up I wonder how many more apologies Pete's got left in him. Are there enough trees for all the paper required to write these letters? The pilots who got suspended and told to find their own ways home have had apologies too. Would that be an admission of guilt/wrong doing by the company......? Perhaps some back pay compensation is due to them...........:ok: