Pilot Strike Looms Large at Air Log in the GOM
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Final Tally of the Strike vote.....96.9% of the pilots voted "YES" to strike.
Best of luck
Thread Starter
I am not an OLOG pilot...but have friends that are. The one thing that we all can do to help is to make sure the news...and continuing status of the situation is broadcast as widely as possible.
Take a few minutes to e-mail as many financial column editors, stock analysts, web based financial reporting sources as you can...when the OLOG Board sees the share/stock price heading for the cellar (and their stock options withering on the vine) then and only then will they wake up to what is going on.
My view of all this seems simple....just like the OLOG management. Fostering good relationships with the employees that produce the revenue pays better returns than merely lashing out with the whip. They are sticking to their Russian method of negotiating and have completely ignored the "Win-Win" model.
Take a few minutes to e-mail as many financial column editors, stock analysts, web based financial reporting sources as you can...when the OLOG Board sees the share/stock price heading for the cellar (and their stock options withering on the vine) then and only then will they wake up to what is going on.
My view of all this seems simple....just like the OLOG management. Fostering good relationships with the employees that produce the revenue pays better returns than merely lashing out with the whip. They are sticking to their Russian method of negotiating and have completely ignored the "Win-Win" model.
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Here are the official results of the AirLog Pilot's Strike authorization Vote.
271 Ballots mailed out to pilots.
266 Ballots returned.
253 Ballots marked YES for Strike authorization.
8 Ballots marked NO for Strike authorization.
5 Ballots that were invalid for voting error.
The Union is still in negotiation, as we are not released for self-help. This vote give the negotiation team the support for the Pilot's contract position. Thanks for everyone support, it means a lot to us.
271 Ballots mailed out to pilots.
266 Ballots returned.
253 Ballots marked YES for Strike authorization.
8 Ballots marked NO for Strike authorization.
5 Ballots that were invalid for voting error.
The Union is still in negotiation, as we are not released for self-help. This vote give the negotiation team the support for the Pilot's contract position. Thanks for everyone support, it means a lot to us.
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Many thanks to SASless and gomex!
96.9% is a fantastic result: it just shows that the guys have had enough! Lets hope the directors do see sense before its too late.
I'm sure all of us in the frozen north of Scotland wish you all well and offer whatever support we can to help out.
96.9% is a fantastic result: it just shows that the guys have had enough! Lets hope the directors do see sense before its too late.
I'm sure all of us in the frozen north of Scotland wish you all well and offer whatever support we can to help out.
Thread Starter
Scheduled meeting of the union, management, and the Federal Mediator on Wednesday....any bets on what happens?
Will the OLOG management get struck by Chain Lightning and have a change of heart and offer a meaningful compromise to the Union and thus settle this matter?
Will the OLOG bunch continue with their unyielding position and the Union cave in to that position?
Will the OLOG bunch ignore reality...hold forth on their Road to Perdition, the Union stand firm in their demand....and the Federal Mediator declare an Impasse....and a cooling off period begin?
Or.....will the mediator declare an Impasse and release the two parities from mediation?
Doughnuts to Dog Droppings....and you can hold the stakes in yer mouth....OLOG continues to stonewall...and the strike becomes a certainty! One man's opinion here....reason and logic will not play a part in the company position.
Will the OLOG management get struck by Chain Lightning and have a change of heart and offer a meaningful compromise to the Union and thus settle this matter?
Will the OLOG bunch continue with their unyielding position and the Union cave in to that position?
Will the OLOG bunch ignore reality...hold forth on their Road to Perdition, the Union stand firm in their demand....and the Federal Mediator declare an Impasse....and a cooling off period begin?
Or.....will the mediator declare an Impasse and release the two parities from mediation?
Doughnuts to Dog Droppings....and you can hold the stakes in yer mouth....OLOG continues to stonewall...and the strike becomes a certainty! One man's opinion here....reason and logic will not play a part in the company position.
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Here's my guess. The union (and perhaps even the company) will request release, and likely get it. This will start a 30-day cooling-off period, during which the real negotiations will be done. The agreement will be reached on about the 29th day of the cooling-off period. There is no perceived advantage to the company in caving in any earlier. Negotiations under the Railway Labor Act are settled then, and almost never prior to the deadline. The company could make a lot of good-will profit by settling earlier, but they aren't smart enough to realize that.
Look for the same thing to happen with the PHI negotiations which are scheduled to begin in just over a week.
Look for the same thing to happen with the PHI negotiations which are scheduled to begin in just over a week.
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If you see the African Forum thread Capers in Cameroon, perhaps the OLOG management will do something like the management of the airline there, only in reverse. Sack all the pilots, then claim they all resigned
There don't seem to be any good companies to work for any more. Globalisation is wunnerful innit?
There don't seem to be any good companies to work for any more. Globalisation is wunnerful innit?
Thread Starter
Air Log Headed towards a Pilot's Strike?
The latest Notam from the Pilot's Union Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) team reports the end of negotiations with the company. The Union made its bottomline offer...the company refused to accept it or make a final compromise offer. The Union has asked the Federal Mediator to "Release" the union from negotiations due to the obivious stalemate.
My friends at Air Log report strike action is almost a certainty now....and is just a matter of time unless the company accepts the offer.
They also say it would take a lightning strike or something of that magnitude to return the senior management to the reality of the situation.
Does the management really believe the pilots will not strike over this?
Will the Pilots walk?
Should the Pilots walk?
If the pilots walk...who wins...who loses?
Does it always have to be Russian style negotiations where one side must win...and the other side must lose? Cannot management not find a way to form a win-win deal?
The estimated cost of accepting the full, original demand by the union was 8,000,000 USD...the previous year bonus pool for the senior 8 managers was 18,000,000 USD.....and the company stated publically the Union demand would bankrupt the company. That is the mentality of the management on this one.
My friends at Air Log report strike action is almost a certainty now....and is just a matter of time unless the company accepts the offer.
They also say it would take a lightning strike or something of that magnitude to return the senior management to the reality of the situation.
Does the management really believe the pilots will not strike over this?
Will the Pilots walk?
Should the Pilots walk?
If the pilots walk...who wins...who loses?
Does it always have to be Russian style negotiations where one side must win...and the other side must lose? Cannot management not find a way to form a win-win deal?
The estimated cost of accepting the full, original demand by the union was 8,000,000 USD...the previous year bonus pool for the senior 8 managers was 18,000,000 USD.....and the company stated publically the Union demand would bankrupt the company. That is the mentality of the management on this one.
"Just a pilot"
Whatever my colleagues at Air Log decide to do, they'll have what support I can give.
Will the pilots strike? My observation is that Air Log management has always had... "difficult" relations with the line pilots. That's the reason the pilots had to organize. That's the reason they were the first in the GOM to do so. My guess is the management style hasn't changed a bit. And that's the reason they'll feel like they have no choice but a job action.
Everybody loses.
It's a shame but it's not news. The only negative I ever observed in Air Log was this poisonous relationship between the field guys and management. A very good company besides that, but that's enough to put them at the bottom of a list of potential employers if I ever returned to the GOM.
Will the pilots strike? My observation is that Air Log management has always had... "difficult" relations with the line pilots. That's the reason the pilots had to organize. That's the reason they were the first in the GOM to do so. My guess is the management style hasn't changed a bit. And that's the reason they'll feel like they have no choice but a job action.
Everybody loses.
It's a shame but it's not news. The only negative I ever observed in Air Log was this poisonous relationship between the field guys and management. A very good company besides that, but that's enough to put them at the bottom of a list of potential employers if I ever returned to the GOM.
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SASless
If it's really true that the senior managers scooped a bonus of US$18,000,000 last yaer then for sure the pilots should walk. I've seen too many managers make a small fortune despite their incompetence over the last 20 years, while the guys that make the profits get the usual barbed-wire coated greased baseball bat.
If it's really true that the senior managers scooped a bonus of US$18,000,000 last yaer then for sure the pilots should walk. I've seen too many managers make a small fortune despite their incompetence over the last 20 years, while the guys that make the profits get the usual barbed-wire coated greased baseball bat.
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I think that the Air Log pilots will eventually have to walk. How else do they show the company that the vote to strike was a serious matter, not a laughing matter that meant nothing. At least that appears to be the way that Air Log is viewing the pilots vote to strike.
I know that the Union has made multiple efforts to get the company to the table for open talks in hopes of starting a geniune negotiation of terms. Unfortunatly, they would have the same luck with a stone wall.
Here is some additonal food for thought. I was talking to a PHI pilot and he said that their negotiations will be on hold until Air Log is able to work their new contract. Is this true, is PHI waiting to see how Air Log handles thier negotiations and the outcome?
I have also heard talk that ERA is now looking at Unionizing as well. Apparently, their retirement benefits are assualted as if they were a sleeper cell taking pictures of the Pentagon. At least that is how it was described to me.
Assuming that is true, then how much more is riding on the contract between Air Log and it's pilot's? In asking the question, I would want to know what both sides feels is at stake. Maybe this would explain the hard nose tactics Air Log has choosen to use, as it may effect every company. If your head is in the sand maybe this next sentence will pull it out. Do we not think that each operator will/is supporting the other behind the scenes if not publically? It seems all the drilling companies are questioning what will happen as well, so what type of support or pressure are they putting on the companies to keep their costs down (rhetorical question hence the little dot at the end). Last I checked there was only one variable to the cost of operating equipment and that was the operator of the equipment! I don't know any executive that will allow their bonus to be touched, as it is almost always viewed as their salary. Of course they are owed the money, while the rest of us have to earn our bonuses. How many people work hard for their safety bonus?
I think all the above makes it important for the pilots to stand together and push through the best deal possible, as it appears that this will effect the entire GOM. Obviously, it has to be fair to both sides, and I have yet to meet a pilot that is looking to put their company out of business. Seems to me most just want a fair wage and decent benefits to take care of their families.
What better way for everyone to see if the Union is a reality? I think the majority of the pilots flying in the GOM tend to be more conservative. On a hunch I bet it has something to do with living/working in the South and having military backgrounds. I believe that is why it took the area so long to Unionize and why part of it still non-Union. Surely the employers know this and I wouldn't be surprised if they saw this as an opportunity to break the Union and make it worthless. I hope, for the sake of those of us looking to start a career down there and wanting the best conditions possible everyone stands united and strikes if need be. Better yet, I hope the company comes to their senses and sits at the table to have an open discussion and start a real negotiation process. Either way I wish all the Air Log pilots good luck and know that you do have a lot of support out there.
I know that the Union has made multiple efforts to get the company to the table for open talks in hopes of starting a geniune negotiation of terms. Unfortunatly, they would have the same luck with a stone wall.
Here is some additonal food for thought. I was talking to a PHI pilot and he said that their negotiations will be on hold until Air Log is able to work their new contract. Is this true, is PHI waiting to see how Air Log handles thier negotiations and the outcome?
I have also heard talk that ERA is now looking at Unionizing as well. Apparently, their retirement benefits are assualted as if they were a sleeper cell taking pictures of the Pentagon. At least that is how it was described to me.
Assuming that is true, then how much more is riding on the contract between Air Log and it's pilot's? In asking the question, I would want to know what both sides feels is at stake. Maybe this would explain the hard nose tactics Air Log has choosen to use, as it may effect every company. If your head is in the sand maybe this next sentence will pull it out. Do we not think that each operator will/is supporting the other behind the scenes if not publically? It seems all the drilling companies are questioning what will happen as well, so what type of support or pressure are they putting on the companies to keep their costs down (rhetorical question hence the little dot at the end). Last I checked there was only one variable to the cost of operating equipment and that was the operator of the equipment! I don't know any executive that will allow their bonus to be touched, as it is almost always viewed as their salary. Of course they are owed the money, while the rest of us have to earn our bonuses. How many people work hard for their safety bonus?
I think all the above makes it important for the pilots to stand together and push through the best deal possible, as it appears that this will effect the entire GOM. Obviously, it has to be fair to both sides, and I have yet to meet a pilot that is looking to put their company out of business. Seems to me most just want a fair wage and decent benefits to take care of their families.
What better way for everyone to see if the Union is a reality? I think the majority of the pilots flying in the GOM tend to be more conservative. On a hunch I bet it has something to do with living/working in the South and having military backgrounds. I believe that is why it took the area so long to Unionize and why part of it still non-Union. Surely the employers know this and I wouldn't be surprised if they saw this as an opportunity to break the Union and make it worthless. I hope, for the sake of those of us looking to start a career down there and wanting the best conditions possible everyone stands united and strikes if need be. Better yet, I hope the company comes to their senses and sits at the table to have an open discussion and start a real negotiation process. Either way I wish all the Air Log pilots good luck and know that you do have a lot of support out there.
"Just a pilot"
Gomexjr,
I don't want my Air Log colleagues to strike. They're organized because of this management style made them see their common cause and sacrifice independence and join together to face it. They can do as they see fit with legal sanction and recognition of their common interest.
If Air Log management sees this conflict as a matter of "face" and think they have "support" from other operators, the cause is lost and the company will fail. Air Log- the dynamic and enterprising operator- is dead if everybody isn't working together.
Pilots work absolutely on their own, and if they're not motivated to perform, they won't- and nobody on this planet can make them. We (pilots) know where the responsibility always ultimately lies, and know it's our decision alone, each and every time we launch. It's always a calculated risk that the pilot has to decide he's justified in taking- there's never a perfect day, or a flawless aircraft. That's the same no matter who's name is on the top of the check- there's squat to differentiate between the big 3 or 4 as far as the aircraft, pilot, job and customers are concerned. Who would I rather fill the seat for? The pilot jobs will be there, the aircraft requirement, too.
The effort a poorly supported pilot in an adversarial environment is willing to put forth to accomplish a customers' wishes is far less than, oh let's say- the guys in the yellow helicopters will put out. We- each and every line pilot- determines the quality of the contract and customer satisfaction. My customers regarded me as *their* pilot, in *their* aircraft, and we did *their* work. Every line guy in the Gulf "makes his bones" with the customer, and he is the operator as far as the customer is concerned. The pilot's never PHI (my former employer) or Air Log, until the end of hitch or a call for support. If I wasn't flying, it's because I couldn't do their job, and they knew as soon as I could go, we would go. New Iberia needs to consider the terms of their partnership very carefully before their cornflakes get any soggier.
I haven't faced to face with anybody on the Air Log line lately, but the rumors that I'm hearing are much more in touch with reality than the management position appears to be. They'd like to make a deal.
I don't want my Air Log colleagues to strike. They're organized because of this management style made them see their common cause and sacrifice independence and join together to face it. They can do as they see fit with legal sanction and recognition of their common interest.
If Air Log management sees this conflict as a matter of "face" and think they have "support" from other operators, the cause is lost and the company will fail. Air Log- the dynamic and enterprising operator- is dead if everybody isn't working together.
Pilots work absolutely on their own, and if they're not motivated to perform, they won't- and nobody on this planet can make them. We (pilots) know where the responsibility always ultimately lies, and know it's our decision alone, each and every time we launch. It's always a calculated risk that the pilot has to decide he's justified in taking- there's never a perfect day, or a flawless aircraft. That's the same no matter who's name is on the top of the check- there's squat to differentiate between the big 3 or 4 as far as the aircraft, pilot, job and customers are concerned. Who would I rather fill the seat for? The pilot jobs will be there, the aircraft requirement, too.
The effort a poorly supported pilot in an adversarial environment is willing to put forth to accomplish a customers' wishes is far less than, oh let's say- the guys in the yellow helicopters will put out. We- each and every line pilot- determines the quality of the contract and customer satisfaction. My customers regarded me as *their* pilot, in *their* aircraft, and we did *their* work. Every line guy in the Gulf "makes his bones" with the customer, and he is the operator as far as the customer is concerned. The pilot's never PHI (my former employer) or Air Log, until the end of hitch or a call for support. If I wasn't flying, it's because I couldn't do their job, and they knew as soon as I could go, we would go. New Iberia needs to consider the terms of their partnership very carefully before their cornflakes get any soggier.
I haven't faced to face with anybody on the Air Log line lately, but the rumors that I'm hearing are much more in touch with reality than the management position appears to be. They'd like to make a deal.
Thread Starter
Devil 49 says it exactly right...as well written an explanation of the situation as I have read...shame the management at New Iberia cannot understand that concept.
Gomex Jr....also sets forth a good analysis...but I know from whence he springs....and I would expect nothing less. Gomex Senior has worked very hard to improve things for other GOM'ers.
Gomex Jr....also sets forth a good analysis...but I know from whence he springs....and I would expect nothing less. Gomex Senior has worked very hard to improve things for other GOM'ers.
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Now we have conversation, and it would be great to hear from some of the men/women out in GOM and what their thoughts are.
Devil - I agree with you, as I don't want to see them strike either. I just don't know if it is avoidable at this point. Let's hope that it is.
ATPMBA- Of course there is money in aviation and always will be, just a question of when it will flow down the hill to the working men and women. The airliners seem to have done a much better job of starting that flow down hill that the rotor-wing sector. Hopefully that is changing or at least that is the appearence from my look out station.
Sassless - You are wise beyond your years and you do know exactly where or dare I say who I come from. I have been tainted but I have the utmost respect and admiration for my tainter.
I have always been one for a good conspiracy and was just wondering what everyone's thoughts on the "behind the scenes" talks were between operators. It appears that Devil and Sassless don't see a conspiracy
just bad management. I have to agree but like a good journalist I want to know if there is more to the story. Maybe I should send Jayson Blair to investigate and report back? Maybe we'll just get the straight dirt from some of those flying the GOM and not have to sit on the sidelines and speculate...guess time will tell.
Devil - I agree with you, as I don't want to see them strike either. I just don't know if it is avoidable at this point. Let's hope that it is.
ATPMBA- Of course there is money in aviation and always will be, just a question of when it will flow down the hill to the working men and women. The airliners seem to have done a much better job of starting that flow down hill that the rotor-wing sector. Hopefully that is changing or at least that is the appearence from my look out station.
Sassless - You are wise beyond your years and you do know exactly where or dare I say who I come from. I have been tainted but I have the utmost respect and admiration for my tainter.
I have always been one for a good conspiracy and was just wondering what everyone's thoughts on the "behind the scenes" talks were between operators. It appears that Devil and Sassless don't see a conspiracy
just bad management. I have to agree but like a good journalist I want to know if there is more to the story. Maybe I should send Jayson Blair to investigate and report back? Maybe we'll just get the straight dirt from some of those flying the GOM and not have to sit on the sidelines and speculate...guess time will tell.
Oh, I don't think there's any doubt that the operators are all coordinating with each other. Maybe not the CEO's (but who knows?), surely some of the more higher-ups who play golf together or go to the same church- it's not that big an area, after all and people do socialize. So there is back-channel communication going on, bet on it.
I guarantee that the operators are afraid of the "stair-stepping" of their respective contracts and want to nip it in the bud. They probably do not seriously believe that pilots would ever strike, which would be a drastic move to be sure. GOM pilots have historically been wishy-washy and weak-kneed when it came to standing up for themselves. I believe that the operators do not feel that this has changed much.
Taking the hard-line will fall to Air Log this time. But don't worry, PHI will be equally intransigent when their contract comes up soon.
There is a feeling among the operators that the pay for GOM pilots is "just about right." That is, just high enough to keep them coming back every week with an acceptable level of turnover, but not low enough to make them strike. They still do not perceive any need to increase compensation, and do not see any benefit from doing so.
While Air Log dreads even the thought of not being able to cover contracts and the attendant bad publicity that will come from "HELICOPTER PILOTS STRIKE!" headlines, they must pretend that they're not worried. They're doing a good job of this, and it plays well with the terminally-worried, nervous, and fearful for their jobs. But if this standoff continues, then the ALI pilots will be forced to play their hand (which is stronger than they think). If they cave, then it will prove to one and all that the compensation package in the GOM is "just about right" right now. And PHI pilots will all look at each other and go, "We're screwed."
We've come a long way, but there's still a long way to go.
I guarantee that the operators are afraid of the "stair-stepping" of their respective contracts and want to nip it in the bud. They probably do not seriously believe that pilots would ever strike, which would be a drastic move to be sure. GOM pilots have historically been wishy-washy and weak-kneed when it came to standing up for themselves. I believe that the operators do not feel that this has changed much.
Taking the hard-line will fall to Air Log this time. But don't worry, PHI will be equally intransigent when their contract comes up soon.
There is a feeling among the operators that the pay for GOM pilots is "just about right." That is, just high enough to keep them coming back every week with an acceptable level of turnover, but not low enough to make them strike. They still do not perceive any need to increase compensation, and do not see any benefit from doing so.
While Air Log dreads even the thought of not being able to cover contracts and the attendant bad publicity that will come from "HELICOPTER PILOTS STRIKE!" headlines, they must pretend that they're not worried. They're doing a good job of this, and it plays well with the terminally-worried, nervous, and fearful for their jobs. But if this standoff continues, then the ALI pilots will be forced to play their hand (which is stronger than they think). If they cave, then it will prove to one and all that the compensation package in the GOM is "just about right" right now. And PHI pilots will all look at each other and go, "We're screwed."
We've come a long way, but there's still a long way to go.
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It was said many years ago..."hang together...or hang separately!"
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With the price of oil at a 21 year high, with the oil companies at supposedly maximum production and demand higher than ever, is this not the time to give our employers an ultimatum?
The oil companies are making record profits (again!!) and it is their greed which holds down the contract prices for the aviation services they depend on. And let us not loose sight of that fact: THEY DEPEND ON HELICOPTERS.
Our employers, regardless of where we operate, are all talking to each other and are just as greedy as the client oil companies. (Remember the $18 million bonus to the Air Log directors!). OLOG are the 'owners' of the company I work for: their management techniques have travelled well across the Atlantic to the UK!!
I, like most of my colleagues, do not like the idea of strike action; but our fear is almost certainly less than that of the management. The very thought of disruption during the current economic situation is giving them sleepless nights; or it SHOULD be!!
Should the guys at AIr Log decide to withdraw their labour, they deserve the support of ALL of us. If they fail, we all fail!
The oil companies are making record profits (again!!) and it is their greed which holds down the contract prices for the aviation services they depend on. And let us not loose sight of that fact: THEY DEPEND ON HELICOPTERS.
Our employers, regardless of where we operate, are all talking to each other and are just as greedy as the client oil companies. (Remember the $18 million bonus to the Air Log directors!). OLOG are the 'owners' of the company I work for: their management techniques have travelled well across the Atlantic to the UK!!
I, like most of my colleagues, do not like the idea of strike action; but our fear is almost certainly less than that of the management. The very thought of disruption during the current economic situation is giving them sleepless nights; or it SHOULD be!!
Should the guys at AIr Log decide to withdraw their labour, they deserve the support of ALL of us. If they fail, we all fail!