Pilot Strike Looms Large at Air Log in the GOM
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Over here
The two warring parties are now free to exercise "self help" having been released from mediation.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
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From: Downeast
Self help can occur after the 30 day cooling off period.....which is now 11 March.
Union meeting held in New Iberia confirmed that....Union Pres issued a letter instructing all union members to conduct business as normal until that date. He was very specific in his message to the members that until the end of the cooling off period, all members were to carry on working exactly as they have over the two years the negotiations have been underway.
He did tell the pilots to document and file grievances for any violations of the existing contract by the company. He particularly noted violations of the Workover policy.
The current contract requires the company to offer all workover to the pilots before using a management pilot or contract pilot. The contract now allows only for voluntary workover and pilots cannot be forcecd to workover as in the PHI contract.
It has been reported the Senior management has been heard to tell meetings of mechanics (engineers) on at least two occasions..."We will not let this come to a strike."
Those statements if true and as reported would indicate a contradiction between the postion senior management is taking with the two groups....mechanics and pilots.
OLOG also reported being unable to file certain required reports with the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) due to the need to investigate (using outside counsel) some expenditures made in a foreign (un-named) country that the company does business in.
Investors are beginning to see trouble at OLOG judging by the pressure on the share price of late.
I wonder what all this portends?
Union meeting held in New Iberia confirmed that....Union Pres issued a letter instructing all union members to conduct business as normal until that date. He was very specific in his message to the members that until the end of the cooling off period, all members were to carry on working exactly as they have over the two years the negotiations have been underway.
He did tell the pilots to document and file grievances for any violations of the existing contract by the company. He particularly noted violations of the Workover policy.
The current contract requires the company to offer all workover to the pilots before using a management pilot or contract pilot. The contract now allows only for voluntary workover and pilots cannot be forcecd to workover as in the PHI contract.
It has been reported the Senior management has been heard to tell meetings of mechanics (engineers) on at least two occasions..."We will not let this come to a strike."
Those statements if true and as reported would indicate a contradiction between the postion senior management is taking with the two groups....mechanics and pilots.
OLOG also reported being unable to file certain required reports with the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) due to the need to investigate (using outside counsel) some expenditures made in a foreign (un-named) country that the company does business in.
Investors are beginning to see trouble at OLOG judging by the pressure on the share price of late.
I wonder what all this portends?
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 36
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From: UK
Air Log stock:
http://www.newratings.com/new2/beta/article_683155.html
NEW YORK, February 7 (newratings.com) - Analysts at Jefferies & Co reiterate their "hold" rating on Offshore Logistics (OF1.ETR). The target price has been reduced from $41 to $33.
Looks like the pending strike has started to effect their stocks...
http://www.newratings.com/new2/beta/article_683155.html
NEW YORK, February 7 (newratings.com) - Analysts at Jefferies & Co reiterate their "hold" rating on Offshore Logistics (OF1.ETR). The target price has been reduced from $41 to $33.
Looks like the pending strike has started to effect their stocks...
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
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From: Downeast
Rumours abound....
Air Dog is hiring 8 Contract pilots per week.
First 8.....
2 Quit.....
1 failed a Day/VFR 206 checkride (is that possible?) Air Dog must be screening applicants very closely.
1 was seen making an "unsafe landing" and was reported by an Air Dog Check Airman.
Result......One Check Airman suspended for two weeks without pay....and removed from the Training Department.
Opinion....
I would submit this is not a way to foster a healthy "Safety Culture" among the pilots.....taking disciplinary action for reporting unsafe acts.
I would love to hear about the circumstances of the removal of the Check Airman....Air Dog has a history of removing Check Airman/Training Captains who tell the truth in Arbitration Proceedings if it varies from what the Air Dog Management want.
I believe "Gomex" knows a bit about the workings of the Arbitration process at Air Dog. Do fill us in on the facts if you will Gomex.
We could all make up our minds as to the wisdom of that action if we heard the "real" facts from the two parties.....anyone out there know the circumstances that led up to the Training Captain getting bounced?
Air Dog is hiring 8 Contract pilots per week.
First 8.....
2 Quit.....
1 failed a Day/VFR 206 checkride (is that possible?) Air Dog must be screening applicants very closely.
1 was seen making an "unsafe landing" and was reported by an Air Dog Check Airman.
Result......One Check Airman suspended for two weeks without pay....and removed from the Training Department.
Opinion....
I would submit this is not a way to foster a healthy "Safety Culture" among the pilots.....taking disciplinary action for reporting unsafe acts.
I would love to hear about the circumstances of the removal of the Check Airman....Air Dog has a history of removing Check Airman/Training Captains who tell the truth in Arbitration Proceedings if it varies from what the Air Dog Management want.
I believe "Gomex" knows a bit about the workings of the Arbitration process at Air Dog. Do fill us in on the facts if you will Gomex.
We could all make up our minds as to the wisdom of that action if we heard the "real" facts from the two parties.....anyone out there know the circumstances that led up to the Training Captain getting bounced?
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 36
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From: UK
Letter from Union posted on their homepage:
From: Ken Bruner, President Local 107 / PHPA
To: General Membership
Fellow Members,
In about 23-days each of you will have a very simple, yet significant, decision to make: Should I cross the line and help the Company, the managers and the Board of Directors or not cross the line and help myself, my friends, my family, and my profession? I say it¡¦s a simple decision because it¡¦s so logical.
Simply put, if you do not cross the line, you win. You win for the most important priority in your life, your family. Secondly, you win for your chosen profession. Thirdly, you win for yourself.
You win for your family because by staying with the Union you are building a foundation for the future. A future with financial security and job security you can rely on. You help build a future you can be proud of.
You win because you have chosen to be a professional helicopter pilot. Take a long hard look at these contract pilots and ask yourself ¡V Is this the direction I want my career heading? Believe this, it¡¦s the direction the Company wants for your career and, without a Union, they¡¦ll get it. These contract pilots have for whatever reason over the years convinced themselves that as a helicopter pilot they are not worthy of respect from the aviation industry; they¡¦ve lost their self respect and compromised their integrity. They have no loyalty to anyone but themselves ¡V and now the Company is hoping you will do the same.
Show them they are wrong ¡V do not let your brothers down. Do not cross the Local 107 Strike Lines.
„« This fight is for your future. You stand with your brothers or your stand against them - simple!
„« Your decision; you either will cross or you won¡¦t cross - simple!
„« Cross and we all loose. Don¡¦t cross and we all win - simple!
The members of Local 107 are at a crossroad in the history of our industry. We can go back to the pre-Union days of low pay and no say or we can go forward into a bright and prosperous future - the choice is in your hands. And guys, this opportunity will never present itself again! There has never been an army in history in a better position to win a battle. Our Company is making record profits. They are primed and ready for expansion. A war in the Middle East is draining the Company's workforce. Pilots are a vital part of the operation, and - we're in short supply. This is a golden opportunity - don¡¦t squander it. SOLIDARITY - it's the only thing we need.
Fly safe,
Ken Bruner
From: Ken Bruner, President Local 107 / PHPA
To: General Membership
Fellow Members,
In about 23-days each of you will have a very simple, yet significant, decision to make: Should I cross the line and help the Company, the managers and the Board of Directors or not cross the line and help myself, my friends, my family, and my profession? I say it¡¦s a simple decision because it¡¦s so logical.
Simply put, if you do not cross the line, you win. You win for the most important priority in your life, your family. Secondly, you win for your chosen profession. Thirdly, you win for yourself.
You win for your family because by staying with the Union you are building a foundation for the future. A future with financial security and job security you can rely on. You help build a future you can be proud of.
You win because you have chosen to be a professional helicopter pilot. Take a long hard look at these contract pilots and ask yourself ¡V Is this the direction I want my career heading? Believe this, it¡¦s the direction the Company wants for your career and, without a Union, they¡¦ll get it. These contract pilots have for whatever reason over the years convinced themselves that as a helicopter pilot they are not worthy of respect from the aviation industry; they¡¦ve lost their self respect and compromised their integrity. They have no loyalty to anyone but themselves ¡V and now the Company is hoping you will do the same.
Show them they are wrong ¡V do not let your brothers down. Do not cross the Local 107 Strike Lines.
„« This fight is for your future. You stand with your brothers or your stand against them - simple!
„« Your decision; you either will cross or you won¡¦t cross - simple!
„« Cross and we all loose. Don¡¦t cross and we all win - simple!
The members of Local 107 are at a crossroad in the history of our industry. We can go back to the pre-Union days of low pay and no say or we can go forward into a bright and prosperous future - the choice is in your hands. And guys, this opportunity will never present itself again! There has never been an army in history in a better position to win a battle. Our Company is making record profits. They are primed and ready for expansion. A war in the Middle East is draining the Company's workforce. Pilots are a vital part of the operation, and - we're in short supply. This is a golden opportunity - don¡¦t squander it. SOLIDARITY - it's the only thing we need.
Fly safe,
Ken Bruner
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 18,633
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From: Downeast
Seems like OLOG is starting "self help" a bit early.....rumor has it that Industrial Helicopters is flying on the Grasso contract in the Gulf of Mexico as a subcontractor to Air Logistics. Wonder how that will play in Peoria?
That might explain why Industrial has been advertising for pilots recently.....wonder if we begin to see lots of Air Log aircraft being leased to Industrial as well?
Anyone heard what the "questionable payments" thing is all about? What kind of questionable payments and which "overseas" operation it involved? Any moving vans showing up at known management houses anywhere?
Just saw and ad for pilots...minimum requirement now 600 hours turbine for an offshore Gulf of Mexico operation. No mention of an instrument rating. Based out of Decatur, Texas or somewhere like that.
Let's hear the old song of "there isn't a shortage of helicopter pilots!" one more time.
That might explain why Industrial has been advertising for pilots recently.....wonder if we begin to see lots of Air Log aircraft being leased to Industrial as well?
Anyone heard what the "questionable payments" thing is all about? What kind of questionable payments and which "overseas" operation it involved? Any moving vans showing up at known management houses anywhere?
Just saw and ad for pilots...minimum requirement now 600 hours turbine for an offshore Gulf of Mexico operation. No mention of an instrument rating. Based out of Decatur, Texas or somewhere like that.
Let's hear the old song of "there isn't a shortage of helicopter pilots!" one more time.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 18,633
Likes: 1,072
From: Downeast
This showed up in my e-mail a few minutes ago....some little birdie dropped this one off. An e-mail from one of the Air Log goverment customers.....seems the management is now telling the customers and the mechanics they are going to settle.
Why is it the pilots have not been told the same thing?
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2005
Subject: FW: Update on Airlog negotiations-Important!!!
Airlog and their pilots have requested the National Mediation Board to be release them from mediation . With mediation failure, the two parties entered a 30 day cooling off period on February 9th and will end on March 11, 2005.
During this period labor action can not be taken. If agreement is not reached within this time period, both parties may take self help. This means the pilots could strike and management could hire replacement pilots.
Airlog as part of their contingency plans will work with OAS to ensure that MMS has qualified and carded pilots to fly our ships. If needed , Airlog will make arrangements to pick up our inspectors at alternate sites if our locations are picketed.
Airlog management believes that the differences between management and pilots will be resolved before March 11, 2005.
PHI went through a similar situation and the agreement was reached in the 20th day of the cooling off period. Airlog mechanics are not part of the union and will be available to maintain the helicopters.
Why is it the pilots have not been told the same thing?
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2005
Subject: FW: Update on Airlog negotiations-Important!!!
Airlog and their pilots have requested the National Mediation Board to be release them from mediation . With mediation failure, the two parties entered a 30 day cooling off period on February 9th and will end on March 11, 2005.
During this period labor action can not be taken. If agreement is not reached within this time period, both parties may take self help. This means the pilots could strike and management could hire replacement pilots.
Airlog as part of their contingency plans will work with OAS to ensure that MMS has qualified and carded pilots to fly our ships. If needed , Airlog will make arrangements to pick up our inspectors at alternate sites if our locations are picketed.
Airlog management believes that the differences between management and pilots will be resolved before March 11, 2005.
PHI went through a similar situation and the agreement was reached in the 20th day of the cooling off period. Airlog mechanics are not part of the union and will be available to maintain the helicopters.
"Just a pilot"
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 633
Likes: 8
From: Jefferson GA USA
SASless, I'm not confident that Air Log's management line that "they are going to settle. " or implications to that effect mean what it sounds like. Their belief could well be that they expect the pilots to cave.
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: UK
It is true that Air Log hires contract pilots, how many they got I don't know.
Here is the ad -
CONTRACT PILOTS Air Logistics, LLC has immediate openings for Contract Helicopter Pilots for day VFR operations in the BH 206 Series, BH 407 and EC 120 helicopters throughout the Gulf of Mexico. Minimum qualifications include: o 1,500/Hr. plus Helicopter Total Time – 1000/Hr. PIC Helicopter Time o FAA Commercial Rotorcraft o FAA Helicopter Instrument Rating o Off-shore Experience Preferred o 200/Hr. Helicopter Flight Time Within Preceding 12 Months o Second Class FAA Medical These contract positions have a projected term of 3-6 months with possibility of full time permanent employment upon completion. Work schedule will be 28-Days on (30 calendar days) with option of 7, 14, 21 or 28 days off. Compensation will be $500 daily rate; training pay will be $250 daily rate (7-12 days) and lodging will be provided. Contract Pilots will be responsible for their meals and transportation to and from all assignments. Interested candidates should submit a resume outlining your qualifications.
Here is the ad -
CONTRACT PILOTS Air Logistics, LLC has immediate openings for Contract Helicopter Pilots for day VFR operations in the BH 206 Series, BH 407 and EC 120 helicopters throughout the Gulf of Mexico. Minimum qualifications include: o 1,500/Hr. plus Helicopter Total Time – 1000/Hr. PIC Helicopter Time o FAA Commercial Rotorcraft o FAA Helicopter Instrument Rating o Off-shore Experience Preferred o 200/Hr. Helicopter Flight Time Within Preceding 12 Months o Second Class FAA Medical These contract positions have a projected term of 3-6 months with possibility of full time permanent employment upon completion. Work schedule will be 28-Days on (30 calendar days) with option of 7, 14, 21 or 28 days off. Compensation will be $500 daily rate; training pay will be $250 daily rate (7-12 days) and lodging will be provided. Contract Pilots will be responsible for their meals and transportation to and from all assignments. Interested candidates should submit a resume outlining your qualifications.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 18,633
Likes: 1,072
From: Downeast
Chopter.....
That ad was posted earlier in the thread....and I have posted the latest rumours about how many pilots were hired, trained, failed their checkrides, quit, and have found their way onto the line.
Air Log is in fact hiring contract pilots....they are in fact paying far more money to the contract pilots than they do for Union pilots to do workovers....
The other side of the coin is why someone would want to endure what is bound to be coming if the Work Action takes place?
You could not pay me enough to do that.....I would suggest they take their long underwear and overcoats because it is going to be very icy in the crewroom and accomodation before the end of the cooling off period.
Now there is a contradiction....."Cooling off period"....knowing it will get much hotter at the end of the COP if no agreement has been reached.
My advice to the Contract pilots is to carry their toothbrush with them at all times.....leaving it unguarded might be a mistake.
A photograph of it lodged in an unusual place might find its way to their home address.
Devil....
My sources would suggest that if the Air Log management thinks the Union will cave in .....then they are in for a rude surprise. I am sure the management has decided for some reasons known only to them....the right course of action is to fight the union tooth and nail thus the current situation in the GOM. It is plain that the management has undertaken an effort to de-certify the union and is doing a full court press right out of the Union buster's play book. What they overlook is the pilots down there can read too.
The following item found its way to my e-mail ...... The pilots are not completely unaware of what Homer Deakins, et al are all about. Thus, I would suggest the pilots are prepared for the fight and know what is at stake.
UNION BUSTING
Ever since the first employer confronted the first collective bargaining unit, there has been a concerted effort by management to either deny access into the work place by that unit or to defrock it once it got into place. Unable or unwilling to confront these CBU’s (Collective Bargaining Units) on their own, Companies sought out specialist to deal with this perceived problem These specialists were/are consultants and lawyers who focused on one thing: Union Busting or the more formal terminology “decertification” of existing unions. By 1990 this had become a one billion dollar a year business which made it very lucrative. At Air logistics we are now faced with one of the best “specialist” in the Industry: Homer Deakins. His tactics are not new, clever or innovative. In fact they follow a well orchestrated and patented script designed with one purpose in mind: decertification of our union.
We have just finished reading an important paper published by John Logan. Mr. Logan is a lecturer at the prestigious London School of Economics. His paper outlines the tactics and dirty tricks management uses to intimidate, harass, demoralize weaken and ultimately decertify the union. Believe us; decertification of our union appears to be the ultimate goal of management. Over the past two years Management was never interested in negotiating or bargaining for a contract. To the contrary, by reading further you will begin to see how the bargaining process is one of the tools used to demoralize and further weaken solidarity.
“You haven’t lost until you sign a contract” is the mantra that consultants instill in their clients at the outset of any contract negotiations. Based on that statement, companies in general will do whatever it takes to stall and prolong the bargaining process. Bargain to the point of boredom is what many consultants advocate. To do so allows more time for labor and Labor leadership turnover. This turnover in Labor staff creates confusion and dissatisfaction with union representation. The consultants advise employers to bargain to impasse in order to engineer a “management strike.” This is an economic strike provoked by the employer followed by the company asking for cuts in wages and benefits and working conditions (i.e. mandatory work over). If negotiations continue the company continues with its bad faith bargaining and if moving at all only does so on trivial, non economic issues. Since all of this will surely be rejected by the union membership, the union has little choice but to call a strike of their own. This of course, is precisely what management wants. At this point replacement workers are called in with the lure of high wages and the promise of permanent employment in the future. If (in our case) transportation services to Air Logistics customers cannot be maintained due to a shortage of pilots it would not be uncommon for like companies to band together and support each other during this time of need. All of these building blocks are the perfect prelude to the decertification process.
In conclusion, let us say that we have tried in broad strokes to paint a picture of what is now happening at Air Logistics. Certainly you see similarities and evidence of the company’s overt tactics. The recent termination of 6 union activists the harsh disciplining of 5 others, the letter of reprimand issued to the employee for transporting tee shirts on company aircraft, the implementation of the “sick day verification.” The threat of mandatory work over, the legal injunction and civil lawsuit are all calculated to intimidate, harass and put fear into union members. Certainly, all of these occurrences and events are designed with one purpose in mind: decertification OPEIU Local 107.
I once again pose the questions....as an outsider to all this...what drives the company to be so reluctant to settle the matter? What issues remain that can be so important that the two parties cannot continue to negotiate. Is one side engaging in "Russian Style"negotiation (I win....you lose) and the other is unable to get a compromise. Are there in fact real issues that need to be resolved that cannot be resolved without one side or the other capitulating and taking a loss? Is it money....work rules or what that divides the two sides?
Lots of people, in addition to the two warring parites, are going to suffer as a result of all this acrimony. It is already taking a toll. Is it just plain "EGO" that is driving this dispute?
That ad was posted earlier in the thread....and I have posted the latest rumours about how many pilots were hired, trained, failed their checkrides, quit, and have found their way onto the line.
Air Log is in fact hiring contract pilots....they are in fact paying far more money to the contract pilots than they do for Union pilots to do workovers....
The other side of the coin is why someone would want to endure what is bound to be coming if the Work Action takes place?
You could not pay me enough to do that.....I would suggest they take their long underwear and overcoats because it is going to be very icy in the crewroom and accomodation before the end of the cooling off period.
Now there is a contradiction....."Cooling off period"....knowing it will get much hotter at the end of the COP if no agreement has been reached.
My advice to the Contract pilots is to carry their toothbrush with them at all times.....leaving it unguarded might be a mistake.
A photograph of it lodged in an unusual place might find its way to their home address.
Devil....
My sources would suggest that if the Air Log management thinks the Union will cave in .....then they are in for a rude surprise. I am sure the management has decided for some reasons known only to them....the right course of action is to fight the union tooth and nail thus the current situation in the GOM. It is plain that the management has undertaken an effort to de-certify the union and is doing a full court press right out of the Union buster's play book. What they overlook is the pilots down there can read too.
The following item found its way to my e-mail ...... The pilots are not completely unaware of what Homer Deakins, et al are all about. Thus, I would suggest the pilots are prepared for the fight and know what is at stake.
UNION BUSTING
Ever since the first employer confronted the first collective bargaining unit, there has been a concerted effort by management to either deny access into the work place by that unit or to defrock it once it got into place. Unable or unwilling to confront these CBU’s (Collective Bargaining Units) on their own, Companies sought out specialist to deal with this perceived problem These specialists were/are consultants and lawyers who focused on one thing: Union Busting or the more formal terminology “decertification” of existing unions. By 1990 this had become a one billion dollar a year business which made it very lucrative. At Air logistics we are now faced with one of the best “specialist” in the Industry: Homer Deakins. His tactics are not new, clever or innovative. In fact they follow a well orchestrated and patented script designed with one purpose in mind: decertification of our union.
We have just finished reading an important paper published by John Logan. Mr. Logan is a lecturer at the prestigious London School of Economics. His paper outlines the tactics and dirty tricks management uses to intimidate, harass, demoralize weaken and ultimately decertify the union. Believe us; decertification of our union appears to be the ultimate goal of management. Over the past two years Management was never interested in negotiating or bargaining for a contract. To the contrary, by reading further you will begin to see how the bargaining process is one of the tools used to demoralize and further weaken solidarity.
“You haven’t lost until you sign a contract” is the mantra that consultants instill in their clients at the outset of any contract negotiations. Based on that statement, companies in general will do whatever it takes to stall and prolong the bargaining process. Bargain to the point of boredom is what many consultants advocate. To do so allows more time for labor and Labor leadership turnover. This turnover in Labor staff creates confusion and dissatisfaction with union representation. The consultants advise employers to bargain to impasse in order to engineer a “management strike.” This is an economic strike provoked by the employer followed by the company asking for cuts in wages and benefits and working conditions (i.e. mandatory work over). If negotiations continue the company continues with its bad faith bargaining and if moving at all only does so on trivial, non economic issues. Since all of this will surely be rejected by the union membership, the union has little choice but to call a strike of their own. This of course, is precisely what management wants. At this point replacement workers are called in with the lure of high wages and the promise of permanent employment in the future. If (in our case) transportation services to Air Logistics customers cannot be maintained due to a shortage of pilots it would not be uncommon for like companies to band together and support each other during this time of need. All of these building blocks are the perfect prelude to the decertification process.
In conclusion, let us say that we have tried in broad strokes to paint a picture of what is now happening at Air Logistics. Certainly you see similarities and evidence of the company’s overt tactics. The recent termination of 6 union activists the harsh disciplining of 5 others, the letter of reprimand issued to the employee for transporting tee shirts on company aircraft, the implementation of the “sick day verification.” The threat of mandatory work over, the legal injunction and civil lawsuit are all calculated to intimidate, harass and put fear into union members. Certainly, all of these occurrences and events are designed with one purpose in mind: decertification OPEIU Local 107.
I once again pose the questions....as an outsider to all this...what drives the company to be so reluctant to settle the matter? What issues remain that can be so important that the two parties cannot continue to negotiate. Is one side engaging in "Russian Style"negotiation (I win....you lose) and the other is unable to get a compromise. Are there in fact real issues that need to be resolved that cannot be resolved without one side or the other capitulating and taking a loss? Is it money....work rules or what that divides the two sides?
Lots of people, in addition to the two warring parites, are going to suffer as a result of all this acrimony. It is already taking a toll. Is it just plain "EGO" that is driving this dispute?
Last edited by SASless; 18th February 2005 at 23:23.
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 0
From: Over here
I think it's ignorance. Any company should know that Homer Deakins has the interests of only one organization in mind - the law firm of Homer Deakins. He cares no more about the client company than he does about the union, and his primary interest is getting more money paid to him. The longer the negotiations go on, the more money he makes. And because he's a lawyer, he is believed, I suppose.
Some studies have been done on comparisons of companies with, and without, unions, notably one published in Scientific American magazine. It found that the most productive, and most profitable, companies were those that had a union and had a good relationship with the union, and allowed it some input into how the companies were run. Next were companies with no union. The least productive, and least profitable, companies by far were those that had a union and an adverserial relationship with it. American Airlines under Crandall is a good example of this, and Southwest Airlines is an example of the former. While maintaining mostly good relations with its unions, Southwest has become one of the most profitable airlines in the world. American, which has had very poor relations with its unions, very nearly went out of business, and is still not profitable. Bitterness caused by strained labor relations doesn't go away quickly, if ever. Air Log will never be as profitable as it could be as long as the current management culture stays in place, and even if it changes tomorrow the bitterness will last for years, if not decades. IMO, it's ignorance of these things, pure and simple, that causes the problems, compounded of course by the inflated egos of overpaid executives.
Some studies have been done on comparisons of companies with, and without, unions, notably one published in Scientific American magazine. It found that the most productive, and most profitable, companies were those that had a union and had a good relationship with the union, and allowed it some input into how the companies were run. Next were companies with no union. The least productive, and least profitable, companies by far were those that had a union and an adverserial relationship with it. American Airlines under Crandall is a good example of this, and Southwest Airlines is an example of the former. While maintaining mostly good relations with its unions, Southwest has become one of the most profitable airlines in the world. American, which has had very poor relations with its unions, very nearly went out of business, and is still not profitable. Bitterness caused by strained labor relations doesn't go away quickly, if ever. Air Log will never be as profitable as it could be as long as the current management culture stays in place, and even if it changes tomorrow the bitterness will last for years, if not decades. IMO, it's ignorance of these things, pure and simple, that causes the problems, compounded of course by the inflated egos of overpaid executives.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 18,633
Likes: 1,072
From: Downeast
Gomer,
It is safe to say that when management is confronted by a union negotiation there are three sets of interests in contention....management, union organizational, and employee interests. Throw in an outside representative like this situation, then I would imagine a fourth set appears.
Depending upon the mandate given ol' Homer by management....and the way his contract was negotiated....could have an effect on the outcome of the process....but to a lesser degree than the others. He might bring that horse to water...but making it drink is another thing. The interesting question to me is whether management instructed ol' Homer to settle with the union or attempt to de-certify the union.
If I were wanting to settle this thing as a manager...why would I hire an outfit with a mouthpiece like ol' Homer that advertises itself as being the world's leading expert on de-certifying unions?
I have heard the union negotiatiing committee at one time went directly to the senior manager and tried to resolve the outstanding issues with him directly....but were referred to the good hands of ol' Homer boy.
Again.....one would think if resolution was the goal....the management would take any route possible to get there....not rebuff a direct approach. The least they could have done would be to summons ol' Homer off his veranda and mint julips to assist in the discussion.....not merely refer the negotiating committee back to the guy that failed to win them over.
History will tell us what the driving factor behind the Air Log situation really was.......hope it isn't a story like the Eastern Airlines, American Airlines, US Air....story.
Latest rumour suggests there was more to the Training Captain being suspended than was originally reported....and had nothing to do with his reporting of the suspected safety issue.
Perhaps someone closer to the facts can clear this up for us?
It is safe to say that when management is confronted by a union negotiation there are three sets of interests in contention....management, union organizational, and employee interests. Throw in an outside representative like this situation, then I would imagine a fourth set appears.
Depending upon the mandate given ol' Homer by management....and the way his contract was negotiated....could have an effect on the outcome of the process....but to a lesser degree than the others. He might bring that horse to water...but making it drink is another thing. The interesting question to me is whether management instructed ol' Homer to settle with the union or attempt to de-certify the union.
If I were wanting to settle this thing as a manager...why would I hire an outfit with a mouthpiece like ol' Homer that advertises itself as being the world's leading expert on de-certifying unions?
I have heard the union negotiatiing committee at one time went directly to the senior manager and tried to resolve the outstanding issues with him directly....but were referred to the good hands of ol' Homer boy.
Again.....one would think if resolution was the goal....the management would take any route possible to get there....not rebuff a direct approach. The least they could have done would be to summons ol' Homer off his veranda and mint julips to assist in the discussion.....not merely refer the negotiating committee back to the guy that failed to win them over.
History will tell us what the driving factor behind the Air Log situation really was.......hope it isn't a story like the Eastern Airlines, American Airlines, US Air....story.
Latest rumour suggests there was more to the Training Captain being suspended than was originally reported....and had nothing to do with his reporting of the suspected safety issue.
Perhaps someone closer to the facts can clear this up for us?
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 103
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From: USA
Guys...I know Homer Deakins. I have dealt extensively with Homer Deakins. And if ANY of you naively think that Air Log is in a negotiating mood, you are seriously, seriously deluded. There is only ONE goal of ALI management and it is not to get a contract. It is to get the union decertified as quickly as possible. The hiring of Homer Deakins is all you need to know.
Mark my words.
This is war.
Mark my words.
This is war.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 18,633
Likes: 1,072
From: Downeast
rotordog....
May I assume you and ol' Home Boy do not trade Christmas cards each year?
The old saying ..."If it walks like a duck...quacks like a duck....and looks like a duck....it just might be a duck!" comes to mind here.
A quick review of the info surfaced so far.....and will try to be fair in my presentation without taking sides...
Union side....
Strike vote 96%
Presented Economical proposal which was flatly refused
After a year , offer was presented to the members.....92% NO.
Informational pickets performed.
Direct approach to Air Log boss....rejected.
Public statement saying they will negotiate at anytime.
Company Side
Hired Home Boy Deakins et al....leading "union buster"
Flatly rejected the first Economical Proposal
After a year, agreed to a package....voted down by 92% vote
No new offer to date....not negotiating
Tells customers and Mechanics compromise is the goal
Multiple firings of union leaders and vocal members
Files lawsuit claiming Bad Faith bargaining by union
Refused direct approach by union to Air Log boss
Somehow I think they are telling the boys and girls in the pilots union it is raining outside.....but I fear it is yellow rain running down the folks necks here.
One man's opinion.
Subsequent to posting this.....I was told of a different view of the situation.....which fills in some missing information from the Air Log company view of the situation.
The "Check Airman" that was fired.....was actually a Maintenance Test Pilot assigned to the training department. He was dismissed for displaying a sign suggesting "contract workers were welcome to go home" or similar unionese language describing line crossers. (No work action has taken place....thus that sobriquet alledged to have been used would have been premature). That dismissal is supposed to now be going through the Grieveance procedure.
The other pilots fired for participating in the "informational picketing" had either done so while "on duty" or had been at the previous picket in Lafayette. The current contract clearly contains a clause that states...."No picketing".
Current contract pilots have no clause in their contract pertaining to crossing picket lines.....and it is their choice if they do or not.
The company has prepared a presentation presenting the company view of the CBA situation and have distributed it to customers and the media.
Ol'Homer was retained by Air Log because his firm is the number one specialist law firm in the field of Railway Labor Act (RLA) Labor law. Those labor contracts amount to only 10% of the total number of the labor contracts in the USA. The company considered the lack of experience within its staff and elected to hire professional CBA negotiators hoping for a timely settlement.
The lawsuit filed by the company is to be heard on the 23rd of February....at which point lots of information will become public knowledge regarding the conduct of negotiation that has so far been privately held. Amongst the issues in that suit is an allegation the union has not negotiated in good faith....and corroboration of the company claim shall be provided at that time.
More information will be posted when available.....it does seem now that there are two very different views of the situation. The caller suggested previouls posts had errors.....and that is no doubt true. This being an open forum.....anyone contesting anything said is free to reply and attempt to set the record straight.
This is in fact a rumour net......and in the absence of truth and facts.....rumours shall persist.
Anyone close to the company and/or union side that can help delineate the issues that separate the two parties?
May I assume you and ol' Home Boy do not trade Christmas cards each year?
The old saying ..."If it walks like a duck...quacks like a duck....and looks like a duck....it just might be a duck!" comes to mind here.
A quick review of the info surfaced so far.....and will try to be fair in my presentation without taking sides...
Union side....
Strike vote 96%
Presented Economical proposal which was flatly refused
After a year , offer was presented to the members.....92% NO.
Informational pickets performed.
Direct approach to Air Log boss....rejected.
Public statement saying they will negotiate at anytime.
Company Side
Hired Home Boy Deakins et al....leading "union buster"
Flatly rejected the first Economical Proposal
After a year, agreed to a package....voted down by 92% vote
No new offer to date....not negotiating
Tells customers and Mechanics compromise is the goal
Multiple firings of union leaders and vocal members
Files lawsuit claiming Bad Faith bargaining by union
Refused direct approach by union to Air Log boss
Somehow I think they are telling the boys and girls in the pilots union it is raining outside.....but I fear it is yellow rain running down the folks necks here.
One man's opinion.
Subsequent to posting this.....I was told of a different view of the situation.....which fills in some missing information from the Air Log company view of the situation.
The "Check Airman" that was fired.....was actually a Maintenance Test Pilot assigned to the training department. He was dismissed for displaying a sign suggesting "contract workers were welcome to go home" or similar unionese language describing line crossers. (No work action has taken place....thus that sobriquet alledged to have been used would have been premature). That dismissal is supposed to now be going through the Grieveance procedure.
The other pilots fired for participating in the "informational picketing" had either done so while "on duty" or had been at the previous picket in Lafayette. The current contract clearly contains a clause that states...."No picketing".
Current contract pilots have no clause in their contract pertaining to crossing picket lines.....and it is their choice if they do or not.
The company has prepared a presentation presenting the company view of the CBA situation and have distributed it to customers and the media.
Ol'Homer was retained by Air Log because his firm is the number one specialist law firm in the field of Railway Labor Act (RLA) Labor law. Those labor contracts amount to only 10% of the total number of the labor contracts in the USA. The company considered the lack of experience within its staff and elected to hire professional CBA negotiators hoping for a timely settlement.
The lawsuit filed by the company is to be heard on the 23rd of February....at which point lots of information will become public knowledge regarding the conduct of negotiation that has so far been privately held. Amongst the issues in that suit is an allegation the union has not negotiated in good faith....and corroboration of the company claim shall be provided at that time.
More information will be posted when available.....it does seem now that there are two very different views of the situation. The caller suggested previouls posts had errors.....and that is no doubt true. This being an open forum.....anyone contesting anything said is free to reply and attempt to set the record straight.
This is in fact a rumour net......and in the absence of truth and facts.....rumours shall persist.
Anyone close to the company and/or union side that can help delineate the issues that separate the two parties?
Last edited by SASless; 19th February 2005 at 20:07.
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: south
Hey Gomer Pylot -put up or shut up
Ok mr. Expert - here's your chance - refute one thing in the post above yours from the "company" side with your facts.
Such as why Mullen was let go and his position, or any of the other things, such as the info about the "picketers" or the federal lawsuit. You say the company is blowing smoke - put up or shut up - capish?
What's the matter - union cat got your tongue? Thought so.
Such as why Mullen was let go and his position, or any of the other things, such as the info about the "picketers" or the federal lawsuit. You say the company is blowing smoke - put up or shut up - capish?
What's the matter - union cat got your tongue? Thought so.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 18,633
Likes: 1,072
From: Downeast
Industrial Helicopters aircraft seen at Grasso and thought to be subcontracted to Air Log is now reported as not being in anyway connected to Air Log and was operating directly between Grasso and Industrial.
The same source says there is no subcontracting agreement in existence between Air Log and Industrial.
Yet another example of something that can be seen differently when viewed from various perspectives.
We have one report for...one against this being true.....any tie breakers out there?
The same source says there is no subcontracting agreement in existence between Air Log and Industrial.
Yet another example of something that can be seen differently when viewed from various perspectives.
We have one report for...one against this being true.....any tie breakers out there?
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 18,633
Likes: 1,072
From: Downeast
Logpilot,
I think you might just want to check the source of your information regarding Captain Mullen. It was reported to me today that if Captain Bob Mullen has been sacked for misconduct then there has been a slight error on the company's part for he has not been told yet....and currently considers himself to be a full fledged member of the Air Logistics pilot staff extant. Or is my information source in error?
Did you perchance, really mean to say a guy named Holland or something like that and merely have a slip of the tongue. You know the old saw about a slip of the tongue and you can find yourself in the ....well...in it.
A second bit of rumour and innuendo surfaced as well....we have heard of the one lawsuit filed by the company against the union but what of the alledged six suits filed or to be filed by the union against the company?
Are there that many suits flying around besides Ol'Homer.
There was made mention in a US based website that purports to be the best helicopter website in the world (it most assuredly is not) that a Union Negotiating Team member jumped ship and is now a Base Manager for the company.
Is that a fact?
It leads one to believe, based upon Duck Law, that maybe the company may have had an unfair advantage during the negotiation process.
Was that base manager's job advertised and open for competition by any qualified individual or was that a spot promotion for meritorious service above and beyond the call of duty? Why would the company select a known union activist to be a base manager in the middle of a hotly contested CBA negotiation? Interesting situation that without benefit of knowing the truth....raises some eyebrows.
That promotion sure begs the question of how such a staunch union man could overnight elect to forsake his union brothers and join the very management team that is hotly contesting the negotiating strategy he was a part of planning.
Considering his situation....just what was he thinking when he made the move? Surely, he knew that would cause tongues to wag and generate suspicion amongst those he left? He is a far, far, braver man than I. You reckon he discussed the potential move with his close friends and associates on the negotiation committee (union side) and sought their counsel before he announced his resignation from the committee and union?
Please Logpilot.....if I am off base here....set the record straight.
I think you might just want to check the source of your information regarding Captain Mullen. It was reported to me today that if Captain Bob Mullen has been sacked for misconduct then there has been a slight error on the company's part for he has not been told yet....and currently considers himself to be a full fledged member of the Air Logistics pilot staff extant. Or is my information source in error?
Did you perchance, really mean to say a guy named Holland or something like that and merely have a slip of the tongue. You know the old saw about a slip of the tongue and you can find yourself in the ....well...in it.
A second bit of rumour and innuendo surfaced as well....we have heard of the one lawsuit filed by the company against the union but what of the alledged six suits filed or to be filed by the union against the company?
Are there that many suits flying around besides Ol'Homer.
There was made mention in a US based website that purports to be the best helicopter website in the world (it most assuredly is not) that a Union Negotiating Team member jumped ship and is now a Base Manager for the company.
Is that a fact?
It leads one to believe, based upon Duck Law, that maybe the company may have had an unfair advantage during the negotiation process.
Was that base manager's job advertised and open for competition by any qualified individual or was that a spot promotion for meritorious service above and beyond the call of duty? Why would the company select a known union activist to be a base manager in the middle of a hotly contested CBA negotiation? Interesting situation that without benefit of knowing the truth....raises some eyebrows.
That promotion sure begs the question of how such a staunch union man could overnight elect to forsake his union brothers and join the very management team that is hotly contesting the negotiating strategy he was a part of planning.
Considering his situation....just what was he thinking when he made the move? Surely, he knew that would cause tongues to wag and generate suspicion amongst those he left? He is a far, far, braver man than I. You reckon he discussed the potential move with his close friends and associates on the negotiation committee (union side) and sought their counsel before he announced his resignation from the committee and union?
Please Logpilot.....if I am off base here....set the record straight.