Pilot Strike Looms Large at Air Log in the GOM
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Pilot Strike Looms Large at Air Log in the GOM
The latest information out of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiation between Air Log Pilots and OLOG's Air Logistics unit seems headed to a walkout by pilots unless the management decides to compromise.
The news from the negotiation indicates the Local 107, OPIEU, has made its third counter proposal December 13th and the company is supposed to have stuck with their usual response of "Your pay proposal is preposterous! There is no rationale for your proposal. There will be no retroactivity...we are not going to pay for the lack of movement over the past months."
The Pilots Union must wait for the Federal Mediator to announce a deadlock and release the parties before further job action may be taken.
Informal polls show an overwhelming support amongst the pilots for shop action to include walking out unless the company comes to the bargaining table with an acceptable proposal.
A smart financial play by those invested in Offshore Logistics (symbol OLG ) would be to start selling shares now in advance of labor actions adversely affecting the OLOG share prices. The stock has been downrated recently by Jeffrie analysts. Maybe they are aware of the serious gap between the Union proposals and the Air Log position.
The latest company proposal was for a pay rise in the amount of approximately 3.4% over a four year contract with no increases for the first two years. Under the company proposal, 28 pilots would actually receive a reduction in pay based upon the company pay plan.
The company pay proposal does not even meet the current annual cost of living increase figures as calculated by the Federal government.
This situation, in conjunction with the current unrest in the Bristow/UK unit of OLOG seems to indicate a management policy that is designed to cause the company severe financial problems in the future should strike actions be called in both their US and UK operations.
The news from the negotiation indicates the Local 107, OPIEU, has made its third counter proposal December 13th and the company is supposed to have stuck with their usual response of "Your pay proposal is preposterous! There is no rationale for your proposal. There will be no retroactivity...we are not going to pay for the lack of movement over the past months."
The Pilots Union must wait for the Federal Mediator to announce a deadlock and release the parties before further job action may be taken.
Informal polls show an overwhelming support amongst the pilots for shop action to include walking out unless the company comes to the bargaining table with an acceptable proposal.
A smart financial play by those invested in Offshore Logistics (symbol OLG ) would be to start selling shares now in advance of labor actions adversely affecting the OLOG share prices. The stock has been downrated recently by Jeffrie analysts. Maybe they are aware of the serious gap between the Union proposals and the Air Log position.
The latest company proposal was for a pay rise in the amount of approximately 3.4% over a four year contract with no increases for the first two years. Under the company proposal, 28 pilots would actually receive a reduction in pay based upon the company pay plan.
The company pay proposal does not even meet the current annual cost of living increase figures as calculated by the Federal government.
This situation, in conjunction with the current unrest in the Bristow/UK unit of OLOG seems to indicate a management policy that is designed to cause the company severe financial problems in the future should strike actions be called in both their US and UK operations.
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Found this at the OLOG Web Site.....
Insider trading for Neil Osborne alone amounted to $688,826 since 7 October 03 alone. Wonder what he knows?
Insider trading for Michael Rizk (head of the Alaska Operation for Air Log) was $1,456,017 since mid-June 2002. Wonder what he knows?
Insider trading by former Director Louis Crane was $3,039,460.
Insider trading for Neil Osborne alone amounted to $688,826 since 7 October 03 alone. Wonder what he knows?
Insider trading for Michael Rizk (head of the Alaska Operation for Air Log) was $1,456,017 since mid-June 2002. Wonder what he knows?
Insider trading by former Director Louis Crane was $3,039,460.
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Union and Air Log are now deadlocked. Union made fourth proposal....Company offered nothing but a "We will consider your proposal...." Union now awaiting a "Release" from the Federal Mediator....then Strike Vote....then Strike....unless the company offers some compromise that is acceptable to the Union.
Sounds as though the Union is holding out for a "Bench Marked" pay scheme which will provide a substantial pay rise for the pilots. The company's only offer resulted in an actual pay decrease for 28 pilots and provided a 3.4% rise over four years with no rise for the first two years.
Also...PHI is to start negotiating their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in the near future....wonder how that will play out as well. Rumors abound that PHI is for sale again. Reckon CHC will buy PHI and then be a competitor in the Gulf Of Mexico (GOM) against their rival OLOG?
Informal poll of the Air Log Union members confirms a very strong solidarity amongst the pilots and suggests a Strike Vote will be overwhelmingly popular.
Wonder if the UK Bristow pilots , BALPA, and the Air Log Union members can join forces in dealing with OLOG management? It would certainly submit OLOG to some severe financial hardship if that were to happen. No doubt the Share Price would suffer as a result.
Sounds as though the Union is holding out for a "Bench Marked" pay scheme which will provide a substantial pay rise for the pilots. The company's only offer resulted in an actual pay decrease for 28 pilots and provided a 3.4% rise over four years with no rise for the first two years.
Also...PHI is to start negotiating their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in the near future....wonder how that will play out as well. Rumors abound that PHI is for sale again. Reckon CHC will buy PHI and then be a competitor in the Gulf Of Mexico (GOM) against their rival OLOG?
Informal poll of the Air Log Union members confirms a very strong solidarity amongst the pilots and suggests a Strike Vote will be overwhelmingly popular.
Wonder if the UK Bristow pilots , BALPA, and the Air Log Union members can join forces in dealing with OLOG management? It would certainly submit OLOG to some severe financial hardship if that were to happen. No doubt the Share Price would suffer as a result.
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In Bristow and CHC Scotia (Aberdeen) a couple of years ago the only way the substantial pay rise agreement was reached was by the pilots in both companies giving the unions a mandate for strike action - and planning on seeing it through.
The results were swift as the companies knew the pilots were serious.
Mind you, since then all other benefits - pensions, loss of licence provision etc. has been under massive attack from 'management'.
The results were swift as the companies knew the pilots were serious.
Mind you, since then all other benefits - pensions, loss of licence provision etc. has been under massive attack from 'management'.
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CHC interested in PHI?
If CHC wants to buy PHI they will face regulatory hurdles. The FAA maintains that 70% of the ownership of a Part 135 air carrier such as PHI must be owned or controlled by US citizens. I believe CHC could own a majority pf PHI as long as 70% of the voting control was done by US citizens. Olog owns part of Bristow, the UK rules are more lenient, UK citizens must own 50% of the stock plus one share.
PPRuNe Time
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They hope they can reach an agreement before any action is taken by the union, but there are certain steps that need to be taken before we'll see picket signs go up. Air Logistics and professional pilots have been in mediation for months, according to the pilots' union. The pilots want more money, better benefits, and union security.
"We have been notoriously underpaid for a long time," says union president Ken Bruner. "We feel now is a good time to establish a decent pay for professional pilots and set the bar."
Bruner says the mediation isn't working, so they're asking to be let out. After that they must go through a 30 day cooling off period. In that time neither the union nor Air Llogistics can take any action against the other. After the 30 days, anything is fair game, including a strike.
"They're just pretty firm in what they think we should be paid," says Bruner.
In a prepared statement representatives from Air Logistics say calls to strike and letters to the media are a common negotiating practice by unions. The union sent out more than 300 ballots to members asking for permission to strike if necessary. The union president says it shouldn't be a problem getting enough votes.
"We've only been a union for four years, but that's been the case so far," says Bruner.
The company says they're scheduled for another negotiation meeting in Dallas next month. If the pilots do strike, however, Air Logistics has a contingency plan and will continue to operate.
"We have been notoriously underpaid for a long time," says union president Ken Bruner. "We feel now is a good time to establish a decent pay for professional pilots and set the bar."
Bruner says the mediation isn't working, so they're asking to be let out. After that they must go through a 30 day cooling off period. In that time neither the union nor Air Llogistics can take any action against the other. After the 30 days, anything is fair game, including a strike.
"They're just pretty firm in what they think we should be paid," says Bruner.
In a prepared statement representatives from Air Logistics say calls to strike and letters to the media are a common negotiating practice by unions. The union sent out more than 300 ballots to members asking for permission to strike if necessary. The union president says it shouldn't be a problem getting enough votes.
"We've only been a union for four years, but that's been the case so far," says Bruner.
The company says they're scheduled for another negotiation meeting in Dallas next month. If the pilots do strike, however, Air Logistics has a contingency plan and will continue to operate.
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ATPMBA
If my recollections are correct Mr Dobbin has no problem in changing nationality if the prize is worth it.
ie: CHC bys OLOG or part thereof and then unifies the North Sea companies.
Then BP and the other overbearing bullies will be back to facing two operators on the North Sea again, rates and investments could be driven upwards and peace restored (for a while at least) until the cycle repeats itself.
If my recollections are correct Mr Dobbin has no problem in changing nationality if the prize is worth it.
ie: CHC bys OLOG or part thereof and then unifies the North Sea companies.
Then BP and the other overbearing bullies will be back to facing two operators on the North Sea again, rates and investments could be driven upwards and peace restored (for a while at least) until the cycle repeats itself.
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The strike vote is underway at AirLog, and will be counted on January 24, 2004. Every pilot that I have talked with has voted to strike. OLog management seems to be on a self destructive mission, they will not include our pilots in Alaska, even though they are under the same contract. The pilots of Alaska are being treated like second class citizens. The union is clear One Contract, One Company, One Retroactive/Benchmark Contract. To our Bristow Brothers and Sisters, the pilots in the GOM are 100% behind our negociators.
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Gomex....
I reckon the company feels the union pay demand is unreasonable and rightfully determined the pilots in Alaska are not covered by the existing contract despite the court rulings. Any truth to the rumour that Neil Osborne got shifted out of the UK for being too easy in dealing with the Bristow pilots pay demands of a few years ago? Rumour has it that he returned to the warm embrace of the Air Log management to find himself stashed away in a spare broom closet with no real duties. Reckon he sees a better future at Tex-Air?
I notice the OLOG share prices are heading south...reckon the bad news is out....Yahoo had some very interesting discussions....went to the financial page...typed in OLG for the OLOG stock symbol....and read the discussions. Not very flattering.
I have been told the original pay demand....that would have cost Air Log 8 million US Dollars per year....out of 18 Million US Dollars that went for management bonuses for 7 executives last year...would only have reduced the company's profit margin by 5% to 23% vice the current 28%.
You have any information on those matters?
I reckon the company feels the union pay demand is unreasonable and rightfully determined the pilots in Alaska are not covered by the existing contract despite the court rulings. Any truth to the rumour that Neil Osborne got shifted out of the UK for being too easy in dealing with the Bristow pilots pay demands of a few years ago? Rumour has it that he returned to the warm embrace of the Air Log management to find himself stashed away in a spare broom closet with no real duties. Reckon he sees a better future at Tex-Air?
I notice the OLOG share prices are heading south...reckon the bad news is out....Yahoo had some very interesting discussions....went to the financial page...typed in OLG for the OLOG stock symbol....and read the discussions. Not very flattering.
I have been told the original pay demand....that would have cost Air Log 8 million US Dollars per year....out of 18 Million US Dollars that went for management bonuses for 7 executives last year...would only have reduced the company's profit margin by 5% to 23% vice the current 28%.
You have any information on those matters?
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Heard yesterday of meeting called by Air Log management for all Training Captains and Check Airmen (TRE/IRE). It was reported that the training department staff (all Union members) were told they had 48 hours to decide whether they would continue to work during a strike and whether they would train/check contract replacement pilots prior to and during the strike. The company made no bones about it...either they do...or they shall leave the training department and be replaced by those that will comply with the company's wishes.
AirLog Alaska is advertising for a new guy's class to start 23 Feb for the "Summer Season" in Alaska. Rumor has it that one must swear a blood oath to cross the picket lines if/when the strike occurs in order to be hired. Any one know why they would hire in February for a Summer Season that historically starts in Late April or Early May?
A pilot's meeting was held in New Iberia last week....almost 90 pilots attended. No doubt the pilots shall strike....unless the company gets its head out.
AirLog Alaska is advertising for a new guy's class to start 23 Feb for the "Summer Season" in Alaska. Rumor has it that one must swear a blood oath to cross the picket lines if/when the strike occurs in order to be hired. Any one know why they would hire in February for a Summer Season that historically starts in Late April or Early May?
A pilot's meeting was held in New Iberia last week....almost 90 pilots attended. No doubt the pilots shall strike....unless the company gets its head out.
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Our colleagues in the GOM deserve respect and support in their endeavour to secure necessary and well deserved improvements in terms and conditions.
Both the pilots of PHI and AirLog made impressive improvements last time around, but still have a long way to go.
Their customers are in a position where they easily can afford the minute increases in the cost to running their oil fields which would be the result of a negotiated agreement between management and pilots at AirLog. Hopefully management will realize this before it is too late.
Strike breaking activity has been a last ditch effort throughouot history. It leads to bad blood between management, unions members and the strike breakers. The wounds take a long time to heal, if left unattended.
No one respects a strike breaker, who effectively risks ruining his reputation within his line of work for the remainder of his career.
Pilots contemplating adhering to threats from management should keep in mind that management would in effect be using scabs as expandable canon fooder in a dirty war. Later on, after the dust has settled, management and unions will at one point sit down to find ways to heal the wounds. The guys or girls who took a wrong turn during legal industrial actions would not be part of the solution.
Best of luck to colleagues in AirLog!
Both the pilots of PHI and AirLog made impressive improvements last time around, but still have a long way to go.
Their customers are in a position where they easily can afford the minute increases in the cost to running their oil fields which would be the result of a negotiated agreement between management and pilots at AirLog. Hopefully management will realize this before it is too late.
Strike breaking activity has been a last ditch effort throughouot history. It leads to bad blood between management, unions members and the strike breakers. The wounds take a long time to heal, if left unattended.
No one respects a strike breaker, who effectively risks ruining his reputation within his line of work for the remainder of his career.
Pilots contemplating adhering to threats from management should keep in mind that management would in effect be using scabs as expandable canon fooder in a dirty war. Later on, after the dust has settled, management and unions will at one point sit down to find ways to heal the wounds. The guys or girls who took a wrong turn during legal industrial actions would not be part of the solution.
Best of luck to colleagues in AirLog!
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Thanks for the update SASless.I'm sure I speak for most of the pilots in the UK N.Sea sector when I say that our colleagues in Air Logistics/OLOG have our total suport.
DON'T GIVE IN TO BULLY BOY TACTICS.
How can supposedly 'intellegent' business leaders say that a pay deal worth $8m will bankrupt a company, when, at the same time, they can give bonuses worth $18m to a few directors? Will those same directors give their bonuses back if the OLOG share price hits rock bottom because of their incompetence? I think not! Do they think we all all stupid?
WE WILL BE IF WE ALLOW THEM TO GET AWAY WITH ALL THIS SH*T YET AGAIN!
We work in support of some of the richest companies in the history of commerce: the oil companies.
WE hold them by the b***s. It is time we squeezed them instead of just providing support!
Full Support
Best of luck to all my collegues in the GOM.
Our combined management seems to be on a "self-destruct" mission, trying to treat us, the workforce as if there was no tomorrow.
By the way Bristow just lost another contract (Con Phil) in the Northsea to CHC.
Management still employed; not even under threat.
Our combined management seems to be on a "self-destruct" mission, trying to treat us, the workforce as if there was no tomorrow.
By the way Bristow just lost another contract (Con Phil) in the Northsea to CHC.
Management still employed; not even under threat.
"Just a pilot"
As a former GOM'er (in the yellow helicopters), I sympathise with and support my colleagues at Air Log completely.
I have a hard time imagining what management expects to gain with their "bloody-mindedness." Pilots are a naturally independent and contrary lot. The management style employed by Air Log is what drives us to unite and emphasises the importance of standing by our brothers.
As Ben Franklin said "We must all hang together, or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately."
I have a hard time imagining what management expects to gain with their "bloody-mindedness." Pilots are a naturally independent and contrary lot. The management style employed by Air Log is what drives us to unite and emphasises the importance of standing by our brothers.
As Ben Franklin said "We must all hang together, or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately."
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Maybe all us guys should send our Resume's to AirLog in New Iberia....see what the pay and per diem rates are. That way they would have a few thousand recent Resumes to take to the Union...then a canvas could be done...compare pay...benefits...working conditions...see how it fits. I am 25% over starting wage for Air Log...even with the five years seniority they will grudgingly give you...have better health insurance...work fewer days....live at home on work days unless I am doing a 24...get a pension contribution that exceeds the Safety Bonus they want to take away at Air Log...gosh....maybe the company would catch on to the fact they need to improve the Gomer's Lot in life. I guess I could always commute 1200 miles each way to/from work...devote 10 of 14 days to work or commuting (they do not fly you to work).
Wonder if the company will discuss their turnover rate prior to the start of all this turmoil....I heard something like 300 pilots in 18 months....but do not hold me to the exact number. It was liken to the turnover rate for some of the worst trucking outfits in the US. That alone should be a mark of pride to the company...not being able to hold onto pilots.
PHI is on mandatory workover now....short of pilots already...Tex Air cannot hire enough to fill their vacancies...Air Log was short prior to the turmoil...heck...maybe pay will go up anyway.
Wonder if the company will discuss their turnover rate prior to the start of all this turmoil....I heard something like 300 pilots in 18 months....but do not hold me to the exact number. It was liken to the turnover rate for some of the worst trucking outfits in the US. That alone should be a mark of pride to the company...not being able to hold onto pilots.
PHI is on mandatory workover now....short of pilots already...Tex Air cannot hire enough to fill their vacancies...Air Log was short prior to the turmoil...heck...maybe pay will go up anyway.
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Talked to an AirDog guy night of the 24th....he said the vote was being tallied...final attempts to makes sure everyone that wanted to vote had done so. Tally will be done and results announced when complete. He reported pilots remain united...all informal polls showed very strong support for strike if required.