Pilots who went on strike let go by PHI
A friend of my recently retired from US Air, he took a 60% hit on his pension. He gets 4800 USD per month after the hit. The US taxpayer, thanks to the Airlines and other Big Business, passed the pension bills over to the government for payment. Granted the airlines and other big business payed some insurance premiums for that coverage but nowhere near the amount this is going to cost the Government.
He also had a contract that lodged him in nice hotels when away, paid for his meals, provided transport to and from work when away, a great loss of license insurance policy, a no cost medical insurance plan, a work roster that limited him to 75 flying hours per month and a very nice pension at age 60.
He also operated very well maintained and equipped aircraft out of very well instrumented and monitored airports, on published routes with full ATC and weather services, had Dispatchers and other staff to look after the details of the trip for him and do all the flight planning for him.
His biggest worry was not being able to find a patch of smooth air to keep the people in back happy.
He got all that by means of a very strong union called ALPA. A union that got started way back when airline flying was exactly like helicopter flying is and has been.
After a full career flying for any US helicopter operator....union or non-union....how you reckon you would/do compare with that?
How many PHI pilots died as a result of a crash last year....the year before....and the year before that? How many US Air pilots have died in crashes in the past three years?
Anyone wish to explain how much easier it is to do a night Rig Radar Approach a few hundred miles out to sea with bare minimum weather as compared to doing an ILS approach to a major international airport?
Who works harder, takes more risks, has less help and assistance....the airline pilot or the helicopter pilot?
Who says we are not worth far more than we get?
He also had a contract that lodged him in nice hotels when away, paid for his meals, provided transport to and from work when away, a great loss of license insurance policy, a no cost medical insurance plan, a work roster that limited him to 75 flying hours per month and a very nice pension at age 60.
He also operated very well maintained and equipped aircraft out of very well instrumented and monitored airports, on published routes with full ATC and weather services, had Dispatchers and other staff to look after the details of the trip for him and do all the flight planning for him.
His biggest worry was not being able to find a patch of smooth air to keep the people in back happy.
He got all that by means of a very strong union called ALPA. A union that got started way back when airline flying was exactly like helicopter flying is and has been.
After a full career flying for any US helicopter operator....union or non-union....how you reckon you would/do compare with that?
How many PHI pilots died as a result of a crash last year....the year before....and the year before that? How many US Air pilots have died in crashes in the past three years?
Anyone wish to explain how much easier it is to do a night Rig Radar Approach a few hundred miles out to sea with bare minimum weather as compared to doing an ILS approach to a major international airport?
Who works harder, takes more risks, has less help and assistance....the airline pilot or the helicopter pilot?
Who says we are not worth far more than we get?
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"A friend of my recently retired from US Air, he took a 60% hit on his pension."
The bottm line. When one prepares for 20+ years to retire and takes that kind of a hit, it hurts. He may have a comfotable retirement but the hit was not part of the bargin. Furthermore, there is no recourse.
As to the fancy Airplanes etc, and nice conditions etc., versus non air conditioned Helicopters in the gulf........Well thats all about choices in life. Some make good ones the rest of us live with ours.
The bottm line. When one prepares for 20+ years to retire and takes that kind of a hit, it hurts. He may have a comfotable retirement but the hit was not part of the bargin. Furthermore, there is no recourse.
As to the fancy Airplanes etc, and nice conditions etc., versus non air conditioned Helicopters in the gulf........Well thats all about choices in life. Some make good ones the rest of us live with ours.
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Even baseballplayers have a union in the states.
Letter Posted at the PHI Union web site
Bert,
My US Air buddy was not looking for sympathy....he clearly stated that but wanted to describe what it feels like to have that happen. The Defined Benefit Plan (company funded pension) was thought to be fully funded and "safe as houses" until the crunch came. He acknowledges he is well off no matter the pension plan failure but still when one thinks all is right with life and this happens.....he deserves a certain amount of concern.
If you will recall, when the Bristow North Sea guys went for the benchmark salary concept, the immediate wail heard from management was they could not fund the pension plan at those levels of pay. Granted they ignored the "investment holidays" over the years when they contributed not one farthing into the pension scheme as their mandatory contribution was covered by the proceeds of the funds investments (and lack of retiree's following layoffs and such).
The last big fight at UPS for the truck drivers involved "control of the medical and pension funds". Any reason why management wanted to take control of the funds? Remember the US Government was a trustee following the Teamster/Mafia problems.
Dateline: 01 October 2006
To the Fine Upstanding Members of Local 108,
As I write from my quiet desk in Lincoln, Nebraska, I remain confounded that in September of 2006, fellow professional helicopters pilots were forced to go out on strike; that, as of this day, fellow professional helicopter pilots continue to strike; and, most troubling of all, that the employers we've so faithfully served throughout the decades- those who enjoy increasingly grander success as the result of our skills and labor- refuse to acknowledge, in even the most basic sense, our contribution to Their unprecedented prosperity.
I'll not waste words convincing those of you standing up for yourselves that you're doing the right thing- you already know this. I would however, with your permission, like to address the sources and true victims of this predicament, as the words will be much better spent.
To the company: know that the time is upon you to make good-faith amends with your dedicated and irreplaceable work force. They are your most valuable resource and the very reason the company exists; despite your wildest hopes, there is no replacing them. Also, do not believe that those who have chosen to continue to work do so because of an affinity towards the company. True, there are still handfuls of people here and there that really believe the company is doing right by them, but mostly, it's just people who neither respect the company, nor have the guts to do anything about it. This is bad for the company and here's why: invariably the timid become empowered either through understanding the truth, through opportunity, through leadership or through all of these.
The helicopter industry is not a case study in the well-known decline of the labor movement in this country. Quite the opposite, it is an exceptional case study of a highly modernized, highly professional industry where the operators have simply failed and/or refused to uphold the prevailing standards of modern professionalism that exist today. Your reluctance to recognize "the times" is ravaging this industry and unless there are significant changes on the immediate horizon there will be dire consequences held to your account.
To the picket line crossers: a lesson in solidarity was demonstrated most recently at your very own, sister organization, Local 107. Because President Bruner and the Membership of 107 are too humble to openly say it, I will take the liberty to do so. They achieved their favorable contract and averted a strike by one reason, and one reason alone. It was not because Air Log became overwhelmed with some new-found peace with the Union. It wasn't because the 107 negotiators somehow pulled a fast one on them. It was because their Membership stood up, stood together, and made it known what they were willing to settle for- period. There are a few occasions in life when men are required to make difficult choices that transcend their immediate comfort for the greater good of all. This is one of those times. In these critical instances we do not have the luxury of picking the time and the place; it just comes about and one must answer the call. In your short-sightedness, you've lulled yourselves into believing that you somehow control your own fate. The irony of all ironies here is that you not only forfeit your potential to control your own fate in your desire for immediate contentment, but through your fainthearted inaction, you sacrifice both your own and your entire constituency's future. I urge you to seriously consider the overall results of your unwillingness to participate in this action. This decision by your Union was authorized first, through a majority vote; and secondly through careful and thoughtful analysis by some very, very experienced people and therefore, it should be honored. Simply put, the responsibility is yours, whether you accept it or not.
To the customers and those who's well being we are entrusted with: first of all, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you for the support that you offer in this trying and difficult situation. We can only do what we know is right in our attempts to resolve the issues that do and will undoubtedly have a profound and direct effect on you through the services we desire to provide.
And to the Fine Upstanding Members of Local 108: have confidence in knowing that you have the full support of the Membership of your sister Locals within the PHPA, as well as the highly respected Firefighters and Law Enforcement Officers. Above all else- all else- take great pride in knowing that history will tell the true story and you will be at peace knowing the part each and every one of you played in it.
In Solidarity and With the Utmost Respect,
Troy V. Montanez
President, Local 109
My US Air buddy was not looking for sympathy....he clearly stated that but wanted to describe what it feels like to have that happen. The Defined Benefit Plan (company funded pension) was thought to be fully funded and "safe as houses" until the crunch came. He acknowledges he is well off no matter the pension plan failure but still when one thinks all is right with life and this happens.....he deserves a certain amount of concern.
If you will recall, when the Bristow North Sea guys went for the benchmark salary concept, the immediate wail heard from management was they could not fund the pension plan at those levels of pay. Granted they ignored the "investment holidays" over the years when they contributed not one farthing into the pension scheme as their mandatory contribution was covered by the proceeds of the funds investments (and lack of retiree's following layoffs and such).
The last big fight at UPS for the truck drivers involved "control of the medical and pension funds". Any reason why management wanted to take control of the funds? Remember the US Government was a trustee following the Teamster/Mafia problems.
Dateline: 01 October 2006
To the Fine Upstanding Members of Local 108,
As I write from my quiet desk in Lincoln, Nebraska, I remain confounded that in September of 2006, fellow professional helicopters pilots were forced to go out on strike; that, as of this day, fellow professional helicopter pilots continue to strike; and, most troubling of all, that the employers we've so faithfully served throughout the decades- those who enjoy increasingly grander success as the result of our skills and labor- refuse to acknowledge, in even the most basic sense, our contribution to Their unprecedented prosperity.
I'll not waste words convincing those of you standing up for yourselves that you're doing the right thing- you already know this. I would however, with your permission, like to address the sources and true victims of this predicament, as the words will be much better spent.
To the company: know that the time is upon you to make good-faith amends with your dedicated and irreplaceable work force. They are your most valuable resource and the very reason the company exists; despite your wildest hopes, there is no replacing them. Also, do not believe that those who have chosen to continue to work do so because of an affinity towards the company. True, there are still handfuls of people here and there that really believe the company is doing right by them, but mostly, it's just people who neither respect the company, nor have the guts to do anything about it. This is bad for the company and here's why: invariably the timid become empowered either through understanding the truth, through opportunity, through leadership or through all of these.
The helicopter industry is not a case study in the well-known decline of the labor movement in this country. Quite the opposite, it is an exceptional case study of a highly modernized, highly professional industry where the operators have simply failed and/or refused to uphold the prevailing standards of modern professionalism that exist today. Your reluctance to recognize "the times" is ravaging this industry and unless there are significant changes on the immediate horizon there will be dire consequences held to your account.
To the picket line crossers: a lesson in solidarity was demonstrated most recently at your very own, sister organization, Local 107. Because President Bruner and the Membership of 107 are too humble to openly say it, I will take the liberty to do so. They achieved their favorable contract and averted a strike by one reason, and one reason alone. It was not because Air Log became overwhelmed with some new-found peace with the Union. It wasn't because the 107 negotiators somehow pulled a fast one on them. It was because their Membership stood up, stood together, and made it known what they were willing to settle for- period. There are a few occasions in life when men are required to make difficult choices that transcend their immediate comfort for the greater good of all. This is one of those times. In these critical instances we do not have the luxury of picking the time and the place; it just comes about and one must answer the call. In your short-sightedness, you've lulled yourselves into believing that you somehow control your own fate. The irony of all ironies here is that you not only forfeit your potential to control your own fate in your desire for immediate contentment, but through your fainthearted inaction, you sacrifice both your own and your entire constituency's future. I urge you to seriously consider the overall results of your unwillingness to participate in this action. This decision by your Union was authorized first, through a majority vote; and secondly through careful and thoughtful analysis by some very, very experienced people and therefore, it should be honored. Simply put, the responsibility is yours, whether you accept it or not.
To the customers and those who's well being we are entrusted with: first of all, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you for the support that you offer in this trying and difficult situation. We can only do what we know is right in our attempts to resolve the issues that do and will undoubtedly have a profound and direct effect on you through the services we desire to provide.
And to the Fine Upstanding Members of Local 108: have confidence in knowing that you have the full support of the Membership of your sister Locals within the PHPA, as well as the highly respected Firefighters and Law Enforcement Officers. Above all else- all else- take great pride in knowing that history will tell the true story and you will be at peace knowing the part each and every one of you played in it.
In Solidarity and With the Utmost Respect,
Troy V. Montanez
President, Local 109
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So the airline pilot has a pension of 'only' $4800/month? What do you think my pension will be? I can tell you to within one dollar - precisely zero. I have no pension at all, and neither do any other helicopter pilots I know. ALPA may not have saved some pensions entirely, but at least there are pensions, due entirely to that union. $4800/month is more than zero. Airline pilots' pensions may have diminished, but what about Enron's employees? They lost everything, and I mean everything. Management incompetence and greed are responsible, whether it's an airline or some other company. Lay and Crandall didn't take a hit on their pensions, nor has any other CEO or member of upper management, in any industry. No union is to blame for any of this, just greedy managers.
Some airlines are having problems, but some aren't. It depends mostly on the competence of management. Southwest Airlines, one of the most heavily unionized airlines in the US, has posted respectable profits every year, and continues to do so. It treats its employees with respect, and gives the unions some say in how the company is run. It therefore has satisfied employees, who work very hard to help the company make money, and therefore it is always profitable. Airlines which treat the unions as adversaries are not profitable. A study published in Scientific American magazine showed that the most productive, and most profitable, companies in the US, regardless of the industry, were those with a union, and which had a good working relationship with the unions, and gave the unions some say in how the company was run. Companies without unions were some distance behind them, and the least productive, least profitable companies, in almost every instance, were those with a union and an adversarial relationship with the union. Treating your employees with respect is good business, and leads to profits. Treating them as PHI does is poor business, and leads to unprofitability in the long run. These are facts, like it or not. PHI will likely go from record profits to little or no profit. I'm just glad I have no PHI stock to unload, because it's going to be worth much less in a few months than it is now, unless the company attitude changes drastically. PHI has shown no inclination to bargain, and still refuses to come to the table. It will cost a lot of money.
Some airlines are having problems, but some aren't. It depends mostly on the competence of management. Southwest Airlines, one of the most heavily unionized airlines in the US, has posted respectable profits every year, and continues to do so. It treats its employees with respect, and gives the unions some say in how the company is run. It therefore has satisfied employees, who work very hard to help the company make money, and therefore it is always profitable. Airlines which treat the unions as adversaries are not profitable. A study published in Scientific American magazine showed that the most productive, and most profitable, companies in the US, regardless of the industry, were those with a union, and which had a good working relationship with the unions, and gave the unions some say in how the company was run. Companies without unions were some distance behind them, and the least productive, least profitable companies, in almost every instance, were those with a union and an adversarial relationship with the union. Treating your employees with respect is good business, and leads to profits. Treating them as PHI does is poor business, and leads to unprofitability in the long run. These are facts, like it or not. PHI will likely go from record profits to little or no profit. I'm just glad I have no PHI stock to unload, because it's going to be worth much less in a few months than it is now, unless the company attitude changes drastically. PHI has shown no inclination to bargain, and still refuses to come to the table. It will cost a lot of money.
Strike having an effect upon PHI?
Strike effects hard to measure
Jason Brown
[email protected]
Some business owners and employees interviewed Thursday near PHI's Morgan City, Houma and Port Fourchon bases reported seeing normal operations since PHI's unionized pilots walked off their jobs, but others said operations had drastically decreased.
Officials from PHI would not comment for this report.
In Galliano, Bob Wade, an assistant Gulf Coast manager at Air Logistics, a PHI competitor, said Air Logistics has noticed a slight increase in business since the strike, but the company already has a solid, full-time customer base and is unable to take on much more.
"We have seen no drastic increase," he said, adding that those customers who use both PHI and Air Logistics have not aired any complaints about PHI's services.
How PHI is maintaining customers flights is unclear as the majority of helicopters at each of PHI's bases could be seen tied down throughout the day Thursday.
Morgan City slowdown
In Morgan City, Shirley Bailey owns Bailey's Lakeview Grocery, which is located within view of PHI's base. Bailey, who says he is always at the shop, said he's noticed a definite drop both in his business and in the number of flights coming into and leaving from PHI's base.
Normally, Bailey said, he sees about 15 to 20 flights per day, but has watched that fall to about six or seven since the strike.
"It's not as much as they used to have before," he said.
Nearby at Seacraft, employees said that on a normal day far fewer helicopters would be seen at the heliport.
Quieter in Houma
In Houma, about eight of 10 helicopters were tied down at PHI's base and one was seen flying off at around 10:40 a.m.
John Swiner, of K-Air, an aviation mechanic shop located across from PHI, said he had noticed a tremendous drop in flights, placing it at around 10 percent of what it used to be.
Normally, "all of those tied down would be operating," he said.
He knows this because usually, he said, he wouldn't be able to hold a conversation over the sound of helicopters overhead. Swiner said his shop is "kind of like an amphitheater" that catches the roar of PHI's helicopters. "You wouldn't want to stay here five minutes with those choppers overhead," he said.
Mickey Watson, a mechanic at Houma Avionics, echoed Swiner's sentiments about noise and added that usually the helicopters wouldn't be tied down this early in the day.
He said there were more out Thursday than Wednesday. On any given day, a flight seemed to take off every 15 to 20 minutes.
But Charles Taylor, a flight instructor at Johnston Flying Services who usually pulls 12-hour days at the site, said he hasn't noticed that much of a decline in flights. At 11:20 a.m., one PHI helicopter was seen coming in as another went out.
"Some days, it sounds like WWII around here and some days it don't," Howard Barker said.He said to look at BP's parking lot, where PHI is the main carrier, it doesn't appear to be having an impact. The parking lot indeed was full, just as it was at the PHI base.
Port Fourchon picketers
And operations at Port Fourchon, where people reported seeing a small group of picketers outside of the base on a daily basis, were much the same.
The Advertiser witnessed three of six visible helicopters tied down on the heliport. Only one helicopter was seen leaving the area.
Chris Jefferson, a manager at nearby Pacific Gulf Wire Rope, said he's noticed a lack of flights there, as well.
"They got flights going on, but it ain't like business as usual," he said.
Jason Brown
[email protected]
Some business owners and employees interviewed Thursday near PHI's Morgan City, Houma and Port Fourchon bases reported seeing normal operations since PHI's unionized pilots walked off their jobs, but others said operations had drastically decreased.
Officials from PHI would not comment for this report.
In Galliano, Bob Wade, an assistant Gulf Coast manager at Air Logistics, a PHI competitor, said Air Logistics has noticed a slight increase in business since the strike, but the company already has a solid, full-time customer base and is unable to take on much more.
"We have seen no drastic increase," he said, adding that those customers who use both PHI and Air Logistics have not aired any complaints about PHI's services.
How PHI is maintaining customers flights is unclear as the majority of helicopters at each of PHI's bases could be seen tied down throughout the day Thursday.
Morgan City slowdown
In Morgan City, Shirley Bailey owns Bailey's Lakeview Grocery, which is located within view of PHI's base. Bailey, who says he is always at the shop, said he's noticed a definite drop both in his business and in the number of flights coming into and leaving from PHI's base.
Normally, Bailey said, he sees about 15 to 20 flights per day, but has watched that fall to about six or seven since the strike.
"It's not as much as they used to have before," he said.
Nearby at Seacraft, employees said that on a normal day far fewer helicopters would be seen at the heliport.
Quieter in Houma
In Houma, about eight of 10 helicopters were tied down at PHI's base and one was seen flying off at around 10:40 a.m.
John Swiner, of K-Air, an aviation mechanic shop located across from PHI, said he had noticed a tremendous drop in flights, placing it at around 10 percent of what it used to be.
Normally, "all of those tied down would be operating," he said.
He knows this because usually, he said, he wouldn't be able to hold a conversation over the sound of helicopters overhead. Swiner said his shop is "kind of like an amphitheater" that catches the roar of PHI's helicopters. "You wouldn't want to stay here five minutes with those choppers overhead," he said.
Mickey Watson, a mechanic at Houma Avionics, echoed Swiner's sentiments about noise and added that usually the helicopters wouldn't be tied down this early in the day.
He said there were more out Thursday than Wednesday. On any given day, a flight seemed to take off every 15 to 20 minutes.
But Charles Taylor, a flight instructor at Johnston Flying Services who usually pulls 12-hour days at the site, said he hasn't noticed that much of a decline in flights. At 11:20 a.m., one PHI helicopter was seen coming in as another went out.
"Some days, it sounds like WWII around here and some days it don't," Howard Barker said.He said to look at BP's parking lot, where PHI is the main carrier, it doesn't appear to be having an impact. The parking lot indeed was full, just as it was at the PHI base.
Port Fourchon picketers
And operations at Port Fourchon, where people reported seeing a small group of picketers outside of the base on a daily basis, were much the same.
The Advertiser witnessed three of six visible helicopters tied down on the heliport. Only one helicopter was seen leaving the area.
Chris Jefferson, a manager at nearby Pacific Gulf Wire Rope, said he's noticed a lack of flights there, as well.
"They got flights going on, but it ain't like business as usual," he said.
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SASLESS and others:
Copy and enter the following url in the address line.
It has to do with P.H.I. Actually it is the Punjabi Hood Inc website, out of TX.
I mean this to be humorous, but it just might show what the next strike may look if this one fails. I don't believe it will. If, when, cash is needed, I am ready to contribute, as I believe we all are. Wish it had come earlier so I could benefit more. Guess I will have to be happy flying with the femmes.
I am.
Chas A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TH2Lw...elated&search=
Copy and enter the following url in the address line.
It has to do with P.H.I. Actually it is the Punjabi Hood Inc website, out of TX.
I mean this to be humorous, but it just might show what the next strike may look if this one fails. I don't believe it will. If, when, cash is needed, I am ready to contribute, as I believe we all are. Wish it had come earlier so I could benefit more. Guess I will have to be happy flying with the femmes.
I am.
Chas A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TH2Lw...elated&search=
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A message from the President of Professional Helicopter Pilots Association -PHPA
Dateline: 02 Oct 2006
Message From PHPA President, Butch Grafton:
To all the pilots at PHI who are supporting the fight for a new contract I want to say that PHPA and myself are one hundred percent behind you.
I have been a working line pilot for the past thirty-seven years, twenty-six of which have been under a Collective Bargaining Agreement. The years I have worked under a CBA have been the most comfortable years of my life. I know exactly where I stand in each and every situation in the workplace because the contract is a black and white document that spells out my responsibilities to the company and the company's responsibilities to me.
It is a remarkable feeling to know exactly where you stand in any given situation in the work place and that is exactly what a CBA provides you.
Fortunately for me our company has worked with a CBA since 1973 so we have had plenty of time to teach them, and ourselves, what a tremendous tool a CBA is. It allows the company to get rid of bad employees while at the same time preventing managers from building those personal little kingdoms many of them like to build.
Under a CBA everyone is equal and all managers and employees must play by the same rules. It takes time for both the employee and the managers to learn this, but once they both understand the process, the work environment becomes much better.
The pilots at LSSI have now worked under a CBA for thirty-three years and have never had to take a work action. We have slowly but surely educated both management and employee on how best to work together to resolve issues and consequently things run relatively smooth in our workplace.
The reason I point these things out to you is it takes time and effort for both management and employee to learn how best to make life under a CBA flow smoothly. It does not come easy, but once it starts working, it only gets better. You now find yourselves in the most difficult part of that learning/teaching process. That is you are trying to make the company understand that there are certain things you feel are necessary in your contract for you to be able to continue working for PHI.
Unfortunately, there is only one way to make them understand this and that is by withholding your labor, which is your ONLY bargaining chip. I know this is a very difficult thing to do and I know it is a last resort method to try to get them to understand how you feel. I also know that it is the ONLY way you can make things better for all concerned in this particular battle you find yourselves in.
Now, the reason you find yourselves in this battle is quite simple. The company wants complete control of your lives in the workplace. They do not want to have to live up to the terms of any contract with their employees even though they insist on a contract with their customers and everyone else they do business with. You have to ask yourselves why?
The answer is simple. You are their biggest expense and they will spend their entire lives trying to find ways to mitigate that expense. With a CBA in place they cannot simply change the pay, benefits or working conditions on a whim. They MUST renegotiate the contract with you and they do not like having to do that. Life is much easier for them if they can simply do things like take your sick leave away, cancel all vacations, or work you till you drop because they can't find pilots because of the poor pay and working conditions.
The CBA prevents these things. Under the CBA the company must come to the membership and negotiate changes. It has worked well for us here at LSSI for thirty-three years and it will work well for you too if you just have the stamina to see the process through this most difficult first step.
I would also like you to know that thousands of pilots both here and around the world are watching you with great anticipation. They are all hoping you will make this work. I have received mail from pilots from across the U.S, England, Germany, Norway, Ireland and Spain. Central and South America, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark and elsewhere, wishing you guys the best.
The helicopter world is watching and the pilots are on your side, however, they also understand that it is you and only you who can make this happen.
Finally, I ask that you please think about this. This is your one and only chance to step forward as a group and take some control of your day-to-day lives in the workplace. This is your one chance to make things much better for you and your families. You now have a number of very serious choices to make which will affect you, your family, and your fellow pilots across the industry for years to come.
It is not easy to make these choices but they are choices you will have to make one way or the other. Do you give in to the company and let them have complete control of your life in the workplace? Do you give up the right to insist things be done as specified in a written contract with you and your fellow pilots? Do you allow the company to continue to change the rules you work by and the benefits you receive without any input from you? Do you weather this storm and insist on a binding contract which insures everyone works by the same rules and managers cannot make up their own rules as they go?
These are just a few of the things you have to decide are or are not worth the struggle. This is your one and only opportunity to make things better for you, your family and your fellow pilots. If ever there was a time to stand up for yourselves, that time is now. Only you can make the decision to continue the fight or give up all you have been fighting for. I hope each and every one of you can see what is ahead if you just weather this one storm.
I wish you all the best in your fight for a contract worthy of your skill and expertise and I want you to know that I will support you every step of the way. If any of you have questions, or just want to talk about this, please feel free to call me. My cell number is 334-790-4417. The only time I don't answer it is when I am in the cockpit so if you get my voicemail please leave me a message and a number and I will call you back as soon as I can.
Best of luck to you all!
Butch Grafton
President - PHPA
[email protected]
Message From PHPA President, Butch Grafton:
To all the pilots at PHI who are supporting the fight for a new contract I want to say that PHPA and myself are one hundred percent behind you.
I have been a working line pilot for the past thirty-seven years, twenty-six of which have been under a Collective Bargaining Agreement. The years I have worked under a CBA have been the most comfortable years of my life. I know exactly where I stand in each and every situation in the workplace because the contract is a black and white document that spells out my responsibilities to the company and the company's responsibilities to me.
It is a remarkable feeling to know exactly where you stand in any given situation in the work place and that is exactly what a CBA provides you.
Fortunately for me our company has worked with a CBA since 1973 so we have had plenty of time to teach them, and ourselves, what a tremendous tool a CBA is. It allows the company to get rid of bad employees while at the same time preventing managers from building those personal little kingdoms many of them like to build.
Under a CBA everyone is equal and all managers and employees must play by the same rules. It takes time for both the employee and the managers to learn this, but once they both understand the process, the work environment becomes much better.
The pilots at LSSI have now worked under a CBA for thirty-three years and have never had to take a work action. We have slowly but surely educated both management and employee on how best to work together to resolve issues and consequently things run relatively smooth in our workplace.
The reason I point these things out to you is it takes time and effort for both management and employee to learn how best to make life under a CBA flow smoothly. It does not come easy, but once it starts working, it only gets better. You now find yourselves in the most difficult part of that learning/teaching process. That is you are trying to make the company understand that there are certain things you feel are necessary in your contract for you to be able to continue working for PHI.
Unfortunately, there is only one way to make them understand this and that is by withholding your labor, which is your ONLY bargaining chip. I know this is a very difficult thing to do and I know it is a last resort method to try to get them to understand how you feel. I also know that it is the ONLY way you can make things better for all concerned in this particular battle you find yourselves in.
Now, the reason you find yourselves in this battle is quite simple. The company wants complete control of your lives in the workplace. They do not want to have to live up to the terms of any contract with their employees even though they insist on a contract with their customers and everyone else they do business with. You have to ask yourselves why?
The answer is simple. You are their biggest expense and they will spend their entire lives trying to find ways to mitigate that expense. With a CBA in place they cannot simply change the pay, benefits or working conditions on a whim. They MUST renegotiate the contract with you and they do not like having to do that. Life is much easier for them if they can simply do things like take your sick leave away, cancel all vacations, or work you till you drop because they can't find pilots because of the poor pay and working conditions.
The CBA prevents these things. Under the CBA the company must come to the membership and negotiate changes. It has worked well for us here at LSSI for thirty-three years and it will work well for you too if you just have the stamina to see the process through this most difficult first step.
I would also like you to know that thousands of pilots both here and around the world are watching you with great anticipation. They are all hoping you will make this work. I have received mail from pilots from across the U.S, England, Germany, Norway, Ireland and Spain. Central and South America, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark and elsewhere, wishing you guys the best.
The helicopter world is watching and the pilots are on your side, however, they also understand that it is you and only you who can make this happen.
Finally, I ask that you please think about this. This is your one and only chance to step forward as a group and take some control of your day-to-day lives in the workplace. This is your one chance to make things much better for you and your families. You now have a number of very serious choices to make which will affect you, your family, and your fellow pilots across the industry for years to come.
It is not easy to make these choices but they are choices you will have to make one way or the other. Do you give in to the company and let them have complete control of your life in the workplace? Do you give up the right to insist things be done as specified in a written contract with you and your fellow pilots? Do you allow the company to continue to change the rules you work by and the benefits you receive without any input from you? Do you weather this storm and insist on a binding contract which insures everyone works by the same rules and managers cannot make up their own rules as they go?
These are just a few of the things you have to decide are or are not worth the struggle. This is your one and only opportunity to make things better for you, your family and your fellow pilots. If ever there was a time to stand up for yourselves, that time is now. Only you can make the decision to continue the fight or give up all you have been fighting for. I hope each and every one of you can see what is ahead if you just weather this one storm.
I wish you all the best in your fight for a contract worthy of your skill and expertise and I want you to know that I will support you every step of the way. If any of you have questions, or just want to talk about this, please feel free to call me. My cell number is 334-790-4417. The only time I don't answer it is when I am in the cockpit so if you get my voicemail please leave me a message and a number and I will call you back as soon as I can.
Best of luck to you all!
Butch Grafton
President - PHPA
[email protected]
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In the US I believe only approximately 12 % of the labor force is unionized. This percentage is lower than in Europe. Not having checked for the latest updates, I seem to remember that the membership percentage has been declining over the last 20 years.
At the same time pilot unions have been standing strong in the established carriers. In the North Sea and in Ireland pilots have become unionized to a great degree over the last 10 years. Even Bond in the North Sea, which true to its tradition have no Collective Labor Agreement, supposedly have a more than 50 % BALPA membership.
All of the North Sea operators having pilot unions are owned and controlled by North American interests (US or Canada). the owners are not very friendly to unions.
Whether you are a union member or not, terms and conditions are identical. It is a voluntary choice to join a union or not, and we do not require a potential newhire to say yes to union membership prior to a position being offered. No one is harassing you if you have chosen to remain outside the pilot union.
Still, the vast majority have chosen to pay the membership fee. I wonder why, when the non-union pilot in HS would save not only more than $1.000 annually, but also would not have to work on a day off for the pilots union each year. Could it be that it is regarded as an investment in your own future?
At the same time pilot unions have been standing strong in the established carriers. In the North Sea and in Ireland pilots have become unionized to a great degree over the last 10 years. Even Bond in the North Sea, which true to its tradition have no Collective Labor Agreement, supposedly have a more than 50 % BALPA membership.
All of the North Sea operators having pilot unions are owned and controlled by North American interests (US or Canada). the owners are not very friendly to unions.
Whether you are a union member or not, terms and conditions are identical. It is a voluntary choice to join a union or not, and we do not require a potential newhire to say yes to union membership prior to a position being offered. No one is harassing you if you have chosen to remain outside the pilot union.
Still, the vast majority have chosen to pay the membership fee. I wonder why, when the non-union pilot in HS would save not only more than $1.000 annually, but also would not have to work on a day off for the pilots union each year. Could it be that it is regarded as an investment in your own future?
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chc&proud
Very well said!!
In the UK BALPA has just negotiated with HM Revenue and Customs for a Fixed Rate Expense Allowance for all commercial pilots. This FREA is for £950 per year against income tax: basically about £570 less tax to pay each year, based on 40% top rate. Along with the recognition by HMR&C that BALPA is a "professional body" and members are able to offset 66% of their membership fees against annual income tax, this means that BALPA membership is virtually free of charge.
CHC have a Pilot Service Agreement which covers every aspect of a pilot's employment. Very much the sort of cover that Butch Grafton mentions in the US CBA. Pilots and managers know exactly where everyone stands: no manager's "special deals" for favoured pilots. Pilot are unable to 'force up' an allowance for going on detachment; the detachment rate has already been agreed and is published in the PSA. The management and the union re-assess the PSA every two years or so and make any amendments both agree are necessary. Most, if not all, UK fixed wing airlines have a PSA. The Bristow BALPA company council is currently working on theirs. It is definately the best way forward.
To those pilots in PHI who are standing proud and tall: stick with it! You will be so much better off when you have won you fight!
To those PHI pilots who don't feel up to the fight: please think again! Reconsider and go and stand with your brother pilots outside! You will most certainly benefit in the long run!
bondu
Very well said!!
In the UK BALPA has just negotiated with HM Revenue and Customs for a Fixed Rate Expense Allowance for all commercial pilots. This FREA is for £950 per year against income tax: basically about £570 less tax to pay each year, based on 40% top rate. Along with the recognition by HMR&C that BALPA is a "professional body" and members are able to offset 66% of their membership fees against annual income tax, this means that BALPA membership is virtually free of charge.
CHC have a Pilot Service Agreement which covers every aspect of a pilot's employment. Very much the sort of cover that Butch Grafton mentions in the US CBA. Pilots and managers know exactly where everyone stands: no manager's "special deals" for favoured pilots. Pilot are unable to 'force up' an allowance for going on detachment; the detachment rate has already been agreed and is published in the PSA. The management and the union re-assess the PSA every two years or so and make any amendments both agree are necessary. Most, if not all, UK fixed wing airlines have a PSA. The Bristow BALPA company council is currently working on theirs. It is definately the best way forward.
To those pilots in PHI who are standing proud and tall: stick with it! You will be so much better off when you have won you fight!
To those PHI pilots who don't feel up to the fight: please think again! Reconsider and go and stand with your brother pilots outside! You will most certainly benefit in the long run!
bondu
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In the UK BALPA has just negotiated with HM Revenue and Customs for a Fixed Rate Expense Allowance for all commercial pilots. This FREA is for £950 per year against income tax: basically about £570 less tax to pay each year, based on 40% top rate.
How dose one apply for this FREA.
Gatvol
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"My US Air buddy was not looking for sympathy....he clearly stated that but wanted to describe what it feels like to have that happen. The Defined Benefit Plan (company funded pension) was thought to be fully funded and "safe as houses" until the crunch came. He acknowledges he is well off no matter the pension plan failure but still when one thinks all is right with life and this happens.....he deserves a certain amount of concern"
Sasless. Posts are hitting so fast I cant get caught up......Anyway. I DO have sympathy for him as this is typical. Also as GLS mentioned about the Enron folks. Its criminal , and the problem is there is no recourse. We think we have a secure plan set aside and boom some moron steals it with a Pen.
As to the statement $4800 is not bad, maybe so, but there rest was stolen is my point. If you have no retirement plan, it was YOUR choice.
Sasless. Posts are hitting so fast I cant get caught up......Anyway. I DO have sympathy for him as this is typical. Also as GLS mentioned about the Enron folks. Its criminal , and the problem is there is no recourse. We think we have a secure plan set aside and boom some moron steals it with a Pen.
As to the statement $4800 is not bad, maybe so, but there rest was stolen is my point. If you have no retirement plan, it was YOUR choice.
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It was my choice to be a helicopter pilot, mostly because that's the only useful skill Uncle Sam taught me. There was no choice about a pension, because one is not, and has not, been offered. I'm unaware of any helicopter operator with a pension plan. I do have a small 401(k) fund, but it wasn't offered until recently, and the incompetent managers of it have made their own profits off it, while requiring that it be in poorly performing funds. It would have been wonderful to put a few hundred thousand annually into a private retirement fund, but until about 5 years ago I wasn't even making $30,000/yr with PHI, and it's hard to put much away when you're barely meeting the mortgage. This isn't news to professional pilots.
Gatvol
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GLs said it in a nutshell. His choice with available skills. Down deep I dont think he regrets anything. Most of will never get rich, but have to live within our means. Im certainly no different.
It does seem that a lot of companies do offer small benefits, some offer more, but what I see with youngsters today (following in our footsteps) is that many dont take advantage of these Bennies AND when changing jobs go out and by a new 4x4. Start all over and by their 50s etc have squat left except ex-wives and Mobile Homes.
Managers make more money than pilots, owners should make more than them. Its the pecking order and if you cant handle it, start your own company. Until then if you have a retirement fund, keep stuffing it and dont touch it.
Where the latest news from the Gulf...Its awful quiet........
It does seem that a lot of companies do offer small benefits, some offer more, but what I see with youngsters today (following in our footsteps) is that many dont take advantage of these Bennies AND when changing jobs go out and by a new 4x4. Start all over and by their 50s etc have squat left except ex-wives and Mobile Homes.
Managers make more money than pilots, owners should make more than them. Its the pecking order and if you cant handle it, start your own company. Until then if you have a retirement fund, keep stuffing it and dont touch it.
Where the latest news from the Gulf...Its awful quiet........
ERA Helicopters used to have a nice pension by means of Rowan Drilling which owned ERA. They also had airline discount travel by means of the ERA airline in Alaska.
Seacor, a boat company, bought out ERA, sold off the airline, and away went the nice pension and travel benefits.
Does not Al G have a history in the offshore boat business?
Overheard some rumblings about quality of life for some boat crews he had....
Seacor, a boat company, bought out ERA, sold off the airline, and away went the nice pension and travel benefits.
Does not Al G have a history in the offshore boat business?
Overheard some rumblings about quality of life for some boat crews he had....
PHI stock lost 7.25% today to close at $27.78, a mere 23 cents above its 52 week low and well off its 52 week high of $41.00.
Someone's stock options are getting much brighter assuming PHI survives and the stock price goes back up. Of course older stock options are not worth much.
Whirls needs to give us some tips....what would be the smart play for a guy who owns 51% of the stock? Is there a financial strategy we are missing that could explain taking the company into a strike on purpose?
Someone's stock options are getting much brighter assuming PHI survives and the stock price goes back up. Of course older stock options are not worth much.
Whirls needs to give us some tips....what would be the smart play for a guy who owns 51% of the stock? Is there a financial strategy we are missing that could explain taking the company into a strike on purpose?
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One thing never made completely clear in the original stock acquisition is exactly where all that money came from. Considering the rather cozy relationship that seems to exist between PHI, Shell, BP, and Exxon, is it possible that the oil companies could have ponied up a few million to buy the company from Carroll, using a front-man well known as an anti-union activist? If that were the case, the stock price is really not much of an issue, because the entire amount is only a few hours of production for them.
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How's it Going?
Both sides seem to be getting ready for the long haul. A war of attrition if you will. PHI is hiring like crazy and yes SASless, they are still doing water survival /dunker training. Still, it's got to be a race against time. Will PHI be able to train enough replacements to stall off customer complaints? Can the non-strikers stand the increased work load? Will the members of Local 108 be able to stay away from work long enough to hurt the company? The money that PHI is throwing at replacement workers seems to be proving the law of supply and demand. If you pay enough, they will come. Company bluster aside, they seem to be coming in droves. At this rate, I see this work action dragging on until most strikers end up going to work at other companies or industrys and PHI hires a complete new staff with the strike technically still ongoing, but moot.
Pitty.
DT
Pitty.
DT