Banks170 From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 10 posts, RR: 0 Posted (5 months 4 weeks 1 day ago) and read 3685 times:
Hello everyone, first time posting a topic been a long time reader.
But anyways I flew Spirit into FLL from ORD on Monday and when I landed in FLL the FA's where handing out letter's stating that they will go on strike if management does not give them a fair contract coming up. Does anyone have any info on this? I did a quick search here but did not see anything about it.
PI4EVER From United States of America, joined May 2009, 599 posts, RR: 2 Reply 2, posted (5 months 4 weeks 19 hours ago) and read 3365 times:
Yes, just yesterday in the News and Articles section of the A.Net home page were articles about both US and NK F/A groups voting and picketing to strike.
Apparently the NK group has been without a contract for 5 years, and the US group voting 94% to call a strike due to stalled talks on pay, benefits and work rule changes.
During peak travel periods such as the approaching holidays, employee groups can garner a lot of public attention to their issues and hopefully pressure the management group to talk more cooperatively. Customers get nervous and high strung if their holiday travel plans are at risk of disruption.
The article noted that the union had suggested implementing the CHAOS factor into this public awareness campaign...."Creating Havoc Around Our System" at both airlines.
Good Luck to everyone. It is still a tough enviornment, even with airlines reporting profits, to significantly increase costs in a continuing stagnant economy, and consumers having to buy higher airfares will shy away from potential CHAOS in their travel plans.
toltommy From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 3219 posts, RR: 4 Reply 3, posted (5 months 4 weeks 19 hours ago) and read 3255 times:
Quoting PI4EVER (Reply 2): Apparently the NK group has been without a contract for 5 years
Not exactly. Under the Railway Labor Act, the current contract stays in force until replaced. To say they've been without a contract for 5 years is misleading. The RLA encourages both sides to drag the process out for years beyond the amendable date of the contract.
FlyDeltaJets From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 1623 posts, RR: 3 Reply 4, posted (5 months 4 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 2751 times:
The UA ground employees have bee "without a contract" as well since 2005. I do hope that a deal is reached. Strikes are not good for the airline or the employees. It leaves a sour taste in the passengers mouth toward that airline when their travel plans are affected.
Maverick623 From United States of America, joined Nov 2006, 4744 posts, RR: 6 Reply 5, posted (5 months 4 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 2731 times:
Quoting Banks170 (Thread starter): But anyways I flew Spirit into FLL from ORD on Monday and when I landed in FLL the FA's where handing out letter's stating that they will go on strike if management does not give them a fair contract coming up.
Not to argue the merits of such an action, but it that legal?
Quoting PI4EVER (Reply 2): and the US group voting 94% to call a strike due to stalled talks on pay, benefits and work rule changes.
And as I'm sure has been discussed in the US thread, the vote was purely strategic. The F/As have no actual plan or desire to strike anytime in the near future.
ItalianFlyer From United States of America, joined Nov 2007, 948 posts, RR: 2 Reply 6, posted (5 months 3 weeks 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 2424 times:
I think most rational employees and unions know that any labor action will result, best case scenario, in a pyrrhic victory. No US airline can afford a prolonged work stoppage. Union officals are aware that the last mass labor action (Comair) was the beginning of the end for the carrier.
It's strategic saber rattling...both parties know that it would lead to mutually assured destruction.
OOer From United States of America, joined Oct 2005, 1395 posts, RR: 2 Reply 8, posted (5 months 3 weeks 6 days 7 hours ago) and read 2049 times:
Quoting B727FA (Reply 7): CHAOS affecting operations (flights/boarding/en route issues) would be an illegal work action.
No, it wouldn't. And, it's not. Once the NMB releases both groups and the 30 day cooling off period they are allowed to implement CHAOS or any other strike tactic.
The NMB let the Spirit pilots walk out about 2 years ago and there's no reason the NMB wouldn't allow the f/a's to also strike.
You'd think Spirit management learned their lesson the first time around. I guess not...
B727FA From United States of America, joined Jun 2011, 546 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (5 months 3 weeks 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 1832 times:
Quoting OOer (Reply 8): No, it wouldn't. And, it's not. Once the NMB releases both groups and the 30 day cooling off period they are allowed to implement CHAOS or any other strike tactic.
Sorry, OOer, the point is they HAVEN'T been released, 30 days or otherwise. They CANNOT engage in work-action until that time. (see below)
Quoting PI4EVER (Reply 2): The article noted that the union had suggested implementing the CHAOS factor into this public awareness campaign...
I repeat, at this point it is "informational picketing/public awareness" and is NOT protected "work action/withholding of service" as governed by the RLA and/or NLRB labor relations law.
Brush up on that and then get back to us.
My comments/opinions are my own and are not to be construed as the opinion(s) of my employer.
OOer From United States of America, joined Oct 2005, 1395 posts, RR: 2 Reply 11, posted (5 months 3 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 1425 times:
The NLRA or NLRB has absolutely nothing to do with this.
The flight attendants can incorporate the CHAOS factor into this public awareness campaign, they just can't carry it out yet. The keyword here is "public awareness campaign".
Since i'm very familiar with labor relations under the Railway Labor Act I suggest you look elsewhere to throw your "weight" around.
Cubsrule From United States of America, joined May 2004, 21214 posts, RR: 19 Reply 12, posted (5 months 3 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 1397 times:
Quoting OOer (Reply 11): The flight attendants can incorporate the CHAOS factor into this public awareness campaign, they just can't carry it out yet. The keyword here is "public awareness campaign".
Correct, but if the "public awareness campaign" occurs on board, doesn't it require a release from the NMB? I'm not clear from the OP whether "when I landed in FLL" means on the ground but still in the airline - which I think would require a release - or on the sidewalk in front of the terminal - which would not.
I can't decide whether I miss the tulip or the bowling shoe more
nwaesc From United States of America, joined Aug 2007, 3324 posts, RR: 9 Reply 13, posted (5 months 3 weeks 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 1180 times:
Quoting Maverick623 (Reply 5): Not to argue the merits of such an action, but it that legal?
Informational leafletting? Perfectly legal.
Quoting OOer (Reply 11): The flight attendants can incorporate the CHAOS factor into this public awareness campaign, they just can't carry it out yet. The keyword here is "public awareness campaign".
+1
Quoting Cubsrule (Reply 12): or on the sidewalk in front of the terminal - which would not.
I'm sure they meant out front- or at least on the ground/not on an A/C, anyway...
"Nothing ever happens here, " I said. "I just wait."
B727FA From United States of America, joined Jun 2011, 546 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (5 months 3 weeks 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 1125 times:
OOer, et al, CHAOS, as you likely know, involves work stoppages--NOT informational picketing/public awareness. Nowhere did I say that a public awareness campaign is illegal.
I am speaking only to the issue of "incorporating CHAOS into the campaign." I think you're splitting hairs when you say they can incorporate it into their public awareness campaign (ie mention it) and the conditions under which they can implement/carry it out.
We're actually saying the same thing: they can discuss and/or mention CHAOS in their public awareness work; they just can't "do" CHAOS unless they're released.
My comments/opinions are my own and are not to be construed as the opinion(s) of my employer.
OOer From United States of America, joined Oct 2005, 1395 posts, RR: 2 Reply 15, posted (5 months 3 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 1037 times:
This is what the flight attendants have been saying. Nowhere did they say they're going to implement CHAOS. You just chose to interpret their statement as if they were. Your interpretation was incorrect.
B727FA From United States of America, joined Jun 2011, 546 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (5 months 3 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 1013 times:
*I* never implied that at all! Someone asked if they could engage in CHAOS (was it legal) and I said, correctly, that it would be an illegal work action unless they were released. Please don't put words in my mouth.
In Reply 11, your words:
Quoting Cubsrule (Reply 12): Quoting OOer (Reply 11):
The flight attendants can incorporate the CHAOS factor into this public awareness campaign, they just can't carry it out yet. The keyword here is "public awareness campaign".
Quoting OOer (Reply 15): This is what the flight attendants have been saying. Nowhere did they say they're going to implement CHAOS. You just chose to interpret their statement as if they were. Your interpretation was incorrect.
If you need to refresh your memory, feel free to scroll up the page before *you* "throw your weight around" (again, your words).
Regards...
My comments/opinions are my own and are not to be construed as the opinion(s) of my employer.
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