Interesting read. Shared with permission: Thomas Kenison 2 hrs True APFA members: If you have not yet voted, or are questioning your vote, I understand that you are NOT interested in the emotional aspects of the NO vote. On my trip yesterday (NRT-DFW), three undecided members asked me why I was voting NO (one former 25+ year union worker). Because I explained the post-NO-win process, and what to expect, what not to expect, and how arbitration works, all three decided a NO vote was in their best interests. They understood the LBFO assertions by the APFA were lies (there is no more money---but there was plenty of wiggle-room) and proved when the Pilots voted no. People remember this. I also reminded my three co-workers that the NO vote by the pilots caused the resignation of their union president. I told them about a conversation I had had several years ago with the famous APA president Rich Lavoy. Rich Lavoy explained to me (personally) that after a NO vote against a TA was done, the president, as chief negotiator, had become useless in future negotiations as he/she had played and displayed his/her hand of cards to the company. The company knew all the presidents limits and thresholds and techniques. Thus, fresh horses are needed to go back and start talks with gusto and new techniques. If our TA is voted down, a time for mediation and conversation would begin. The fact that the arbitrator will bring an unambiguous (no open ends or loopholes), concrete TA is a big relief---no more ambiguity. Also, I reminded the three that when we went to binding arbitration after our strike in 1993, the arbitrator (who a member of THIS executive committee told me is the same arbitrator from the 93 case) awarded us ALL our demands with the exception of staffing (FAA minimums ok: as AA pattern staffing was a lot higher in many instances). Even though we were in binding arbitration, the arbitrator from 93 required we vote, thats right, required us members to vote (inside binding arbitration) to decide our own work rules: 1 to 2 or one to 1& 3/4. The arbitrator was giving us the win but he did not know/understand what was the best work rule for us, line flight attendants. These facts caused three undecided APFA members, to vote NO. They believed (as do I) we can do better with arbitration or mediation or a combination of the two to bring resolution to our very significant contract. Peace on us, Tom
Posted on: Fri, 07 Nov 2014 21:23:25 +0000