Local 2727 UPDATE - Brown Cafe

airbusfxr · 07-31-2009, 04:15 PM

The hotline message stated that talks were not productive, even the Mediator was stunned. The company has offered for us to pay for health care, approx 400 bucks a month for singles, 800 bucks for a family, MORE subcontracting for China, Europe, and Mexico meaning more mechanics to be layed off due to more subcontracting, a 1% pay for all years that the contract will cover, and a small retro payment for the 4 years we have been without a contract. The Union has suggested that we take a "strike vote" (see RLA of 1929 for details) and start a public media campaign stating our struggle. Our pay raise would not cover our health care payment. How much does each driver pay a week for health care? The media blitz should start with ATL headquarters and Wall Street Journal (just like the pilots did) then branch out to other national media outlets. The talks are set for August 31 with the mediator and by then we should have more info.

airbusfxr · 07-31-2009, 04:23 PM

Can someone tell me the percentage of the next raise and how much a driver pays for insurance. Thanks.

UpstateNYUPSer · 07-31-2009, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airbusfxr

Can someone tell me the percentage of the next raise and how much a driver pays for insurance. Thanks.

We receive the first half of our $.75 raise tomorrow.

We do not pay for health insurance.

Hoaxster · 07-31-2009, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airbusfxr

The company has offered for us to pay for health care, approx 400 bucks a month for singles, 800 bucks for a family, MORE subcontracting for China, Europe, and Mexico meaning more mechanics to be laid off due to more subcontracting, a 1% pay for all years that the contract will cover, and a small retro payment for the 4 years we have been without a contract.

Welcome to the new world that everyone else in America lives in.
This ain't the 70's and the 80's - otherwise known as the good old days.
We were talking about this at a tennis match last week ... from the way everyone was talking, their disposable income has gone down in the last 15 years.

BrownBlue · 07-31-2009, 09:24 PM

This is just how hardball, negotiations go. Company wants the moon, union wants the stars. Some where in the middle is grey nothingness that becomes an agreement. Fedex4life wouldn't understand he's never had a say in anything, just takes whatever cheese that crumbles from the moon. Buzz off fly.

MobileBA · 07-31-2009, 09:52 PM

Listen teamsters and alpa members don't cross picket lines.........period. Even though times are different then a year ago the the people still know a wrong. Hang tough....I've walked one picket line before and will do it again.

airbusfxr · 08-01-2009, 06:30 AM

The strike vote only shows the unity of the membership. The Teamsters will then go to the big membership and show just cause that the aircraft mechanics cannot get a fair deal, then Hoffa will OK all Teamsters to honor the aircraft mechanics strike line. In '97 we honored the Big Teamsters (the pilots also shut down the airline) now we might have to ask you to support us. I dont think UPS would want a nationwide air and ground strike but remember if they are tell us we are going to pay for health care do you think your going to get it for free on your next contract. We are being layed off and subcontracting is being done overseas. We must make a stand or we will be run over by a big bully, remember you could be next. Would you like paying 400 bucks a month for health care?

705red · 08-01-2009, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airbusfxr

The strike vote only shows the unity of the membership. The Teamsters will then go to the big membership and show just cause that the aircraft mechanics cannot get a fair deal, then Hoffa will OK all Teamsters to honor the aircraft mechanics strike line. In '97 we honored the Big Teamsters (the pilots also shut down the airline) now we might have to ask you to support us. I dont think UPS would want a nationwide air and ground strike but remember if they are tell us we are going to pay for health care do you think your going to get it for free on your next contract. We are being layed off and subcontracting is being done overseas. We must make a stand or we will be run over by a big bully, remember you could be next. Would you like paying 400 bucks a month for health care?

In order for us (ups teamsters) to honor your picket lines you will have to put up the line and man it with your mechanics. Since we are not on strike we could not run your line. However we will be more then glad to stand side by side with you.

airbusfxr · 08-01-2009, 08:03 AM

We will have a strike vote in August, go back into talks August 31, have the mediator try to get us free insurance, a raise, less subcontracting, and less lay offs. If not, then the IBT will inform UPS that we are in a "30 Day cooling off period" after that the President will either order us to work or strike around the first of December. Remember the RLA of 1929 (the same rules that FDX operates under) makes us work without a contract while the company operates without service interuptions. This is why UPS is wanting you to write letters to make FDX move from RLA to NLRB. We have been without a contract for 4 years and UPS wants us to give up insurance, raises, and subcontract more work to China and Mexico. We are asking for little but UPS is asking us to do something NO OTHER TEAMSTER does, PAY for insurance. If they make us pay, they will make you pay next.

unionman · 08-01-2009, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airbusfxr

We will have a strike vote in August, go back into talks August 31, have the mediator try to get us free insurance, a raise, less subcontracting, and less lay offs. If not, then the IBT will inform UPS that we are in a "30 Day cooling off period" after that the President will either order us to work or strike around the first of December. Remember the RLA of 1929 (the same rules that FDX operates under) makes us work without a contract while the company operates without service interuptions. This is why UPS is wanting you to write letters to make FDX move from RLA to NLRB. We have been without a contract for 4 years and UPS wants us to give up insurance, raises, and subcontract more work to China and Mexico. We are asking for little but UPS is asking us to do something NO OTHER TEAMSTER does, PAY for insurance. If they make us pay, they will make you pay next.

Im all for a strike as soon as possible.

unionman · 08-01-2009, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 705red

In order for us (ups teamsters) to honor your picket lines you will have to put up the line and man it with your mechanics. Since we are not on strike we could not run your line. However we will be more then glad to stand side by side with you.

That will not be a problem. We will only need to form two lines to be effective. One in Louisville and one in Ontario.

705red · 08-02-2009, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unionman

That will not be a problem. We will only need to form two lines to be effective. One in Louisville and one in Ontario.

You will need alot more than 2 picket lines. UPS would be able to divert volume and aircraft away from those two locations. If it was me i would picket every air hub/gateway and every large package car center in each area.

unionman · 08-02-2009, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 705red

You will need alot more than 2 picket lines. UPS would be able to divert volume and aircraft away from those two locations. If it was me i would picket every air hub/gateway and every large package car center in each area.

Almost all flights go through those two gateways, especially after IE consolidated the system to lay more pilots and mechanics off and make it look like there saving money when actually there leaving there reliability in jeopardy. And in the next day air business means everything. Believe me, we can do lots of damage at those two gateways alone.

ups767mech · 08-02-2009, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 705red

You will need alot more than 2 picket lines. UPS would be able to divert volume and aircraft away from those two locations. If it was me i would picket every air hub/gateway and every large package car center in each area.

As chairman of the strike commitee i asure you there will be more picket lines up than SDF and ONT. If it comes to that.

unionman · 08-02-2009, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ups767mech

As chairman of the strike commitee i asure you there will be more picket lines up than SDF and ONT. If it comes to that.

Im there brother, just let us know when and where.

beentheredonethat · 08-02-2009, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airbusfxr

We are asking for little but UPS is asking us to do something NO OTHER TEAMSTER does, PAY for insurance. If they make us pay, they will make you pay next.

I think the company learned a lot from the last strike. I think they got caught with their pants down on the media front. I don't think they'll make that mistake again. I think they will take it to the public if a strike is possible. I think they'll show what the current rate is as compared to others with similar jobs (I believe UPS mechanics are still the highest paid). They'll also show your rate as compared to the average US worker. Will show that all the mgmt is paying for health care and asks the employees to share some of that cost. (Of which most folks in the private sector pays). I don't think you'll garnish support from the everyday person if they know what you make and then go on strike. Anyway's that's my two cents. BTW, what is your current pay rate? And how many hours do you work per week?

unionman · 08-02-2009, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beentheredonethat

I think the company learned a lot from the last strike. I think they got caught with their pants down on the media front. I don't think they'll make that mistake again. I think they will take it to the public if a strike is possible. I think they'll show what the current rate is as compared to others with similar jobs (I believe UPS mechanics are still the highest paid). They'll also show your rate as compared to the average US worker. Will show that all the mgmt is paying for health care and asks the employees to share some of that cost. (Of which most folks in the private sector pays). I don't think you'll garnish support from the everyday person if they know what you make and then go on strike. Anyway's that's my two cents. BTW, what is your current pay rate? And how many hours do you work per week?

$26with 25 years of experience. 40 hours a week not to mention travel time. How much do you make and what exactly do you do for the company. Im criminally liable for my work and if I mess up thousands can die.

beentheredonethat · 08-02-2009, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unionman

$26with 25 years of experience. 40 hours a week not to mention travel time. How much do you make and what exactly do you do for the company. Im criminally liable for my work and if I mess up thousands can die.

Before I answer, I have the feeling that you aren't comparing apples to apples. Are you at top wage with UPS? What is the top wage rate for an aircraft mechanic? Outside experience may get you in the door, but won't alter your pay rate. That's the wages I was talking about that UPS would use (or should use) in a media campaign. (IMO).

unionman · 08-02-2009, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beentheredonethat

Before I answer, I have the feeling that you aren't comparing apples to apples. Are you at top wage with UPS? What is the top wage rate for an aircraft mechanic? Outside experience may get you in the door, but won't alter your pay rate. That's the wages I was talking about that UPS would use (or should use) in a media campaign. (IMO).

Management at UPS always goes to our top out wage as there battle cry, yet they fail to see what the mechanics have done in the past to save UPS millions of dollars by keeping there P.O.S. fleet of dc8, 727 and 747100 aircraft in excellent shape for as long as UPS has had an airline. Thats the problem, you can't see past the ends of your pencils. How much does it cost when your planes are unreliable? We are a small group with a great impact on the bottom line. We can save you millions or we can cost you millions with what we do with our knowledge. Its up to you to make sure that those airplanes stay under our eyes with better efficiencies because we are the last line of defense from a crumbling industry.

bluehdmc · 08-02-2009, 10:02 AM

The spin doctors will turn your rate into $75.00 an hour. (at the least). They'll figure benefit cost, vacations, sick pay, etc. Of course those details won't be mentioned, just the $75 headline.

airbusfxr · 08-02-2009, 03:37 PM

UPS Teamsters all make the most in their work groups. UPS has 920 mechanics down from just over 1k. This is a small work group but provides a valuable service commitment that in returns brings in a BIG profit. Our work group is under attack by the company and we must make a stand to protect our jobs. If we must strike then we will, the RLA will protect our jobs and the Teamster will support us. We all fall under the IBT and Hoffa will honor our picket will all UPS Teamsters honoring our picket lines. It is called "lock out" and in '97 we were locked out due to your strike. The pilots will honor our lines and that will end the airline till it is settled. The talks will start at the end of August, and by the time the "30 day cooling off" ends it will be the first of Dec. Would UPS let 920 aircraft mechanics shut down the company during peak or just give them a small raise, free insurance, and 4 years back pay? This RLA had us helping UPS make BILLIONS, shouldnt we get a small increase? There are several steps that must be made before we can strike and we will do all we can to avoid a service disruption but if it happens remember we stood by you in '97, we are asking for your help.

beentheredonethat · 08-02-2009, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airbusfxr

Would UPS let 920 aircraft mechanics shut down the company during peak or just give them a small raise, free insurance, and 4 years back pay? This RLA had us helping UPS make BILLIONS, shouldnt we get a small increase?

What is your pay rate, and what are you asking your pay to be brought to?

airbusfxr · 08-02-2009, 08:02 PM

23 per hour plus 10 bucks for each FAA certification. So top pay is 43 bucks per hour. What does a package car mechanic make? We make less than a package car mechanic but then add the FAA certificate and all the responsibility that goes along with it. The top pilots makes 300k and a grade 20 makes millions. Each job at UPS pays industry tops and we are wanting only to be fairly compensated.

airbusfxr · 08-02-2009, 08:03 PM

What is the top package car driver pay?

beentheredonethat · 08-02-2009, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airbusfxr

23 per hour plus 10 bucks for each FAA certification. So top pay is 43 bucks per hour. What does a package car mechanic make? We make less than a package car mechanic but then add the FAA certificate and all the responsibility that goes along with it. The top pilots makes 300k and a grade 20 makes millions. Each job at UPS pays industry tops and we are wanting only to be fairly compensated.

Thanks you gave me 1/2 the answer of 43 per hour. What do you want to make that you consider fair? $44? $45?....$50? Also, even with bonuses a grade 20 doesn't make millions per year. Not even close.