layoffs at Wasaya???

[Doc]

ALPA had put a study together on behalf of the Wasaya pilots to compile a list of services provided by the company. In conclusion of that study they in fact found that a large percentage of our services are essential to the immediate safety of northern communities. Not all of the services could be immediately covered within a reasonable time frame in the event of a strike. Such as fuel and food. Delivery of other services that were also considered essential were health workers, maintenance workers, hydro workers, medical supplies, etc. During the winter if the fuel and food don't arrive in a constant uninterrupted stream then people are put at high risk. In one way the pilots may have felt a little put out that they had no ability to strike, but in another way it's nice to know that the services we provide are actually needed and go way beyond "pop and chips". ALPA did a great job in trying to argue the point but in the end, the law wins.

I stand by my comments. If you really think the "people would be at risk" you're buying into the sunshine management pumps up you butt. Keep drinking the cool aid, and dreaming the dream. The essential service label was placed on your company for the sole purpose of controlling the pilot group. Then, out of the blue, management decides to reduce services, through lay offs and base closures that SUIT their agenda. Totally not allowed within the definition of essential services you use in your example. I say again...you are NOT an essential service. Nakina Air, North Star, FNT and Calm Air, just to name a couple. are more than capable of stepping in and covering any real "need" in the reserves served by Wasaya. As for fuel delivery, the Air Tractor based in YRL would keep things going to an acceptable level. As for repair persons, Hydro workers etc. your have Lockhart Air, Walsten Air, Air Bravo....just to name a few...there are many more. Toss in Mission Air, Fast Air, Superior Air and Keystone, and your "essential service" label becomes a laughing stock! Any of these companies could and would fulfill any and all the needs of the reserves you folks serve. Admittedly, at a fairly hefty cost to Wasaya....but that's the whole point of a strike, no?
In the event of a strike, Wasaya has more than enough management staff with pilot's licenses to provide a "skeleton" service as needed. You think I'm going to buy the fact, you people couldn't launch at least one Hawker, and a Caravan or two, flown entirely by management pilots? Supplemented by charted aircraft from other companies? I'm totally surprised ALPA bought this crap.
Bottom line? The pilot group at Wasaya is getting a Royal Screwing.

[2R]

The end is nigh .And they will blame the union.
Start another company and hire only those with pretty mouths.
Unofficial sources tell me a rumour about RW from Red has already had the interview for chief pilot of a 703/704 operation starting after the winter roads are done.The Airplanes will be getting inspected next week.

[glorifiedtaxidriver]

What about 705? And who's airplanes are being inspected?

[mattedfred]

who said ALPA bought it?

[Mustard]

RW as your chief pilot? I feel sorry for those employees already.

[Doc]

RW as your chief pilot? I feel sorry for those employees already.

If it's the RW I know in YRL, he'd be great! If you're an ass hole, or acting like one, he'll tell you. To your face. No Wasaya favoritism. No holding grudges. Just "tell it like it is"..

[RFN]

Yup, have to agree there...

RW called me lots of things, and I was pretty much all of them.

[Bushav8er]

First agreement at Wasaya Airways is a Gem!

Friday January 29, 2010
For Immediate Release

Thunder Bay, On – Members of IAMAW Local Lodge 714 were all smiles Wednesday night following the ratification of their first collective agreement with Wasaya Airways.

“The membership endorsed their new agreement by a 100 per cent majority,” explained a proud IAMAW District Lodge 140 General Chairperson and Organizer Ian Morland. “For some of the members it means an increase of four dollars an hour. Yes you could say they’re extremely happy with this agreement.”

The two-year agreement provides for an average wage increase of ten percent over the life of the agreement. Benefits will now be paid entirely by the employer.

The 16 members comprise of Passenger service agents, Cargo agents, Station Attendants and Ground Equipment Maintenance personnel. They joined the IAMAW in April 2009. Wasaya Airlines provides scheduled passenger service to 26 First Nation communities in northwestern Ontario. The airline operates a fleet of Beech 1900D passenger aircraft.

IAMAW, among the largest industrial trade unions in North America, represents more than 700,000 active and retired members, and administers more than 5,000 contracts in transportation, woodworking, aerospace, manufacturing and defense related industries.

Source - IAMAW (International Assoc. of Machinists and Aerospace Workers)

[SmokinJoe]

The pilot group at Wasaya is getting a Royal Screwing.

With cheese may I add.

[frankfrank]

Is the top brass still driving their Company vehicles and getting free gas while the employee's are laid off and take wage cuts.

[mattedfred]

keep your chin up WSG. please thank your MEC for the flight bag tag. i will display it with pride until this ordeal is behind you.

"we don't work for free"

[flyinthebug]

RW as your chief pilot? I feel sorry for those employees already.

X2!

Yes Doc, he shoots from the hip and you KNOW when he doesnt like you. Hes a decent driver, but would NOT make a good CP candidate... Too hot tempered and too unpredictable. Ive been called alot of things too.. and many by RW...and your right that most were to my face lol.

All the best to ya RW if your reading this.. just lighten up! Remember, I saw another (good) side of ya!

Fly safe all.
All the best to the Wasaya crew!

[SmokinJoe]

RW would give you the shirt off his BACK if he had to. He's one hell of a person, if he dosen't like you than there's probably a reason. He does say it like it is and what's wrong with that? If that hurts your feelings than that's too bloody bad, change the tune then. He knows his work, he know's what needs to be done, he gives everyone a fair shot, and if you don't cut the mustard then he'll let you know. Is that not fair? I for one would gladly have RW as my chief pilot.

I should also add that I have been called many things by RW and he was probably right about them at that time but it made me realize that maybe he's right and I should change this or that, but I have also told RW to *uck off more than once, he'll respect you more if you have a pair than being a leming and not thinking for your self.

[Jastapilot]

RW would give you the shirt off his BACK if he had to. He's one hell of a person, if he dosen't like you than there's probably a reason. He does say it like it is and what's wrong with that? If that hurts your feelings than that's too bloody bad, change the tune then. He knows his work, he know's what needs to be done, he gives everyone a fair shot, and if you don't cut the mustard then he'll let you know. Is that not fair? I for one would gladly have RW as my chief pilot.

I should also add that I have been called many things by RW and he was probably right about them at that time but it made me realize that maybe he's right and I should change this or that, but I have also told RW to *uck off more than once, he'll respect you more if you have a pair than being a leming and not thinking for your self.

If the RW I'm thinking of is right, then SmokinJoe nailed it. Yes, he's rough around the edges, but he's a great guy and i'm glad to have known him! It's refreshing to know someone who cuts through the BS with a machete in each hand!

[Aft CofG]

Which "unofficial" company is this?

And for what it's worth, RW would make a fantastic CP. I'd be quite happy to work for him any day. You won't find a more straight-up guy.

[2R]

I have said too much and in order to keep my sources open i have agreed not to divulge which partner of the Limited Partnership will be starting the New companies.Maybe one of the TC guys can drop a hint as the paperwork has to go past them first

[WaldoPepper]

this whole rumour is bs btw

[Mustard]

Wasaya isn't laying anyone off?

[WaldoPepper]

Wasaya isn't laying anyone off?

...the RW rumour

[Doc]

this whole rumour is bs btw

Or....is it......??

[2R]

RW is not taking the position as he would lose his severance pay for his many years of faithful service and dedicated hard work that the company would have to pay him.Besides the fishing is good in Red .

Although another "Rumour " has surfaced from Sour outlook : a previous 1900 operator from the peg (now based in sour outlook) may be getting some 1900's basing them at sour outlook far from the gaze of the peg stazi.
I cannot substansiate this as i just made it up for entertainment or did i ?
Someone has to maintain the essential service

[wheresmybox]

keep your chin up WSG. please thank your MEC for the flight bag tag. i will display it with pride until this ordeal is behind you.

"we don't work for free"

hahahahahaha! Sorry, I fully support that union Wasaya's got going, but I've seen those tags around and frankly that has to be the dumbest tagline I've ever read.

[frankfrank]

wheresmybox,

The Union probably appreciates your support because the pilots of wasaya definitely needs a union. As for your take on the "we don't work for free" slogan if you happened to do the work these pilots do, you would appreciate that slogan. A guy at wasaya told me that when you get hired on at wasaya as a HS748 F/O will give a cheque in an amount of $15,000 to the VP of Finance and then not recieve pay untill your first revenue flight which may take at minimum a month to do and would not recieve the cheque for yet another month for a total of 2 months. The first month was a loyal donation to the company by the employee.That is what is meant by "we don't work for free" or should I say we shouldn't work for free.


and by the way Canada doesn't give out food stamps!!!

[WaldoPepper]

...tip of the iceberg on that one

[dutyday]

wheresmybox,

The Union probably appreciates your support because the pilots of wasaya definitely needs a union. As for your take on the "we don't work for free" slogan if you happened to do the work these pilots do, you would appreciate that slogan. A guy at wasaya told me that when you get hired on at wasaya as a HS748 F/O will give a cheque in an amount of $15,000 to the VP of Finance and then not recieve pay untill your first revenue flight which may take at minimum a month to do and would not recieve the cheque for yet another month for a total of 2 months. The first month was a loyal donation to the company by the employee.That is what is meant by "we don't work for free" or should I say we shouldn't work for free.

Your statement above is correct. In fact any initial ground school you get from Wasaya is free of charge. The company still believes that they are abiding by the law. I can tell you that any other company I have worked for in the past has paid me while in training. It is part of a cost that a company incurs when hiring new employees. However they would argue the point. Backwards thinking only worked when the pilots were not willing to stand up for themselves and demand a fair deal.