Don Hudson Posted May 11, 2003 Share Posted May 11, 2003 (Posted as a new topic to bring the thread forward) JakeYYZ; Don't disagree with a thing you've written in your message to Mitch, especially about CCAA not being an accident, (May 11). Re "A gentlemen’s agreement not to poach one another’s business, is not what free enterprise and competition are all about." ... and competition for all. All except for the "former" Air Canada. This industry has never been fully de-regulated. Its free market for only a few. If AC had been free of government interference, government policies and government/ministerial politics like other major companies in Canada like Bombardier*, GE, Thompson etc etc, we might have had a chance to fix whatever was specifically broken with our model, (to use a hackneyed phrase). But part of what was "broken" in the past model was the constant and persistant invigilation by Minister after Minister after Minister, done with a level of ignorance and blunt stupidity bordering on negligence or at least dereliction. If its to be free market "de-regulation", let's have at it. But its been special rules for Air Canada since 1988. The ACPPA needs to be repealed and AC needs to be set free in the same manner as all other real private enterprise businesses. Rovinescu has characterized it himself: this is the true separation point...the true severing from the real Mom Corp - the Canadian Government, the moment beyond which AC truly becomes its own company. Air Canada must have the freedom to compete in the marketplace, unfettered by the worn-out apron strings of Ministerial whims, backroom politics and intransigent bureacracies. If the new, leaner AC that emerges from this process will be allowed to compete under fair (read "unfettered" ) rules that are the same for everyone, then I hold out hope for the draconian measures which are about to unfold for all of us, managers and line employees alike. If its going to be the same, broken model where government "policy", (read "severe competitive restrictions" ) applies to Air Canada only, and we have to stick to the old broken-model rules that hobble Air Canada only, (which in the end, really means serving government policy through employee job loss and wage reductions), then we'll be back here again starting over, only with wages and benefits somewhere between 25 and 40% lower. While I don't know the players (Texas Partners/GE Capital) and thus I remain aloof as far as cheering too loudly about their participation, I was cheering very loudly when Collenette and Co. were shut out of "helping" , and instead AC sought private funding and investment. While we employees are going to arrive at an agreement sooner or later, much of the future success of these very significant roll-backs will be under a cloud until the Canadian government simply butts out of our private business and lets us compete under true free-market rules. After offering the best service we can for our customers, our singular goal for Air Canada employees should be to wipe the smirk off of Clive Beddoe's face, just like his goal is to embarrass us and wash our face in snow every chance he gets. That's what its all about. (nothing personal here Wj'ers...on the flight safety level, we all talk...). Don *Maybe with the welfare granted Bombardier in terms of billions in taxpayer grants, loans, forgiven debts, and subsidies to buyers of Bombardier's products in other countries this may be a poor example... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John S. Posted May 11, 2003 Share Posted May 11, 2003 After offering the best service we can for our customers, our singular goal for Air Canada employees should be to wipe the smirk off of Clive Beddoe's face, just like his goal is to embarrass us and wash our face in snow every chance he gets. When you say "Air Canada employees" do you include the Jazz employees as well? If so what are your thoughts as to moving the scope line? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitch Cronin Posted May 11, 2003 Share Posted May 11, 2003 Yeeehaaaw!!! Hang on Jessie we're in fer a right rompin' now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Hudson Posted May 11, 2003 Author Share Posted May 11, 2003 Hello John; Great day on the west coast, eh? Re " ... what are your thoughts as to moving the scope line?" They've changed over the years and with circumstances. "Scope" after all, is your issue as well with the 3rd tier carriers and its not a simple answer regardless of which part of AC one flies for. On scope, really, there's no percentage in setting up a stationary target from an old ACPA guy, simply so others can shoot at will. I suppose I don't mind having my thoughts shot at, but that specific exercise is pointless and I don't have the time, nor do I want to engage in the scope debate. Opinions on the matter are essentially irrelevant anyway, as we're all along for this ride, with the wheelhouse locked and largely inaccessible except for the "opportunities" to give on command. Who knows what will be on the table or what our work will look like when this is over. We both know that a great deal is going on in the background. One thing I know would be a factor in any such discussion is our mutual histories. I have close friends who thought that one seniority list was the only way to go even before Picher. We know of other opinions only too well. We should know a lot more however, by August or so. And yes, when I refer to "Air Canada employees", of course I include Jazz. And Zip etc. We collectively have a very strong interest here. It behooves every one of us to at least consider those two goals. Off to kill some weeds again... Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duke Posted May 12, 2003 Share Posted May 12, 2003 Hi Don, I have missed reading your posts and am glad you have “returned”. With respect to being an "Air Canada employee”, I can honestly say I have never felt so “part of the AC family” as I have felt these last few months. When we return to good times (sic), I hope I still feel the same way. Jazz YXU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Hudson Posted May 12, 2003 Author Share Posted May 12, 2003 Duke; I get the very strong sense that AC will have changed radically by the time a year has gone by. The result may worth the price of admission... One sense will be that aspect of community and common cause which, through forces largely beyond our control, have prevented us all from aiming our gaze outwards instead of in. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Retyred Posted May 12, 2003 Share Posted May 12, 2003 Donald- It's 'Mother's Day' my man--get away from the keyboard and spend some time with the 'Mom' of the house. Say 'hi' to F... B.... for me!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Hudson Posted May 12, 2003 Author Share Posted May 12, 2003 donandfran_hudson@telus.net Mom had a terrific day...cooked and cleaned all day for her! Send us a note! Donald Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JakeYYZ Posted May 12, 2003 Share Posted May 12, 2003 I think there is a two pronged or parallel game at hand. The obvious, to reduce labor and debt costs. The other, to reduce the Fed’s domination of AC operations. Think about the significance in turning to GE for DIP financing. It won’t be AC demanding less Government involvement. It will be the financiers of the new AC. It will be a game of chicken in an election year. We’ll be relatively free of government meddling, or a crown corp. again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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