Covenant Aviation and the Art of Deception!

Tours of the Checkpoint and Baggage screening locations of Covenant Aviation in SFO are being lead by local TSA. So Covenant, ever wanting to give the appearance of a professional and well-managed company, has decided to put fresh lipstick on this pig!

We were told not to speak to any members of the tour group (in order to keep our trade secrets from getting out). What, if any, trade secrets do we have? How about none!  We follow, or at least should follow, the exact same SOP. 

Which brings us to this question: Why are other airports thinking of opting out of the TSA screening program and considering going to private contractors?  If we all follow the exact same SOP, there should be no difference in wait times or performance! In fact, a private contractor's main objective is to generate a profit at the expense of their employees. Worker morale and motivation deteriorates as more and more is taken away from the employees! These airports should seriously reconsider this course of action. Be careful what you wish for.

BTW.....

you do realize that this gets worse, right?

Add to the 50,000 dollars that was used as an example in the previous post, the 936 dollar raise that was mentioned. Now, multiply 50,936 dollars by 2.3 percent. The union now gets 1,172 dollars in dues money!

50,936 by the agency membership rate of 1.74 percent translates to 886 dollars. Your actual raise for the year is 50 dollars.  But only if you are paying the agency rate fee.

Are you mad as hell yet?

Let's keep this going while we have your attention.

Take the gross income amount from your 2015 W2 and multiply that by 2.3 percent.

The union just loves it when you do overtime. The more you make, the more they make. 

Now tell us once again just how great SEIU is! Can you understand why they don't want to be pushed out as the union that represents the workforce?  They are laughing all the way to the bank!

Covenant Employees: Did you get a Christmas bonus this year?

Of course not!

Your Christmas "bonus" came from passing your PSE test on your first attempt.  If you didn't pass on your first attempt you received a big fat zero for your "bonus."

The true colors of Covenant Aviation, LLC. are shining as brightly as ever.  And yet they want a truly motivated workforce.  Employees are following the lead of management: Money is the best motivator of all!

Covenant Aviation, LLC. is CLEARLY....

 ...unhappy with the number of call outs on Christmas day. Just what type of employees do they think that they  deserve?  They have never displayed any type of appreciation nor respect towards the workforce -- the same workforce that has enabled them to extend a three year contract into one that has just entered its fourteenth year.

Their thinking is, "if we don't open up the vacation time off schedule, everyone will have to be here."  This is just another example of the incompetence of the management team. 

Isn't it better to know well enough in advance so they can prepare for it? Employees will take time off regardless, so why not plan ahead?

But what do we know?

Over the years, the Covenant Aviation management team has shown us their true colors.

 

They have shown us that they purportedly value integrity, but display none themselves. 

They have shown us their capacity to deny accountability by pointing the finger of blame at someone else, instead of looking inward. 

They have consistently shown us the value they place on profit, regardless of employee satisfaction or quality of product.

They have shown us their lack of appreciation and respect for the workforce that allowed them to extend their contract by a full decade. 

They have shown us their willingness to disregard the complaints of the workforce by turning a blind eye and a deaf ear.

They have shown us their true colors, and it is not a pretty picture. 

We have a question!

Why was the copy of the latest signed CBA, that was sent to the TSA, so heavily redacted?

Just what doesn't CAS want the TSA to know?

We will supply an non-redacted copy to the TSA if we are contacted.

Let's get to the bottom of this subterfuge!

What a surprise....another backroom deal between Covenant Aviation and SEIU.

Covenant and SEIU have joined forces once again to stick it to the employees!

Information that we have received, that was dated 9/17/15, disclosed a cozy and convenient arrangement.  SEIU wants to guarantee that they are the union that will represent the workforce, whether Covenant retains the contract or not. So, what does Covenant get in return? How about the political clout of SEIU?

And why has the union asked for -- and been granted by Covenant -- access to the last four digits of our social security numbers? This information is "personally identifiable information." Is this even legal? What gives Covenant the right to make that decision?

We have submitted this information to the appropriate parties for review.

MORE OF THE SAME!

Upper management wants to gather employees twice a month, from each section of the screener workforce (checked baggage and checkpoint), to come up with suggestions on how to create a "positive workplace environment."

Do they really need the workforce to tell them what they should already know? They know exactly what has caused the discontent throughout the workforce!  Just who are they trying to kid?

Previous "sessions" with management produced zero results. They wrote suggestions down and pretended that they actually cared enough to make changes. Can anyone point out any positive changes that have been implemented? The only changes that have taken place have been negative. Staffing levels are so low that we can not take our breaks and we are delayed being released at the end of our work shifts. Management wants more production from fewer workers.

So, what is behind this insincere attempt to improve worker morale? If you don't know by now we will tell you...it's more profit for them!

Will Covenant retain this contract to provide an inferior product to the stakeholders? Will a new company assume responsibilities at SFO?

We can and will increase performance for a company that cares and treats their employees with respect and appreciation.Covenant should be seen for what they truly are. They are a company that has always put "Profit before Product."

Just why is Covenant Aviation Security LLC so confident?

Upper management has recently stated that "the contract for SFO is ours to lose."  How did they reach that conclusion?  Did they make another backroom deal?

What they refuse to acknowledge is just how tenuous the positions of upper management are.

Should another company assume control of security at SFO, they would inherit an experienced workforce that has done fairly well under the Covenant management team. Upper management would be replaced with a leadership team from the acquiring company.

Just imagine what the workforce could accomplish with a management team that actually cared about their employees! Just imagine what it would be like to work for a company that puts product before profit.

Remember, "it's performance versus potential."  Can and will the workforce improve their attitude and professionalism under new leadership? 

Fear not the future; things have a way of working out!

Our Take on the Town Hall Mettings!

It is obvious that the current level of effort put forth by the workforce is not quite what Covenant wishes it to be. They want us to smile and be more tolerant.

Management is just in denial and refuses to admit that the workforce has responded in a way that doesn't give Covenant what it wants. Jeff:  it comes down to "Production versus Potential." A workforce that is appreciated and respected for their contributions is more motivated to put forth a better effort!


Jeff Pugh has reportedly stated that we can have a raise or we can have our parking back, but we can't have both! For a company that is trying to get the workforce to be more courteous and customer friendly that approach just will not do. We find this to be an extremely arrogant and rigid position.

Once again, the quality of the only product that Covenant is able to provide can only be raised to a higher level by management improving morale.  Stop the threats and intimidation!

The choice is yours; it is time to vote!

Whether you vote yes or no is completely up to you. If you don't vote at all, it will be counted as a "no" vote. A "yes" vote will rescind the practice of forcing payment of union dues to keep your job..If you are undecided as to how to vote, just examine SEIU's past performance. Look at their track record regarding what they have done for, and to, the workforce.

Do you honestly feel that they have worked for what was in the best interest of the workforce?

This union has shown that the "only" thing that they care about is the collection of dues which they have failed to earn.

Have they ever negotiated or submitted an alternative counter offer to anything that Covenant has wanted?

Who can they blame for all the take-backs and give aways that Covenant has asked for and received?

Now they are asking the workforce to tell them what issues are important to us. Shouldn't they know the answer to those questions already? How about everything that that they gave away for starters?

A "yes" vote only removes SEIU's ability to force us to pay dues -- it doesn't relieve them of their responsibility to represent the workforce. Why should we, and why would we, want to pay dues to a union that has done absolutely nothing for us?

Updated UD information!

Committee of Covenant Screeners for Deauthorization

Mail in Ballot for the Deauthorization (UD) Election, Vote Yes!

Fellow Covenant Employees:

The lying liars of SEIU and Covenant have a contract governing our employment. This contract contains a “union security clause” which requires each employee to pay dues to SEIU as a condition of employment. This is insane! Vote Yes!

However, under the National Labor Relations Act of 1951 (NLRB), employees have the right to call for a special, secret ballot election to have this forced-security cause deleted from the contract. This is called a “Deauthorization election”, (UD), because employees “deauthorize” the forced-security clause and remove it from the contract.

If 50% or more of the eligible employees vote in favor of the UD, the clause is struck out of the contract, and no employee will be forced to pay dues or fees to the SEIU. In short, a UD election has only one purpose: to remove the forced-dues clause from the contract, and require SEIU to earn its dues through voluntary contributions, instead of forced collections and threats to terminate you if you don’t pay up!

Our UD election is a mail in ballot from the NLRB.
The ballots will be mailed after 10-2 and will come to
your home address, we have till 10-16, Thursday to send
back the filled in ballots to the NLRB, the votes
will be counted on Tuesday the 21st at 11:00 AM.

It is Critical that each employee vote during the voting period! In order to win this election, we need a majority of all employees who are eligible to vote. An employee who fails to vote is, in effect, “Voting” for forced dues, and is voting to have no choice except to continue paying outrageous dues and fees to SEIU!

A strong union is not predicated on how much money you pay in dues! The Union is weak because of a POOR CONTRACT, POOR LEADERSHIP, and NO ADVOCACY!

Vote yourself a Raise! Vote Yes!

Really, Uncle Mike?

Uncle Mike just doesn't seem to grasp the gravity of the situation between the workforce and management. Doesn't the evidence speak for itself?  Why is he failing to acknowledge that his style of management just doesn't work?

Does he honestly think that the steps that management has taken will inspire the workforce to increase performance? Just what motivation does he think will be created by withholding the 3rd quarter "Courtesy and Helpfulness" bonus? Quite the contrary!  This step has only inflamed the workforce. It didn't work before, why would you expect it to work now?  

Covenant Aviation Security placing 26th out of 30 in Courtesy and Helpfulness should be a wake up call.  Let's just continue along the same path and see where it leads.  Let's just continue to stick it to the workforce as usual!

Uncle Mike, why don't you try something that might work? How about showing some respect and appreciation? How about treating the workforce in a way that acknowledges the reason that CAS has lasted over 11 years? Do you still think that all the backroom deals and cozy relationships will save this contract?  You even acknowledge this point in your own "Internal Company Confidential" letter, dated November 26, 2013.  To quote: "our expectation is that our TSA contract will run through July 31st, 2015."  The key words here are "our expectation" -- in other words, there is no guarantee!

Uncle Mike, you are right about one thing:  that the expectations of the stakeholders remain as high as ever.  Just what is your plan to create an atmosphere that will produce a service that meets these goals?

The workforce will once again follow the examples displayed by management.  Start showing that you value the contributions made by the workforce!

Are you as stunned as we are?

In a letter from JLP, he attempts to address the rumors that he was made aware of through Facebook.

According to Mr. J.Pee, the likelihood of a TSA takeover of the screening operations at SFO will never happen. According to Mr. J.Pee, CAS does the best job of performing screening operations at a CAT X airport.  Perhaps he should share that information with Uncle Mike.

Yes, the same Uncle Mike who has decided to loosen the purse strings and dole out a $100 quarterly bonus to all of us.

Let's see, that breaks down to a dollar and a penny per day.  Gee, Uncle Mike, are you for real?  Is that how little you think of the contributions made by the workforce?  Is that how little you think of our performance, which has allowed you to keep your job with your lofty salary?  Isn't it nice to have a management team that recognizes the true value of the workforce?

Once again, this "profit-before-product" company known as CAS has shown that the only things that they really appreciate are the almighty dollars that line their collective pockets, courtesy of the workforce.




Now, why is it that they deserve to have this contract any longer?

And, as for you, Covenant Aviation:

We sincerely hope that your day of reckoning is fast approaching. We sincerely hope that your days of threats and intimidation will soon come to an end, at least at this airport.

Through the power of the internet, your reputation and style of management will precede you wherever you go.

Your complete and utter disregard for the well being of your employees and their families is well documented.  Your inability to effectively manage and supply a quality product will be your downfall.  Your pursuit of "Profit, at any cost, before Product" is deplorable.

At the very least, you should have been able to supply the stakeholders with what they so richly deserved -- an efficient and professional workforce that is second to none. You should have been able to inspire and motivate the workforce with your leadership and professionalism; sadly, you have not.

Let the chips fall where they may!

This proves our point!

Never let it be said that Stormin Mike doesn't "feel" for us.  Never let it be said that Stormin Mike really cares about us as individuals and/or our families.

How shall we respond to this latest from his "heart" message?  Let's give it a go, shall we?

He is completely glossing over the root cause of all that is happening right now!  The resulting "lack of world class customer service" is in direct response to the policies that he and his stellar management team have handed us (along with the complicity of SEIU).

For him to say that he "appreciates" our effort is completely and totally insincere!  We are not the ones who have failed to remember that the product that we deliver, "world class customer service", depends solely upon the morale and professional attitude of the workforce.  Yet, Stormin Mike wants us to believe that he is not the problem.  WE ARE THE PROBLEM! 

When has this company ever shown us any appreciation?  We must have missed it!  Was it during the annual hot dog, chips and soda day, otherwise known as, Employee Appreciation Day?  Or was it during the annual combined Thanksgiving and Christmas day luncheon?  Was it during the Perfect Attendance Award handshake?  Or was it when they stopped buying us the shoes which are part of our uniform?  Try as we might, we just cannot remember a time when we have been sincerely and totally appreciated!  

Now this one statement of his really made us stop and think.  We could not help but laugh.  He said that, "we would no longer be represented by SEIU!"  That point alone seals the deal.  That, Uncle Mike, would be a wonderful thing!  If we were to go Federal, we would be represented by the American Federation Of Government Employees (AFGE).  You remember them, don't you Uncle Mike?

So now let us get into the meat and potatoes of his brash and bold internal and confidential memo.

He said, " I will do my part to fight for your jobs at SFO."  The only job that he will be fighting to keep is his own!  There is no "Team SFO."  There is only "Team Mike."  There are only the self-serving issues that are important to a "FOR PROFIT COMPANY" with a Federal contract.  

Let us not forget, it is "Profit and the pursuit of Profit" that drives this company. It is Profit before Product!  It is, and it always will be, the number one issue for a private contractor with a Federal contract.

Vote No on the LBFO from CAS

Let's address these topics in the order in which they were presented.

The relationship between CAS and the workforce:  The relationship has always been "Us against Them."  Covenant has never shown an ounce of concern about the issues that we have as individuals and as heads of households.  Who does Mike Boles think he is kidding?  If our relationship with CAS is better than those of other companies with CAS, we pity the other companies.

Mike Boles has the gall to state that the combined wage and benefits package far exceeds the TSA minimums.  Our benefits package is way below what our TSA workforce counterparts receive.  We have facts and figures to back up our statement.

If CAS were to lose this contract, the only losers would be CAS!  The workforce would still be here, minus the overpaid excess baggage of upper management.  We don't foresee another private contractor getting this contract.  SFO is the sixth largest airport in the country, and SFO would fit nicely into the TSA empire.  After all, we are TSA trained and certified and have worked closely with the local TSA managers at SFO.  Sounds like a perfect fit to us!

Why would the TSA expose themselves to the same low morale and unmotivated workforce that are inevitable with a private contractor?  As for the issue of our seniority not being recognized, we will  fight that battle also.  It is well worth the risk.


Wages:  It is true that there is a wage freeze for the TSA workforce, and that they have not received a raise in two years.  Even so, it would take us over 8 years at 2.1% to catch up to what they are making now. 

One final thought to leave you with:

The Department of Justice has determined that Covenant is in violation of USERRA.  This issue relates to the current and former members of the military who are part of the workforce.  Covenant has been discriminating against them when it comes to promotions and back pay.  When CAS talks about "Team SFO", they very conveniently have left out our veterans.

http://www.dol.gov/compliance/guide/userra.htm

Summary:  We are not "one" team, and we never have been!

The "Plank" Owners' Reward!- Part Two

These offers are so insulting that they cannot go unanswered.

Incoming CAS president, Mike Bolles, has submitted an offer to the bargaining committee that he hopes to have accepted and in place by the beginning of August.  Of course he does!  His hope is to fast track this quickly enough to prevent it from being taken apart.  Well, it's too late!

One of the "insults" is an offer of 21 days PTO and 4 days of accrued sick time.  We know for a fact that the TSA workforce gets 12 hours of PTO and 8 hours of sick time every month.  We also know that Kin Care call outs are based on the number of accrued sick days.  Bolles' plan will result in an excused Kin Care of only two days per year instead of the 6 days that we should have.  ( half of 96 hours per year.)

"Plank Owners" are being asked to accept a total of 200 hours per year instead of 250.9. 

CAS has placed a 50 dollar per year value for a grand total equaling a 500 dollar one time bonus to the Plank Owners.  Each additional year beyond 10 years results in no bonus at all!

So, let's see.  They want Plank Owners to "give" back 50 hours of the PTO that they have waited 10 years for.  This would result in a roughly 1000 dollar hit to each and every one of them.  Oh, but don't worry, they will give you back half of what you are asked to give up so the hit will only be 500 dollars for year 10.  Each and every year after that will result in the full 1000 dollar give back.

The benefit package as a whole is very insulting and it would take too long to list our objections.  Suffice it to say that, "we are not amused."

One more thing before we end this posting.

Is this what Rep. John Mica means when he touts the cost efficiencies and benefits of a private contractor versus the TSA workforce?  Is this what he means when he says that the workforce has more incentive to perform better?  Just how does he formulate these beliefs?  It is all based on lies!

When a company is only focusing on generating as much profit as possible someone has to suffer. 

We will admit that a private contractor does beat the TSA in one aspect, they have really mastered the art of sticking it to their employees!

The answer is: Absolutely Not!

The question:  Should a for-profit, private contractor be responsible for the checkpoint and checked baggage security at SFO?

How has a company, whose main focus is generating a "profit", survived for so long? 

In the almost 10 years that CAS has been at SFO, they have never been able to have a schedule that matches operational needs.  Year after year, they just can't seem to get the hang of it.

Management likes to say that the daily movement of personnel is "flexibility" and a credit to their managerial skills.  We employees see it as just another managerial miscue.  Clearly they are clueless! ( The need for countless hours of overtime is a testimony to their ineptitude! )

The Distance Between The Two Sides Is Getting

wider and wider.

The previous two postings only shows how management remains committed to using measures that will do nothing to improve worker morale.

Threats and attempts at intimidation will only make the workforce more determined.  Have you not learned anything over the years?  If you show respect you will get respect.  Do you not see what type of workforce you are cultivating?  Do you not see that we are fed up?

Do you not realize that this blog is being read by other airport employees around the country?  We have been contacted by members of the TSA workforce at airports who may or may not opt out.  Is this the image CAS wants them to see?  Just how willing do you think they will be to work with CAS management?  Your reputation will surely precede you!

Open your eyes and learn from your mistakes.