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.

So, who is getting the shaft once again?

A reader submitted these numbers as an example:

Certain members of the workforce received a 45 cents per hour increase in salary for 2016.  Now, multiply that 45 cents per hour raise by 2080 hours worked during the year. That translates into a increase of 936 dollars per year.

Now, for the sake of argument, let us use an annual average salary of 50,000 dollars a year. Multiply that 50,000 dollars by the full membership dues rate of 2.3 percent. That results in the union collecting a dollar amount of 1,150 dollars a year. If you use the same annual salary number multiplied by the agency dues rate of 1.74 percent, the dollar amount paid in dues is now 870 dollars per year. Are you getting the picture yet?

Now on top of that, multiply the annual rate of inflation as of the end of February 2016, which was 1.02 percent.  That results in a loss of buying power of 510 dollars a year. Are you feeling the love?

Folks, no matter how you slice it we are all getting the shaft big time!

The only ones who are coming out ahead are SEIU and Covenant Aviation.  Where's the integrity here to do the right thing?

The mission of Covenant Aviation is to make as much money as possible at the expense of the workforce!
Once again, should a for-profit company, whose main objective is to make as much money as possible, be responsible for providing "world class customer service and safety"?

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. 

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!

Are you enjoying your quarterly bonus?

Covenant Aviation, the profit before product company, announced last week that our quarterly bonus would be in our paychecks dated 5/29/15.

For screeners, that amounts to 83 cents per day; for supervisors it amounts to $1.66 per day.  Just how much did our stellar management team get?

Are you feeling appreciated? Are you motivated to provide "world class customer service"?  Or are you following the lead of our management team and are only in it for the money?

Once again, we will state the obvious:  "The quality of the only product that you have to offer is determined solely by the example set in place by management!"

Don't fall for Union Scare Tactics. TAKE BACK YOUR RIGHT TO CHOOSE!

The (TSA) letter used to frighten screeners says nothing about taking away our pay and benefits (In fact, the author is content with the current contract, but would like to consider the SCA [McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act] being used in future contracts, which guaranties screeners earn the same or better of their TSA counterparts. The only people who would not benefit from the SCA would just be upper management).

Voting YES in the election lets YOU determine whether to contribute your HARD-EARNED money towards SEIU.

Voting YES gives YOU the power to show what you think of SEIU and how you expect them to EARN their dues in the future.

SEIU currently collects over $60,000 per MONTH for their "Protection". They won't just up and leave if you vote for Open Shop. They actually might start doing what they are paid to do.  ;-)

Submitted by a reader.

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!

What is the truth? Where does the dues money go? (Submitted by a reader)

SEIU right now compels all Covenant workers to pay Full dues (2.3%) or agency Fee- Becks rights of (1.8%). We are the only airport in the U.S.A. that has to pay to keep this Job! How Insane! This is fundamentally wrong.

SEIU is telling all of us that they need all of our due's money. This is a lie!

The Facts are very little stays in the unit (chapter). The bulk of the money first goes to the San Francisco Labor council under Tim Paulson and then to the San Mateo County Labor council under Shelley Kessler and each take a “CUT” of it and do nothing for us! The rest of the money goes to the main International SEIU in Washington D.C. This helps pay SEIU President Mary Kay Henry a ludicrous salary of $350,000 (Not including benefits, perks, expenses and bonuses) and they also do nothing for us!

A "yes” vote – will release your obligation to pay union dues, and you can Continue to work at Covenant without paying S.E.I.U. The Collective Bargaining agreement will be unchanged except S.E.I.U. and their Shop Stewards will actually have to earn your money.

.

Think Long and Hard!

This article refers to SEIU as a powerful union. Where does that power lie, and how do they use it?

Their " power " comes from using union dues to fund reelection campaigns. Their " power " comes from backing politicians who are willing to stick it to the very people whose lives they should be working to improve.  Ask yourself if you want to continue to be victimized just like these union members who were forced to join and pay dues!

There are those of you who, as of yet, remain undecided on which way to vote on our Union De-certification motion. Read the article and then ask yourself, "Is this the type of union that I can trust? Is this the type of union that I want representing my interest?"

Once again their actions and level of greed speak volumes.

It is time to stand up for yourselves and say, "  Enough is Enough! " 



http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/09/26/michigan-seiu-branch-allowed-to-keep-millions-in-dues-skimmed-from-stealth/#

The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled last week that the SEIU Healthcare Michigan does not have to pay back more than $34 million in dues collected from over 40,000 home health care workers. Many were forced into the union under state requirements that they join because they were taking care of sick family members at home.

( The full article can be read by opening the link.)

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!

We have been asked to post this bit of information

To all who received a letter from SEIU demanding that you start paying dues.

 Mr. Stephen Burke has filed a charge against the Union regarding a withholding of dues due to a lack of a contract. A "Hiatus" period was in effect since the beginning of 2012 which resulted in the temporary removal of our requirement to pay dues. A letter requesting  that the payroll department not take any dues from our paychecks was submitted. This letter also stated that if and when a new contract became effective that we would only resume our membership at a reduced payment rate according to the 'Beck" clause. That "Beck" membership rate would be at a reduced rate of  (1.8% ) not the full amount of 2.3%.

Do not send back the two cards to the Union. The National Labor Relations Board is now conducting an investigation and we feel very confident that the previous ballot results will be tossed out. We are requesting that a new vote take place on-site, not as a mail in ballot.

We will pass along any information as it becomes available to us.

Once again, has anyone seen a signed copy of the new contract?

What do we have?

The TSA has something called, "Workforce Engagement." Its stated purpose is to, "ensure that all employees at all levels are informed, inspired and supported so they can effectively contribute their expertise and enthusiasm to the success and performance of the TSA."  Do we have anything like that at Covenant?  Absolutely not!

What we do have is a management team that does everything it can to keep us uninformed. What we do have is a management team that does nothing to keep us inspired and motivated. This management team has shown its utter contempt for the workforce by sticking it to us as often, and as hard, as they can. 

We have all had a recent sampling of the value that Covenant places on the contributions of the workforce. We have just received a quarterly bonus of 100 dollars which, after taxes, nets out somewhere around 60 dollars.  Or, as we like to look at it, less than a net total of a dollar a day.

This profit-before-product company takes away several thousand of dollars in givebacks and take-away and in return they proudly announce this embarrassing quarterly bonus!  Does any employee not see how little they think of us?

Once again, we are stating, for the record, that there is absolutely and undeniably no cost advantage between a for profit-at-any-cost_private contractor and the TSA.  The budget would be the same, the only difference is that a for profit company, such as Covenant Aviation, is purely motivated by greed versus the TSA which is totally focused on providing the highest level of security possible.

We hope that Covenant is seen for what they are and that their days at SFO will soon come to an end.

SEIU is at it once again!

In their haste to re-establish their undeserved flow of cash in the form of dues, SEIU conveniently overlooked that they are suppose to inform the workforce that we do, in fact, have an option.

SEIU wants to collect dues at a full membership rate, when the employees have the option of paying an agency-only reduced rate. Gee, we wonder how they could have overlooked making that information available?  Go figure! Has anyone actually seen the new collective bargaining agreement?

BTW....a motion has been filed to have the recent vote-by-mail ballots tossed out.  A workforce this size should have had a walk-in ballot.  You will be made aware of any news concerning this issue as it becomes available to us.

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 so it starts!

On Monday the counting of the ballots will begin at 1 p.m, and we hope that you let your voice be heard. Thanks to all those who have helped to make all of this possible.  We will post the results of the voting as soon as they are made available to us.

The rumor mill has been abuzz this past week with talk of a major announcement from the TSA which was expected to be released on Friday, July 26th, but was put off until this week. Let's cross our fingers that this announcement is just what the doctor ordered and is not a continuation of "business-as-usual" with the "profit-before-product" Covenant Aviation at the helm.

Good luck to us all, and thanks again for supplying the information needed in order to keep this blog-site your source of timely news.

Is this not a form of slave labor?

How can it be legal for Covenant Aviation to severely restrict the ability of the members of the workforce to take a day off?  Just how does this company -- who, in some circles, is known to be a company that puts profit-before-product -- get away with this?  

The workforce can bid to take a full week off for a vacation, but just try to bid for one day off!  This inept company keeps staffing levels so low that they cannot afford to have employees take just one day off.  Why is this such an issue?  Do they not have sufficient managerial skill to balance the staffing levels, and adjust for employees' requests for time off?  We have already seen the level of incompetence demonstrated by this stellar management team! 

If an employee is regularly scheduled two sequential days off, it is common to request time off for the subsequent two days when planning a vacation or time with family -- this allows the employee to have four days off, while only using two vacation days.  But Covenant Aviation makes this process nearly impossible and continues to stick it to their employees non-stop.

We have been told by members of the workforce that requests to have a single day off, made to their respective managers, have gone unanswered. These unanswered requests are a standard practice of upper management. Just when will this unfair treatment end?  We hope real soon, with a not-so-fond farewell to this "profit-before-product" company known as Covenant Aviation LLC.