Originally Posted by stickwiggler

Skywest pilots, this string is for an intelligent debate on the pros and cons of ALPA.

I have posted several times on the "moral" responsibilty of participating and do not intend to repeat that here. If someone is interested they can read previous threads. I do want to make a few point and open a discussion.

1. July 3, 2007 ASA Management came to the pilot union (ALPA) and said they need relief from the contract (that is to disreguard a contractual rule) on new hire pay. What they wanted was to be able to offer greater pay or a bonus for new hires. It would appear that we are losing pilots at a rate faster than we can hire them. Our last class was suppose to be 20 and only 11 showed up.

As anyone who reads this board knows, part of the reason people are going to carriers other than ASA is because of low moral, long upgrade times, and sub standard pay/ work rules. Our company is looking to fix that with a bribe (probably a one time bonus) to fix the problem.

Our union told them "NO". If you want to solve your attrition/new hire problem, sign a contract and reward those who have continued to work without a contract for over 5 years, cut down on attrition, and make ASA a more desirable place to work.

The point to this is, if we did not have representation, management could of just implemented the raise or bonus for new hires and taken that money away from the pilot group. Pilot pay comes out of one basket, and you better believe that if they have to pay one portion of the pilot group more, than they are going to take it away from somewhere else! Does Skywest offer a bonus? Not yet, but is it possible it is coming? If so, will they give that raise to new hires and not those of you who are out their working hard for the company every day? Who knows. But, with representation you could at least have a say in the process. Today, with SAPA, you would have to accept whatever management decides.