CaptTom

I second the dumping of ALPA. The sooner the better.

Sniper

That article (and the posts on this forum) seem to paint a certain picture of Morse.

The article [and this forum] suggest some dissension in the ranks. Is Kravit part of the Morse team, or did he and Wallach split the vote, allowing Morse to win, and now there are divided loyalties?

Not trying to stir up a hornets nest, just curious what's going on @ UAL, historically the most 'active' ALPA carrier over the last quarter century. Good luck guys with your new leadership.

Groundhog

The information that I am getting is that Kravit was not a contender for MC. In fact, there were 5 abstentions for his election to the VC post. Why an abstention and not an up or down vote, I'm not sure.


Hog

crewdawg52

One of the best statements I've read in a long time!

Equinox

I don't think it is an issue of mainline union vs. regional union interests.
Both require decent pay, working conditions, career advancement, and retirement.
The issue is the divide and conquer strategy of management, and how the MEC's give up portions of a company's business. The business makes the money, but the workers give up jobs. The national union shrugs it's shoulders, because dues come in from the smaller company....
Leverage declines on both sides, as do pay and working conditions.

Ahh, no, I won't give it a rest

Dicecal

She has Sspoken:

Dear Fellow Pilots:

On October 13, 2009 the MEC elected new officers and committee members for the term beginning January 1, 2010. I was elected MEC Chairman, and although I do not assume office for over two months, I want to begin my communication with you now. We have much work ahead of us, and we have no time to waste.

For those of you whom I have not met, allow me to introduce myself. I am a 777 Captain based in Chicago and served most recently as a member of the MEC Negotiating Committee. From 1999-2001, I was on the Negotiating Committee and subsequently elected as Vice Chairman and then Chairman until 2003. From 2004-2007, I served as the MEC Vice-Chairman. I also have served in LEC and MEC committee positions. The collective confidence of multiple MECs has acknowledged my continuous record of service and commitment to the United pilots over the past 20 years.

Those who know me understand my capabilities, and I am confident that once you get to know me you will recognize my strengths to lead this pilot group forward. This letter is the first step toward providing you my vision of the future for our pilot group.

The MEC Elections
The election is over. As in all ALPA elections, our democratic process has worked. A transition from one set of LEC or MEC officers to a new set of officers occurs regularly, and it is often accompanied by vigorous campaigning which can elicit strong emotion. This was clearly the case in the recent MEC elections. Previous MEC Chairmen have been elected by narrow margins. I would encourage each of you to focus not on the rhetoric and hyperbole of a campaign, but on the collective threat we face and on how to best meet it. As Winston Churchill said, “A lie gets half way around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.” The strength of our democracy lies in the electorate’s ability to pull together after the votes have been cast and to get behind the elected candidate to fight for our common interests. No pilot group has ever achieved success by fighting a war of the past. The future is my focus, and I urge you to join me.

The crucible of a hard-fought campaign has often produced our strongest Master Chairmen: I assure you I will be one of them. To those who have not yet engaged, now is the time. Organized vocal minorities can often bring about undesired results. Our future, our destiny and our success depend not just on the few willing to make their voices heard, but on all who have a stake in the outcome of our efforts.

Looking Ahead: Contract 2009
Negotiations for a new contract are underway. It is clear to the MEC, your Negotiating Committee, and the Company’s negotiators that the United pilots will not accept any contract proposal that embodies “cost neutral” or other ridiculous mantras spawned during the bankruptcy era.

I assure all United pilots that I am committed to following the direction of the MEC and to delivering industry leading improvements. Three key areas of our contract are most critical in this regard: scope, wages, and working conditions. As our pilots have clearly indicated, we must realize gains in these areas. There is nothing left to give. Industry leading wage rates devoid of strong scope protection is meaningless. I unequivocally commit to you that I will not sign any agreement with the company that gives away another shred of our contractual Scope protection –including the 90 seat jets.That is our flying and we will not give it up.

The importance of our unified resolve cannot be overstated. The process defined by the Railway Labor Act may seem ponderous and arcane, but it is one that each generation of pilots has navigated, some with more success than others. The involvement of the National Mediation Board at this stage is an indication that we are progressing. The key is perseverance and understanding that, at the end of the day, we will achieve the contract we deserve, as evidenced by the success of other pilot groups who have recently gone through this process. Alaska and Delta pilots are enjoying improved contracts. Southwest pilots have a tentative agreement that reflects the value an enlightened management places on employees who serve their customers well every day. Continental and American are both presently involved in Section 6 negotiations and undoubtedly will achieve significant contractual improvements. In Contract 2000, we utilized the “Delta dot” of industry leading wages. The next contract will be no different. United pilots will not be denied the improvements we have indicated are important to us -- improvements we have sacrificed for and deserve.