Originally Posted by
Velocipede
Of course I don't forget where I came from. Worked my way through college in a Union job. Walked two picket lines and saw the result of scabs stabbing labor in the back. 11.5 years in the Navy fighting tossing decks and hauling sailors and Marines to places they didn't want to be. Flying 18 hour missions across the Pacific.
But, I never took a non-Union job that undercut a Union contract OR crossed a picket line. Those are, by definition, equally onerous. And the name for them both is the same -- SCAB!
The way to the top of the food chain is NEVER over the bodies of people you've stabbed in the back. Then to ask those same guys for a jumpseat is the pinnacle of hypocrisy.
The CEO of our airline told me yesterday in no uncertain terms that besides the unions (a reality he is willing to deal with, a "marriage councilor" as he called it), non-union competitors are by far his worse bane in terms of remaining competitive. In our segment, there are recently A LOT of non-union bottom feeders coming in to make a "quick buck".
He said when his pilots have higher wages and better (and reasonable) work rules, but the competition is hugging the FAR's on rest, and paying a lot less, as well as using inferior hotels, etc.. it makes bidding on contracts a bit tough... This is from a veteran of several airline executive and trucking executive positions spanning Pan Am, NWA, and other larger operations like Yellow Corp.
Unions are a "necessary" evil... and if you're non union, you're bringing the rest of us down... thanks!
