Originally Posted by
skybolt
I am concerned about participation. We only managed to draw around sixty or so members to the meeting. (I had to fly and left after about ten mins into the meeting, so that number is just my observation, it could be wrong by a few) This is out of a Local membership of 330 pilots.
A total of 140-150 proxies reached the meeting. I think it is a typical turnout. I.e. presidential elections have around 35-55%. Not bad at all especially considering the extra effort it takes to hand over a proxy because lately you can't just leave it in your V file.
Originally Posted by
skybolt
As far as your assertion that this was the third recall attempt, I must protest. A regularly scheduled election is NOT a recall.
Call it what you want. Fact is this was the 3rd opportunity to replace the CA rep.
Originally Posted by
skybolt
I will also disagree with your point that the 26%'rs had momentum and that "most of us were unhappy about the way things went down during and after the strike". I don't wear a 26% lanyard, I fly very little OT. I commute and don't pick up or trade, etc, etc, etc. I was not the 26% candidate. Had the 26%'rs been irate, they would have had run one of their members.
The 26%'rs have no candidate. There are several smart guys there but it seems all they ever do is push others forward rather than taking charge. Their best shot was after the TA and they failed to produce a CA. Although I agree you were not their candidate, most of the 26'rs ended up voting for you.
Originally Posted by
skybolt
In regard to this latest recall effort, the recall movement didn't even have an organized effort to support their recall. (One guy offering to gather proxies at the Dunkin Donuts is not a fully organized effort.) The pilot that called for recall did so because his circle of friends/acquaintances is upset about the way things are going. They believed, incorrectly, that their movement was "grass roots". Considering that the vote total in opposition to recall almost doubled the meeting attendance, it was obviously not "grass roots".
The recall that took place in Frank's first year was about one of the FO's being turned in to the Feds. Frank explained why he called the FAA and the members kept him in. Over and done with. Totally unrelated to the last one.
Not unrelated at all!!! It was fueled and spun by the same people. It was political just like this one and the real motivation was exactly the same. Namely to change the balance. The story with the FO was an excuse. Most of us actually agreed with Frank's action. He wanted equal treatment for every pilot. 25h OE for one pilot vs 100h for the other is hardly equal. Most of us agreed and the recall attempt was pretty much dismissed.
Originally Posted by
skybolt
agreed in principle, but an unorganized effort to recall just gained 65 votes for recall, obviously there is a desire to change. Not a majority of politically active members, but a significant number to be sure.
The effort to fight off this last vote was unorganized as well yet it produced 50% more votes then the opposition. Most folks are not interested in a leadership change that is what I keep hearing flying the line. And I do fly with a lot of different folks.