Originally Posted by
scambo1
ACL;
A comment followed by a couple of questions.
DCIs have sued DALPA/ALPA and now get to have some level of input in major airline scope changes. They SUED, they did not try to get their way thru the well founded ALPA processes...They SUED.
What benefit do the Delta pilots get from (partially) funding the representation of the (ALPA) DCI??? (Remember the DALPA leadership recently cut loose Compass)
How does an inhouse union diminish in house unity?
How does being a part of ALPA enhance industry wide unity?
My answers are simply: None, it doesnt, it doesnt.
Scambo,
I'll on speak to the perspective of ASA pilots who flew for an airline which had its own marketing, code & tickets. An airline which established itself and flew for Eastern at one point.
ASA's flying was purchased by Delta Air Lines. ASA's pilots were stripped of "their" code. Their flying was taken away and flown by their new owners (mostly outsourced of course). The traditional solution to this problem was a merger, which we all know they tried to get and were denied. Then they tried to negotiate scope which would cover Delta's left over flying. That was denied. They appealed to ALPA National and received a response that they could not negotiate any scope over "Delta" flying and would never be allowed to even talk to Delta management. Appeals were made to every level of ALPA. Finally, they sued (or joined an action begun at Comair).
What you saw WAS ALPA PROTECTING DELTA PILOTS' RIGHTS TO BARGAIN
EXCLUSIVELY. ALPA went to battle for Delta pilots and won (as pointed our above).
Our profession faces some existent threats, cabotage, multi-crew licensing, even carbon caps, which can best be addressed by a unified political voice. As a junior member of this profession, I think we NEED ALPA ... your job is worth more than mine. You have even a more compelling reason than I to support this force that protects your job.