Originally Posted by
Timbo
Here's an interesting article, notice the decline in union memebership, down to 11%!
Wow.
I know we have a lot of Union Pilots on this board who are not too happy lately, but consider where you might be, and what you might be paid, with out some type of representation.
US Air is mentioned briefly if you go down to page two.
Where unions stand in 10 industries - 1 - - MSN Money
So, what do we think is going to happen to us in the next 10 years, given that union membership is on the decline, and not too many (non-union) Americans support union membership?
Be sure to read some of the comments at the end of the article.
For any newbs to this industry, you really need to get your hands on a copy of Flying the Line, Vol. 2. It goes into great detail about what happened to ALPA since deregulation, Frank Lorenzon, Geo. Bush 1, Reagan and PATCO.
For $1.98, you can afford it!
Flying the Line,Vol. 2: The Line Pilot in Crisis: ALPA Battles Airline Deregulation and Other Forces: George E. Hopkins: 9780960970834: Amazon.com: Books
The bottom line, the politicians will sell us out in a NY minute if it means they can fly to Palm Beach for $49.
Cabotage is on the horizon. If we don't hang together, we will surely hang alone.
Timbo,
It is amazing how few know why we have a labor day! Good job getting a few guys to notice the day.
ALPA used to send every pilot copies of Flying the Line I & 2. We would be well served if all read both; even with their flaws (which are minimal).
Cabotage will eventually come before congress. ALPA will fight it, but will compromise. There will be no SOS. Face it, how many pilots drive foreign cars? How many pilots pay more for American, union made products? If we don't believe in the trade the movement, why should the rest of America?
Having said that, the US carriers will out compete foreign airlines transporting Americans. And foreign carriers will hire Americans to staff their American operations. The key will be to keep these employees (all of them: pilots, F/A's, ramp, mechs) unionized.
DT