Originally Posted by
Carl Spackler
ACL, I have two questions for you. But first, here's my premise: I propose the following letter be unanimously accepted by every elected member of the DALPA MEC and sent to Lee Moak:
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Dear Captain Moak,
This letter is to advise you of the unanimous opinion of the Delta MEC regarding your signing of the Pinnacle agreement that completely subverted the rightful role of the Delta MEC.
We are requesting a letter of apology from you on behalf of ALPA national to the pilots of Delta Air Lines and their elected representatives. This letter must also include a pledge to never again act on behalf of Delta pilots without the direct participation of the Delta MEC. We will be expecting this letter no later than 30 days from today.
Should this letter not be forthcoming within the timeframe stated above, the Delta MEC is unanimously resolved to no longer be affiliated with the Airline Pilot's Association. It is imperative for you to understand the importance the Delta MEC places on all parties within ALPA operating in strict adherence to the policies that make our union a truly bottom up organization. Your actions in the Pinnacle matter were in direct contravention of those policies in our opinion and can never be allowed again. DALPA either controls the interests of the pilots they represent, or they do not. We require a clear answer to that question.
Although your actions have produced great mistrust among many Delta pilots, we still believe there is a solution if all can be confident of this never happening again. We look forward to your letter inclusive of the items we must have in order to continue our relationship.
Regards...
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Now here are my 2 questions for you ACL:
First, would you sign off on a letter that had this as its basic premise?
Second, if Moak wrote back and said go pound sand, would you follow through in ending our affiliation with ALPA and creating a new independent union?
Carl
Carl;
You are not going to like my answer, call it political and a non answer, but imo your letter makes too many assumptions.
It is easy to say "yes" to your letter since in it, you state that the MEC is unanimous in its position. If that were the case then this is their position and it would have the entire MEC's support.
I doubt that is what you are really asking, but the letter and the question are written that way.
So,
1) I am not not sure this is the best or most effective approach to this. This letter is not something you write to get what you want from an organization. Its a letter you write to do what you say in the second half of the letter; leave.
2) Second question is flawed because of the first question and letter.
My goals are different than yours. I am not looking to leave ALPA. My goals are to make us stronger. Better results for our pilots and the local, MEC and National level.
What I desire on the Pinnacle issue:
Depends, and whatever gets the most/majority support of the MEC, even if it is less than what a single person or Rep would desire. Being right and just is great, and going for what you singularity want may feel good, but if you fail to reach your objective(majority support), you fail in doing anything. If you desire something that gets majority support, it will always be less than what you want, but its more than you will get done without compromise on some level. If you desire just a letter like yours, not much will be accomplished, except to incite a pilot group and usher them towards the door with ALPA. That is your goal since you say they are a failed organization. A letter of C&BL interpretation, letter of warning, a C&BL, AM or PM change, plus many others are options that accomplish the same goal without the divisiveness and threats you pen are available if the MEC decides.
If, when the MEC does anything is unknown, but some things take time and patience. This much I have learned. The one that has the longest patience generally is the one that moves the ball the farthest towards the end zone.