Originally Posted by
acl65pilot
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.
I've made assumptions? Look at what you've just done. You assumed this is all just about getting rid of ALPA, then you used that assumption to not answer either of my questions. Very unfair of you. That letter is not looking for a reason to leave ALPA, it's a letter trying to save ALPA from itself.
Yes I would love to get rid of ALPA, but that didn't happen. I have no choice but to try to change DALPA. That's my motive here. In order to change DALPA, I first need to know where every rep stands on the single most important issue we face. That is the issue of whether we control DALPA, or does ALPA control DALPA. In my opinion, this letter is a litmus test for every rep, or they must be recalled. If you cannot even agree that DALPA has the independent and exclusive right to bargain for Delta pilots, nothing else that rep thinks matters. Nothing.
Now that you know my motives, I'll ask my two questions again:
1. Would you personally back such a letter demanding an apology from ALPA and a pledge from them to never do it again?
2. If Moak refused, would you support a new effort for an independent union that is the exclusive bargaining agent for Delta pilots?
Carl