Originally Posted by Beechlover

"Self Governance?" I realize we all bring our individual experiences to this profession. Without going into boring details, I would NOT characterize my experience with my previous unionized airline as "self governance."

What I find interesting, is that we (as a profession) seem to think that unionization is the 'fix' to our profession. But the real problem (in my opinion) is that as long as the Rail Way Labor Act exists, no union will ever be able to accomplish what this profession needs. EVER. Why there hasn't been an industry wide march of every pilot down (pick a street) in Washington D.C. Demanding the repeal of this slave labor antiquated piece of legislation amazes me.

Am I the only one that see's this?

The RLA is the single biggest shackle we have around our collective necks and neither ALPA, nor the Teamsters, nor any other union that represents an airline pilot group has the ability to truly restore our profession until the RLA goes away!

Don't get me wrong.., Im not against a union being here, to be honest, in the current RLA/NMB landscape, I don't see (again in my previous union experience). Where the union made one iota of difference in our quality of life, or pay.., not ONE. But if this pilot group collectively feels that this is the ONLY way to go foward I will support it and vote yes.

This doesn't change my opinion that as long as the RLA and the office that enforces the RLA exists (NMB) this profession is broken and a union is incapable of giving us what we truly need.., the ability to deny our labor without having to ask the Feds (NMB) for permission. Especially when airline managements know how to manipulate the negotiation process to their benefit. When, you (as a group) determine, that management is no longer acting in good faith, vote to strike with a 98percent yes vote, and STILL, cannot because the NMB has been given authority over wether I go to work or not! Needing permission to be released to self help...,who is the f'n rocket scientist that came up with that master plan?

Only when we have the inherent ability that ANY OTHER common unionized laborer has to determine FOR OUR SELVES when and under what conditions, we will continue to perform or deny our services, will I consider being a member of a union to be "Self Governance." Right now, with RLA, we're not, SIMPLE AS THAT.

Bottom line for me..., I've yet to see a truly effective (fully functional) airline union. Not saying I'm a no voter, but the whole premise of us having to be "wooed" to vote a union in is like someone trying to convince me that buying this corvette means I really GET a corvette and not something that actually performs little better than a YUGO.

Just the opinion of this 49 yr old guy sitting in my living room perusing this board. I've got a military career behind me, and previous unionized airline employment. I have every intention of supporting my pilot group where voting for a union is concerned! I'm just not convinced that its really gonna change anything. Best of luck to us all!