We have to get the Single Transportation System ruling by the NMB overturned before we can oust the IBT. The former Ford and Harrison Attorney, Ron Henson, who was the VP of Labor Relations (that sort of makes you wonder what type of “relations” they wanted), did everything possible to screw that process up. He was, and I must assume is still, an idiot.

You’re correct, there is a 24-month waiting period before a change in representation can be made. That period was up in June of this year.

However, unless we get the STS ruling overturned the decert vote would include all RAH pilots (somewhere between 2,000 and 2,800). If the STS is not overturned, perhaps there are enough “native RAH” pilots that are fed up with the IBT doing NOTHING for them in three years to successfully decert the IBT.


The “natives” have to be careful though, IBT 357’s Constitution and Bylaws state:

SECTION 19: MEMBERSHIP

(D). Responsibility of Member to the Local Union:

(4) “No member shall engage in dual unionism or espouse dual unionism or disaffiliation, or be a party to any activity to secure the disestablishment of the Local Union as the collective bargaining agent for any employee.”


The penalty for such behavior is:

SECTION 20: CHARGES & TRIALS

(A). “Each member of this Union shall have the right to fair treatment in the application of union rules and law in accordance with the International Constitution and these Bylaws. In applying the rules and procedures relating to union discipline, the essential requirements of due process of law (notice, hearing, and judgment based upon the
evidence) shall be observed, without, however, requiring the technical formality followed in courts of law.”

(B). Trials and Appeals:

(4). “In the event of non-compliance with the decision handed down by a trial or appellate body, the member, elected Business Agent, Officer or Local Union shall stand suspended from rights and privileges under the International Constitution until the provisions of the decision have been complied with, unless the General President has waived payment of a fine or stayed the effectiveness of the decision pending appeal. If, however, the decision carries with it an order of expulsion, then such order of expulsion shall immediately take effect, unless the General President has stayed the effectiveness of the decision pending appeal.”


So, any IBT pilot that publicly supports a decert effort may face fines or expulsion.

At least a few “native RAH” pilots seem to have had enough of this debacle. Again, how much time, money (dues, assessments) and effort is this really worth. Shouldn’t the REAL goal be getting at least four Articles of the CHQ CBA modified? How long ago was it that RAH offered the FO’s a raise that 357 refused to even consider?