Originally Posted by
pinseeker
Jolly,
Yes, I do think ALPA is wrong at times. Though I don't always agree with them, I think they do a good job. My position is that age 60 is going to change. Maybe this year, maybe next year, but definitely before I retire in the next 20+ years. I also believe that ALPA saying they need to get on the train is the right thing to do now. They will get more input by saying we want to help with the change rather than fighting the change to the bitter end. As for seniority rights, that is a slippery slope that the union should not go down. Once they start supporting one group giving up seniority, where do they stop. I would like age 60 to stay as it is. I would also like all of the 60+ guys to have to stay in the back WHEN the rule changes because that helps me more. However, I don't think it is the right thing to do.
Pinseeker,
Thanks for the answer to my question. I concurr that this is a done deal for the over 60 legislation to go thru. When or how soon, who knows. We are talking about the US Govt here, so it could take years and cost millions of lives.
I think most of us feel seniority is very mportant, but most junionr guys feel like ALPA could give a flying BLEEP about us. Just look at how the passenger guys have left thier young hung out to dry during all this post 911 down turn. In the case of FedEx ALPA, it's seems like they have gone physco, because when a majority of membership wants one position, and our MEC takes the opposite---well it just don't make sense. In the end, the junior guys get screwed once again.
I still think that for ALPA to change it's position on the age 60 legislation shows weakness. Let's hold the line and fight the good fight, not give in because we think/know we will lose. For FedEx ALPA to flip flop on this, and then go hard over rudder for retroactively bringing guys back makes absolutely no sense. Hey, did we give up when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
Jolly