Seems like yesterday.
September 26, 2012
The biggest challenge is making sure that we develop the right culture of the combined companies. Doing what you say you’re going to do, doing your best to deliver on it, recognizing when you make mistakes – we call that dignity and respect - treating each other like you’d like to be treated.
There’s a building trust through information and through honesty and doing what you say.
Dear United Pilots:
As we attempt to conclude a Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA), there has been increased rhetoric coming from some Vice Presidents and Chief Pilots about the “need to change the culture of the United Pilots.” These have not been isolated conversations but have been spoken before employee audiences. This has to come into focus this week after ALPA (UAL and CAL) recently won a grievance against the company for last year violating Section 4-B of the Transition and Process Agreement (TPA) that both in flight operations and in training “neither Airline will interchange Pilots between their operations.” Rather than attempt to collaboratively resolve the joint training for Instructors and Evaluators for this year, management scheduled it anyway, attempted to skirt around the Arbitrator’s decision, got caught, and blamed ALPA for interfering in management’s business. In the end, management complied with the Arbitrator’s decision but not without disparaging comments. There have been other attempts to employ new provisions of the JCBA ahead of any membership ratification including 767 Sabre training without an MOU in violation of the UAL CBA.
So is this the culture that management wants to change: make an agreement, violate it, have the violation upheld by a neutral Arbitrator, attempt to avoid the Arbitrator’s decision, and then blame ALPA? Assuredly, there are a multitude of issues facing the company that the JCBA will resolve; however, until then, the United Pilots’ CBA, the Continental Pilots’ CBA, and the TPA all remain in effect. I am certain that if a vendor or outsourced contractor of United did not perform in accordance with their contract, then United management would react no differently than ALPA when its contract with United is in violation. Is that the culture management wants to change?
I agree that the biggest challenge to us after the JCBA will be developing the right culture of the combined companies. Whether it is in the Safety, Training, EAP or any other arena, solutions exist that are beneficial to all parties. A recent success is the agreed-to joint CIRP program with all the Chief Pilots. Sometimes, all it takes is a phone call from management. You have our number.
We are United,
Captain Jay Heppner
Chairman, United MEC
July 8, 2014
***** This message is sent in accordance with Article I, Section 19 of the ALPA Constitution and By-Laws and applicable law, which require ALPA to comply with all reasonable requests from candidates for union office to distribute campaign literature. All expenses associated with this message are borne by the candidate or members acting on the candidate's behalf. *****
To the Pilots of United Airlines:
The 45th ALPA Board of Directors meeting will take place in October. The Board of Directors consists of the Captain and First Officer Representative(s), the Seniority Block Status Representatives, and the Instructor Status Representative of each Local Council and is the highest governing body of the Association. At that meeting the Board will elect the National Officers that will guide our union for the next four years. This letter is to inform you of my campaign for the office of President of the Air Line Pilots Association. We have come down a very long and difficult path in order to merge our two great airlines and our two great cultures. Our combined group is clearly a leader in our industry, in our profession, and in our union. It is my intention, with your support, to bring the best of what we do here on our property to ALPA National.
During last year’s election for Chairman of the combined MEC I was asked if I intended to seek election to an ALPA National position. At the time my singular focus was getting our unified MEC and MEC Committee structure started on the right foot. We can all be proud of what has been accomplished to date:
· A UAL-MEC which votes on the merits of the issues, rather than on legacy lines.
· Our own UAL-MEC Policy Manual, developed internally through consensus with elements of both our legacies.
It is time to take the lessons learned about inclusiveness and incorporating seemingly disparate objectives to our greater union. The people, policies, and tools are in place to continue the work on your behalf at the United MEC, and that is why I am now ready to seek the office of President of the Air Line Pilots Association.
My campaign and my administration, if elected, will be forged with the philosophies and principles that have guided me in my work as your MEC Chairman. I will strive to bring all parties together, to hear all points of view, and to seek the expert advice needed to find the best possible solution to the issue at hand. I will strive to be more inclusive with all of the National Officers, the Executive Board, and the Executive Council. This will create a more effective National Union benefitting all pilot groups, including our own.
I have already asked for the support of the United MEC and have sent a letter to the entire ALPA Board of Directors informing them of my intentions. I am striving for the unanimous support of the entire United MEC. As we move forward in this process I will continue to make every effort to seek the support of those who have not committed to my candidacy in this election. Healthy debate on the issues is good for all of us.
As I have traveled around the system and met with you in crew rooms, terminals, flight decks, Local Council meetings, and at Unity events I have been humbled by your strong show of support. Although voting for National Officers is conducted by the ALPA Board of Directors, I ask that the United Pilots continue that support and stand with me. I concluded my letter to the Board of Directors by saying: “I believe in ALPA, unionism, and collective strength. If we are to be successful in the future, we must position ourselves now. I commit to making ALPA responsive and relevant.” If elected, I pledge to strive for excellence and to make our union the very best that it can be.
Please find my attached letter to the ALPA Board of Directors.
Fraternally and respectfully,
Jay Heppner