[QUOTE=Nugget#69;171465]
Originally Posted by
Busboy
I wish we could get past the "ALPA doesn't represent me" type thinking.
Bushboy. This did not come from me this was the ALPA reps talking at Indoc. They made it very clear they did not represent us and would NOT go to bat for any of us if we got into trouble, in the first year.
I am new to unions being ex-military, but it seems to me if you want to build loyalty, the first words out of your mouth shouldn't be the above.
You right, your new and it shows.
I doubt very seriusly at indoc the ALPA REP said " We won't go to Bat for you". Maybe you misunderstood.
If you read your contract you will see that in year #1 you are on
Probation.
This is standard with most Airline Contracts, not just ALPA and not just at FedEx.
While on Probation you are an apprentice ALPA member. You do not pay dues and you are also considered an "AT will" Employee by the Company. This means you cannot vote on Union issues are unfortunately are not afforded the system board protections under the terms of the contract until you complete probation and become a "Just Cause" as well as an Active ALPA memeber. I think most of us would agree that we would prefer you were Active members from Day 1, but that isn't in the contract.
BTW ALPA saved my job at a previous carrier when I was a Probationary crewmember, even though I was an "At will" employee. Sound like not going to Bat for someone?
A quick anecdote:
Recently I remember a New Hire SO who came down with Brain Cancer after 2 months on the line. Because he was so new, he didn't have any vacation, Sick leave and he didn't qualify for Disability.He sadly passed away leaving his wife and kids. But ALPA and the membership sent him and his family badly needed money collected via donations, which made things much easier for him and his loved ones in the final year of his life.
Sound Like ALPA abandoning it's junior memebers or not going to Bat?
This is but one story. There are many others.
It's funny that you never hear about are all the good things ALPA does only the unpopluar ones.