Would that surprise you? Many pilots here have volunteered for unions positions and have been sent packing. Critical titles such as negotiator and scheduling rep are non-negotiable to them. These are appointed positions, and what matters in the end is political allegiance, friendship, or some relationship entertained during some ALPA National meeting somewhere. The Chairman proposes an appointee and (in some cases) they get "confirmed" by the captain & F/O reps. It's like Washington DC's "Spoils System." Definitely not the "Merit System." Pretty simple.