Executive Inactive (EI) Membership Status.
Allows the placement of senior Flight Operations personnel, specifically Company Officers and Directors, in an inactive membership status (can’t vote, attend meetings, etc.) with significantly reduced dues.
The Executive member can request this status (which subsequently needs to be approved by the MEC) or can be placed on it by the MEC without a request.
Many ALPA pilot groups have policies that automatically place Co executives on EI. Neither Delta nor formerly NWA has / had such a policy.
All members in good standing have rights and responsibilities. Members who are in management necessarily have duties and responsibilities to the corporation as a result of their positions. These include:
o Discipline with the implicit ability to end or significantly alter other members’ careers.
o Making operational choices and policies that can emphasize the interests and expenses of the Co over improving other members’ working environments and ability to do their jobs.
o Representing the Co’s interests in negotiations,which in many cases are in direct opposition to the priorities established by the membership through ALPA.
Those who favor EI for specific management personnel (who are members)
generally emphasize the above points.
Those opposed to EI generally believe that there’s an advantage to have an
executive retain active membership to better understand what the pilot group needs to best accomplish their jobs, be fairly treated, and sufficiently compensated.
We supported the effort requesting that the Sr. VP-Flights Ops voluntarily seek Executive Inactive status primarily due to what we believed was the inherent conflict between active membership status and actions taken as essentially the Co’s lead Negotiator. Even more so when it became clear that negotiations have taken on a more confrontational tone after last year’s TA failure and since progress this year has been very slow.
Certainly considering and developing an overall policy that is management position-dependent may be a longer term goal, although once out of contract negotiations the inherent conflict doesn’t draw the attention that it does while in negotiations.
We certainly appreciate the Senior VP-Flight Ops ultimately requesting Executive Inactive membership status. The MEC approved his request at last week’s August special meeting.
Local Issues.
The Hassle of Coming to Work.
Here’s what the DTW CPO published in their recent update:
“With the ongoing removal of the SIDA badges, we committed to those of you that drive to the airport ways to reduce travel time into the facility. We have been working with the stakeholders to come up with some solutions. One item that we have come to agreement on is a second KCM checkpoint that will be located closer than the current entrance at the Westin Hotel. This will be a second KCM checkpoint in addition to the current Westin checkpoint. Plans have been reviewed by Delta, WCAA (Wayne County Airport Authority) and TSA and they are currently out for bid with the construction companies.
We currently expect this new checkpoint to open by the end of October and we will keep you advised along the way in the newsletters and billboards in the lounge area. Other company wide initiatives, such as “remote check-in” are also in the works and will greatly expedite this process. Once completed, this second KCM will provide more direct access to the trams and center of the terminal. As we get closer to the opening date, we will provide more on the location and associated details. Please keep your feedback coming into the office as it is a great way of crowdsourcing ideas that help the entire group.”
We certainly appreciate the efforts that the DTW RD and CPO have made to address a bad situation. We are still very disappointed that a solution similar to ATL, where the flight crews screen in the parking lot and are still dropped off at an AOA bus stop near Operations, could not have been developed (or allowed with the current AOA parking screening facilities) for DTW flight crews.
Interactions with the Chief Pilot’s Office (CPO).
Even though we have a good relationship with the DTW CPO, we always recommend that any time a pilot is asked to see a Chief Pilot (or FOM, or Assistant Chief Pilot, whatever they’re called these days) they always seek ALPA representation, even if the issue seems relatively (or completely) minor. Sometimes interactions with any CPO can seem non-threatening but then head down the wrong path.
Please, do not hesitate to call one of us regarding any meeting, request for a meeting, seemingly “hey, while you’re here” innocuous chat, email or phone call. It’s what we’re here to do.