Originally Posted by
Allegheny
One issue that may not come up here is that in ALPA an MEC is not recognized by the US Department of labor as having any authority. An MEC doesn't exist as far as the US DOL is concerned. Only ALPA Herndon is listed as the entity of Union governance.
On the other hand the Teamsters give their locals a lot of autonomy and authority. A teamster local can go on strike without permission from Teamster headquarters, they can have a dues increase or reduction they can also levy an assessment. They have a great deal of freedom of action. On the other side of the equation they are also liable in court at the local level.
When you look at any case where ALPA was a defendant or plaintiff it's always Herndon, when you read case law for the teamsters it's always Teamster Local XXX v. Someone. Teamsters have more autonomy but also more responsibility for their actions. If you screw up and get sued by the company for an illegal job action it is only your pilots who are going to pay.
On the flip side Herndon can't constrain your contract or force you to do something the ALPA way if you are not so inclined, the Teamsters will abide by the determinations of the Locals.
If you are big, I would rather be a Teamster, if you are in a smaller airline the assets and experience if ALPA are better, IMHO.
That's not entirely accurate.
Each MEC is essentially its own union. They operate by agreement under the rules of the national association.
As an LEC officer I filed many annual mandatory reports with the US Dept of Labor. They most certainly recognized the LEC.
The easiest explanation is ALPA is an association of many technically separate unions all operating under the national umbrella and rules.