Wave,

I'll tell you how. The way the system has historically worked is that each represented group bargains for improvements off of the latest guys contract. i.e. leap frog up in the good times/ management will do the same in the opposite direction in the bad times.

The way it works with the unionized carriers and Skywest is.... we fight for better contracts through our dues, our lawyers, our efforts, and then to keep you happy, Jerry matches it. Matching isn't leaping.

Finally, their is the ethical angle. I know slaphappy will jump in here and I won't engage him when he does, but is it right that unionized groups through their dues, lawyers, PACs, efforts, and strikes drive the industry up and non union carriers ride the coat tails? I think no.

Now Slap will get on here and post over and over that ASA only wants Skywest to unionized because of selfish reasons like it will slow upgrades and we want quick upgrades at our airline.

I can promise you that is simply false. He CAN NOT make a blanket statement like that because the majority of people I talk too who want Skywest to unionize are all Captains. Plus, you can add in the fact that we are upgrading over 30 a month now and plan to for the rest of the year +. Given the fact that ASA is a smaller company than Skywest, percentage wise, the upgrades are running at about the same rate.

Finally, I can't attribute this directly to slap, but several Skywest pilots have posted on here that ALPA only wants the money from Skywest.

I'm not sure if we have punched through the ceiling yet, but as of a few years ago, ASA was still in the hole. That's right, ALPA national had given us more money (for strike preperation, lawyers, expenses, etc.) than ASA dues put into the system. When ALPA takes on a new airline, you get all the bennies of a national Union from day one and that cost a lot of money. It takes years for the carrier and union to break even.

For me (ten+ year 70 Captain) Skywest unionizing is about two things.

1. If you're ALPA we will have a better relationship between pilot groups and hopefully keep JA from whipsawing the two groups against each other.

2. I truly believe in my heart it is the ethical thing to do. If you (as a group) benefit from us busting hump for 5 years to get a contract shouldn't you (as a group) also contribute?


I am not some hard core ALPA guy. they did save my bacon once, and I know the value of a strong union first hand but I'll be the first to admit it's not perfect. But it is the best show going and in the long run, we will all be better off.

Sincerly,

Stick