Originally Posted by
be76flyer
First let me say I am a big supporter of one ramp, one union.
Having said that you seem to have a lot of misinformation about how it works at ALPA and why Atlas is paying the assessment. Atlas is paying the assessment because if 1224 takes money from IBT International than International gets to run the show, ALPA on the other hand has what is called a MCF aka ALPA's war chest. Any MEC can apply for MCF funds and when approved the MEC can use it as it sees fit as long as it is within the the reasons they said when they applied.
Actually, I think I understand things just fine. Your "MEC can apply for MCF funds and WHEN APPROVED the MEC can use it as it sees fit as long as it is within the reasons they said when they applied."
At Atlas we don't have to "Apply" to use our Strike Assessment. We don't need approval from 1224 or Teamsters. You'll be paying the money and then asking ALPA for the privilege of using it. In a previous negotiation this reared it's ugly head here where ALPA simply pulled the plug. They control the money and the second that you no longer look like a positive investment they'll pull the plug in the interest of "Everyone else" (Delta).
In fairness it'd be years before you'd be in this situation but if you think that they'd allow you to fight for 8 years again you're crazy. They're going to force you to accept what ever scraps Connie gives you if you're in that exact scenario again and it will happen long before 8 years and long before Connie agrees to give you gains. It will also destroy your leverage when Connie knows that all he has to do is hold out until ALPA pulls the plug... OR you can have a Strike Assessment on top of your 2%. I'd rather do that than blindly trust someone else with my career.