Originally Posted by
FDXLAG
Redeye, two questions for you.
After the MEC endorsement of Kerry in 04 there were some rather boisterous objections. The MEC responded by passing an almost meaningless resolution requiring a poll of the membership before they ignore it and endorse the democrat’s next nominee.
Question 1: Do you think the MEC would have responded to the membership then if there was an agency shop?
Question 2: Do you think an agency shop will make an endorsement of hillary more or less likely? Even if it is something minor like changing the probability of 98% to 100%.
Now I realize this will result in major thread drift and will be glad to move to a new thread, but this is an example of why the leadership is less responsive to the membership because of agency shop.
I will be glad to discuss politics and the rangle/clinton tax increases elsewhere.
I think the Leadership (in most cases) does respond to the Membership.
Take the LOA for example.
Maybe I spend too much time on this forum (wife thinks so).
By reading this forum, the average guy thought the LOA was going to fail miserably. Even though I supported it, I too was under the impression it was going to fail.
When it passed by close to 70% I was surprised.
I am assuming the MEC conducted a poll maybe even using the Wilson center.
They probably had a more accurate sample of the membership as a whole.
Now to thread drift.. Politics. Unions generally back Democrats. Not always but most of the time. Pilots are a funny bunch. We want good contracts, we wear our Union Pins and lanyards, we want ALPA to fight for us on Captial hill. Many think of themselves as psuedo management and Not Blue Collar Labor. Sad fact we are laborers that wear ties and have College Degrees Skins on the walls.
A large percentage of pilots vote straight Republican and in many ways is understandable, but ironic.
The UNION on the other hand will endorse the Presidential Candidate that will be more likely to have a Labor friendly (or less Hostile than the current Administration).
I don't want into a "You should vote for XXX"
We all all big boys and girls. You all are free to choose and vote for who you wish. many are 1 Issue voters.
Pro Life/ Pro Choice
Creationism vs Evolution
School Prayer
Straight/Gay issues
Anti War/ Support
More taxes /Less taxes
Conservative/ Liberal
Outsourcing of Jobs vs Free Trade..etc
The Union is a one issue entity too.....Pro Labor.
So I would expect that come early next year, yes ALPA will probably endorse Hillary. Yes I know, many FedEx Pilots will be upset about this and probably some at other properties too. If you or others choose to vote for Rudy or Fred or the pilot hater McCain, does that make you a bad UNION member? No it doesn't. But it isn't bad if the Union endorses a candidate you don't agree with either. None of your dues money goes to any candidate.
So to answer you question, I think the Union will respond to the Majority on most any issue. But I still expect the Union to endorse another Democrat this time around.......Hillary or whoever.
All I know is that the UNION wants a candidate that will be a friend (or be less of an Adversary) to Labor issues.