Originally Posted by
Noworkallplay
What fleet Captains office do you work in? That would make the meeting spot easier to determine. Or are you helping labor relations out during negotiations? Either of the previous scenarios appears to be the angle you look at everything from. Flying the line you are awarded is not and never has been a job action. Many do it all the time in and out of negotiations. Its in the contract as you stated. Thanks for the offer for a cup of Joe, however it is very apparent we have very little in common. You use your time to drive division. I have no time for that. I do appreciate the kind regards and luck of the Irish. I wish I had more time in life currently to volunteer, but I don't. This is the reason I give support and appreciation to those who do. I know that no decisions within a representative organization are made in a bubble. Many people research and analyze prior to moving in one direction or another. I have been helped many times by volunteers along the way through out my career. Pay issues, DHD issues, bidding, just to name a few. This is why I cant understand the few people like you who throw stones at every opportunity that presents itself. Much like the thread starter. Its like you have a personal agenda. Its weird actually and concerning. We are in negotiations and now is when we need to unify and stop the constant complaining and dart throwing. Support those who we are counting on. Have you ever noticed the company doesn't have an open web forum or Facebook page to throw darts at each other? Have you seen a Chief pilots chastising an attorney for how they approached negotiations in an open forum or Facebook? Why do you think they don't allow this? We know they disagree on topics at times like all humans. Everyone on the companies side doesn't get what they want all the time. They don't argue and complain in public because it weakens them as a group. Maybe us pilots will figure that out one day.
I understand now why you don't understand.
First things first. It is well understood by both sides that I take the time to understand the issues. Not just on the surface, but on several levels. I have seen time and time again where reps have come to the table without reading their homework, and they get a vote, which is very frustrating, especially when the membership doe not seem to care or hold them accountable for their lack of effort.
Second, apathy allows pilots, with no real skill set, to run unopposed. The company hires experts with proven track records.
The company spends a lot of money working through several options and then implements the one they believe will make the most money. There have been resolutions where the reps have had minutes to consider the issue before voting on it. I tried to force a minimum 24 or 72 hour waiting period prior to any vote on every issue so we could read, understand, and discuss the issue, but those efforts failed because of the very same reps. In each case, those resolutions costed the pilots time, effort, and money. Later after reflection, several reps would have changed their votes "if only they knew."
As for the union, we are the stockholders. And when we are unhappy with BOD, we have the right to say so. It is just how it works.
Have I been right every time, heck no. That is not what I am saying, What I am saying is your reps don't have MBA's (neither do I), well except for one of them I hear. And your reps don't have the experience of running a union or a multi-billion dollar airline. They are not experts in the aspects they deal with, and the volunteers may or may not be as well. All of these issues require time to explore and get right every time. Yet look at the results.
Pick any group of pilots from our MSL and have them play the Yankees. You know the outcome before the game is played. Same thing here with one exception. With unity we can achieve our reasonable goals. The problem is lack of leadership and the lack of listening. Our reps are not the smartest people in the room every time. And they are not understood by the membership. They don't listen like they should. That is part of the problems I am trying to solve.
Dealing with these issues is very hard. If we don't demand our reps take the time to really understand the issues, we are not going to get the contract we want. Yes that takes a lot more work, but that is what they signed up to do.
We are rapidly approaching May. Do you understand where your reps stand? Do they understand where you stand?
Are you willing to give 1% of your time to get the contract you deserve? If so, show up for one union meeting a year, call, write, or talk to your reps every other month about the issues, update your ALPA records so you can receive the information. And vote after being educated on the issues.
Or get the other contract you deserve because you did not get involved. I assure you the company understands and costs out every change. They are counting on you to not get involved and for you not to understand before you vote just like last time. And the time before that.
That is what I am trying to avoid this time. And it starts with leadership, listening, and membership involvement.
And the leaders who don't want you involved, or don't want to listen are not on your side.