Originally Posted by
Tuck
I think you and I disagree as to the value of some of our supposed "influence". I'm not sure I've ever seen any action taken when the ALPA president testifies before Congress - nor do I believe that American, Southwest or UPS pilots were somehow disenfranchised because they didn't testify. When we have similar values those other independent unions gather just as much value (of which I think there is little if any) when ALPA testifies. I used to think there was value in all the synergy shared between ALPA NCs and specific value in things like ALPA's E&FA but then found out that ALPA regularly farms out their org for a la carte pricing to the independent unions - at a much less overall cost. The NCs actually meet well beyond just ALPA - they regularly meet and talk between all the different pilot unions.
No doubt there is compromise when you are part of a large org with various groups but I just don't see the value anymore. We have a lot less money available to spend out of our dues money compared to any of those independent unions - we also have incredibly less say in who we hire to man our office. You want some more lawyers even if you h ave the cash? Well that has to be approved by national and those lawyers come under the CBA of their employee group. You want o remove one or two of your weak staffers? Virtually impossible for the reason.
I completely agree that we are mostly left to our own on negotiations. We get next to zero value from our assigned national attorney - we succeed and fail on our own here at Kirby. The ALPA President will sign almost any CBA we put forth - that's not the issue. The issue is whether we are maximizing value to the Fedex pilot by being part of ALPA. I don't see it. Say you want to change our website or add an app for our members? Any idea how hard that is to do because of the walls ALPA has set up to protect their employees and their work product?
not sure I understand your comment about perdiem?
Perdiem is a negotiated item on our contract. As you and I agree, we decide what to negotiate in our contract. So saying ALPA National doesn’t want perdiem raised because it not duesable income, makes no sense.
As for the rest, let’s just say that in my experience within ALPA, I see the value. But then again, I’ve never been part of an independent union. My only other experience comes from a non-union air carrier. Last thing I’ll say, if you look at the minutes and resolutions of the EC, you’ll see that on every single meeting (every 2 months) they are all approving unanimously resolutions for specific things an MEC want, including MCF funds, of which I’m pretty sure FDX is approved.
Anyway, good discussion. I believe that it’s easier/better to improve from within and keep the strength in numbers and money, especially the PAC, what politicians really care about when making decisions on what to support.