[QUOTE=Jdub2;3535294]Well that was a spicy meatball
email from chairman and secretary/treasurer throwing MC under the bus
edit:Chairman’s Perspective:
This week the MEC was in Las Vegas for a regular meeting. Although much of the agenda was dedicated to our ongoing Sec. 6 negotiation, the biannual MEC officer elections were also front-and-center. This was the fourth officer election that I have been part of as an MEC member. What I witnessed this week was unprecedented and disturbing on many levels. There was a planned and calculated divisive strategy that was executed mostly by newly-elected reps that have never been through an MEC election. This group, whom the NYC FO rep Marc Cervantes chose to embrace, were successful in dividing the MEC and winning all three of the contested officer elections by a single vote (the MEC Secretary was unopposed). Although the democratic process prevailed, this winning group failed to fully understand how difficult it can be for an MEC Chairman to be effective with a divided MEC. They put their need for power over what is best for the pilot group.
In the weeks leading up to this meeting, many of the C66 pilots asked Marc Cervantes whom he supported for MEC chairman. He gave everyone the same response, and I quote; “Thanks for taking the time to reach out to us with your feedback for MEC Chair. There is no doubt there will be a lot of things to consider when looking at the elections for the next Chair. Getting past the finish line of negotiations is a forefront item. I appreciate your input.”
On Monday night of the meeting, I invited the current C66 reps, Marc and Matt, as well as the incoming reps, Sherry and Evan (Evan was unable to join us) to a group dinner to discuss the upcoming election. Up to this point Marc was unwilling to publicly support any candidate. I explained to Marc that it was customary for a rep from the same council to nominate the candidate from that council, but I also said I felt it would be disingenuous for him to nominate someone he has no intention of voting for. Marc finally admitted he would not vote for me, not because he didn’t think I would make a good MEC chairman, but rather because he felt that some of the other MEC members who supported my candidacy had offended him in the past in the course of MEC-related communications and interactions. I tried to explain to Marc that he represents C66 pilots, and it was his duty to vote in the pilots’ best interest, the way the pilots wanted him to, and many would be very unhappy if he didn’t. Instead, he allowed his personal feelings and sensitivities to determine his decision.
Expecting a group who has never seen the movie before to be unable comprehend the implications of their decision in promoting a divided MEC was predictable. Not all of you wanted me elected, but from the pilot feedback your reps received before the election, none showed support for Darren Hartmann. Despite this, Marc chose to allow his feelings for other members of the MEC to lead him to support Captain Hartmann. Knowing they had Marc’s vote strengthened their resolve to be unwilling to work to bring the MEC together.
I only have a few months left in my term, and I will continue work hard to secure an overwhelmingly ratifiable contract. In March, I look forward to flying the line with my fellow New York pilots.
Secretary-Treasurer’s Perspective:
I am a non-voting rep when seated at MEC meetings. I normally do not have an official stance on recorded votes, since my position as S/T involves me assisting the Chair & Vice Chair of C66 in the performance of their duties. I always am involved however in acting in the best interest of C66 pilots. One of the ways I do this is by holding the proxy of the Chair or Vice Chair when they are unable to be present for a vote. I held Marc’s proxy at the October special meeting, and happily cast my vote in favor of sending out the Strike Ballot. I also held Tom’s proxy at this meeting for the purpose of voting for MEC Chair, since he himself was a candidate. Since I cast my vote for Tom, I believe it’s appropriate for me to offer my perspective.
This is my first term as an LEC rep, so for better or worse I’m not as familiar with the previous actions of other MEC reps. I can say, however, that every vote cast for Tom was by a rep that also voted to support the Strike Vote. The same cannot be said about Capt. Hartmann.
There was considerable constituent support for both of the other candidates, F.O. Karlene Petitt and F.O. Ryan Argenta. Ryan has been an unparalleled boon to the pilots of Delta in his role as producer of the Engage Podcast. I have known Ryan since 2008, and can attest first-hand to his character. I did not vote for Ryan because I feel that it would not best serve the C66 pilots to put a pilot with no MEC experience in the Chair’s role during the endgame of Section 6 negotiations. I would strongly support Ryan’s election in another position on the MEC if given the opportunity, and I think that experience would make him an extremely viable candidate for a future Chair election. I did not vote for F.O. Petitt because she also lacks relevant experience, and has made no effort that I’m aware of to serve the Delta pilots in any other ALPA capacity prior to seeking the Chair position.
Regarding Tom’s perspective, none of the facts he presents to you regarding Marc’s reasoning behind his vote are inaccurate.
In the end, I felt Tom Kramer had the best combination of knowledge, experience, savvy, and humility to deliver the industry-leading contract we have been waiting three years for. He was the catalyst at the horseshoe that propelled the overwhelmingly successful Strike Vote forward. While this was the most recent—and perhaps most important—example of his leadership and experience effecting outcomes that will generate tangible results for NYC pilots, it is hardly the first time I have seen him take the initiative to make things happen. I will be glad to explain my vote to any NYC pilot.[/QUOTE
…A spicy meatball??? This is exactly as it should be. MC should have never been a rep. NYC continues to be a bizarre refuge of new hires.