Originally Posted by
alwaysflying
In regards to paying dues to USAPA:
First they will probably make this airline an agency shop, thus trying to get pilots fired for not paying dues.
Now, I am off to do some research on some facts pointed out to me.
1. NO contract or Bylaws of any union can violate any state or federal statues.
2. The state of Arizona is a right to work state, along with Neveda.
3. Their are no laws in Arizona or Neveda that allows a employee to be forced to join a union.
So from this, I will do my research because this information would lead me to believe that USAPA can not make us pay dues or join. Their bylaws would violate Arizona law and US Airways has its headquarters in the Arizona. Plus the west pilots operate out of PHX. Thus if the company fired a pilot for not paying dues, it is my understanding that thus pilot would be able to file a lawsuite against the company for wrongful termination and probably win. I have no doubt if this is true that USAPA would also be named in the suit.
In the past most of the unions were setup East of the Mississippi where companies could create close shop agency. Out west, my understanding is their are no close shop states, they are all right to work.
Now on to do research.
Better to be educated, than follow the masses in a sinking ship. I actually question my leadership, not blindly follow.
FedEx now has Agency Shop and TN is also a right to work state. I believe the way this is allowed is you are not required to join the union but are required to pay an administrative fee for the servicing of the CBA which you are covered under because you are part of the class and craft. The fee is usually very similar to what your dues would have been. At FDX it is interesting to note, that when we changed to Agency Shop in our 2006 CBA, the non-members as of the date of the TA were "grandfathered" from the paying of fees. We had about 125 pilots who were in that group so anyone who became a non-member after that date is subject to Agency Shop.
Not sure if this applies to all right to work states. Good luck to all US Airways guys and I hope to see you back in ALPA someday.