Originally Posted by
PicklePausePull
Albie has learned quickly how the "system works." After a half a year criticizing the LOA and advocating folks not bid it to "show the company and union," he's jumped on the band wagon and bid HK! Didn't take him long to learn the "physics" of pass-over pay. So, just what message is this new "union rep" communicating to the crew force now? It always amazes me how guys can justify their individual actions even though those actions are in direct conflict with the greater good of the membership.
I don't know Albie but I think he's on to something here; by bidding 30HC he is forcing the company to address the 30FC shortfall...if more people bid and hold 30HC, it increases the crew ratio imbalance in HKG (not enough FO's). The company will have to either pay passover to all these new Captains, or increase the number of HKG crews to accommodate them, which in turn will only aggravate the FO shortfall. So in the end, they will have to improve the LOA to get the required FO's over there. Of course, neither Albie nor any other Union rep can come out and say this publicly because of the legal consequences.
However to make this work,
everyone that can hold 30HC needs to bid it (like all the excessed 72 CA's), and no one bid 30HF.
As far as getting rid of union shop, I would support that, however, as others have pointed out that under the current leadership it won't happen. IMHO, the only way to effect the changes within the Union that most of us want is to replace the current leadership, starting at the block level, so we came eventually work our way to the top. That's why I am staying engaged and waiting for the first opportunity to vote them out of office.
SG