Originally Posted by
REAL Pilot
Isn't the forum shutdown to limit the liability damage to ALPA in the event of labor unrest. I would think that would be prudent.
Exactly on target as shown by the statement shown prior to signing into the ALPA message board:
All pilots should be aware in particular of the ongoing legal obligation to comply with the decision and order of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, issued in United’s lawsuit against ALPA and four individual defendants. The Court ordered ALPA, the individual defendants, and the pilots of United Airlines not to engage in, promote or encourage any slowdown, sick-out, work to rule campaign, refusal to accept voluntary or overtime flying, or other concerted refusal to conduct pilot operations in the normal manner.
Every pilot, whether employed at United or another carrier, who participates in this or any ALPA forum or other communications method must refrain from engaging in any discussion regarding unlawful concerted activity at United or any other carrier, and must refrain from any comment on the pending United court case. This includes initiating or replying to any such post. Such posts will be removed immediately, but will be discoverable in a court proceeding and may form the basis for a ruling from the Court that the posting individual as well as ALPA have violated the Judge’s order and are therefore in contempt of court. Such a finding could lead to fines and other penalties against the individual pilot.
In 1999 the APA went on a sickout. A federal judge considered it an illegal job action and ordered them all back to work. APA leadership didn't comply with the order to Judge Kendall's satisfaction and he fined them $45M. The APA didn't have the money and needed a loan. By the time the loan would have been paid off their lack of judgment would have cost the 10,000 members of the APA $90,000,000. For you Marines, this means each pilot would have paid $9000 over the 15 year loan period or $600 a year above their normal dues. Not very smart. Sometimes judges are wrong or injust, but their orders must be complied with or suffer the consequences.
ALPA was right to temporarily shut down the MEC message board. They are seeking ways to open it back up and still be in compliance with the judge's orders.