Originally Posted by
Bucking Bar
....I sometimes get the feeling we pilots are a little ashamed of our AFL-CIO / ALPA affiliation, but there isn't anyone who would not be proud of the slice of Americana that took to 5th Avenue to celebrate Labor Day this morning.
IMHO - why wasn't there a single pilot standing with the other workers? If we ever "march in circles" in support of Contract 2012, it is my hope we'd adopt some of this "serve the community" spirit and organize some volunteer, or "feed the hungry" type effort that builds so much goodwill in the press and the community.....
Bar,
I love the sentiment. But, unfortunately my answer to me is disapointing. In my experience, a large percentage of pilots think that pilots are the only labor group who need union representation. Look at our message boards and see the disparaging remarks aimed at the UAW and their workers. See what we did when our mechanics went on strike. Take note of the lack of support we give our own employees in their union efforts. How many DAL pilots support the efforts of our FA's to unionize? Most of the pilots I talk to are against FA representation and I have heard of some who are actively lobbying the FA's to vote no.
I'm sure this post will spark some spirited debate, which IMO will be great. So my questions are, how is it that we as pilots can expect any goodwill from the community and press, when we can't even support our own fellow union brothers and sisters? Why are a lot of us so anti-union when it comes to other people professions? It doesn't make sense to march in a parade when you don't respect the people you are marching with.
New K Now