We'll I'm very pro union and my favorite would be in-house. When Gene was here I couldn't stand it but regardless of the name on it the union is about those on the inside. With Gene gone there have been a lot of changes. Exco is easy to get in touch with. I've emailed them on issues from FMLA leave questions to you name it and always received prompt answers. They always have someone on call. Grievances are now being dealt with. You'd get an IBT magazine and we'd have 3 pages of new ones just sitting there but they've been chopping away at them lately. The largest and most important issue with any leadership is effective communication and these guys have taken huge strides to increase that, which they've done successfully. I can get on the IBT union board and ask a question to one of them and get an answer.

Of course sensitive nature things like "What's up with integration" or "what pay are you asking for in the new contract" can't be answered just yet but having spoken with the guys personally on several occasions I'm pumped they are there. They are a completely different animal then what the IBT recently was. They haven't been there that long but they've hit the ground running and aren't shy to the company when it's time to talk. Slap whatever letters you want on it, UTU/ALPA/IBT/FAPA, but it's all about the leadership and personally I've seen a huge change between what we have now and what we had. So yes currently I'm happy with them they haven't given me any reason not to be. As I was kinda poking at earlier with the increased communications etc I haven't seen them doing anything "shady" since they've been there. Only good things. BB on the other hand is another story. Seems like every week I grab the paper and do a nice "***!".