Originally Posted by ATCsaidDoWhat

RAH is one of the airlines in Local 747. Each airline has their own elected pilot representatives, just like ALPA. They also conduct their own negotiations, with the assistance of the IBT's lawyers and staff, all of whom have extensive airline labor and RLA experience. They also have access to other disciplines as they need them.

The other matter you refer to was putting Local 747 into emergency trusteeship and the removal of Gene Sowell, who was President of Local 747, for cause. A couple of business agents were also removed. This required the naming of an acting trustee to ensure that the rights of the members at all the airlines in Local 747 were protected. Hearings have been conducted by an independant panel and both sides, Sowell and the IBT, presented their cases. Pilots were also invited to testify. The final report is due out soon.

The negotiations at RAH, Horizon and others are ongoing. The biggest difference is that they are now getting the unqualified support that the pilots at those airlines deserved all alone; not support driven by political favoritism.

In general terms to your questions, IBT dues are pegged at 1.56%. They stay with the airline and are not funnelled upstream. Of the 1.56%, .22% of that is paid to the International for admin and related costs. Individual pilot groups have the right to raise their own dues, however if they do, none of the additional monies are part of the .22% computation. The financial controls are very tight these days; money can't be co-mingled and accountability is absolute.

Trustees are elected by the pilots of the airline. Stewards, who process grievances at the individual carriers are also pilots elected by their peers. The number is determined by the pilot group.

Work is largely done on days off. Since the unit (airline) is responsible for their own expenses, if trip drops are unavailable, most only pay for the specific days needed to do the work. Bidding or picking up a big trip with the intent of dropping it and getting paid to do a day or two of work is not generally allowed.

Again, these are general answers. Each individual carrier has the right to make rule changes as long as they conform to the Constitution and ByLaws of the IBT.