Age 60: Picketing ALPA
One Wednesday, October 18, a diverse group of about 20 pilots picketed in front of the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas where the ALPA BOD was holding its meeting. The purpose was to publicize ALPA's position on Age 60 and to influence change. Carrying the picket signs were pilots from USAir/AWA, Southwest, FedEx, and JetBlue. We had a former MEC chairman, two FedEx pilots who had resigned from ALPA, pilots from SWAPA, and non-union pilots.
The event was covered locally by several TV stations who did a great job of reporting the facts. At one point, several members of the ALPA BOD happened to walk by and appeared to be quite surprised by what was happening. One suggested that he would go up and get newly-elected John Prater to come down and speak with us. I said, "Please do. We have two pilots here that walked the picket line with him for two years and they would like to see him." It didn't happen but I think it would be a good idea at some point.
It is interesting to me that Age 60 is now a "union vs. union" matter that is highlighting how out of touch with society that ALPA and the AFL-CIO have become. Both SWAPA and the Teamsters have strongly endorsed a change to the Age 60 rule and, on November 23, 2006, it will be ALPA vs. ALPA when Air Canada Jazz begins flying in this country with pilots past age 60.
One cannot help but marvel at seeing union and non-union pilots picketing together against ALPA. The Age 60 matter is becoming a unifying force with a life of its own.
We were all pleasantly shocked by the ouster of Duane Woerth, and there is no doubt in my mind that the Age 60 issue, along with pilot resignations and other protests, was part of pushing the close vote over the edge. John Prater's platform indicated no real change from the status quo but, hopefully, his election will provide the opportunity for new ideas to come forth quickly.
Best quote (from FedEx pilot, Chuck Henry):
In 1983, I started picketing for two years on behalf of ALPA. Twenty-three years later, I am picketing picketing against ALPA. It is weird."
Bob
Last edited by rjlavender; 10-20-2006 at 05:35 AM.