higney85

We have 1 on full time leave (chair), negotiator(s) bought off for actual negotiations, and occasional buyouts for the vice-chair. The only leave beyond that for reps are MEC meetings which are preassigned 2-3 times a year, 2-3 days in length, and worth less than what a typical trip yields and really screws up the month's bid. This is NOT a money-making opportunity as a rep. The only "money" that shows up is for a cell phone expense (part of the bill)- which after having to up your plan for all the additional phone calls is pretty much break even. O- and there is a $100 a year to have to PAY for insurance in case you screw up trying to cover someone's tail. Yea, making big cheese let me tell ya. Those who think this is all money have to look at it and see it's like the rest of the industry- the top can make some good coin as a "union guy" but the rest of us are at the opposite end of the stigma. I don't think you will find a single status rep who does the work for the money- it's because some want to help others and try and get crap done and a bad situation made better. Keep also in mind that most guys are dealing with their reps on THEIR time off- nights, weekends, early mornings, holidays, etc. I'm not b*tching about it, but it is extremely frustrating for those to start the "what have you done for me" routine when they have not even picked up a phone for answers and think that this is some high paid lavish "job" with benefits. It's volunteer work for fellow pilots, and yes- YOU are the union. Look at other carriers that have been successful in mgmt altercations, then look how our group operates. I can't advocate anything but our performance is back up after being put on ICE! Yea, how about "what has the union done" now? I won't sit here and knock fellow pilots but I will say this- before you cry out to the public that things aren't going your way and it's you rep's fault answer these questions....

1. Have you contacted your reps to ask the questions that concern you?
2. Have your passed on any views or ideas to your reps?
3. Have you told you reps what you would do differently?

A rep is an extension of the group he/she represents. Make sure your part is heard. I have about 30 guys that call me regularly that I have NEVER met in person or flown with, they ask the questions, give feedback, vent, etc. There are also another 20 or so that I know as either friends or have flown with that call/email/text to get their info. These guys are all livid, just like the rest of the pilots, but they are able to at least tell me what they are looking for. Everyone pays their 1.95% and all come to work, do the job, and go home- how many take the same amount of time to complain as they do trying to make a difference? It's amazing what can happen when folks work together instead of just being angry with each other. Mgmt has always been a "divide and conquer" strategy group- see how well it's working for em?

Now, if you want to talk about where we are, what we have accomplished, and what's to show for it.... If you are MEM based I would be surprised if you are unaware of what guys are wanting to change. If you aren't MEM based I think you should ask your reps about it. I'm not going to start throwing the crud around on a public board. Feel free to email me, I'm sure if you are at 9E you can figure out who I am.


*This is not a knock on the OP or anyone else, but this is my vent and I do feel better- thanks. Talk to your reps if you don't like what is going on- it's the ONLY way you can say your voice is heard.