Originally Posted by paladin

To set the record straight; just because the new “Continental” HQ is moving to Chicago there will be no requirement (for those who chose to not be a part of a collectivist organization) to become members of ALPA. All that is required of the objecting non-member is they pay an agency fee. The reduction of monies paid may not hurt ALPA but it will damn sure not help them. For some, there is solace in not giving sanction to a “collectivist/totalitarian” organization. Especially one that not only tolerates the kind of “bullying” tactics that are advocated by some members of this forum, but also one that does so little to represent the individual and does so much to promote the self-serving agenda of its leadership.

Below is from the National Right to work organization.
Employment relations for employees in the railway and airline industries are covered by the Railway Labor Act (RLA). Railway and airline employees are not protected by state Right to Work laws.

Under the RLA, you cannot be required to be a member of a union or pay it any monies as a condition of employment unless the collective bargaining agreement between your employer and your union contains a provision requiring all employees to either join the union or pay union fees.

Even if there is such a provision in the agreement, the most that can be required of you is to pay the union fees (generally called an "agency fee").
If you are not a member, you are still fully covered by the collective bargaining agreement that was negotiated between your employer and the union, and the union is obligated to represent you. Any benefits that are provided to you by your employer pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement (e.g., wages, seniority, vacations, pensions, health insurance) are not affected by your nonmember ship. (If the union offers some "members-only" benefits, you might be excluded from receiving those.)

If you are not a member, you may not be able to participate in union elections or meetings, vote in collective bargaining ratification elections, or participate in other "internal" union activities. However, you cannot be disciplined by the union for anything you do while not a member.
The Supreme Court, in Ellis v. BRAC, 466 U.S. 435 (1984), a lawsuit that was supported by the Foundation, ruled that objecting nonmembers cannot be required to pay union dues. The most that nonnmembers can be required to pay is an agency fee that equals their share of what the union can prove is its costs of collective bargaining, contract administration, and grievance adjustment with their employer.