Ladies and Gentlemen:

As PCL, with his vast experience (MOD EDIT) at ALPA and AirTran pilot has yet again brought up this subject, an Bucking Bar also commented, I feel it is incumbent on correcting their misstatements.

First...your pilot group...like any pilot group in ALPA...does NOT control your bargaining rights. Proof exists at the NMB where ALPA National is registered as your legal bargaining agent.

ALPA does allow, for the sake of expediency, each group to conduct their own bargaining. However, at the end of the day, ALPA National is the required signatory. Need further proof? Tell ALPA that you intend to go out and hire outside professional negotiators for your next negotiation. The reason ALPA is involved is to ensure that Association goals are not derailed in your negotiations.

IBT? Same thing. The Airline Division holds the bargaining rights. There is however a BIG difference. Because of the structure and control, each Local...and the individual groups contained therein...control their rights and their own bargaining.

The "boogeyman" Business Agent they keep referring to? It is a person selected by the members of the carrier to represent their interests and run the business affairs of the Local. Meaning among other things, finances.

Why? Because it's cheaper than paying someone to be on Flight Pay Loss. And they are fully versed in RLA law and the carriers contract. Do they sit in on negotiations? Yes. Do they decide on their own how a contract is agreed to? Absolutely not. The Negotiating Committee does and if there is a conflict, they consult with the elected leadership.

How's that work? Local 1224 has over 3.8 MILLION of it's members dues money in the bank. Their money. IBT can't touch it. And that was just from the 800 pilots of ABX.

Can they hire outside professional negotiators? Absolutely. Do they? Yes.
Are they "truck drivers" as is often thrown about? Well...if you consider a retired 747-400 Captain to be a "truck driver"...yes. If you consider a former MEC Chairman, 747-400 Captain and professional negotiator to be something more...well, you can figure that out. And the attorney? RLA experienced and airline negotiations experience as well.

Economic analysis, modeling and forecasting? All they have to do is request it from the International.

How's it working? That will become fairly clear in the coming days when the Atlas/Polar group announce contract percentage increases bigger than anything ALPA has ever negotiated.

The difference is that the IBT Locals have full autonomy. How full? They get to keep their dues money. Of the 1.56% they collect, they only send .22% to the International. Additional assessments? They can only be agreed to by the Local after a membership vote...the International can't direct it. And that money stays at the Local.

One issue sure to be brought up is trusteeship. Yes, under the new leadership of the International, a Local was found to be committing malfeasance and not representing it's members. It was placed in trusteeship, the issues were resolved and the Local was dissolved, with the units moved. They take a very hard line on that. Wouldn't you want that?

So yes there IS a difference.

Perhaps the biggest difference is in believing that all airline labor groups must find a way to understand each others problems and work together. As Abraham Lincoln said, "a house divided cannot stand." When we all learn to stand together and support each other, our strength multiplies.

You as a group have legitimate concarns and issues. Debate them. Seek facts. Don't buy the party line from any party unless you can verify it.

Then decide.