I'm sorry but I have no idea why there was a recall. The union has been a carousel that just inserts the same people. It is probably a difficult job being the head of a union for a very divided pilot group. Junior and Senior want very different things.
This isn't like a major airline. Nobody is working in unison in hopes of having the job they love return to form ten years from now. It is more like picking at a carcass.
I agree what another poster theorized. The recall could stem from the desire to hand the company the massive concessions it wants with the First Officers taking the brunt of it in order to save the jobs of the most senior pilots. If every FO made $20 an hour, I would imagine that Comairs costs would be the most competitive in the regional industry without affecting the captains too adversely.
It is hard to say who I am angry at specifically. It would be nice if it were one individual doing the harm. Vote out that individual and order is restored. However, the reality is that anyone that takes the helm of the MEC ultimately becomes a robot that follows commands from ALPA national. If ALPA national says to that person... "No, you will not return the merger fund." They comply. Without question or explanation to the membership. Sure we get some contrived statement that deflects the real issues... but thats not what the majority is looking for.
When the fund was instituted it was done so at ALPA's command and without a vote. I can accept that part as much as I don't like it. It would make sense that a fund be collected once a merger was announced.... but I can rationalize the actions taken given the environment in 2008.
More than two years later Comair has furloughed a ton of FOs who paid into that fund. We all know what happens to furloughs in an SLI.
Tons of people have left Comair. They have found new jobs at new carriers as well as took the early out option that Comair gave them. Is it fair for these people to pay for someone else's merger fund?
Read back a few posts. One guy is at another carrier and is still getting letters from ALPA national to pay into the fund. Why would he pay for someone else's merger?
The people at the bottom half of the list (whatever list exists at the time of a merger) will not get a favorable integration. i.e. if they are downgraded captains... they will not regain the left seat in an SLI. They will get driven deeper down the FO list and further from upgrade.
The only people wanting to hold on to the merger fund as is, are senior captains who pray for an acquisition. They are a Minority of the pilot group but of course hold the most control.
I like the idea of everyone filing a small claims suit. Imagining ALPA defending 1000 small claims suits all at once is hilarious.
I understand that Delta would love to sell Comair. I think that prettying up Comair for a sale is akin to putting lipstick on a pig.
You can't polish a turd.