Gooch121

ditto...you can't tell me our Chairman didn't know the final tally prior to his vote...so my question (like HerkDriver's statement) is:

"Why did our MEC Chairman chose to ignore the wishes of a majority of the membership?"

If he had voted "NO", the sky would not have fallen, the sun would still rise in the East and set on the West Coast and ALPA's position would still be for a change to the Age 60 rule and they could still sit at the grand table of influence pedaling.

With a "NO" vote he would not have pi$$ed off a vast majority of his membership.

The anarchist in me wonders if it just might be easier to de-cert the union than vote the buggers out!

http://www.unionfacts.com/articles/m...tification.cfm

HerkDriver

Exactly my point. ALPA still would have gotten the change they wanted, but the MEC could have demonstrated it's resolve to go with what the majority clearly indicated it wanted. This wouldn't have weakened ALPA's capabilities one bit as they moved onto the next hurdle of trying to help formulate the legislation. FYI - The Executive Board was briefed on the results of the surveys on Tuesday...they clearly knew all of the numbers before the voting took place.

MD11Fr8Dog

Yea, they can go to Canada with Alec Baldwin, instead!

AerisArmis

[quote=TonyC;170323]Seniority numbers of MEC members:

412
652
1276
1820
2054
2742
3207
3920
457
2187
415
810


Yepp, it's loaded.

And....when was the last time Webb wanted anything and they voted against him? All we hear is "today the MEC unanimously voted.".......(fill in the blank))
The power lies with Webb, and he wields it as HE sees fit! And therein, Tony, is the problem that most of us have with this process.

Albief15

Don't quit. Get involved. Vote.

Tony--you know I respect your opinion. But you are repeatedly defending those who by their actions have demonstrated they really don't have much loyalty down. You have a tremendous amount of loyalty to ALPA, and have seen why its so important. I told you this before--I think you'd be a great part of the NEXT group of ALPA leadership.

I personally think the "right" thing to do is for DW to step down. By diving on the grenade and demonstrating that he is willing to share the sacrifice he might send a message that would help re-unify the union.

I think both the block 7 and block 8 rep should also resign and allow some fresh blood into the mix. If they don't--when there is another election--you can bet there will be some new talent asking for the job. Nothing personal against either guy--but the way to unifying our union is putting some people in the office that guys can rally behind. Right now a lot of guys feel sold out, and I think a change would make it easier to move forward.

I've got a list of names of guys I think would be solid. I imagine most of us know a person or two who'd do a good job. Its time for a change.

That petition that was started by someone else is still open. That recall petition someone asked about is [email protected]. It is a petition to recall Dave Webb. It is bascially worthless, as there are too many layers of insulation between the membership and the MEC chairman. However, its a good chance to vent and if the starter of the petition shows up at an MEC meeting with a list of several hundred (or thousand) names it might at least convey the concern and allow a starting point for some changes.

Again--quitting the union is going to bite us in the @ss when we need each other down the road. However, it is obvious the junior guys are upset and very disenfranchised--I certainly am. What I think we need to do is not ditch our union, but reclaim the union as a union that works for all of us. That will mean some work and a bit more involvement than we've had in the past (yes....I'm guilty) but the choice of FDX ALPA, an independent union, or non member status still favors being a part of ALPA. Its a family fight right now--I'm mad--but I'm not quitting.

However--Dave Webb is just white noise now to me. I'm for any new block rep that promises to A) listen and communicate more with their block and B) rid us of him at the first chance.

cma2407

Good thing we negotiated mandatory dues/Agency shop, huh?

Now ALPA doesn't have to worry about the membership voting with their feet--or their checkbooks. Pretty shrewd. Otherwise the membership would be leaving in droves.

Which begs the question: When exactly is a majority not a majority??

This whole thing smells.

Albief15

Also--don't quit. Just wear your lanyard inside out. A solid black band kinda convey's everyone's feelings, doesn't it.

Change is coming. The good thing in this is the membership will get involved...this galvanization may come in handy later.

Lifizgud

I want to know where I can get a "NOTED" lanyard...

NoKoolAid

Here's the deal for me:

I will not quit ALPA over this MEC/LEC leadership debaucle (better described as a lack of cajones). I'm not a quitter, but I have been known to hold a grudge against spineless politicians.

However ...

I have signed up to recall DW. I think the rest of the MEC/LEC are pure yes-men and political cowards. Did anyone -- I mean anyone -- EVER -- suggest a vote of the membership and following their wishes as elected representatives? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

I have also resigned my positions as a P2P rep -- you know the guys who wear the red lanyard and spin the MEC political viewpoint and suppress rumors. I can't support that gig anyomore. No more lanyard for me and I used to be a lanyard freakin' NAZI during negotiations ... my, my how things change. But I'm not quitting ALPA. The stench of being a non-member -- dues checkoff or not -- is too strong for me.

I can't support an action the membership is clearly against. In fact, the numbers in opposition of age 60 are merely poll percentages. What happened to a straight-up vote on such an important issue. The repercussions of this policy shift are ENORMOUS in critical areas of our career progression, quality of life, retirement benefits, seniority, hell you name it and it gets jacked up by this policy change. Prater has caved to political pressure.

I also pulled the plug on the ALPA-PAC. Those guys are awesome! Get paid the big bucks, hob knob around DC, then realize that you are merely a political pawn and worthless ... so you call up the big boys at ALPA and say ... I don't think we can win this, so let's throw in the towel and make it look like a new paradigm shift.

Here's my big picture -- Kiss the B-fund goodbye. Congratulations! You can now work an additional 5 years! Yes, sir ... would you like your coffeee shaken or stirred? Oh, how did that new physical go? I'm sure it was real tough. I bet that 36 days of vacation and $250K is a real biatch ever since you decided to stay on for a few more years!

I used to have a personal policy of buying beers for ANY MEC/LEC, negotiating committee guy, etc. given the opportunity. YEP ... that's freakin' over ... maybe I'll just hock a loogy in it and still pass it over!

No hard feelings DW, really ... it's no big deal -- it's all good.

I'm embarassed for ALPA National and the FedEx MEC. Dave Behnke is rolling over in his grave right about now. It's a shame what politics and money can do to a profession with weak leadership and no resolve.

That about sums it up for me. No, I don't need medication, but it sure feels better now that I've vented. No worries ... my position won't change.





LMSS

NKA

Gooch121

Heck, don't wear the lanyard at all, just clip the ID to your shirt pocket and everytime you see a union official ask them when they plan to resign.

Send emails to your block rep expressing your displeasure with their conduct of late and wait for their response. Oh let me guess...it was the right thing to do.

Albie, you say change is coming, however, when is the next election and for which position. Since the Chairman is elected by the LECs, how many years must pass before the requisite majority of LEC reps represent their majority and vote the current Chairman out of office?

or...

"If at least 30 percent of the workers in the bargaining unit sign the petition, then it must be sent to the NLRB's closest regional office, along with a cover sheet, NLRB Form 502. Once the petitions have been received and validated, the NLRB will set a date for the decertification election, usually about 60 days in the future. Individuals on both sides may campaign to sway the employees. When the vote is held, if a majority of the workers who participate favor decertifying the union, or if the vote results in a tie, then the NLRB will officially remove the union's recognition as the bargaining representative of the workers."

http://www.unionfacts.com/articles/m...tification.cfm

Don't you think at least 30% of the overwhelming majority (their words, not mine) would like to send a message of displeasure to our leadership right now!

For those of you thinking of quitting the union...read the above para carefully..."30% of the workers in the bargaining unit sign the petition.."
You gotta be a member to sign the petition.