I wish we could get past the "ALPA doesn't represent me" type thinking.

We are "ALPA".

Your FedEx ALPA leadership did not represent you. Including the junior blocks representatives.

NWA ALPA leadership represented their members.

ALPA national leadership represented their collective members. I think? Of course, I haven't seen the polling data on that.

See the difference?

We get it. We are ALPA.

The insinuation is DW is "ALPA" and we are "the red headed stepchild".

Perhaps stickers with a big DW on it with a red line over it inside of a red circle.

Better idea--

We really need a new candidate for MEC chair or other candidates for the blocks. We should put their names on lanyards and wear those in protest of the current leadership.

how about just emailing your block rep. This thing has NOT happened yet but ALPA has us believe that it A DONE DEAL. IT IS NOT.

Or call and leave a message.

[quote=Busboy;171377]I wish we could get past the "ALPA doesn't represent me" type thinking.


Bushboy. This did not come from me this was the ALPA reps talking at Indoc. They made it very clear they did not represent us and would NOT go to bat for any of us if we got into trouble, in the first year.

I am new to unions being ex-military, but it seems to me if you want to build loyalty, the first words out of your mouth shouldn't be the above.

I'm going to get one made that says, "3150."

Here's why:

http://airlinepilotforums.com/showth...280#post168280

[QUOTE=Nugget#69;171465]You right, your new and it shows.
I doubt very seriusly at indoc the ALPA REP said " We won't go to Bat for you". Maybe you misunderstood.

If you read your contract you will see that in year #1 you are on Probation.
This is standard with most Airline Contracts, not just ALPA and not just at FedEx.

While on Probation you are an apprentice ALPA member. You do not pay dues and you are also considered an "AT will" Employee by the Company. This means you cannot vote on Union issues are unfortunately are not afforded the system board protections under the terms of the contract until you complete probation and become a "Just Cause" as well as an Active ALPA memeber. I think most of us would agree that we would prefer you were Active members from Day 1, but that isn't in the contract.
BTW ALPA saved my job at a previous carrier when I was a Probationary crewmember, even though I was an "At will" employee. Sound like not going to Bat for someone?

A quick anecdote:
Recently I remember a New Hire SO who came down with Brain Cancer after 2 months on the line. Because he was so new, he didn't have any vacation, Sick leave and he didn't qualify for Disability.He sadly passed away leaving his wife and kids. But ALPA and the membership sent him and his family badly needed money collected via donations, which made things much easier for him and his loved ones in the final year of his life.

Sound Like ALPA abandoning it's junior memebers or not going to Bat?
This is but one story. There are many others.

It's funny that you never hear about are all the good things ALPA does only the unpopluar ones.

And I suppose you believe if ALPA would have remained "Stauts Quo"
That wouldn't have changed.

Then it would have been someone else that did it to me.

Not my team. Not the guys who represent me. Can you really not see the difference?

And for the record, my uncle was a 570'r at UAL. He had not even completed training when he walked out with the group and was fired. It took a few years and a side letter but they got his job back, with original date of hire. So yes, new hires get the full weight of the union behind them.

I do.........but do you really think the members of the MEC just made this decision on a whim?

Please answer these questions honestly.

Do you think ALPA could stop the Rule Change?

Asumming your answer to the above is NO:
Do you think it is in our best interest (I'm just a line dog like you)
(PILOTS) for ALPA to at least try to influence future language in potential legislation or FAA NPRM?


Assuming your answer to this is Yes:

If you were on the MEC or ALPA National Leadrship and all your duty experts from the Hill, Lobbyists, Lawyers and Politically connected folks tell you that
"This is a done deal"
"All your Senators and Congressman who were previously on your side have now switched their views"
"If you stop being viewed as obstuctionists you might (note I say MIGHT) have a shot at getting some wording in your favor"

I suppose you could choose not to believe them, but if this is what you were told........What would do?

Do you really think the MEC didn't know this was not going to be very popular?

Do you really think that this doesn't affect everyone on the MEC just as negatively as you?

I suppose the MEC could have simply made an easy decision and said We continue to vote NO.

I don't know if you were ever in the Military or if you ever had a leadership role in a previous life, but.................

Being a leader means you often have to make tough calls.

Being a leader isn't a popularity contest.

The MEC memebers were voted in because they had good credentials and had the trust of the membership and they have done many good things before.
Yes they made a tough call because they knew it wouldn't be very popular. Time will tell if they made the right call.