Wildmanny

Can I ask that you hang tough...another 6 months? (Not like you have a choice, but I digress...) There are a few who feel like you do, and are committed to listening more, communicating more frequently, and being available OUT of the office sometimes. New guys swear in during March. You probably won't see much difference for several more months--but by next summer I hope some of you are saying "hey...things are different".



Albie:

I can hang in there for a little while longer and I hope that WE ALL can make the MEC a better and stronger unit. But I can do it because you and the the others are coming in and represent a fresh look and hopefully some possible movement towards a better future--it's a start. The anger within the force is palpable and real and that sentiment needs to be relayed to the MEC directly--people are fed up and tired of being told and not asked, or atleast listened to. There needs to be a serious come-to-Jesus meeting at some point in the near future and some massive change in demeanor from the MEC towards the guys paying their good money to have them represent them.

It's disheartening to think that there is some motive going on wherever in the MEC that appears at times to not be working in the best interest in the membership. It isn't what we are supposed to be about as a union.

Best of luck on the changes you are embarking on. I hope you can make a major difference!

WM

MEMA300

What resources? The ability to cost out parts of the contract obviously was not used for the FDA LOA.

Jaxman187

I was here during FPA and I think a certain strength can be drawn upon in the independence of a foxhole/bunker mentality. Look at American Airlines and UPS and there positions on age 60.

By the way Mr. Smith--I mean Albie--when you get to the Washington(MEC) please tell them we are still waiting on the promised lessons learned from the last contract negotiations.

Cargo Pirate

This thread is comical. Whether you call it ALPA, FPA, IPA, etc... it is a group of FedEx pilots representing the rest of the FedEx pilots to sign and uphold a CBA under the RLA. We are having a representative/communication problem. Changing the name on the office will not help. It will set us back years. Vote for new reps and remain engaged and we will see change for the better.

fdxmd11fo

We have a winner, we have the same group at the top that we had under FPA. The problem is our current MEC and LEC aren't representing us. They went against us on age 60, they did a hard sell on the loa, and they have their sights set on Alpa national. We need to get rid of the whole bunch of them.

Some of us tried a recall and we all saw how well that went. I think the only way to get the change we need is to throw out ALPA and start with all new elections.

MaxKts

If you think getting rid of the MEC is hard - try and replace ALPA!! I'm not saying I like what is going on (told the Wilson Center that on one of their surveys the other day) and I certainly don't like how the MEC is treating us right now but to replace ALPA with another entity is next to impossible. The key is to communicate with your block reps and let them know how displeased we all are and that if they don't fix it they are gone next time around. Get involved, ask pointed questions, and demand answers.

Micro

I don't think this is entirely the case. ALPA national seems to be having a great influence on what our Officers and MEC are doing. The Comm Chair needs help due to "national tasking", Prader always supported the age 65 change, our officers "globetrot" working on merger issues, Etc, Etc. You're right that the name doesn't matter, but what matters is our MEC represents OUR wants and needs and not what is directed by National. I also don't see the "great resources" that Alpa is supposed to give us. As others have said AA and UPS sem to do fine without them.

FR8Hauler

BINGO! Give this man a cigar. He is absoulutely right, to start over with no infrastructure would put us back about 10 years and the company would have us by the huevos. If a few of these characters we have at the top really have these silly aspirations fire them with a recall. Then put someone in who isn't chasing an ego trip with ALPA national.

A300_Driver

I can't believe I'm doing this (Quoting Lavender), but for all of you who continue to bash ALPA--you are siding with the likes of this...
There is a place for disagreement and civilized debate, but...

Try to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

I understand that no one is going to get over this age 60 debacle quickly, but everyone needs to realize that this came from the top down from Prater. This is the guy that nearly every MEC was so happy to get to get rid of Woerth as he was seen as soft on management. So we get our rebel, and what's his first move, hose us "younger guys" all over with age 65.

Our MEC has been put on notice, but at some point you need to sit back and give them time to react (the ability to make amends if you will).

FR8Hauler

I personaly am not bashing anyone. I am simply stating that ALPA did not listen to anyone here at FedEX concerning the age 60 issue or talk to anybody who had any real knowledge about living in HKG ie. crewmember who lives there and tried numerous times to chime in but was not listened to. They made up their mind it was a good deal during their cocktail parties at Morton's Steakhouse in HKG with the management guys that were there and that was that. They then sold it to the crew force that way, 90% of which would never be interested in bidding it anyway, but if the union says "it's a good deal it must be." I do not want ALPA to go away myself. However, I do not want to pay over $5000.00 a year in dues to an organization that does not represent the whole crew force. I spoke up then about it and was told how wrong I was about these issues, and that SCOPE and being protected by the RLA was what was important. Well, now here we are. "Safety is paramount" that is why new hires are going to be flying in these domiciles. Blah, blah, blah.