LEC 26 Nominations (FedEX)
09-12-2011, 05:30 AM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2006
Posts: 2,889
LEC 26 Nominations (FedEX)
If anyone here has ever had an inkling to help out their fellow pilots, the opportunity is now available.
I may not have all the information, but I've seen only 1 candidate running for block 11, and none for block 6.
I challenge all the FedEx pilots that we can do much better than that. CF, PB, and I all stood up, ran, served a full term, and have returned to the line or will be at the end of this cycle. There are over 1500 pilots in those three blocks, and I cannot believe that we can only muster up 3 pilots who are willing to serve.
The irony here is that with so much anger and frustration over the years about LOAs, Age 60 changes, the new (interim) contract, and a host of other issues, when its time to step up all I hear is chirping crickets.
In 2008, I was frustrated by what I percieved as an out of touch union, so I ran for rep. I wasn't alone, and a host of new reps stepped up and tried to make some changes. Now..in 2011, we have two newly elected reps that both were part of the past adminstration, and the block 11 candidate is a former MEC block 3 rep from that period that was a big supporter of seniority rights (aka...the retroactivity provisions) that allowed many of the 2008-09 displacement bids. My purpose here isn't to bash the "old guard"--they did a lot of things I agreed with too, and I certainly appreciate the fact that without their collective efforts our union would not be nearly as successful at FedEx as it is. So for everyone who complains our FDX ALPA is out of touch my question is simple: What are you going to do about it? Are we really a union that wants the same 30-40 pilots recycling through the leadership positions, or are we a union that wants to infuse the group with some new leaders along the way and groom a wider group of volunteers and representatives? Are you content to sit back and hand the reins over to the same old group over and over?
Personally, I think each seat ought to have 2-3 candidates vying for the office. There is no shame is throwing in your hat and losing, and I have yet to meet a person who ran for union office that didn't later serve in some role on a committee or later on as a rep. With the challenges we face as a country balancing our books, you can bet there will be a strong push to tax, remove, or modify many of our benefits. It will take committment from all of us to keep what we've earned and move forward.
And no--I don't want the job. I'm not here to promote an agenda or bash anyone who has volunteered in the past and wants to it again. However, when I ran in 2008 I wanted to see a process that not only was brought new blood into the union office, , but created a more robust and informed line group as well. Having pilots cycle into the office and back to the line creates a more mature and understanding workforce.
So--here's my challenge. I cannot believe that there isn't one more flex/LCA (you don't have to be a captain!) that doesn't believe they can make a difference. I cannot believe there aren't a couple guys or gals in block 6 that are willing to step up and take CF's place next spring. If I am wrong, then I can safely say that APC is so far out of touch with the crew force it is irrelevant. I stood up....the late Fred Buesser (Micro on the boards) stood up, and we did the best we could. If you want info on the job your current reps can answer any questions you have. There is never a "perfect" time to be a rep...but I did it while running a small business, raising 3 girls at home, and supporting a wife who has her own career. The workload is managable, and the commitment is not overwhelming. You just have to care--something I am growing concerned that may be lacking in a lot of our group.
I'll support anyone who wins, and thank them for their service. But I think letting anyone run unopposed sends a really bad signal on our committment to our union, our futures, and each other.
I may not have all the information, but I've seen only 1 candidate running for block 11, and none for block 6.
I challenge all the FedEx pilots that we can do much better than that. CF, PB, and I all stood up, ran, served a full term, and have returned to the line or will be at the end of this cycle. There are over 1500 pilots in those three blocks, and I cannot believe that we can only muster up 3 pilots who are willing to serve.
The irony here is that with so much anger and frustration over the years about LOAs, Age 60 changes, the new (interim) contract, and a host of other issues, when its time to step up all I hear is chirping crickets.
In 2008, I was frustrated by what I percieved as an out of touch union, so I ran for rep. I wasn't alone, and a host of new reps stepped up and tried to make some changes. Now..in 2011, we have two newly elected reps that both were part of the past adminstration, and the block 11 candidate is a former MEC block 3 rep from that period that was a big supporter of seniority rights (aka...the retroactivity provisions) that allowed many of the 2008-09 displacement bids. My purpose here isn't to bash the "old guard"--they did a lot of things I agreed with too, and I certainly appreciate the fact that without their collective efforts our union would not be nearly as successful at FedEx as it is. So for everyone who complains our FDX ALPA is out of touch my question is simple: What are you going to do about it? Are we really a union that wants the same 30-40 pilots recycling through the leadership positions, or are we a union that wants to infuse the group with some new leaders along the way and groom a wider group of volunteers and representatives? Are you content to sit back and hand the reins over to the same old group over and over?
Personally, I think each seat ought to have 2-3 candidates vying for the office. There is no shame is throwing in your hat and losing, and I have yet to meet a person who ran for union office that didn't later serve in some role on a committee or later on as a rep. With the challenges we face as a country balancing our books, you can bet there will be a strong push to tax, remove, or modify many of our benefits. It will take committment from all of us to keep what we've earned and move forward.
And no--I don't want the job. I'm not here to promote an agenda or bash anyone who has volunteered in the past and wants to it again. However, when I ran in 2008 I wanted to see a process that not only was brought new blood into the union office, , but created a more robust and informed line group as well. Having pilots cycle into the office and back to the line creates a more mature and understanding workforce.
So--here's my challenge. I cannot believe that there isn't one more flex/LCA (you don't have to be a captain!) that doesn't believe they can make a difference. I cannot believe there aren't a couple guys or gals in block 6 that are willing to step up and take CF's place next spring. If I am wrong, then I can safely say that APC is so far out of touch with the crew force it is irrelevant. I stood up....the late Fred Buesser (Micro on the boards) stood up, and we did the best we could. If you want info on the job your current reps can answer any questions you have. There is never a "perfect" time to be a rep...but I did it while running a small business, raising 3 girls at home, and supporting a wife who has her own career. The workload is managable, and the commitment is not overwhelming. You just have to care--something I am growing concerned that may be lacking in a lot of our group.
I'll support anyone who wins, and thank them for their service. But I think letting anyone run unopposed sends a really bad signal on our committment to our union, our futures, and each other.
10-06-2011, 04:14 PM
#4
Trust but Verify!!
Joined APC: May 2006
Position: MD11 CRA
Posts: 684
2 really good folks have stepped up. BR in Block 6 and HP in Block 11. If you are in Council 26, make sure you send in your ballots with their name's on them and then make sure your fellow block members vote for them in the election. We do not need any more of the old guard back in power. Let's get a fresh perspective that represents the entire pilot group and not just their favorite causes..
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