Quote:
Originally Posted by MEMFO4Ever
It is not like I do not want to be a member of the union, but I do not want Agency Shop any longer. The only way to hold union management's feet to the fire is at least having the threat of a financial boycott if their services prove ineffective or have little return on investment. I understand the value of a labor union on the property (especially at this freaking place), but I do not like being forced to pay for something that may stop serving the membership at some point in the future (some would say right now). Agency shop in the modern era of organized labor ignores basic consumerism and is an outdated protectionist concept.
I am not naive enough to believe that Agency Shop will ever go away. Like herpes, once you got it, you got it. Short of decertification (which I would consider) the "pay to play, even if the services suck" is here to stay. As one of the previous posters stated, national will most likely never sign off on a contract that eliminates its guaranteed revenue stream, but I do not have to like it or ratify any tentative agreement that continues to include it (or 4a2b). Then again, I am merely one vote...
I do not how long you have been here, but an assumption is not that long if you are really a FO. If i am incorrect, accept my apology in Advance.
Actually I am not addressing you specifically, but all Pilots who don't get the Agency Shop issue.
A quick History lesson.
We once had NO Union. A merger, Some optimization and Changes to current working conditions changed that.
We voted in ALPA. The Membership was split, we didn't have a Contract (no Agency Shop Clause) approximately 35-40% pilots were paying dues.
Pilots entered Self Help in Nov 1995 under ALPA 1. It is short lived because many MEM pilots are drafting at 200% to cover Trips in ANC, OAK and EWR
MGT offered up a contract (notice I said Mgt offered as it really wasn't negotiated). It was turned down by the Pilots. Many Pilots joined ALPA just to vote NO and then never paid dues.
ALPA #1 was decertified.....Still No Contract
Along comes a New in House Union FPA to save the day.
FedEx Pilots Association (FPA)is certified. Again No contract and NO agency shop clause.
In the beginning 20-30% pilots were paying dues. FPA was financially and morally Bankrupt. Management Offer a Contract (Again notice the Term Offers because it really wasn't negotiated). Remember we were still in Self Help. It was very concessionary so thank goodness it was voted down. Many Pilots joined FPA just to Vote NO, and then once the vote was counted, stopped paying dues. Still no Contract and FPA is basically Bankrupt. Who pays for Trip loss and Committee Chairs to work?? Pilots volunteer but soon get burned out working every single day flying their Schedules and volunteering on Off days. There is Big turnover and much Union work is ignored or unfinished.
Later on FedEx Management helps Union Drive by Tweaking optimizer, GM cranks optimizer an wipes out system form as Pilots once knew it. Non members slowly get Big Picture. Many start joining FPA. Through many MGT actions, they continue to be Unions best friend in aiding Membership Drive.
A well Known former FTL Pilot steps up and volunteers to be FPA Negotiating Committee Chair. Many former FTL pilots and ALPA supporters reluctantly join FPA to support the new NC Chairman.
Negotiations do not go well (many due to lack of support form avg line Pilot and a few key Union Officers). MGT offers another Contract in Middle of Night often referred to as Parking Lot Deal. The Negotiating Chairman Quits, the Union President is resigns .
Union Leadership Implodes and large amount of Membership quit and stop paying dues.
After 3 Management Contract offers (all bad) A Morally and financially Bankrupt FPA finally accepts the 4th one as there is little choice.
Once the contract was signed we had our 1st CBA and it lacked an Agency Shop Clause.
The Union Slowly rebuilds again with + - 60% membership.
We finally get ALPA 2 and start acting like a real UNION. It only took 10 years since a Union was first voted in.
We essentially lost or wasted 10 great negotiating years during Good economic times, but that is water under the Bridge.
With No Agency Shop Clause
Senior guys nearing retirement Quit.
New Hires coming aboard do not join.
Every time there is an Big issue, Pilots quit when things don't go their way.
Union wasn't aggressive enough on this issue, "I quit", Union was too hard on the Company and asking for too much, "I quit"
You see we have many "1 issue" members. If Pilots are permitted quit at the drop of a Hat how is the Union expected to operate? It costs a great deal of Money to Negotiate
Pick your Issue. Several on this Board have said they would quit over
VEBA
FDA LOA
AGE 60
National Endorsement of Democratic Candidate.
Perception we have a Bad Contract
You see, there will always be issues that someone has an Issue with and give them an Opportunity to be a Free loader and they will.
We cannot allow everyone to Pick up their Bat and Ball and go home every time they disagree with an Issue. Like the FPA we would have to keep raising dues to cover losses.
If the Majority of FDX Pilots really do not want to pay Dues (or a Contract Management Fee for Non Members), lets just cut to the chase and decertify the Union altogether and then there won't be any dues. Deep down I know most of us get it and are willing to pay. I suspect the majority really doesn't want that. but alas there is the Minority that want all the Benefits the Union Brings without having to pay.
I do not agree with everything our Union does. and often I disagree with our Leaderships decisions. But I pay my dues
and always will because, 1. It is the right thing to do, 2. I know what life would be like without an Union or a Union who cannot afford to run the office.
Sorry for long Rant.
Yesterday
