Props affecting pilot career progression??
04-14-2018, 08:22 AM
#31
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2016
Posts: 268
Oddly enough, the pilots at Horizon Air almost became ALPA. Here's a very condensed history of unionization at Horizon:
(1) During the 80's and 90's, the pilots were represented by a series of weak in-house unions.
(2) Sometime in the early- to mid-90's (?), the pilot group tried to unionize under ALPA. The effort failed by seven votes. At the time, the rules regarding unionization stated that "not voting" was the same as a "no" vote. So, about half of our pilots voted for ALPA, and the other half either voted "no" or didn't vote at all.
(3) Next, the pilot group tried to unionize under the Teamsters. This vote failed.
(4) The Teamsters took Horizon Air to court, claiming that Horizon management had interfered in the election. The court agreed, and a second election was held. This time, the Teamsters won, with about 2/3 of the pilot group voting for unionization.
About ten years ago, there was a semi-serious effort to dump the Teamsters and vote in ALPA. This didn't go anywhere, but was a significant distraction during our 2007-2010 contract negotiations. Another serious issue was the trusteeship. Horizon was originally under Local 747, but was later incorporated into Local 1224 after extensive financial "irregularities" involving Local 747 (the head of the local, NOT a Horizon guy, was later convicted of embezzlement).
Although Horizon Air would seem to have all the necessary ingredients for an active war zone (or long-running soap opera), it's usually a pretty quiet place. The union complains about contract violations, the company management complains about a lack of "communication and trust", and life goes on.
(1) During the 80's and 90's, the pilots were represented by a series of weak in-house unions.
(2) Sometime in the early- to mid-90's (?), the pilot group tried to unionize under ALPA. The effort failed by seven votes. At the time, the rules regarding unionization stated that "not voting" was the same as a "no" vote. So, about half of our pilots voted for ALPA, and the other half either voted "no" or didn't vote at all.
(3) Next, the pilot group tried to unionize under the Teamsters. This vote failed.
(4) The Teamsters took Horizon Air to court, claiming that Horizon management had interfered in the election. The court agreed, and a second election was held. This time, the Teamsters won, with about 2/3 of the pilot group voting for unionization.
About ten years ago, there was a semi-serious effort to dump the Teamsters and vote in ALPA. This didn't go anywhere, but was a significant distraction during our 2007-2010 contract negotiations. Another serious issue was the trusteeship. Horizon was originally under Local 747, but was later incorporated into Local 1224 after extensive financial "irregularities" involving Local 747 (the head of the local, NOT a Horizon guy, was later convicted of embezzlement).
Although Horizon Air would seem to have all the necessary ingredients for an active war zone (or long-running soap opera), it's usually a pretty quiet place. The union complains about contract violations, the company management complains about a lack of "communication and trust", and life goes on.
04-21-2018, 08:52 PM
#35
Line Holder
Joined APC: Feb 2009
Posts: 78
In 2016 QX pilots voted overwhelmingly (70/30) in favor of a concessionary contract in the midst of the most profitable year in commercial airline history along with record pilot hiring occurring at the majors. Additionally, the Air Group was in no position to gamble with the stability of their regional feed in any way amongst the growing intrusion of Delta into their one home territory, Sea-Tac. The Air Group was on the defensive and feeling insecure, hence the massive purchase price for VA shortly after.
Hindsight is 20/20, but these facts were clear as day at the time to QX pilots. Union busting fear tactics or not, how their pilot group chose to ignore this incredibly strong bargaining position and give into fear by voting in that embarrassing CBA is beyond me. They had their chance and whiffed and that boat has now sailed for at least 6 more years. Had always thought their many lifers had more spine based on their regional leading contract held post 9/11. But was proven wrong with this vote, and don't see this culture changing until perhaps when most of their many lifers finally retire.
Hindsight is 20/20, but these facts were clear as day at the time to QX pilots. Union busting fear tactics or not, how their pilot group chose to ignore this incredibly strong bargaining position and give into fear by voting in that embarrassing CBA is beyond me. They had their chance and whiffed and that boat has now sailed for at least 6 more years. Had always thought their many lifers had more spine based on their regional leading contract held post 9/11. But was proven wrong with this vote, and don't see this culture changing until perhaps when most of their many lifers finally retire.
Last edited by LineGrinder400; 04-21-2018 at 09:04 PM.
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