For those so inclined, here is a way to research ALPA's finances:

Organization Query Page (ERDS)
1. Check the "union" circle
2. Under union name, open the pull down list and select ALPA
3. Click the "SUBMIT" just above the ALPA window
4. Scroll to the bottom of the ALPA accounts
5. Put a check mark next to 000-179 (this is ALPA National. The others are the various MECs)
6. Scroll down to "Reports Specific to LM-2s, LM-3s, T-1s"
7. For salaries - Fill in the dot next to: “Officer/employee report”
8. Click “SUBMIT”

9. For detailed expenditures by ALPA National - Fill in the dot next to "Payer/Payee Itemization Report"

10. Fill in other "dots" at your leisure. There is a lot of information there.

 

I disagree. We have a huge amount of ground to make up after bankruptcy gutted our contract. This is way bigger than the 2000 contract.

 

Yeah, what could go wrong there.

Somehow I don't think the "cheapest" route will be the way we go, but I'm glad to see your concern about how we save the most money.

Carl

 

I dunno.. I guess I am naive in that I believe that the transition from the bloated national quagmire to a leaner self governing union could be a smooth one.

But for the debate.. what exactly did national do for us in C2K that we would be unable to do ourselves? I didn't do the survey that they put out, (recently) but I heard it was thrown out without divulging any results. Why? An in house would have their fingers firmly on the pulses of the pilots, not in their wallets. This is not necessarily a bad thing. I am awaiting more debate on a more formal level.

 

The follow on election may well have some of the same reps. But they'll be unburdened by ALPA national bylaws that serve to hamstring a lot of well intentioned local reps.

Carl

 

I actually think the timing will be ok if we do this.

1. Section 6 is right around the corner. The short lived in house fNWA flight attendant union constantly ran into RA telling them, "we can't do that for you, that agreement was with the Teamsters" (thinking dues checkoff off the top of my head, but I know there were others).

2. Since I'll bet most of the current union types boycott the new union (what the old Teamster types did at the inhouse flight attendant union), we'll have to go out and hire real junk yard dog negotiators. Something I think a lot of us have been up for.

I'm sure there are others............but I'm still on my first coffee.

Great thread.......wish I hadn't gotten so far behind.

Carl, I'm with ya broth'a as your bat boy..........

Ferd

 

This is so true. The safest course for most lawyers, is to constantly scare your client away from litigating. You get the money in salaries and retainers, and you NEVER have to work for a living by litigating. Clearly we have a legal staff full of French Poodles, when we need a legal staff of Junkyard Pit Bulls.

Carl

 

Q: What do you think of having professional negotiators?
A: Good public relations, professional negotiators and excellent legal help will be foundations of the DPA. Pilots should be involved in guiding the direction of the experts, but the fine points need to be handled by the pros. I firmly believe we have all the necessary skills in our pilot group to construct and staff the organization. We will “outsource” the critical pieces to the highest quality professionals we can obtain. How will we find these professionals? We will research the fields we are interested in hiring support for, locate targets of great reputation in their fields that understand our situation and then offer them suitable compensation. The dues we are currently wasting at the national level and locally should more than cover the financial needs of hiring such professionals. We will devise a realistic budget in the months ahead as support grows.




I would submit then that they also see that we have huge ground to make up. I personally feel that having professional negotiators backed up by pilots is invaluable.


Can we afford to not to examine this option now?


Can those of us that have been decimated by the BK actions of our companies ever recover if we don't get a decent contract in 12?

When it comes down to this next contract...... We have to "do it once and do it right." Sound familiar?

 

The timing is never convenient...see previous posts.

Carl

 

Well said...............