Here's an interesting article, notice the decline in union memebership, down to 11%!

Wow.

I know we have a lot of Union Pilots on this board who are not too happy lately, but consider where you might be, and what you might be paid, with out some type of representation.

US Air is mentioned briefly if you go down to page two.

Where unions stand in 10 industries - 1 - - MSN Money

So, what do we think is going to happen to us in the next 10 years, given that union membership is on the decline, and not too many (non-union) Americans support union membership?

Be sure to read some of the comments at the end of the article.

For any newbs to this industry, you really need to get your hands on a copy of Flying the Line, Vol. 2. It goes into great detail about what happened to ALPA since deregulation, Frank Lorenzon, Geo. Bush 1, Reagan and PATCO.

For $1.98, you can afford it! http://www.amazon.com/Flying-Line-Vo...Line%2C+Vol.+2

The bottom line, the politicians will sell us out in a NY minute if it means they can fly to Palm Beach for $49.

Cabotage is on the horizon. If we don't hang together, we will surely hang alone.

 

Flying the Line I&II makes some good points, but it also makes the fatal error that some politicos can be trusted-history proves otherwise and the fact is that all of them have sold all of us out since the beginning and in so many ways. The books are completely lacking in the bigger picture and almost completely union-centric in their view. This hasn't worked well over time.

Unions now represent about 7% of the private sector work force, way down from their peak of about 45% back in the 40's. Keep trusting.

On the other hand, there is a very strong proof that income has a great deal to do with your company success, and unions are not writing any paychecks, although union members continue to write larger checks for lower performance.

ALPA has had much success in increasing their own salary though.

By the way, that MSN article had so many factual errors, it comes off as a puff piece rather than information, and can they ever puff.

Unions have done such a good job in the distant past that they have made themselves much less useful, their current purpose is seen more as incompetent and corrupt political hacks. Much like the politicos they pander for and against.

 

Do they have a "Flying The Line III? The RJ Erro... Era"

 

A better title might be: "The post-TWA era"

 

I've been in unions all my life e.g. carpenters, Teamsters, Operating Engineers and ALPA but nothing is more important then Right to work. Hell, if i'm gonna be told anymore that I have to be in a union and I think that's the sentiment of most now a days. Also I think RTW states keep the unions honest with the threat of lost membership if you dont preform as compared to the way we have it now, take it or leave it attitude from our elected officials. I want returns for my investment not words!

Unions are not whats in decline whats in decline is Jobs! Part of that is the advancements in technology which replaced workers and part of it is benefits got to high in the northern states mostly. Noticed I said Benefits? Forcing company's overseas or down south. Thank NAFTA and freetrade agreements that don't protect our standard of living

Were never gonna see union membership of the past.

 

Timbo,

It is amazing how few know why we have a labor day! Good job getting a few guys to notice the day.

ALPA used to send every pilot copies of Flying the Line I & 2. We would be well served if all read both; even with their flaws (which are minimal).

Cabotage will eventually come before congress. ALPA will fight it, but will compromise. There will be no SOS. Face it, how many pilots drive foreign cars? How many pilots pay more for American, union made products? If we don't believe in the trade the movement, why should the rest of America?

Having said that, the US carriers will out compete foreign airlines transporting Americans. And foreign carriers will hire Americans to staff their American operations. The key will be to keep these employees (all of them: pilots, F/A's, ramp, mechs) unionized.

DT

 

I find it hugely ironic that on Labor day, I labored, while Judge Lane had the day off. The day after Labor Day, said Judge will probably abrogate our contract with AA.

Beautiful!

 

When you say American cars do you mean Toyota and Honda or do you mean the Mexican / Canadian manufacturers of Ford and GM? Thanks NAFTA!!

 

I said foreign cars. As you point out, that is not always clear these days. I hope pilots look for cars made in the USA at plants represented by the UAW. Few (if any) cars are wholly made in any one country: American parts are in almost all foreign cars, and many components of American cars are foreign. A good friend of mine argues his German built cars support the labor movement, and he is correct (although I still encourage him to buy American). Conversely, buying Korean cars is at the other side end of the spectrum.

The American made products I referred to are the rest of the things we buy: tools, clothes, household products, electronics, etc. This latter category is different, as there are times when these items are not produced in the USA.

Finally, there is question of the retailer one uses: Walmart or someplace where they are not anti-union and pay a decent wage?

 

US Industries that required large labor forces are on the decline, and therefore unions are on the decline as well. Manufacturing, Steel working, Mining, etc are gone by the wayside for the most part. We as a nation arent constructing new bridges, tunnels, interstate systems, railways, that require the manpower of the 1940s. And if we do need to build something we import the materials so machines can assemble it. Advances in technology mean that building a bridge in the year 2012 requires a fraction of the people that it required in the 1940s.