ATCsaidDoWhat

Cape Air Pilots Vote To Re-Join Teamsters in Vote Called For By NMB

The pilots of Cape Air this week voted to rejoin the Airline Division of the Teamsters after a revote called for by the NMB after they determined that there was management interference in the vote taken in 2009. In a letter to Cape Air pilots, Airline Division Director David Bourne said that, “We are extremely honored by the outcome of yesterday’s vote by the pilots of Cape Air, when you selected the Airline Division as your union representative. We understand how unique you are as professional aviators working for a unique company. We also understand your desire for a fair contract, one that recognizes the contribution you make daily to Cape Air’s success. Our mission will be to work with you and clearly define your goals, hopes and expectations and then address these with management to bring you a contract you can be proud of.”

Captain Scott Hegland of the Airline Division has been named to head the transition team to work with the Cape Air pilots. One of their first tasks will be to begin the process of selecting a temporary leadership team and scheduling elections for the Executive Council and Stewards.

The Juice

Sad Sad indeed

TPROP4ever

As you yourself are so fond of saying, "Dont jump to conclusions"...there have been some real changes since the trusteeship was implemented...like anything else only time will tell but you have to give it a chance.

goaround2000

An MEC and LEC is only as strong and effective as it's constituents. Hence the fact that ALPA works at places like AWAC, XJT, Jazz, and it doesn't work at others. The same goes with any other union.

The Juice

I would love nothing more to be proven wrong on this one.

The Juice

I agree with that. It all starts with a strong MEC and LEC, if they are weak you do not have a chance. However, ask any ALPA MEC or LEC representative and they can tell you first hand the amount of tools and talent available to them at ALPA National, any and all help is always just a call away. Sadly, not many out of the LEC/MEC loop are aware of this.

goaround2000

No offense brother, but as someone who's been a member of ALPA a lot longer than you have, I can tell you that resources at National are secondary when it comes to negotiating. They're great for safety which is very important, they're great with representation on Capitol Hill, but it's the negotiating committee and the MEC that the company bargains with, not national. Hence companies like MESA and TSA have such sub par contracts.

I appreciate your enthusiasm, I consider myself an ALPA supporter as well, but I extend my loyalty to my LEC and MEC and my pilot group, not national. That's why it's so important that you guys at Colgan do well on section 6 and 7 negotiations, it will set a precedent for everyone else approaching negotiations....you guys at Colgan, not National.

Nevets

ALPA also has an Economic & Financial Analysis department along with the Retirement & Insurance department along with Representation department that all provide the MEC and the NC any information needed during negotiations.

NightIP

ALPA won't touch us with a ten foot pole.

I do agree that the IBT may not have the best history as far as representation is concerned, but remember that the Airline Division kicked Local 747 in the ass during our original vote last May. Unfortunately for us, it was too little, too late. Most votes had already been cast when 747 was taken into trusteeship, and CAPA (Cape Air Pilot's Association) was voted in by a small margin. There were a number of reasons CAPA lost on this most recent round, but the largest reason in my opinion was the fact that they were asking a flat $20/month in dues from about 150 pilots. You simply can't fund a union on that.

We needed a nationally-backed organization, and we got one. Right now it's a lot of "wait and see," but I've had a chance to speak with Scott Hegland in person and I was impressed by the changes the IBT Airline Division has made internally. I just hope we can get our first contract inked as soon as possible. The pay rates the union has proposed are most impressive. Now we'll see if our soon-to-be NC can get them for us.