Good old alpa
 

I just received a bill from my local alpa representatives for $42.48 for a merger fund that according to them all of my dues for the past 2 1/2 years and the $250.00 for the "activation fee" for my account didn't cover. OH YEAH..... this comes almost two months after I've been furloughed!! Thanks for lookin out for your fellow pilots. I'm wondering if they can take food stamps as payment. Just thought that this was too good not to share with everyone.

What happens if you refuse to pay it?

He would have to make it good when he is recalled in order to be a member in good standing. There is no reason to pay it now.

Comair? Those boys sure wasted a bunch of pilots money. Sad thing is you'll never get that assessment back. Hope things turn around for ya.

As much as I've been dissapointed with ALPA over the last few years, I can't imagine this being anything other than a mistake. I'm sure they would be pretty upset to hear you got sent a bill.

Now, if they know you are furloughed, well...

Who exactly is it they think they need a merger fund to merge with? I think they're living in a fantasy land.

Call your union rep. If you need help getting the number, whatever airline you work for, shoot me a PM.

Doesn't sound like Comair as he said he was furloughed 2 months ago...we haven't furloughed anyone since November, and those people have been recalled.

I think you made an error with you decimal point. The fee was $25.00 not $250. That has now changed to $0 if you sign up for ALPA right away as a new hire, you can call you rep and get more info about that if you want.

The merger fund at any ALPA airline is for funding the potential costs of merging with another ALPA airline. The policy of ALPA is that National does not fund ALPA/ALPA merger costs. They will however fund ALPA/Other. The reason for this is to provide an equal playing feild for the two inhouse carriers. So your MEC must feel that the potential for a merger with another airline exsists and want to be prepared. That cost is above the normal funding needed. If you dont like the idea call your rep. If you are Furloughed then call and see if you are still obligated to pay.

One thing to remember is that 2 1/2 years of dues (I am assuming you have over 3 1/2 years of service since the first year is $0 dues) provided you with a contract, legal and medical staff in the event you had a problem, representation on capital hill, and many other services that directly helped you.

I know being furloughed is not a status any pilot ever wants to be in but taking your anger out on ALPA for things out of its control is not going to fix things. ALPA des plenty that you can gripe about, we all see that things can be better in some areas, but many of us also fail to get involved. Call your rep it only takes a few minutes...

Dues money can't legally be used to pay for any kind of merger negotiations. That is why there is a merger assessment in the first place.