SkyWest Union Discussion (In House or ALPA?)
 

Here's a question. If Skywest was forced to merge all 3 pilot groups would those pilots at Skywest be forced to join ALPA? Or could the company still offer a separate contract to those who didnt want to join? Would an ALPA CBA be required to cover all pilots on the seniority list or could they chose from an ALPA CBA or a Skywest contract?

My hunch is that, for the ALPA folks who want to impose ALPA on SkyWest, that it is smarter to have SkW vote for ALPA than to spend a lot of time trying to force the issue (in my opinion unsuccessfully) with a 3 way merged list.

But, like all endeavors, it's not without risk. Having SkW once again turn down ALPA will seriously set back the effort for another 5 or 10 years.

Certainly, I think a master merged list is best for all parties, but what is seemingly overlooked is that such a list does not require ALPA. I doubt the merged Republic / Frontier / Midwest even considered ALPA.

As I understand it, those who don't want to join ALPA will not be forced to join but will still have to pay a portion (1.4%....?) for benefits received from the union. There will only be one contract and those who join and don't join get the benefits of that contract. If you don't join then there are other benefits you will not receive such as Aero-Medical and Legal (I believe).

Those at ASA and XJT can probably answer this Q better than I can so I hope someone chimes in.

SKW will be ALPA in 2011.

Correct. You can opt out of the union but you still have to pay a certain percentage because ALPA negotiated the contract. You don't get access to the benefits.

Anyone know what the last voting totals were for SkyWest/ALPA? I'm curious to see if it would pass with the new rules in place.

Approximately 900 voted yes, the rest didn't vote.

So doing quick math, out of approxamately 2800 pilots as per APC, 32% voted yes, the others were no or didnt vote. With the new rules I think its a good possibility ALPA can get them in 2011.

Please pass me what you are smoking, because it ain't happening in 2011. :)

900 voted Yes, 1900 voted No. As you know under the old rules not voting was the same as a No vote. Everybody I know at Skywest who did not vote, did so because they were voting NO.

Talk to me or the vast majority of Skywest pilots about ASA and/or ExpressJet decertifying ALPO and starting an IN-HOUSE UNION with us that represents two or all three labor groups and you have our attention and our money all day long.

Until then . . . . . JUST SAY NO, IT IS ALPO!!

Oh, in house union? Like us with IACP years ago? Sorry guy - I've seen that movie before.

How many of those 2800 pilots did you know? The point is that with the old rules, NO ONE knows how many pilots were simply apathetic.

With a vote of all three groups, it will be a easy slam dunk vote for ALPA.