stanrhintx

I don't understand. I'm pretty new in this business, I admit it. I just got this email saying the union wants to assess each Mesa pilot $140 for a "merger fund". Where are the dues funds going? Is ALPA going to come up with a reason to take even more money from its members every time it can come up with a reason to do so? The entire country is in a climate of mergers and buyouts. Why are additional funds needed to cover this contingency? What, the POSSIBILITY of a merger justifies taking $140 from me? Can anyone tell me just what it is the union is doing for the pilots that justifies handing over more of my hard-earned money than previously agreed? Frankly, I think it's ridiculous.

fosters

Don't quote me, but I believe merger fund $$ is used to hire an attorney to negotiate on your behalf. Sorta like how the shuttle america guys got the SHAFT when it came to republic's buying of that company. Why ALPA would even need to be thinking about this right now is beyond me. Your $$ should be going to the STRIKE fund .

RedeyeAV8r

It is YOUR MEC (i.e. the guys you elected) that want that money, not ALPA National. If you don't like what is being done........vote or recall your current leaders out of office and put folks in that you know will do what the majority wants. Just know who to BLAME for stuff you don't like. 99% of the TIME ALPA NAtional gets blamed for a ALPA Local i,e, MEC decision. I am not saying ALPA National hasn't made some Faux Paus in the past, just trying to ensure the difference with ALPA your elected MEC and ALPA National in Herndon. They are not always the SAME.

BTW having a merger fund is not a bad idea. If you folks do end up buying someone and they want to merge into your seniority list......or vice versa, having an established Merger Fund will help you folks out with the tremedndous costs assoiciated with merger. Just look at Amwest and USAirways. Both of these Pilot groups are spending huge amounts in legal fees and consultations for their upcoming seniority integration.

BoilerUP

Who does JA and the rest of the MEC think you guys are going to be buying/merging with?

Comair?!?!?

Ski Patrol

If......and when it happens couldn't the pilot group pay the cash at that point? Maybe it's a dumb question but why would the MEC need the $$ in advance?

Thanks for the info Redeye

rickair7777

That is good question, and if they can impose the fine without a vote now, why couldn't they just do it later when it is needed?

It is true that the union cannot use regular dues to pay for merger litigation...this is because your regular dues actually belong tp alpa national (where they can best benefit the major airline pilots that alpa serves). National will not assist or fund an integration battle between two regional pilot groups... they are on their own, and must raise their own money in this circumstance.

RedeyeAV8r

Yes indeed that is possible. But often it is harder to get Pilots to cough up all the necessary cash at once. A small assessment that can be put into a cash generating MMkt account can grow and lesson the overall burden.

Also it is prudent for your MEC (if the have some inside info on a possible acquisition) to hire an RLA attorney on retainer right now (They ain't cheap)
rather than seeking one out after the fact........one who might be snapped up by your opposing seniority List.

Bottom line.......keep informed and appraised of whay your MEC is doing.
Go to your UNION meetings and stay involved if not simply informed. If your leadership is not doing what you line folks think is the right path, then it will ultimately be all the line pilot's fault if some decisions are made not in line with what you guys want.............Just tlike the Republicans are scrambling right now in the house and Senate. Even die hard repubplicans are starting to question their own party. A little political shake up is often healthy once in a while.from either party and to include UNION politics!

stanrhintx

And if they want to take the money now rather than later when it's really and actually needed, does that say good things about the union? I think not. And if a merger DOES NOT occur, will I get my money back? Something tells me they'll have a good reason to keep it for some other scare, er, reason.

stanrhintx

Thanks for the clarification as to what ALPA national is doing versus MAG ALPA people. It's precisely this type of information from you experienced guys that makes reading through all the BS here worthwhile.

Ski Patrol

Too late fosters your quote is here and valid.

What do you think Stanh? Fosters is onto something here........