Or you call them out, like a man, like he did. If the reps didn't want that to happen, they should have thought of that first. This whole "you shouldn't tell on anyone" thing really screws it all up...

 

If you are a true volunteer, you don't expect to be compensated. When I volunteer to the local high school, I don't expense my $5 Subway sandwich I had for lunch. If you can't hack fighting the good fight, then don't do it.

If you feel like you should be eating Steak, Lobster, and Cognac everytime there is an ALPA event, you are a ripping of people who are forced to pay into the system. I am not saying you are doing this, because I don't have a dog in the fight, but don't act like you are doing something truly altruistic, when you are looking for a free steak and a tax write off.

 

You have always had the ability to know where your dues go. Like his email said it's all public.

The email is all about shock value, using one tab in one of the most expensive cities in the nation where the IRS rate is like $70 for dinner. Is it a lot of money? Yes. I just don't think emailing an entire pilot group over a dinner tab is advancing any greater cause, it just creates unnecessary drama.

Maybe Tony will respond with a public breakdown of his schedule and time spent doing ALPA work during the bankruptcy negotiations. Would that make a difference? I think it would be more time wasted on politics.

 

Well we know who was a narc in high school...

Just kidding.

 

this has been going on for over a year, this meal is just one. so dont diminish what a rep is trying to do which is right. The MEC chairman basically kicked out the MEC secretary/treasurer, so the MEC is not going to open anything up. Also the eagle MEC chairman will not allow an investigation into this which has started now over a year ago.

You do realize alpa and the reps do not know everything and should really stop acting like they do.

 

Yep, Axxxxxy Gxxxxxxxz should get the **** kicked out of him and while he lays there a finger pointed in his face, "Dont **** people over!... tell the others we are coming for them too"

 

FWIW, when I was a rep at a previous carrier (not Eagle) I ran my council under budget every month and left a surplus when I left office. I must say, I was pretty shocked when I went to my first BOD. It was pretty opulent for a bunch of pilots, but really wasn't anything too grand compared to the other conferences going on at the same hotel, or to any professional conference I've attended for that matter.

 

Union Dues; They Booze & We Lose



In January of 2012 the MEC meet to discuss numerous pilot issues. One of these topics was the purchase of alcohol by union leaders when they attended a group meal that was to be paid for by union dues monies. This was brought about in part by the shock of a newly elected LEC representative who was attending his first of these group meals. He was surprised by the free flowing alcohol and the numerous bottles of expensive wines that continued to appear - as if by magic - on the table throughout the evening. He remarked that he would have to fly four hours to pay for just one bottle. This was followed by the many shots of Patron to round out the event.



This prompted a resolution by a few MEC members to stop the excess. The resolution was not well received by union representatives who believe that the nightly cocktail is a well-earned perk of a union volunteer. After much debate the resolution was passed by a 9 to 4 vote and made the law by which your MEC agreed to live with in the future. A simple rule: “do not use Eagle pilot dues to pay for alcohol when union members participate in a group meal.” At no time was this attempt to force moral values on union officials. If you want to drink, buy it yourself and enjoy. But it doesn’t stop there, it gets better!



With rules there comes accountability, and soon the union secretary-treasurer asked that after a group meal the person who would claim reimbursement to submit a detailed receipt of the meal. This would be a simple check and balance to the rule. Easy enough right? Not on your life. The outrage from the union leadership, your negotiating committee and some committee members was alarming. They vocally objected the need to provide a detailed receipt and saw that as questioning their ethics. Your leaders then went on to claim that the restaurants in the DFW area where they choose to dine do not provide detailed receipts. As a result this would require them to eat at location unfitting their status a union official.



Now that it is clear that your union leadership is using every opportunity to avoid the any means of financial oversight. What will they think of next? Well, I will tell you. Buy all the booze they want and hide the expense under a different name. Why not call it “snacks.” Clever, I’ll say. Just tell everyone that they are performing the work of the union late at night and needed some snacks to sustain them.



What is tragic is that we know this is not a one off event. It is happened multiple times and from the information that we are receiving this conduct has continued unchecked for some time. All of it with the approval of the MEC chairman. As more details become available we will share them with you.

The non itemized receipt which was enclosed in the expense report.




After the secretary treasurer inquired as to the amount in the expense report the SPC chair responded saying it was for snacks.



Wanting to see what kind of snacks you can get for 4 people the secretary treasurer called the restaurant and got an itemized receipt.



After exposing this the MEC chairman removed the Secretary Treasurer from full time Union Leave. (Even though he is the only member of the MEC who actually flies the line; the chairman and vice chairman haven't flown in over a year and a half.)

 

This is funny!!! since he was at the BOD last year at the Diplomat enjoying his suite at your expense as well; he was having the time of his life... He was drinking with the same people he is accusing of abusing policy. I don't think this is unique to the Eagle MEC it is more representative of the union as a whole and unless they overhaul all policies it will not change. I sincerely doubt that there is any reason other than add fuel to the fire to an already beaten down pilot group. I am outraged as well; however, if you are going to throw stones at your own house make sure that it isn't made out of glass... I honestly don't see the good in anything that has been said so far and it does cause me some concern that the same guy who was drinking lavishly at the BOD is now say "what an abuse"... I guess if it is on other people's dime it's OK (Delta, United, Alaska and all other regionals) I would honestly love to see that this MEC gets something done instead of fighting and playing with an already demoralized pilot group....

 

I disagree. As the author in the OP mentioned, efforts were made to discuss the matter internally and they were quickly dismissed. Is anyone surprised? In some cases, a little public exposure is needed to help clean up faults and excess in the system. Someone grabbing subway or 5 guys on the road? I personally don't have a problem with that. Someone doing Patron shots and 20 Irish Car Bombs on the backs of the dues payers? You bet yer ass I have a problem with that.