Ok, judges throw contracts out....then companies impose new ones...don't like it? Strike...wait, can't....Judges block alpa action. What can alpa do? It's one thing when a judge blocks strikes, but there's gotta be another way to protect contracts, workrules, and return our jobs to a higher standard of professionalism. Companies drag out negotiations in mediation (see Pinnacle and ASA management) and we can't do a thing...FRUSTRATING! Is there a way to regain some controll/leverage. Is alpa too nice? What should/can we (as alpa) do? All professional airline pilots that are rep. by alpa are inherently alpa. So what can we do? Ideas anyone?

 

yes it is, read about what alpa used to be like

When Lorenzo started New York Air with non union pilots who were going to earn less than the going rate, ALPA launched a million dollar publicity campaign against them. Pilots even threatened to boycott Pepsi because a Pepsi bottler was on the board of Lorenzo’s main company, Texas International. I didn’t hear any sort of uproar like this with Jetblue or the impending Virgin America, instead ALPA insists that jumpseats should not be used for retaliation purposes.

what other industry do you see people giving free rides to work to the people undercutting them? This is one reason the airlines are in such a mess.

 

May I ask why a judge can block a strike? When would one be allowed?

 

Railway labor act, he can call a 30 day coolin off period where you have to keep working. something along those lines, if you ask me its called legalized slavery

 

A judge does not "call a 30-day coolin off period" under the Railway Labor Act. Let's talk RLA for a minute. Under the RLA, the Company and the Collective Bargaining Agent (the "Union") bargain to achieve a Collective Bargaining Agreement, or "Contract." If they are unable to reach an agreement, the National Mediation Board steps in to mediate negotiations. If they determine that negotiations have reached an impasse, they can release both parties to "Self-Help." Under Self-Help, the Union can withdraw services, or any number of other legal job actions. Likewise, the Company can lock out the employees or any number of other self-help activities. If the Union decides to withdraw services (strike) the President of the United States can call an Emergency Board to evaluate the situatuation, and force the parties to "cool off" for 30 days. At the end of that cooling off, the President can call an additional 30-day cooling off period. At the conclusion of that period, NOTHING can keep the union from striking.


Now, let's look at what has been happening lately. Companies go to bankruptcy judges and ask to be released from their commitments in the legally-negotiated contracts. Judges, having no knowledge or expertise in RLA law, say, sure, sounds good to me. This action completely circumvents the protections afforded both parties by the RLA. Unions answer back with, well, if they can ignore the RLA and impose a new contract (an action that is only allowed under the RLA as "self help"), then the union should also be allowed to engage in self-help -- strike. The same judges who have no business throwing out contracts have been tending to say, "No, you can't strike." THAT, my friends, amounts to endentured servitude. The judge is saying the company can impose their own work rules, and the employees have no choice but to work under those rules.


Now, that doesn't really address what a judge can do -- it only addresses what the laws are, and what they should do. Case law is replete with examples of judges overstepping their authority.








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to some up what tony said, this industry sucks

 

ALPA is only as strong as your local MEC.

 

nobody needs to strike anymore, everyone should just quit. It's legal, and it would bring the mgmt to its knees. Unfortunately, there aren't enough people with that sort of resolve.

 

That should read "ALPA jumpseat coordinators insists that jumpseats should not be used for retaliation purposes". Why? ALPA is hoping to eventually bring B6 into the fold for representational (that means dues!) purposes.

Fortunately, the jumpseat coordinator doesn't control who rides my jumpseat...I do. And B6 and VX scabs can pound sand.

Period.

Otherwise, your post is entirely correct. Thank you for your support in keeping these scum off Union jumpseats.

 

So what if the judge says you can't strike? You just strike anyway, what can they do??? You just strike and that's where you get your power back.

Are any of the other union organizations that have pilot groups like the teamsters any better? (Just curious from a non-union company that could have a union in its future)