Originally Posted by WakeWash (Post 2027703)

Very true, but our legislative reps need a voice behind them to make the point clear. It's hard for them to fight when the politicians say they've never heard complaints from anyone except the reps. We make the noise, and the reps lead the charge. Otherwise it's like sending the drummer boy into battle without the army. Each pilot needs to speak up and encourage the ones around him to speak up. If we did that more than we bashed each other's pilot groups it would be crazy the attention pilots could get on the topic of poor regional treatment.

Originally Posted by sweetholyjesus (Post 2027698)

Well the very reason it takes so much effort for us to be able to strike is because we are "essential" to American commerce. So we must be pretty important.

Striking is an important card in a union's negotiating. If the NMB can so easily take away our ability to strike, then what do we have to negotiate? Certainly not labor......

Originally Posted by sweetholyjesus (Post 2027717)

Agree. I think the amount of distractions and lack of unity is a problem. Which is what frustrates me about associations like ALPA, I simply don't see it's purpose. Such a falsely "unified" organization might even be harmful at this point but I don't think I know nearly enough yet to say for sure..

Scary thought: If ALPA is for safety, maybe unions could unify under a different flag for things like CBAs?

Originally Posted by Nevets (Post 2027716)

It's not the only thing but a big part of it. Like it's been said, ALPA is not really ONE union. It's an association of separate unions. Each individual MEC decides what they want or don't want to negotiate for. As for lobbying, the bigger the association, the more influence they exert. That's what there are associations of almost everything special interest you can think of. And corporations hire K street lobbyist in order to exert their influence as well. Without ALPA, things would be way worse just because of this alone!

Originally Posted by CBreezy (Post 2027057)

Take off your tin foil hat. ALPA national is an association of unions.

Originally Posted by Nevets (Post 2027716)

It's not the only thing but a big part of it. Like it's been said, ALPA is not really ONE union. It's an association of separate unions. Each individual MEC decides what they want or don't want to negotiate for. As for lobbying, the bigger the association, the more influence they exert. That's what there are associations of almost everything special interest you can think of. And corporations hire K street lobbyist in order to exert their influence as well. Without ALPA, things would be way worse just because of this alone!