newb2 , 01-16-2018 09:40 PM
Line Holder
I see the Teamsters propaganda machine is alive and well. Yesterday we received a letter from our Exco saying Teamsters did not write or edit this new letter. I guess when we pointed out the BS letter that was sent from the Exco last week was written by Teamsters we hit a nerve, so I’m sure the Exco were given their marching orders to refute this and put out a letter of their own.
Let’s go throw this new letter one point at a time.
Point one:
“Nearly every argument we’ve seen or heard for decertification in some way revolves around Dan Wells, 1224 President. No, we certainly have not always agreed with him, and still do not. But his role in the lengthy contract negotiations/ratification process is being drastically overblown. Ladies and gentleman, DW is not the boogeyman. He is not some evil, all-powerful force who delayed ratification for his own selfish motives and who to this day still wants to derail our careers.”
I couldn’t agree more with the Exco assessment. The problem is not what DW did to us, the problem is that Teamsters National has done nothing to curtail this mans antics. Case in point, the same thing that was done to us is being done to Omni. So what does that tell us, it speaks volumes to where Teamsters allegiance is, it lives with Atlas and no one else. Remember Atlas has over 1700 pilots, Kalitta has 375, so who do you think is controlling the purse strings? I can guarantee you it’s not Kalitta.
Point two:
“As important as contract negotiations are, we all know that we need a strong Union here for other, equally import reasons. For example, more than 15% of our pilots at KA are in the Optimized Proficiency Training (OPT) Program…….. Yet over the years that we’ve been here, we’ve heard nothing but gratitude, praise and respect for the level of advocacy provided by 1224 to the pilot who finds himself in a training-related hearing. In fact, it is no exaggeration to say there are pilots here who would not still be pilots here, but for the strong representation provide by Teamsters Local 1224.. !224 has always had the pilot’s back. Would whatever individual or organization that replaces 1224? We just don’t know at this point. If it’s your job that’s hanging by a thread, do you want to be the one to find out the answer is no?”
Really, if the representation is so good, why do we continue to have a problem with our training department which places pilots in OPT. Why hasn’t the Teamsters taken steps to alleviate this problem? Yes the Teamsters does represent the crewmember when necessary, but they have not taken a proactive approach to mitigate this issue. The implication is that only Teamsters can represent a crewmember, which is laughable given the number of pilots ALPA represents.
Point three:
The scare tactic continues by saying “In fact, it is no exaggeration to say there are pilots here who would not still be pilots here, but for the strong representation provided by Teamsters Local 1224. 1224 has always had the pilots back. Would whatever individual or organization that replaces 1224? We just don’t know at this point…”
The Exco knows that we do not seek to replace Teamsters with an individual, we are going to move to a professional organization, that represents over 59,000 pilots. I am more than willing to put my trust into this association as opposed to an outfit such as the Teamsters.
Point four:
“The monumental leap of faith that the advocates for decertification are trying to get us to take is almost mind-boggling. They’re asking us to end our affiliation with a national union that has 1.4 million members, and whose local has provided stellar service to a great many of our pilots when they really needed it…….”
The monumental leap of faith would be staying with the Teamsters, where nothing will change. After the debacle with DW, Teamsters National did nothing and will continue to do nothing, because Teamsters is Atlas. Just ask the Omni pilots what they think of 1224. The claim that Teamsters has 1.4 million members is accurate but misleading, how many pilots does Teamsters represent. The Exco conveniently neglected to include this number, because it is a pittance compared to ALPA.
Point five:
“We’re just supposed to take the word of one individual, and a few posters on the web boards that if we just decertify, all will be well. Well, no thanks guys, None of us were born yesterday”
We can see right through this propaganda, because the Exco and the Teamsters know it is illegal for another union to “raid a shop”. ALPA cannot actively pursue our membership, however, we have already spoken with ALPA and any concern as to whether they will accept us has been asked and answered. It is a non-issue.
Point six:
“Finally, as you make you voting decision please do so on the basis of the best available information and be discerning in what you read and who you listen to.”
Yes, be very careful who you listen to and what their motivation is concerning their viewpoint. It is imperative that you consider just how effective the Teamsters have been over the years. Are you impressed with the level of representation we have? Are you happy with the language in our new contract or are there significant holes in this language? You already know the answer to that, but I submit we would be better served working with ALPA.
Remember even though the Exco claims Teamsters had no input with this new letter, the Exco still maintains a fiduciary responsibility to the Teamsters. In English that means the Exco will do the Teamsters bidding at all cost. If you thought we were treated poorly during the last round of negotiations, keep the Teamsters on the property and see how they treat us.