Fellow members of Council 26,

Once again, I’m Fred Buesser and I’m asking for your support to elect me as the representative for Block 3, LEC 26. I ask that you please take the time to vote during this election for a pilot in each block of our LEC. This is the first step in taking back control of our union and I ask that you do your part and exercise your right to vote for who you want to represent you.

As has been echoed by others, we are at a critical juncture with our union. Unity within our union is at an all time low. Apathy is at an all time high as reflected in recent issue voting numbers and attendance at union meetings and events. Crewmembers are fed up with the way our union is being run and are becoming more vocal about the problems they see with the management and operation of our union. It’s time for all of us to demand and ensure that this union not only represents our views on future issues such as contract 2010, 777 pay and work-rules, LOA’s, etc., but also, keeps us in the loop on any factors or reasons that may impact those decisions and obtain our feedback BEFORE those decisions are finalized.

TRANSPARENCY
It’s become a matter of transparency with our union. Too many things are being discussed and decided behind closed doors and then fed to us through a party line statement. When questions are asked and answers are demanded of our “representatives”, we are stonewalled. This is not how our union should be run and most certainly not what we pay our dues for. I intend to make this my overriding endeavor to change if elected as your representative. I am also appalled to hear of representatives being chastised for communicating with the crew-force through channels other than the ALPA “filtered” and “approved” message line. This problem was never more apparent than with the resignation of our Negotiation Chairman.

REQUIRED CHANGES
It’s time for this to change! It will change when our union works its way back to MEMBERS having the power, through their LEC and MEC, to run this union how the members see fit. It will change when our MEC truly institutes honest two-way communication with its members. It will change when our union stops hiding behind its lawyers “skirts”, using outdated methods of communications that is filtered and “controlled”, and moves into the 21st century with the use of the web and other means to allow feedback on issues and “attendance” at union events and meetings. It will change when our MEC listens to and truly represents the views of this crew-force. And finally, it will change when the MEC increases transparency of its operations. Too much seems to be discussed in “executive session” and kept secret from this crew-force. We ARE a highly educated group and NEED to be kept abreast of information, both good and bad, so that WE can then make our decision and inform our MEC what we want and expect. I will push to ensure these changes are made.

CONTRACT 2010
This needs to be our overriding concern at the moment. The loss of our Negotiating Chairman, and the way it took place, has set us back months if not years in our effort to prepare for our upcoming negotiations. I request that EVERY member of LEC 26 start reviewing our present contract and funnel what you want changed to both our Negotiation Committee and, if elected, through me. DON’T wait for a questionnaire or survey from the Wilson Center. I want to know what you want and need in the next contract so that I can fight for those issues.

In conclusion, we need to make our MEC and union work for us!! I’m asking for your support and vote as block 3 representative in LEC 26. I can only earn your trust through my actions if elected. Those who know me know, above all else, that I keep my word. I pledge to work as YOUR representative and will make every effort to start making the changes that need to happen. Please contact me via e-mail [email protected] or phone (603)986-0996 on any issue.

Voting ends 1000 ET on November 10, 2008. For Internet voting-log on to https://www.ballotpoint.com/alpa. If you do not remember your VIN/PIN log on to vote through https://crewroom.alpa.org go to My ALPA and select Elections. Simply follow the instructions. To vote by phone call 1-888-647-1787. Please take time to vote.

Thanks,

Fred Buesser

Fred, you hit the nail on the head. Good luck to you, you are what we need.

On board with you, Fred, wish I could vote for you!

Best of luck, . . . . . .

Cos

OK --- but talk it up guys --- and "motivate" those that can vote in these blocks to vote!

...IT IS THAT IMPORTANT!