Originally Posted by untied

just know that the L-UAL side will be running the MEC when the merger is complete. We simply have the majority.

Originally Posted by APC225

Chicago Strike Committee:

As most of you are probably aware, the SPSC Chairman/P2P JFK) was asked to step down as a member of P2P in JFK. Consequently, he tendered his resignation as the JFK Strike Chair which was accepted by the MEC SPSC Chairman. During the EWR road show, wearing plain clothes and not identifying himself as a member of P2P or SPSC, he stood simply as a 25 year pilot for United Airlines and expressed his concerns about the tentative agreement presented by the MEC to be accepted or rejected by the pilot body. This catalyst was the trigger for his dismissal.

With this consideration, I am stepping down as the ORD Strike Chair and as a member of the P2P team in Chicago. Last night, I submitted my resignation effective immediately. To be clear, this is not an indictment of the TA, rather a rebuttal of the process upon which the MEC chose to wage the ratification process.

I accepted my first position as an ALPA volunteer shortly after the 2003 bankruptcy. As a matter of principle, I vowed to never allow or participate in another situation where few individuals or a single Master Chairman operated unilaterally, while stifling or completely eradicating any opposing view. Inherently I believe this to be extremely dangerous to our careers and profession as was demonstrated during that time. As I believe is our duty, he confronted what he and many others consider to be a flawed TA, and expressed his views. Although he has contributed countless hours, days and years of volunteer work of behalf of ALPA, he stood at that moment as a member of Council 52, at his road show, expressing his opinion as a member in good standing with ALPA.

This is not the first time I have expressed my concern to the MEC about operating in a fashion where any dissenting opinion is cast aside, or completely ignored. Doing so completely undermines the principles of CRM that arguably prevented countless accidents over the years. Yet somehow, it seems justified to abandon those principles when you leave the flight deck.

It has always been my belief that a well-informed pilot group will ultimately make the right decision on any matter placed before them. Rigorous debate is vital to that process. The Tentative Agreement should withstand that debate if it is in fact viable. Any attempt to obfuscate the facts by either side of an issue is not helpful. However, I trust the pilot group is capable of separating the fact from fiction, the rational from irrational, and the understatements from the hyperbole.

For the remainder of the P2P group in Chicago, do not misconstrue this as a call to arms. This is a value-based judgment and a promise I made to myself and the pilots I represented in any capacity. In a way, it is my personal Hippocratic Oath where I promised to “do no harm” to the pilot group. Continuing in my current capacity implicitly endorses the actions taken and opposes that vow. For the reasons stated above, I feel this path is treacherous not only to the pilot group at United, but also to ALPA as a whole.

By volunteering to join the Chicago Strike Committee, I am guessing that you, like me, wanted to become a part of the solution to the problems plaguing our profession. By taking that step, whether it be by walking a picket line, passing out flyers, attending shareholder meetings, or simply being available, you took on a responsibility that some shirk; namely, the responsibility to protect your own career. That is accomplished only if we remain vigilant at all levels.

In the end, regardless of my personal feelings on this TA, I cannot and will not support silencing the views expressed by either side on this issue before us. The SPSC Chairman/P2P JFK has taken the step just like you. Like you he has taken it upon himself to protect the viability of our vocation. He immersed himself in the contract and posited real concerns that should serve to expand the discussion for the betterment of us all. Sanctioning his actions accelerates the move toward linear or group think.

For continuity, I requested our Vice-Chairman for SPSC in Chicago to take over my position, pending approval of the MEC SPSC Chairman. I’ve known him for many years now and flew with him on the A320. He has been excellent counsel to me, particularly in the past six months, and I have no doubt in his ability to serve the pilots and ALPA. You can expect I will provide any assistance he needs in the transition.

It has been an honor to be a part of your team. Stay involved. Make this career your own. Make this union your own.

Fraternally,
Chicago Strike Chair

Originally Posted by untied

You don't have to trust them, just know that the L-UAL side will be running the MEC when the merger is complete. We simply have the majority.

Originally Posted by Baron50

I would assume you are this person resigning, not just re-posting.

Originally Posted by uaav8r

Because the UAL MEC hasn't done anything that would cause a CAL guy to lose their trust. Not so with regard to the CAL MEC.


btw, I voted Yes

Originally Posted by Maxepr1

Sorry buddy, I do remember you your Airlines' Torque program against Continental( and yes your pilots were involved not just the company).... Your wonderful leader of Council 12 calling the Cal employees Subservient,your wonderful furlough guy bashing the Cal pilots....Trust the Ual MEC.. LOL This has always been a two front war for all sides... Come on get real no one trusts no one here.... Lets get the SLI done and move on... There is prejudice on both sides here, I wonder how long it will last before it fades away or will it ever? Max

Originally Posted by Wrsofked

The SLI could make the grumbling indefinite...

Originally Posted by Maxepr1

I agree, We all have an idea whats fair to us, what happens is for the arbitrators to decide.......

Originally Posted by gettinbumped

I'm sure the standard merger litmus test will apply: it's a successful merger if no one is happy