Someone more enlighten please tell me why we still need UPA ALPA contract reps that are unqualified in their equipment making 90+hrs working out of their home? 2) If there is a good reason please explain how long they should remain unqualified and getting 90+ hours working out of their home? I know I should be ashamed of asking such a question because, after all, I am just a low-life line pilot and don’t have the big picture.

 

Are you referring to the contract hotline?

 

I don't think so. Why do you ask? Do work on the contract hotline?

 

No, but they are worth every dollar when you have a question. Does the CAL side have a contract hotline?

 

Calforums.

 

Yes, UDO.

Union Duty Officer, 100% volunteer position.

 

No, sCAL does not have a Contract Hotline. We do have pilots that work contract issues and work in “Grievance”or Scheduling from about 9am to 4pm Mon -Fri & except Holidays. Those pilots are paid trip loss and no extras as far as I know. We also have Union Duty Officers (UDOs) that are not paid. So after hours weekend and holidays when you need help you call the UDO. UDOs do this while working the line or sitting reserve or on thier off time. UDOs should never have to buy their own beer.
I will agree to disagree with you if someone in a paid union position is worth more money than what they could get paid on the line or sitting reserves if there are other benefits to that position, such as working out of your home and never missing important times with your family like Christmas, birthdays and other special events without taking sick leave. Add to that we have had those same pilots turn around and work for management when their union job peters out.
What I was asking in this thread is about the few union pilots (like committee chairmen)that are getting that extra pay that no other union pilot or line pilot is getting. Isn’t the contract done? Or are they going to stretch this out as long as they can? Whose best interest are they serving?

 

Absolutely agree.

 

They will stretch it out as long as they can, they always do.

 

The general tone of this thread is interesting, and spot-on for some of our union "volunteers." I could probably name two or three names right now, that in my opinion, are riding the clock as hard as they can, or spending so much time jockeying for position in the unified union that they get no constructive work done. However, and this is a big however, most of our volunteers, whether paid or unpaid, are working their buns off trying to make life better for their pilot group.

Interestingly, the company is probably a much better place to work. Just like on this forum, when someone posts an unpopular opinion, the keyboard kommandos come out en-masse to ridicule, belittle, and scorn.

I literally went to a cockpit when DHing one time to explain a CBA provision to a captain who had let me know through email that he was unhappy. I carefully explained that the CBA allowed the company to do exactly what it was doing, and I couldn't help him. His response to me was "If you can't get me what I want, you are worthless, and should resign!" You would be amazed at how often your committee members are abused this way. No wonder some of our brothers decide to quit union work, and still others to go to the other side.

I am anticipating a purge of the L-CAL committee members with SLI, and after serving on various committees for almost half of my career, I am kind of looking forward to NOT receiving midnight emails and texts from unhappy guys who don't like the CBA, and somehow believe it is my fault that the CBA says what is says. BTW, I have NEVER been involved with negotiating any CBA.