Can ALPA do a good job?
07-28-2008, 01:49 PM
#1
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Can ALPA do a good job?
I havent been flying on the civilian side for long but over the last few years I've heard a lot of negative talk about ALPA and the job they're doing. My question is can a union that represents several pilot groups consistently represent an individual group well...especially when there are conflicting interest? For example, I'm looking at the DAL/NWA merger or Age 60 (which impacted FDX pilots harder than the pax/non FE airlines). I realize that the IPA may not have the strength/money of ALPA but at least they are accountable to UPS pilots only.
It seems to me that having ALPA is like having a powerful real estate agent but they are representing the buyer and seller. Any thoughts from those who have been dealing with unions a little longer...
It seems to me that having ALPA is like having a powerful real estate agent but they are representing the buyer and seller. Any thoughts from those who have been dealing with unions a little longer...
07-28-2008, 02:23 PM
#2
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I havent been flying on the civilian side for long but over the last few years I've heard a lot of negative talk about ALPA and the job they're doing. My question is can a union that represents several pilot groups consistently represent an individual group well...especially when there are conflicting interest? For example, I'm looking at the DAL/NWA merger or Age 60 (which impacted FDX pilots harder than the pax/non FE airlines).
I think you could debate who REALLY suffered a bigger impact with age 65. I know that FedEx has some manning issues right now, but who is for sure going to be furloughing pilots, FedEx or the pax carriers? Would keeping age 60 have prevented it? NO, but it would lessen the amount. As long as FedEx DOESN'T furlough, those guys will suffer career stagnation as well as some regression. But they will STILL retain longevity as well as a job at FedEx as well as having one of the most lucrative CBA's in the industry. They are not faced with going to the bottom of the list at another carrier, if there was one hiring. And if I'm not mistaken, they have one of the FEW CBA's where a furloughed pilot DOES retain longevity for a certain period of time while out on furlough, if it comes to that. If that's not the case, somebody please straighten me out. But I thought it was a 3 year period.
ALPA is only as good as your local MEC. On the national level, they are too hamstrung trying to represent the interests of various groups with conflicting interests.
07-28-2008, 04:06 PM
#3
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ALPA is an "Association." It is not a union, nor is it a substitute for a union.
As dojetdriver pointed out, a lot depends on your MEC. A strong leader makes for a strong MEC, and likewise, a weak one for a weak MEC. A strong MEC is almost like a union, while a weak one is very little more than a very expensive magazine subscription that comes with a new baggage tag every year.
As for "The Age 60 Rule" and "mergers" NO single association can keep everybody happy all the time. In that case, your best hope is that they will act fairly and try to protect your seat. But as any US Airways pilot will tell you, even that is not always possible.
The IPA is accountable to UPS pilots only, but IMHO, what gives them their real strength is their leadership, and the fact that they know "who their daddy is." Their title may say "Association" but they're a union through-and-through.
As dojetdriver pointed out, a lot depends on your MEC. A strong leader makes for a strong MEC, and likewise, a weak one for a weak MEC. A strong MEC is almost like a union, while a weak one is very little more than a very expensive magazine subscription that comes with a new baggage tag every year.
As for "The Age 60 Rule" and "mergers" NO single association can keep everybody happy all the time. In that case, your best hope is that they will act fairly and try to protect your seat. But as any US Airways pilot will tell you, even that is not always possible.
The IPA is accountable to UPS pilots only, but IMHO, what gives them their real strength is their leadership, and the fact that they know "who their daddy is." Their title may say "Association" but they're a union through-and-through.
07-30-2008, 10:46 AM
#4
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Joined APC: May 2008
Posts: 110
ALPA is an "Association." It is not a union, nor is it a substitute for a union.
As dojetdriver pointed out, a lot depends on your MEC. A strong leader makes for a strong MEC, and likewise, a weak one for a weak MEC. A strong MEC is almost like a union, while a weak one is very little more than a very expensive magazine subscription that comes with a new baggage tag every year.
As for "The Age 60 Rule" and "mergers" NO single association can keep everybody happy all the time. In that case, your best hope is that they will act fairly and try to protect your seat. But as any US Airways pilot will tell you, even that is not always possible.
The IPA is accountable to UPS pilots only, but IMHO, what gives them their real strength is their leadership, and the fact that they know "who their daddy is." Their title may say "Association" but they're a union through-and-through.
As dojetdriver pointed out, a lot depends on your MEC. A strong leader makes for a strong MEC, and likewise, a weak one for a weak MEC. A strong MEC is almost like a union, while a weak one is very little more than a very expensive magazine subscription that comes with a new baggage tag every year.
As for "The Age 60 Rule" and "mergers" NO single association can keep everybody happy all the time. In that case, your best hope is that they will act fairly and try to protect your seat. But as any US Airways pilot will tell you, even that is not always possible.
The IPA is accountable to UPS pilots only, but IMHO, what gives them their real strength is their leadership, and the fact that they know "who their daddy is." Their title may say "Association" but they're a union through-and-through.
07-31-2008, 04:04 AM
#6
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