ALPA's strategy
08-03-2013, 05:34 PM
#1
The Brown Dot +1
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Joined APC: Jun 2009
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ALPA's strategy
Please, not an Alpa bashing thread. (Although I enjoy that as much as the next guy)
I am going to have to assume that ALPA has a strategy but I have a difficult time getting my head around what that is. When you strategically plan, you start with a desired end state...the optimum that you want for the organization. Strategy differs from tactics, in that tactics are short term and support the strategy.
Despite the conflicts of interest and the failures, I am interested in hearing what some of the deeper thinkers have concluded ALPAs strategy might be.
I am going to have to assume that ALPA has a strategy but I have a difficult time getting my head around what that is. When you strategically plan, you start with a desired end state...the optimum that you want for the organization. Strategy differs from tactics, in that tactics are short term and support the strategy.
Despite the conflicts of interest and the failures, I am interested in hearing what some of the deeper thinkers have concluded ALPAs strategy might be.
08-03-2013, 06:31 PM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2010
Position: Baja Vermont
Posts: 5,197
ALPA National Objective: Make it to retirement for everyone at Herndon
ALA Strategy: Delay any final reckoning on the conflict between Regionals and Mainline
ALPA Tactics: Scope sales to keep mgt at bay, Flow agreements to keep RJ guys thinking that mainline jobs will be there in the future (the "free beer tomorrow" tactic), "baffle with BS" to keep the mainline guys sorta confused and only sullen, not actually angry and voting 'em out.
BTW, Scambo, did you attend Air War College, your opener sounds like it?
GF
ALA Strategy: Delay any final reckoning on the conflict between Regionals and Mainline
ALPA Tactics: Scope sales to keep mgt at bay, Flow agreements to keep RJ guys thinking that mainline jobs will be there in the future (the "free beer tomorrow" tactic), "baffle with BS" to keep the mainline guys sorta confused and only sullen, not actually angry and voting 'em out.
BTW, Scambo, did you attend Air War College, your opener sounds like it?
GF
08-03-2013, 06:36 PM
#5
The Brown Dot +1
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Joined APC: Jun 2009
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Posts: 7,775
ALPA National Objective: Make it to retirement for everyone at Herndon
ALA Strategy: Delay any final reckoning on the conflict between Regionals and Mainline
ALPA Tactics: Scope sales to keep mgt at bay, Flow agreements to keep RJ guys thinking that mainline jobs will be there in the future (the "free beer tomorrow" tactic), "baffle with BS" to keep the mainline guys sorta confused and only sullen, not actually angry and voting 'em out.
BTW, Scambo, did you attend Air War College, your opener sounds like it?
GF
ALA Strategy: Delay any final reckoning on the conflict between Regionals and Mainline
ALPA Tactics: Scope sales to keep mgt at bay, Flow agreements to keep RJ guys thinking that mainline jobs will be there in the future (the "free beer tomorrow" tactic), "baffle with BS" to keep the mainline guys sorta confused and only sullen, not actually angry and voting 'em out.
BTW, Scambo, did you attend Air War College, your opener sounds like it?
GF
08-03-2013, 06:37 PM
#6
Back on TDY
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Position: 747-400 Captain
Posts: 12,487
Well Scambo, I wrote this a few weeks ago. It's my take on ALPA's strategy:
Carl
....ALPA has decided that what is best for the pilot profession is to have a union with enough worldwide members that their critical mass will be able to control terms of the pilot profession.
But our current problem is the disparity between pilot groups. Not only domestically, but internationally. Like it or not, we at Delta are viewed as the "haves" in a world of "have nots". If ALPA is to gain the critical mass needed to become the world's pilot labor Goliath, the "wealth" of the Delta pilot (our flying) has to be spread out more equitably...
This symbiotic relationship is currently working for both ALPA and management, albeit for different goals and outcomes.
But our current problem is the disparity between pilot groups. Not only domestically, but internationally. Like it or not, we at Delta are viewed as the "haves" in a world of "have nots". If ALPA is to gain the critical mass needed to become the world's pilot labor Goliath, the "wealth" of the Delta pilot (our flying) has to be spread out more equitably...
This symbiotic relationship is currently working for both ALPA and management, albeit for different goals and outcomes.
08-03-2013, 07:04 PM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2010
Position: Baja Vermont
Posts: 5,197
Carl,
With a respect, an objective must be attainable to pass any reality test. If that's the ALPA goal, they are either delusional or blowing smoke up everybody's skirt. There s NO way on Earth, ALPA can achieve that goal, least among the reasons is the disparity between pilot groups. They couldn't achieve that goal in the US.
The primary ALPA weakness, which is not repairable, is its balkanized organization and the conflict of interest between mainline and regionals. RLA probably prevents fixing the former and the desire, as you stated, prevents fixing the latter.
GF
With a respect, an objective must be attainable to pass any reality test. If that's the ALPA goal, they are either delusional or blowing smoke up everybody's skirt. There s NO way on Earth, ALPA can achieve that goal, least among the reasons is the disparity between pilot groups. They couldn't achieve that goal in the US.
The primary ALPA weakness, which is not repairable, is its balkanized organization and the conflict of interest between mainline and regionals. RLA probably prevents fixing the former and the desire, as you stated, prevents fixing the latter.
GF
08-03-2013, 08:13 PM
#8
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Well, let's just kind of review what ALPA says it is. This is from the home page at Alpa.org -> Who We Are
A Strong Voice for Airline Pilots
The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 50,000 pilots at 33 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Founded in 1931, the Association is chartered by the AFL-CIO and the Canadian Labour Congress. Known internationally as US-ALPA, it is a member of the International Federation of Air Line Pilot Associations.
ALPA provides three critical services to its members:
Members of each ALPA carrier are represented by their Local Council Status Representatives, who make up each pilot group’s Master Executive Council (MEC). Each pilot group consists of one or more Local Councils, which generally correspond with the pilots’ major domiciles. These Local Council Status Representatives sit on ALPA’s Board of Directors, the Association’s highest governing body. The Local Council Representatives elect the officers of the MEC, the chairmen of which comprise ALPA’s Executive Board. ALPA’s Executive Council, which bears fiduciary responsibility for the Association, includes both elected Executive Vice Presidents and the National Officers.
ALPA’s National Officers, the President, the First-Vice President, the Vice-President-Administration/Secretary, the Vice-President-Finance/Treasurer, guide the Association’s work from its Washington D.C. headquarters and nearby Herndon, Va. offices.
The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 50,000 pilots at 33 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Founded in 1931, the Association is chartered by the AFL-CIO and the Canadian Labour Congress. Known internationally as US-ALPA, it is a member of the International Federation of Air Line Pilot Associations.
ALPA provides three critical services to its members:
Airline Safety and Security: ALPA’s founders chose “Schedule with Safety” as their motto, and that theme remains central to the union’s work today. Over its history, ALPA has been a part of nearly every significant safety improvement in the airline industry. The Association has helped to make airline travel the safest mode of transportation in human history. More than 600 working airline pilots volunteer to serve on the local and national safety and security committees that help guide the Association’s work. The union’s aeronautics engineers and safety and security experts provide unparalleled independent analysis on emerging airline safety and security issues, as well as federal and industrial policies. ALPA is routinely granted "interested party" status in most major airline accidents, which means that ALPA accident investigators assist the National Transportation Safety Board and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada during on-site investigations and participate in associated public hearings. The union’s commitment to unbiased, fact-based evaluation of airline safety and security issues has won the Association an unrivaled reputation for excellence throughout the airline industry.
Representation: Over the decades, ALPA pilot groups have negotiated scores of contracts with hundreds of airlines. Today, ALPA staff offers its members the finest financial analysis available, in-depth knowledge of the Railway Labor Act (the legislation that governs airline pilot contracts), and the legal experience to defend pilot contracts. By leveraging the combined resources of all union members, ALPA is able to bring unmatched expertise to bear on matters affecting its members’ salary, benefits, and working conditions.
Advocacy: ALPA’s staff and pilot volunteers consistently represent pilots’ views to all airline industry decision-makers, including Congress, Parliament, the White House, and federal agencies. In Washington, D.C. and Ottawa, Ont., ALPA lobbyists successfully promote legislation that helps pilots and work to stop policies that harm pilot interests. National officers and pilot representatives are routinely called on to give their expert opinion before legislative committees and other influential governmental bodies.
At all levels of ALPA, pilots make decisions through the democratic process. All decisions start with our pilot groups. Each pilot group consists of all the pilots at a given airline. Pilot groups exercise considerable autonomy in governing their own internal affairs, such as negotiating contracts, enforcing those contracts, and discussing issues of concern with their companies.Representation: Over the decades, ALPA pilot groups have negotiated scores of contracts with hundreds of airlines. Today, ALPA staff offers its members the finest financial analysis available, in-depth knowledge of the Railway Labor Act (the legislation that governs airline pilot contracts), and the legal experience to defend pilot contracts. By leveraging the combined resources of all union members, ALPA is able to bring unmatched expertise to bear on matters affecting its members’ salary, benefits, and working conditions.
Advocacy: ALPA’s staff and pilot volunteers consistently represent pilots’ views to all airline industry decision-makers, including Congress, Parliament, the White House, and federal agencies. In Washington, D.C. and Ottawa, Ont., ALPA lobbyists successfully promote legislation that helps pilots and work to stop policies that harm pilot interests. National officers and pilot representatives are routinely called on to give their expert opinion before legislative committees and other influential governmental bodies.
Members of each ALPA carrier are represented by their Local Council Status Representatives, who make up each pilot group’s Master Executive Council (MEC). Each pilot group consists of one or more Local Councils, which generally correspond with the pilots’ major domiciles. These Local Council Status Representatives sit on ALPA’s Board of Directors, the Association’s highest governing body. The Local Council Representatives elect the officers of the MEC, the chairmen of which comprise ALPA’s Executive Board. ALPA’s Executive Council, which bears fiduciary responsibility for the Association, includes both elected Executive Vice Presidents and the National Officers.
ALPA’s National Officers, the President, the First-Vice President, the Vice-President-Administration/Secretary, the Vice-President-Finance/Treasurer, guide the Association’s work from its Washington D.C. headquarters and nearby Herndon, Va. offices.
08-03-2013, 08:15 PM
#9
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And from Alpa.org -> Who We Are -> Careers at ALPA:
Welcome to our Career Opportunities site!
ALPA offers competitive salaries with excellent benefits, including:
More than half of our employees have been here ten years or more.
Over 50% of our opportunities are filled by current employees or by employee referrals.
Do you know someone who might be interested in a career with ALPA?
Please refer him/her to us!
The Air Line Pilots Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Minorities, Veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
ALPA offers competitive salaries with excellent benefits, including:
- 26 days paid vacation and holidays per year;
- Generous sick and bereavement leave;
- Generous health care benefits – PPO, two HMO’s (where available) and a High Deductible Health Plan which includes coverage for medical, dental, and vision benefits for employee, spouse, and/or dependent children;
- Company-paid premiums for disability and life insurance;
- $2 for $1 matching 401(k) retirement savings plan; Roth 401(k);
- Flexible Spending and Health Savings accounts; and
- Retiree health plan.
More than half of our employees have been here ten years or more.
Over 50% of our opportunities are filled by current employees or by employee referrals.
Do you know someone who might be interested in a career with ALPA?
Please refer him/her to us!
The Air Line Pilots Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Minorities, Veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
08-03-2013, 08:28 PM
#10
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Alright, let's talk about vision as Scambo asked, what is ALPAs?
Notice they say three things: safety, representation and advocacy.
"Schedule with safety" is a great vision. Simple, memorable, portable and to the point. I can get behind that.
Look at the other two...
fog.
/observation
I'd prefer, "schedule with safety" and something along the lines of "scope, compensation and work rules to ALPA standards."
Notice they say three things: safety, representation and advocacy.
"Schedule with safety" is a great vision. Simple, memorable, portable and to the point. I can get behind that.
Look at the other two...
fog.
/observation
I'd prefer, "schedule with safety" and something along the lines of "scope, compensation and work rules to ALPA standards."
Last edited by forgot to bid; 08-03-2013 at 08:41 PM.
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