SKW CEO warns pilot shortage could lead...
03-18-2017, 06:36 AM
#341
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2015
Posts: 857
Try reading the cover page of a contract sometime. There is no "ALPA national". There is ALPA; and ALPA represents the pilots that are party to that contract. Since it is a contract, an officer of the representation organization needs to sign the contract. Which is why the President of Air Line Pilots Association, International signs the agreement along with an officer of the airline.
03-18-2017, 07:25 AM
#342
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2013
Posts: 10,609
I've seen the term "ALPA National" used hundreds of times in these forums. If that is the wrong way to describe the body that governs the MEC's, then OK.
Joining people under the same contract at different airlines may be impossible, but I can't find where it says that there is no room for any collaborative effort between the MEC's under the same "representation". Right now there is zero collaborative effort, which is the source of my frustration.
Also, isn't saying that "ALPA represents its pilots" incorrect? ALPA is an association of unions, not a union in and of itself.
Joining people under the same contract at different airlines may be impossible, but I can't find where it says that there is no room for any collaborative effort between the MEC's under the same "representation". Right now there is zero collaborative effort, which is the source of my frustration.
Also, isn't saying that "ALPA represents its pilots" incorrect? ALPA is an association of unions, not a union in and of itself.
Here's the key point, though. All local properties are governed by a vote from their own pilot group. If said group doesn't want to sign an agreement that puts their jobs in jeopardy or isn't in their best interest, they have a right to hold their union leadership responsible. The collective bargaining agreement is between the pilots and their company. It is not between the company and all regional properties. This is probably also one of the main reasons unionization participation has remained so high in this sector.
So, there is significant collaboration but in the end, it's whatever each pilot group feels is on their own best interest.
03-18-2017, 07:43 AM
#343
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2015
Posts: 857
MEC chairmen do meet and try to work together. In fact, I believe many signed an agreement in the wake of the Envoy fiasco that said the MECs wouldn't accept a concessionary contract for AA 175s. I believe all but one ALPA regional signed it. You'll also see lots of similar language in regional contracts because the MECs and negotiating committees borrow things that work from other properties.
Here's the key point, though. All local properties are governed by a vote from their own pilot group. If said group doesn't want to sign an agreement that puts their jobs in jeopardy or isn't in their best interest, they have a right to hold their union leadership responsible. The collective bargaining agreement is between the pilots and their company. It is not between the company and all regional properties. This is probably also one of the main reasons unionization participation has remained so high in this sector.
So, there is significant collaboration but in the end, it's whatever each pilot group feels is on their own best interest.
Here's the key point, though. All local properties are governed by a vote from their own pilot group. If said group doesn't want to sign an agreement that puts their jobs in jeopardy or isn't in their best interest, they have a right to hold their union leadership responsible. The collective bargaining agreement is between the pilots and their company. It is not between the company and all regional properties. This is probably also one of the main reasons unionization participation has remained so high in this sector.
So, there is significant collaboration but in the end, it's whatever each pilot group feels is on their own best interest.
Thank you for posting.
03-18-2017, 07:50 AM
#344
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2011
Posts: 146
I think the "association of unions" came about because people were trying to compare RLA unions with NLRA unions. A lot of people's impressions of what unions are and do is based on NLRA unions and they can't wrap their head around differences with a RLA union. "Association of unions" is merely an analogy to try to bridge that conceptual gap.
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