Alpa President John Prater's Video Response To Age 60

[Rez O. Lewshun]

they [ALPA] have been done.

Hopefully for SWAPA's sake they are not. Where else are you going to buy finance data for contract negotiations? APA? IBT?

 

[aussiefly]

Actually RJMan, we all did have the opportunity, but only 37% participated. There was plenty of information put out, but most people didn't participate....

BS what about the furloughees and the probies??? Oh thats right they didnt get to vote and which side do you think they would have been on ???

ALPA is done. All you crusty senior guys can rule your liitle fiefdom but the younger generation is going to throw you under a bus when the time comes. You have screwed us all to many times.

 

[JoeMerchant]

BS what about the furloughees and the probies??? Oh thats right they didnt get to vote and which side do you think they would have been on ???

ALPA is done. All you crusty senior guys can rule your liitle fiefdom but the younger generation is going to throw you under a bus when the time comes. You have screwed us all to many times.

Aussiefly:
1. I'm not one of the "crusty senior guys" throwing you under a bus. I'm at a regional and I have 20 years left.

2. The information I posted was correct. It wasn't "BS". Only 37% of those eligible even bothered to participate. I don't think most people really care one way or the other.

3. It isn't just old guys throwing young guys under the bus. Look at mergers, scope, regional vs. mainline. There is an abundance of throwing other people under the bus in this profession....

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

BS what about the furloughees and the probies??? Oh thats right they didnt get to vote and which side do you think they would have been on ???

Why not be a good guy and think of why ALPA would not let them vote. Is there a valid reason....

ALPA is done. All you crusty senior guys can rule your liitle fiefdom but the younger generation is going to throw you under a bus when the time comes. You have screwed us all to many times.

Praters one month honeymoon over... ?? Quiter!

 

[aussiefly]

Aussiefly:
3. It isn't just old guys throwing young guys under the bus. Look at mergers, scope, regional vs. mainline. There is an abundance of throwing other people under the bus in this profession....

Fair Point Joe

P.S just had someone question me as to how I could have an opinion etc. Just to clarify this is my little brothers account so dont attribute my ramblings to him and i've also been 121 for sometime.

 

[PCL_128]

Was that the poll that only 1/3 of the entire membership participated?

If they don't vote, then they've marginalized themselves. They get no sympathy from me if they refuse to participate in the process. The membership that bothered to vote made it quite clear where they stand on this issue. That's what matters.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

The membership that bothered to vote made it quite clear where they stand on this issue. That's what matters.

The membership that did bother is a minority. The majority is aloof....

That allows the leadership to do as they wish.....

 

[PCL_128]

The membership that did bother is a minority. The majority is aloof....

That allows the leadership to do as they wish.....

Sorry, but that's just BS. The leadership can't simply do as they wish just because a large portion of the membership isn't involved. Let's say that a Local Council meeting is held and only 10% of the members are present., The membership present votes on a resolution that requires the LEC leaders to take the resolution to the MEC for discussion. Do the LEC leaders simply ignore the resolution because only 10% of the members bothered to show up and be involved? Of course not. This is no different. The membership was given the opportunity to speak their mind on this issue, the membership directed us, and we should do as directed.

 

[JoeMerchant]

I love watching two ALPA true believers argue about ALPA....

 

[redbook]

And your point? Not smug, but last I checked it's a free country and I too can contact my union pres, and representatives on how I feel about eliminating the 60 age restriction. Sorry I don't have the same belief you do.

Fair enough. I retract my barb, and apologize. Congrats on your win. I guess I misinterpreted your statement as a type of taunting.

 

[redbook]

Sorry, but that's just BS. The leadership can't simply do as they wish just because a large portion of the membership isn't involved. Let's say that a Local Council meeting is held and only 10% of the members are present., The membership present votes on a resolution that requires the LEC leaders to take the resolution to the MEC for discussion. Do the LEC leaders simply ignore the resolution because only 10% of the members bothered to show up and be involved? Of course not. This is no different. The membership was given the opportunity to speak their mind on this issue, the membership directed us, and we should do as directed.

Nice last two posts PCL. I think the membership of any organization would be enamored with that type of leadership and you would see participation increase.

 

[Quimby]

change age 60?uke:


lets hope it doesn't get past the NPRM stage. Something tells me it will at some point though.

 

[vetteracer]

Copy of the email I sent to Capt Prater yesterday:

Captain Prater:

I am a pilot at FedEx and member of ALPA in good standing. In light of today's announcement and your statements in the past, I feel compelled to write to you to express my concern over this possible change.

I am sure that you are aware of the many sides of this issue. I realize that you are close to Age 60 and thus this issue is probably in the forefront of your personal situation.

As an elected official of ALPA, however, it is your duty (of course you know this) to represent the will of the union you were elected to represent. That union has spoken loud and clearly that the majority of the members are opposed to a change to the Age 60 rule. Now it might not make any difference what our union members think and this rule change will be forced upon us either way.

THAT does not change your responsibility to LEAD the union and its members in our OPPOSITION to this rule change. It should not be a complacent, lackadaisical leadership Captain, you should lead the charge up the hill and not rest until this change is defeated.

I implore you to LEAD the charge in adamant OPPOSITION to this proposed change. To do anything less than your best to preserve the careers of the majority of our union's members is a failure to fulfill the obligations of the office to which you were elected.

Again, Captain, REGARDLESS of your personal views on this matter, the UNION is adamantly opposed to this rule change. I fully expect that you will do everything in your ability to represent the will of the majority of your constituents and ensure that this change is thwarted.

Thank you for your service Captain, I look forward to hearing a more determined stance on your part against the Age 60 change.

Fraternally,

XXX
FedEx
ALPA # xxxxxxx


I do not have a warm and fuzzy at all about Captain Praters ability to represent the will of the majority of the members on this issue. It is obvious he is for a change. Not a good sign in my opinion.

FJ

Nicely Written. I am not a member, and being part 135 my dog in this fight is on the sidelines, but I applaude your efforts. I would like to get on with SWA or FedEx, and I am all for waiting my turn and paying my dues, but this will really slow the hiring down IMO.

-Mark

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Sorry, but that's just BS. The leadership can't simply do as they wish just because a large portion of the membership isn't involved. Let's say that a Local Council meeting is held and only 10% of the members are present., The membership present votes on a resolution that requires the LEC leaders to take the resolution to the MEC for discussion. Do the LEC leaders simply ignore the resolution because only 10% of the members bothered to show up and be involved? Of course not. This is no different. The membership was given the opportunity to speak their mind on this issue, the membership directed us, and we should do as directed.

I'll raise you two oranges to your apple.......

LEC meetings are different in that a majority of the membership can't be expected to be present. They are flying, at thier house, on vacation...etc...

That is why elections are done via telephone and intranet over a given period of time... So that all members have an opprotunity to particapte in the election. IOW they don't have an excuse for not particpating. While the survey was not an election the same logic applies. Plenty of opportunity and no excuses.

As far as Rez O. Lewshuns.... the membership can move thier legislation to the MEC and beyond.. but they cannot direct thier representatives how to vote.

When I was a status rep I solicted the membership months in advance to provide direction at the up comming BOD. Not one word. I had carte blanc at the BOD as an elected official to do whatever I wanted. Now as a repsonsible official I did right by my membership... but they saying of "those who ignore politics are destined to be ruled by thier inferiors" applies.

Or in the case of Age60... not enough pilots cared to survey and now its not going your way.... Look in the mirror......

I love watching two ALPA true believers argue about ALPA....

That is right Joe. I am a true believer....

I believe that representation, whether it be ALPA or a new union, is the only way we can make our profession better...

I believe in making this profession better than I found it...

I believe in my fellow pilot and will do anything to support him.



PCL128 is a smart guy and does quality ALPA work for his pilot group.. I trust the guy and respect him.... He has done more ALPA work than most 20+ year mainline pilots...

We need to have a difference of opinion! Just cause PCL128 and I have a difference of opinion means nothing! Everyone brings something to the table! We have to work the issues together and then address the issue as a unified front.

 

[PCL_128]

That is why elections are done via telephone and intranet over a given period of time... So that all members have an opprotunity to particapte in the election. IOW they don't have an excuse for not particpating. While the survey was not an election the same logic applies. Plenty of opportunity and no excuses.

Exactly. The membership had an opportunity to voice their opposition to the age-60 policy, and they chose not to. That means that the current policy should stand. Just because a majority of the membership is apathetic and doesn't want to take ownership of their careers doesn't mean that we ignore the clear direction that the participating members have given us.

I believe that representation, whether it be ALPA or a new union, is the only way we can make our profession better...

I believe in making this profession better than I found it...

I believe in my fellow pilot and will do anything to support him.We need to have a difference of opinion! Just cause PCL128 and I have a difference of opinion means nothing! Everyone brings something to the table! We have to work the issues together and then address the issue as a unified front.

Couldn't agree more. You see, Joe Merchant, we work within the system and debate the important issues the right way. We have differences of opinion, but we settle them in a constructive manner and move on. I wish you and your friends in the RJDC could learn to do the same. Smart guys like Fins would be a great asset to the Association if they focused on productive methods instead of lawsuits and attacks.