A new way for ALPA to collect dues

[CopilotDoug]

Does it count as a threeway...

if you're getting fvcked by management AND your union???

 

[Cobra17]

Miss Jackson if you're nasty....

Getting a good return on those ALPA dues?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z0h_c9eH-8

 

[tomgoodman]

That's even worse

I think they are taking the money going in, not coming out.

"Taking the money going in" amounts to pre-payment of dues, costing the pilot all of the growth that money would have earned in his 401k until retirement. Company contributions to DB or DC pension plans could be the next dues target.

 

[JoeMerchant]

Tom:

Joe:

How's cheating your union out of dues "taking it back?"

You can always opt out and pay less. What did they work out in Miller v. ALPA?

"Cheating" my union out of dues?

YGTBSM!

The union is a failure....the leadership won't take paycuts...and I am supposed to pay more in dues? I don't think so.....

This may get the ball rolling on some more decertification movements.....Not to smart....

 

[~~~^~~~]

Joe,

If you are a member, you have agreed to pay dues. If you are not a member, you pay less, just the cost of your representation and contract enforcement (you probably know better than I do).

Most of what gets done is volunteer work. Overall, ALPA is a bargain because of pilots serving pilots.

Again, if you want to go, adios. We'll miss you.

I think this will be an issue at the 2008 BOD. Typical...., with mergers, scope and real problems, we are going to make the debate about 0.00175, or less than 2/10th's of 1% of the average pilot's income?

 

[SplitBar]

Depends on how you look at it Fins. This year I will pay $2000 in ALPA dues and will also max out my 401K. Under the new system, my ALPA dues would be $2350. That is an almost 20% increase in my ALPA dues. It penalizes those who put a lot of $$ into 401K's. For those who don't put any money into 401K's, they will pay no extra dues. Not that I am in favor or raising ALPA dues, but IF they must raise more money, why not just raise dues from 1.93 (or whatever it is??) to 2.00% and only asses W-2 earnings. Then it's a fair "accross the board" increase for everyone. There is so much thriftless spending within ALPA I think they should just rebudget and work within the means of their income.

 

[~~~^~~~]

Splitbar:

I agree they should work within their income. But the last ten years have been challenging to say the least. I'd prefer a special assessment to get things back on track, then return to status quo.

Or, raise dues the old fashioned way ... by negotiating better contracts. Some of the working agreements out there are shameful.

 

[SplitBar]

Finns,

My gripe is that the only pilots who are going to subsidize ALPA's shortfall are those who put money into 401K's. It should be an accross the board increase for all pilots, not just those who contribute to a 401K plan.

 

[j41driver]

"In the interest of fairness", if retirement compensation is subject to dues, shouldn't retirees be entitled to vote on contracts, LOAs, and in union officer elections?

It is retirement contributions.

 

[j41driver]

Typical...., with mergers, scope and real problems, we are going to make the debate about 0.00175, or less than 2/10th's of 1% of the average pilot's income?

The point is that the average pilot income has come down quite a bit in recent years while the ALPA salaries have remained the same or gone up. Just like airline mgmt, if ALPA wants more $$ back from the pilots they should have to share in the cuts.

 

[j41driver]

Depends on how you look at it Fins. This year I will pay $2000 in ALPA dues and will also max out my 401K.

Does your employer give a 401K match? If so, you could lower your 401K contribution to the min amount to get all of the matching funds and put the rest into an IRA or similar investment. That would minimize the increase in dues paid.

Like someone else mentioned...it would be most fair to just raise the base % so it affects all of the membership equally.

 

[SplitBar]

Does your employer give a 401K match? If so, you could lower your 401K contribution to the min amount to get all of the matching funds and put the rest into an IRA or similar investment. That would minimize the increase in dues paid.

Like someone else mentioned...it would be most fair to just raise the base % so it affects all of the membership equally.

Contributions to IRA's don't lower your W-2 earnings since they are made with after tax dollars.

 

[steveg]

Let it not be forgotten this is because of usapa.

usapa now wants to charge MORE than alpa, even with the 401k debacle. So much for saving money.

If you see a usair usapa guy wearing a yellow lanyard, thank him for increasing your dues.

Just another in the LONG list of usair pilots ruining this profession..............................

ps.

It's not ALPA. Prater sucks, however, usapa is to blame for costing ALL of us millions of dollars.

 

[tomgoodman]

Compensation comes from contributions

It is retirement contributions.

Sure, but those contributions will be smaller if dues are taken out, reducing the pilot's retirement compensation. He will have "pre-paid" dues, years in advance, on income he won't receive until he has no union representation or vote. If that is OK, why not pre-collect dues on contributions to his pension as well?
Even the IRS doesn't tax income until you get it.

 

[Jonny Sacko]

Chunky takes a 60% cut, along with entire OVER paid staff. 60% before I kick in 1 cent more. I don't care. No representation equals No pay.