Eagle MEC corruption accusation

[COOPERVANE]

As reported on another message board, Eagles MEC has been confronted with accusations of "lavish" dinners with LOTS of alcohol purchased with ALPA dues money. The accusations are shocking and if true are an incredible abuse of trust and dues.

http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/regional/74048-egl-mec-corruption-update.html

If true this is just the tip of the iceberg and will burn you up when you read it.

If I understand this correctly, it was discovered by an Eagle pilot who went to ALPA national and asked to see receipts for the MEC. he was shocked by what he saw.

My question is, WHY does a member have to go to Herndon to look at receipts from his MEC to discover this? Are there NO checks and balances at all? No accountability?

It makes me wonder about the LASA MEC. Are they doing the same thing? Are all the regional MEC's doing this? Does our MEC have any checks and balance processes in place.

 

[BUDDHA145]

A member in good standing has the right to check the books!! I mean it's your money, but don't get me wrong either all volunteers should be able to have a steak on us just for their work!! The problem is why Ruth C and not outback? Just saying!!



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[COOPERVANE]

Some may wonder why this should concern me or us as we are not part of Eagle.

This is true, but I have been repeatedly told over many years, that the regionals don't bring in enough revenue to truly support a union and that national dues are helping to fund the regionals. This is the most often used excuse for establishing a union just for regional pilots.....that we don't contribute enough money to support all the resources that are available to us as ALPA dues paying members.

Well, here seems to be a reason why.

So if the EGL MEC is allegedly using funds inappropriately, it IS my business because it is ALL our dues that are being used to support this alleged abuse.

Some Members who run for office with all the best intentions seem to be corrupted after serving for a short period of time. Much like well liked line pilots change when they become chief pilots. We've all seen it before.

Perhaps its time for All MEC's to be audited. The non ending partying needs to stop.

 

[rickair7777]

A member in good standing has the right to check the books!! I mean it's your money, but don't get me wrong either all volunteers should be able to have a steak on us just for their work!! The problem is why Ruth C and not outback? Just saying!!



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maybe they should be rewarded for their efforts, but that should be in rules. The problem here is not so much the food and booze, it's the facts that trust was violated and they apparently tried to obscure the facts.

 

[PCL_128]

If you guys think it's such a non-stop party, maybe you should volunteer. But of course, you know it's not, so you won't.

 

[rickair7777]

If you guys think it's such a non-stop party, maybe you should volunteer. But of course, you know it's not, so you won't.

I know darn well how it is, and I'm not opposed to buying them a nice dinner and even a beer or two...but it needs to be spelled out in writing, otherwise the rank and file can't trust the leaders.

 

[paid4training]

Here's a concept that no one has thought of and sure no one knows anything about it.... PER DIEM!!!! They get an agreed upon amount and anything over that it comes out of their own pocket. Just sayin'

 

[PCL_128]

Here's a concept that no one has thought of and sure no one knows anything about it.... PER DIEM!!!! They get an agreed upon amount and anything over that it comes out of their own pocket. Just sayin'

It's been thought of, but most MECs don't use it because it's MORE expensive than just expensing individual meals. In many cases, depending on the city, a lot more expensive.

 

[Redtailer]

It's been thought of, but most MECs don't use it because it's MORE expensive than just expensing individual meals. In many cases, depending on the city, a lot more expensive.

So I just want to get this straight. It's more important to make sure the ALPA workers are well fed and don't have to come out of their pocket for any meals while on ALPA business because they recognize per diem won't cover their meals in the different cities, but they don't bother demanding a fair per diem rate with the company for the average line pilot. You know, the guys they're supposed to be representing and working for while eating that all-inclusive meal.

Simple fix, link ALPA per diem to contract per diem. Fair is fair.

 

[PCL_128]

Linking ALPA per diem to contract per diem would be pretty much impossible. Expenses get paid by ALPA International, not by the MEC. MECs don't have their own bank accounts. They aren't even their own separate legal entities. So everyone has to use the same centralized expense reimbursement system. Having to use different per diem rates for each airline's pilots would be an accounting nightmare (remember, taxes and DOL filings are involved with any expense reimbursement), so we would spend far more on additional accounting staff than you could ever hope to save by using individual airline per diem rates.

As far as "demanding" fair per diem rates, I guess you've never been involved in a contract negotiation. Demands don't get very far.

 

[say again]

ALPA can do no wrong according to PCL128.

 

[Redtailer]

Linking ALPA per diem to contract per diem would be pretty much impossible. Expenses get paid by ALPA International, not by the MEC. MECs don't have their own bank accounts. They aren't even their own separate legal entities. So everyone has to use the same centralized expense reimbursement system. Having to use different per diem rates for each airline's pilots would be an accounting nightmare (remember, taxes and DOL filings are involved with any expense reimbursement), so we would spend far more on additional accounting staff than you could ever hope to save by using individual airline per diem rates.

As far as "demanding" fair per diem rates, I guess you've never been involved in a contract negotiation. Demands don't get very far.

So what you are saying is it's too hard so everyone should just give up, bend over and accept the rod willingly... When it comes to per diem unless you are flying international it should all be at one level. It doesn't matter how big or small the airplane is the food will cost the same when you get there. You don't fight for what is right then you will get what you deserve..

 

[PCL_128]

So what you are saying is it's too hard so everyone should just give up, bend over and accept the rod willingly...

No, I'm saying that the way ALPA does per diem is reasonable and makes sense. If someone spends a week in downtown DC doing ALPA work, their expenses are going to be a lot higher than someone who is overnighting in Fort Wayne for 12 hours. Comparing the two is asinine.

 

[PCL_128]

ALPA can do no wrong according to PCL128.

No, ALPA does a whole lot of wrong, especially under the current President. But you guys are always so busy tilting at windmills that you don't pay any attention to the real problems.

 

[flyboyike]

ALPA can do no wrong according to PCL128.

This is news?

 

[No Delay]

No, I'm saying that the way ALPA does per diem is reasonable and makes sense. If someone spends a week in downtown DC doing ALPA work, their expenses are going to be a lot higher than someone who is overnighting in Fort Wayne for 12 hours. Comparing the two is asinine.

Can you explain how that is different from me overnighting in New York vs Columbia SC? Different cities have higher cost than others. my per diem doesn't change...and I seem to manage.


But really no need for the ALPA boys to worry...while we may complain, none of the pilots I know are motivated enough to use their off day to go to DC and audit the books

 

[PCL_128]

Can you explain how that is different from me overnighting in New York vs Columbia SC? Different cities have higher cost than others. my per diem doesn't change...and I seem to manage.

You're there for 12 hours. He's in DC, one of the most expenses cities in the country, for a week. See the difference?

 

[flyboyike]

You're there for 12 hours. He's in DC, one of the most expenses cities in the country, for a week. See the difference?

Not really, not as long he's not paying for the hotel room himself. And food in DC is by far not "the most expensive in the country".

 

[No Delay]

You're there for 12 hours. He's in DC, one of the most expenses cities in the country, for a week. See the difference?

No, I don't. Are we talking about increasing per diem for the number of days there or for the city they are in? Two different things

I am not arguing that DC is not expensive. My point is that limits should be set. Being in DC or any other city does not justify frivolous spending.

 

[acpilot]

Wait, wait...wait...unions are corrupt?