Vice Chairman's Message
(FDX ALPA MEC)
August 25, 2005
Well, if e-mail responses are any indicator, the "Age 60" issue is one that polarizes thought process in a New York minute. The last Vice Chairman's Message that broached the subject struck a nerve with many.
And that is exactly the point. If I was employed by management to distract and divide the FedEx pilots during contract negotiations, I believe that I would "glom on" to an issue like this and use it to my advantage. I would use it as a wedge issue and make it the eye of the storm hoping that the discontent among some would spiral into a storm and, along the way, let the major issue sweep us and other less coalesce consequential differences among us to help break down focus and unity regarding negotiations.
In a couple of e-mails that I have received "Age 60" has served as an apparent launching point for pilots to express other sources of dissatisfaction with "ALPA", sometimes to the point of getting personal.
Naturally, any member of the MEC is certainly subject to criticism. It goes with the territory and is healthy and natural. And, members who pay dues are very much within their rights to express their opinions. In fact, such expressions are almost obligatory for members who hope to own their Association and the process. But, "process" is the operative word here, not ad homonym attacks or ultimatums.
"PROCESS" – n. a method of operation. What a concept. My thanks go to the e-mailers who thought the last V.C. message was on target. But, to those less enchanted or convinced, I offer… "Process". Members in good standing who would hope to change a
minority opinion into a
majority opinion have a process at their disposal. And it works. It starts with your LEC. Any member in good standing can avail himself to this way of doing business and it is
the best way to change things vs. just protesting.
I have my opinions on "Age 60" and freely share them, in decision-making venues and elsewhere. I personally do not subscribe to the idea that "Age 60" is only about safety, but I do not believe that actions that cause harm or distraction to our Union are the smartest, or even most effective way, to change the status quo.
"Age 60' will ultimately resolve itself within the Association, by virtue of the members of the Association. This may happen in the relative short-term or it may take a while. In the meantime, as negotiations press on, some, it seems, intend to use their own feelings on the issue to strike out at "the Union", "the officers", or whomever, because resolution of
their premier issue isn't progressing as they would like.
If you do not like "ALPA's" position on this issue, or any other, the first thing you need to do is to understand that
you are "ALPA". The second thing to do would be to develop cogent arguments that would accrue to the benefit of, and convince, a
majority of pilots. Step three would be to put those ideas in writing. Fourth, bring those ideas forth, in the form of resolutions, to your governing body (that would be your LEC). Lastly, and most importantly, you should be prepared to win, or lose, your case in a forum of open debate and majority rule.
I have, and will continue to have, opinions about this issue, the attendant information campaign and the resultant survey. And, my LEC leadership will know that opinion when we next convene.
But, my resolve is to have this issue vetted internally, on a floor open to all opinions and yet obliged to acknowledge only one… the majority. It
has to be that way. Anything short of that is anarchy, and if I was that aforementioned corporate management employee looking to boost my MBO bonus,
that is exactly what I would be looking for among the pilots.
Right now, I want a contract and an intact Union at the end of the day. I want a reasonable and responsible acknowledgement, in writing and in $$$, of the efforts of the "average" line pilot. I want it yesterday. Others, it seems, want resolution on this one issue at any cost, and in their favor; negotiations notwithstanding.
Web sites, chat rooms, nasty e-mails and/or quitting ALPA won't change a thing. A little courtesy, spirited debate and democratic resolution will, to the ultimate chagrin of those waiting for "ALPA" (and our contract negotiations) to implode.
Thanks for your time.