ALPA dues going up.

[XPOO]

Actually, the ALPA BOD voted to cut the dues rate to 1.9%. Tell the full story, Joey. The fact of the matter is, most ALPA pilots will see a dues reduction from this change.

Why will some ALPA pilots end up paying a bit more than they do right now? Because up until now, some pilots (myself included) did not pay dues on their voluntary 401k contributions, while other pilots did. Pilots that had only a 401k plan and no A-Fund or B-Fund pension were exempt from paying dues on their contributions. The result was that many pilots were paying effective dues rates lower than the stated 1.95%, while most members were paying the 1.95% rate. Now, as a proponent of the so-called "fair tax," I'm surprised you could stand behind such a system, Joey. Shouldn't everyone pay the same effective rate? Isn't that "fair?"



Yes. The vote was nearly 80%, in fact. Not exactly a close vote.

I may drink the SkyWest Kool-Aid, but this guy is swimming in the ALPA Kool-Aid

 

[Sherpa]

So along with the erosion of work rules, quality if life, lack of a pension, and inability to hammer down a new contract we get to pay a few more bucks out of our limited retirement funds. Nice job boys. Spin it off as a reduction and case closed. No bueno ALPA. I wish there was a better alternative.

 

[crxpilot]

So along with the erosion of work rules, quality if life, lack of a pension, and inability to hammer down a new contract we get to pay a few more bucks out of our limited retirement funds. Nice job boys. Spin it off as a reduction and case closed. No bueno ALPA. I wish there was a better alternative.

There is. Just tell them you only want to pay the agency rate. That can cut your dues at least 25-30% or more depending on what that rate is.

 

[PCL_128]

You left out the part about losing your right to vote when you do that. Sort of a significant component.

 

[Brasilia Pup]

You left out the part about losing your right to vote when you do that. Sort of a significant component.

Nobody asked for my vote on this matter. Or on the fact that the ALPA president got a 21% raise, while the average line pilot takes pay cuts. Yeah, my vote REALLY matters. Time for a Regional Union, that doesn't represent both sides of the fence.

 

[Turtle21]

Are they going to apply the 1.9% to the company's contribution to our 401Ks?

What a missed opportunity!

 

[PCL_128]

Nobody asked for my vote on this matter.

I'm pretty sure that you elected your representatives who had votes on this matter. Or are you also upset that you don't get to directly vote on every issue that comes before Congress?

Or on the fact that the ALPA president got a 21% raise, while the average line pilot takes pay cuts.

Wrong. The ALPA President has received no pay raises in many, many years. In fact, the BOD just voted to give him a pay cut from 100 hours to 95 hours. Don't believe everything you hear in the crew lounge.

Time for a Regional Union, that doesn't represent both sides of the fence.

Sounds great. Then you can see how high dues really can go, since a regional union would need to dues its members around 4-5% to fund itself sufficiently.

 

[PCL_128]

What a missed opportunity!

Seriously? A uSAPian mocking ALPA's dues structure when you're currently paying something like 5 different assessments as uSAPa hemorrhages money? Too funny!

 

[Jim]

What a missed opportunity!

ALPA could collect 25% of my pay in dues and I'd still make more than any Eastie. But hey, you're only doing it to yourselves with your lack of integrity and delusions.

 

[ASA_Aviator]

I'm pretty sure that you elected your representatives who had votes on this matter. Or are you also upset that you don't get to directly vote on every issue that comes before Congress?



Wrong. The ALPA President has received no pay raises in many, many years. In fact, the BOD just voted to give him a pay cut from 100 hours to 95 hours. Don't believe everything you hear in the crew lounge.



Sounds great. Then you can see how high dues really can go, since a regional union would need to dues its members around 4-5% to fund itself sufficiently.

I would rather give 5% to a union that represents one carrier's interests than 1.9% to a national union with conflicting interests.

 

[PCL_128]

I would rather give 5% to a union that represents one carrier's interests than 1.9% to a national union with conflicting interests.

In other words, 5% to a union that has absolutely zero chance of being effective, rather than 1.9% to a union that has proven itself effective for 80 years. Yeah, smart move.

 

[Plainsman]

ALPA doesn't matter at the regional level anyway. There is too much undercutting. What Delta is doing to Pinnacle is proof of that. Running them into BK to lower the price levels. Sure, ALPA can scream but no more bite.

 

[jonjuan]

Wrong. The ALPA President has received no pay raises in many, many years. In fact, the BOD just voted to give him a pay cut from 100 hours to 95 hours.

Holy hell, 95 hours? Wtfff? How about 75 hours? And why isn't he paid on the average aircraft rate while he pads his resume?

 

[PCL_128]

Holy hell, 95 hours? Wtfff? How about 75 hours? And why isn't he paid on the average aircraft rate while he pads his resume?

That sounds like a great idea if the only people you want to attract to the position are first year regional FOs.

If you want the best and brightest in these positions, then you have to pay them something a bit better than they could make flying the line, because they're working at least double as much as they are on the line. Cutting someone's pay for the "privilege" of being a national officer is absolutely ridiculous.

 

[EL10]

Sorry PCL_128, but this sounds a lot like the Romney tax plan. “Lower” the rates for everyone but devil in the details. The big guys that got the robust retirement plans pay less rate and less dues, the little (with all do respect) guys get a lower rate but more income is dues eligible tax and pay more dues. Just admit any of the carriers that have only a 401K that require the pilot to voluntary contribute to get any match from the company will either end up paying more dues or take a hit on retirement so that everyone else can pay less?

Not to be stereotype but what is the effect over ones retirement account by not placing $5.00 in your retirement account over 30 plus years end up costing these people? We have such a lopsided profession that 5 or 10 dollars does make a difference to a first officer of our union. Let alone is embarrassing and insulting that our union leaders pass it off as good thing and (its only 5 or 10 dollars). ALPA again choosing to pick sides and not unite all its members like a true association.