At 8:30 yesterday evening, the ALG/MEC convened a Special MEC meeting via teleconference. In addition to the MEC voting members and officers, ALPA Vice President of Administration Capt. Paul Rice was in attendance. The meeting began with MEC Chairman Capt. Rick O’Leary reviewing ALPA National’s position that following its review of the circumstances surrounding last Tuesday’s MEC meeting, the outcome of the voting on the issues of pilot versus MEC ratification on the proposed, non-negotiable, merger LOA, and acceptance of the merger LOA itself, were not binding, because the meeting was held in conflict with meeting guidelines set forth in ALPA’s Constitution and By-Laws. As a result, those issues would have to be readdressed. It was with that in mind, that this new meeting was being held. Rick then began to review the past practice of our ratification process. A few minutes into that presentation, Council 91 Captain Representative Andy Brixner made a motion to waive the notification requirement contained in a 1997 MEC resolution, which requires that all Letters of Agreement be subject to a 15 day MEC review prior to ratification, and that the Merger Letter of Agreement be approved as well. A discussion then ensued, where questions of clarification and composition of the motion were discussed, with the result being that Capt. Brixner agreed to amend his original motion, and to have the body consider only the issue of whether the MEC should waive the 15 day notification requirement contained in the MEC Resolution dated February 14, 1997. Council 95 Captain Representative Ernie Holtslander seconded the motion. The motion was then put to a vote and it was defeated by a vote of 3 in favor, and 5 against suspending the 15-day review and notification requirement. Council 91 First Officer Representative First Officer Andy Fogg made a motion to reconsider, and moved to have a roll call vote determine the votes outcome. In response to that motion, Council 78 First Officer Representative First Officer Derek Allen asked for, and was granted permission to speak to the motion. First Officer Allen then expressed his view that he took exception to what he considered to be a lack of fairness and consideration to those he represents, with respect to the use of the roll call option to decide the matter, and then declared that that he could no longer participate in the meeting. He then left the meeting. Council 78 Captain Representative Captain John Karas expressed his agreement with First Officer Allen, and left the call as well. Then without comment, Council 92 Captain Representative Bill Yaggi, First Officer Representative Kevin Komisor, and Council 95 First Officer Representative Jeff Ethriedge, left the call as well. To determine whether or not there was still a quorum, which is required to conduct business, as defined in Article IV, Section 4, Attendance and Quorum, in the Constitution and By-Laws, Chairman O’Leary asked MEC Secretary Treasurer Capt. Tom Waterland to call the roll of the MEC. It was then determined that the only MEC members who were still in attendance were Capt. Brixner, First Officer Fogg, and Capt. Holtslander. Captain Rice’s opinion was solicited, and he suggested that Chairman O’Leary recess the meeting, and attempt to contact the MEC members who had left, and advise them that while he, (Captain Rice), was not implying that anyone would, but that is was possible that their leaving the meeting could result in their being brought in front of a hearing board, and be subject to charges under Article 8 of the ALPA Constitution and By-Laws. Chairman O’Leary then recessed the meeting, while the remaining participants remained on the line. Each of the MEC members who left the meeting were contacted and informed of possible Article 8 action. All five members expressed their position that they continued to take issue with the use of roll call to address the issue of MEC versus pilot ratification, and that they declined to rejoin the meeting. Chairman O’Leary then returned to the conference call, advised those in attendance of the position of the departed members, and adjourned the meeting due to a lack of a quorum, as is required by Article IV, Section 4, Attendance and Quorum, in the ALPA Constitution and By-Laws. In an ASPEN message to ALPA President Captain Duane Woerth, Chairman O’Leary briefed him on the outcome of last nights meeting. The MEC is committed to resolving its differences, and will convene again in the near future to bring resolution to these issues.
All Allegheny ALPA members in good standing are urged to contact their local council representatives at their earliest convenience, and make their position known on the issues of pilot versus MEC ratification, as well as ratification of the non-negotiable merger agreement.
Continue to check this hotline, our website, and crew room bulletin boards for the most accurate information. That’s all for this Allegheny MEC update.
Article 8- I/m sure the MEC members with backbone are peeing themselves. Article 69 (flamming hot poker) should be rammed up Andy Fogg, Ernie Holtslander, Andy Brixner, Idiot Rice’s and the grand Duchy's, Duane (don't bend over around) Worthless rump.
Hats off to the men with character. Keep telling Alpa National to stick it where the sun dosn't shine.
