ALPA wants more of your money

[brokeflyer]

wow thats f'ed up....sounds like its time for a union drive that alpa....

 

[ASA_Aviator]

The dues exemption for 401 (k) contributions is not universal. It does not apply to all ALPA pilot groups and even treats pilots within an airlines differently depending on their pension plans and the amount they contribute.

It's a fairness issue. All pilots should pay the same level of dues on their income. No special favors, treat everyone the same. If we can afford lower dues, then lower the dues for all members equally.

Yes, but "income" is the taxable income line on my W2, not the gross income line.

If someone contributes 15% of their income to retirement, that money should be exempt from dues, and ALPA should welcome the incentive to contribute more. Isn't it ALPAs charge to do what is best for the pilot group? Encouraging higher contributions to retirement is better for the group.

 

[Sandhawk]

Isn't it ALPAs charge to do what is best for the pilot group?.

:laugh:

It is ALPA's job to do what is best for the pilot group, BUT ALPA has always done what is best for ALPA!

 

[sweptback]

Yes, but "income" is the taxable income line on my W2, not the gross income line.

If someone contributes 15% of their income to retirement, that money should be exempt from dues, and ALPA should welcome the incentive to contribute more. Isn't it ALPAs charge to do what is best for the pilot group? Encouraging higher contributions to retirement is better for the group.

The problem is that there are pilot groups out there that are unhappy that they must pay dues on their 401k contributions when other pilot groups do not.

I agree that from a regional pilot's perspective, with only a 401k retirement account, it is a hard sell. I think if ALPA wants to collect dues on what I contribute to a 401k, they should make it a priority to negotiate a B fund for the pilot groups that do not have one.

 

[FDJ2]

Yes, but "income" is the taxable income line on my W2, not the gross income line.

If someone contributes 15% of their income to retirement, that money should be exempt from dues, and ALPA should welcome the incentive to contribute more. Isn't it ALPAs charge to do what is best for the pilot group? Encouraging higher contributions to retirement is better for the group.

OK then, let's call it pay. Every pilot should pay the same dues on their union negotiated pay. No more subsidies, everyone pays their fair share.

ALPA should treat all pilots fairly, and charge dues the same for every full member in good standing.

I would encourage a defined contribution plan in addition to a 401(k).

 

[ASA_Aviator]

:laugh:

It is ALPA's job to do what is best for the pilot group, BUT ALPA has always done what is best for ALPA!

What, those aren't the same thing?

 

[Nevets]

OK then, let's call it pay. Every pilot should pay the same dues on their union negotiated pay. No more subsidies, everyone pays their fair share.

ALPA should treat all pilots fairly, and charge dues the same for every full member in good standing.

I would encourage a defined contribution plan in addition to a 401(k).

Just FYI, XJT pilots have a defined contribution plan and are exempt from paying dues to the money contributed to the 401k by the pilot and the company (which is income).

 

[JustaNumber]

It's a fairness issue. All pilots should pay the same level of dues on their income. No special favors, treat everyone the same. If we can afford lower dues, then lower the dues for all members equally.

...except that fairness is not really achieved with your plan. Consider airline A with a full company-funded pension plan for the pilots, and airline B with only a 401k. If you "charged the same level of dues on their income," then the airline A pilot's compensation that funds their retirement (and therefore almost their entire retirement nest-egg) is not subject to dues, while the airline B pilot's compensation that funds their retirement (and therefore almost their entire retirement nest-egg) IS subject to dues. Is that really fair?

 

[wms]

Fair is what you negotiate. Others shouldn't be penalized because you didn't negotiate wisely.

 

[JetMonkey]

It's bid-ness homies, nothing more. Someone had mentioned alpo is in a revenue shortfall. Of course they are! Just take a look how much revenue in dues they've lost over the past few years...

USAir
AWA
ATA
Champion Air
Air Midwest
Airtran
Independence Air (ACA)
Comair

That's a lot of dues cashola, ya know? As a west pilot as you may well guess, I don't feel sorry for them. I can't stand usapa, but alpo wasn't much better (for me anyway). I don't believe they really stand for pilots anymore (if they ever did). It's about bid-ness. They're in it for da paper! I suspect if this resolution doesn't pass, they will most likely increase the dues requiriement for all their remaining members..

 

[PBRstreetgang]

Ya wanna know why the MECs and ALPA do this stuff?

The average line pilot cannot be bothered going to the local chapter mettings. net effect MEC and LECs think yhat you do not care what they do, so they do what they want. You can either take control of your future or leave the decisions to others. If you don't like the direction ALPA local and national is going, participate and change the course.