b19, bogart and others of their ilk are creatures who feed on and derive sustenance from disunity. The best argument for union solidarity I’ve seen in a long time is contained within this thread. It is evidence of how the presence, within a union, of a few freeloaders can undermine the solidarity and perceived power of a union, the very power that will be used, or not, during our next round of negotiations. Disunity allows union-busters to twist and distort. Our pilots will have to decide for themselves if they are willing to tolerate this out on the line.
One thing is for sure, the freeloaders will undermine us at the bargaining table if it’s allowed to continue. The way I look at it, these freeloaders have taken and will take food off my families’ table, just like scabs do during a strike. This is because ultimately, if it comes down to it again, management will count the freeloaders among those who can be counted upon to scab. Simply put, it affects managements’ arithmetic in bargaining.
For the benefit of gunfyter and others: After the contract was ratified, the 1108 E-Board began offering a payment plan to pilots who did not pay their dues pre-contract, it amounts to about $50 per month. In exchange for signing a promissory note, previous non-members are made members in good standing from the date of signing. As a result, from what I’m told, most of our pilots are in good standing with their union. The freeloaders represent a very small minority of the pilot group, who have very little reason, other than simple greed, or union animus, not to get in good standing.
To the E-Board: I say again, show us the list. How long are you going to allow these few individuals to undermine us like this? Haven’t you had enough?