Flying Blind: Deregulation reconsidered

[pilotyip]

Standard wages?

Ok. But there is an ALPA National as well. They should be dealing with big picture issues. When railroad labor lost normal, full retirement age in the early 90s (age 60 with 30 years of service), top railroad labor leaders made it a priority to get it back in future contracts. And rail labor leaders did just that in 02. What did the primma donnas running ALPA National do? They merchandised an increased retirement age for themselves when they should have asserted better treratment for the profession since we're no less under the RLA than rail. And they call that taking it back?!

Not trying to flame or start a passing contest, but serious questions arise on how a National Union would work. So does this mean that ALPA will publish a national wage scale? Would it mean that locals will not have ability to negotiate with their employer to reach an agreement that works for an individual company? Such as Kitty Hawk 727 Capt. on an ALPA contract topped out around $100K/yr, same 727 pilot at Fed Ex on a ALPA contract made nearly $200K. Would FedEx have to drop their rates to the KH level, or would KH have to match the Fed Ex level? BTW KH folded because it could not afford the contract.

 

[Flopgut]

Not trying to flame or start a passing contest, but serious questions arise on how a National Union would work. So does this mean that ALPA will publish a national wage scale? Would it mean that locals will not have ability to negotiate with their employer to reach an agreement that works for an individual company? Such as Kitty Hawk 727 Capt. on an ALPA contract topped out around $100K/yr, same 727 pilot at Fed Ex on a ALPA contract made nearly $200K. Would FedEx have to drop their rates to the KH level, or would KH have to match the Fed Ex level? BTW KH folded because it could not afford the contract.

No, you're not getting it. But that's OK, I'm glad you want to know. It's just opting us out of SS. That's basically it. Instead of the SS maximum you have now (can't think of it, too tired. First 96K I think) you would have two levels that max at your first 108K. Then you would get a full benefit at whatever your specific profession's retirement age is. "ALPA National" needs to steer big picture issues like this; I don't think locals should loose any power or the ability to act autonomously.

The flip side of this arguement is that we might bet excused from the RLA. It's a remote possibility but the upside would be a huge windfall for us.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Flopgut... what is the latest with the effort?