For Those About to Vote/Not Vote ALPA At SkyWest...

[Skywest Pylot]

ASA was doing this to our RR's for a while. At first it was to "help out" maintainance, (I had no problem helping out) then the Co. realized they could send home 3 maint. guys and save some $. I had a problem with that!

The senior guys and ALPA's response was basically.

"sucks to be on reserve don't it?"

That sucks. At Delta we don't have ready reserve. Why don't you have "no ready reserve" written in your contract at ASA? Was R. R. Implemented in exchange for something else?

 

[Big D]

120% Torque,

Thanks, keep the information coming.

 

[WayBack]

Ok, we get it, you don't like ALPA or organized labor.

Where in ALL of my posts have I ever said I didn't like organized labor?
I just don't like ALPA and don't think people understand ALPA isn't the answer to the regionals problems.
If anything, ALPA is the problem at the regional level.

 

[Tarzan]

I just don't like ALPA and don't think people understand ALPA isn't the answer to the regionals problems.
If anything, ALPA is the problem at the regional level.

The problem lies with the people running the show and the apathy of the pilots. The moderates are drowned out by the militants. Get involved especially if you are moderate.

 

[sweptback]

That sucks. At Delta we don't have ready reserve. Why don't you have "no ready reserve" written in your contract at ASA? Was R. R. Implemented in exchange for something else?

We had no RR on the 2002 contract, and we traded it for long call reserve.

 

[Skywest Pylot]

Where in ALL of my posts have I ever said I didn't like organized labor?
I just don't like ALPA and don't think people understand ALPA isn't the answer to the regionals problems.
If anything, ALPA is the problem at the regional level.

I don't like Prater and think he should be recalled but I still support the ALPA cause. In a perfect world Mainline pilots and Regional pilots would be represented by separate organizations. I don't necessarily believe that ALPA is "perfect" for SkyWest but it would be better than what they've got. They NEED to organize.

 

[Skywest Pylot]

We had no RR on the 2002 contract, and we traded it for long call reserve.

IMO, R. R. is an abuse and shows a complete lack of respect for "Professional Pilots". If companies like Delta and Southwest can operate without Ready then why is it necessary at companies like SkyWest and ASA? Most Regional pilots and some Mainline pilots really are treated like second class citizens.

 

[Cuban B.]

The recent developments with firings and destruction of reasonable health-care options demonstrate the total lack of fair protocol due to the impotence of our pilot group. Everything that happens to us is an an ad hoc event made with little consideration to the lives of actual humans with actual needs. When times are rough we see the true nature of an organization.

The reality of being workers with highly specialized skill-sets, is that we will be dangling above oblivion for the entire duration of our careers. This is an enormously precarious professions and without some form of group-based legal representation, we are disposable components. This is increasingly how we are viewed by our upper and middle leadership in spite of the mythology that we are fed. We will see increasing abuse, injustice and degradation of QOL until we get organized and protect each other.

As a former ALPA member, I was frustrated often by how our individual MEC handled certain situations. However, seeing events unfold here, I wish I had never left the security that ALPA provided. If nothing more ALPA is protection for your CAREER and LIVELIHOOD. The meager dues would provide essential legal protection that we all need as pilots.

 

[WayBack]

I don't like Prater and think he should be recalled but I still support the ALPA cause. In a perfect world Mainline pilots and Regional pilots would be represented by separate organizations. I don't necessarily believe that ALPA is "perfect" for SkyWest but it would be better than what they've got. They NEED to organize.

Then take all your time and energy to make SAPA the best they can be.

IMO, R. R. is an abuse and shows a complete lack of respect for "Professional Pilots". If companies like Delta and Southwest can operate without Ready then why is it necessary at companies like SkyWest and ASA? Most Regional pilots and some Mainline pilots really are treated like second class citizens.

This term is so over used. People refer to themselves as "professionals" to make themselves feel better. Pilots at the regional and major level are no longer viewed as professionals, but the company and unions will keep referring to you as such.
Professionals aren't treated the way the airlines and unions treat it's pilots. They expect you to act professionaly, but do not treat you like one.
The professional pilot hasn't been around since the early 1980's. We're all just a bunch of glamorous taxi cab drivers....professional ones.

 

[120% Torque]

Then take all your time and energy to make SAPA the best they can be.

Its been tried time and again for over a decade. Other than when skywest was willing to keep the group at the top of the industry the first couple years of operation, Sapa has been a miserable failure. The very nature of Sapa and the fact they get funding from management to operate ensures it will never completely represent the everyday line pilot. Time to quit waisting energy pretending Sapa is the answer. Time to go another direction.

 

[Gr82Aviate]

Its been tried time and again for over a decade. Other than when skywest was willing to keep the group at the top of the industry the first couple years of operation, Sapa has been a miserable failure. The very nature of Sapa and the fact they get funding from management to operate ensures it will never completely represent the everyday line pilot. Time to quit waisting energy pretending Sapa is the answer. Time to go another direction.

I'll second the motion!!!

 

[120% Torque]

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aCke89dDAcbU

U.S. Plan to Ease Airline Union Organizing Said to Be Advancing

Oct. 29 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. carriers including Delta Air Lines Inc. will have a harder time blocking union organizing campaigns under a change planned by a federal labor board, people familiar with the matter said.

The proposal, to be announced in coming days, would let workers form unions with majority approval of those voting, according to the people, who asked not to be identified discussing the plan. It would overturn a standard that requires support of most workers in a class, not just those who cast ballots.

The change would be a victory for the AFL-CIO, the largest U.S. labor federation. The group asked the National Mediation Board to overhaul the voting standard last month, saying it would be more democratic.

“It’s been our sincere hope that the National Mediation Board would look at our recommendations favorably,” Edward Wytkind, head of the AFL-CIO’s transportation trades department, said in an interview yesterday.

 

[WayBack]

Its been tried time and again for over a decade. Other than when skywest was willing to keep the group at the top of the industry the first couple years of operation, Sapa has been a miserable failure. The very nature of Sapa and the fact they get funding from management to operate ensures it will never completely represent the everyday line pilot. Time to quit waisting energy pretending Sapa is the answer. Time to go another direction.

Well if SAPA is so horrible, why has ALPO never been voted in on the property? Looks like the majority prefers SAPA over ALPO.

 

[Flightdawg]

The recent developments with firings and destruction of reasonable health-care options demonstrate the total lack of fair protocol due to the impotence of our pilot group. Everything that happens to us is an an ad hoc event made with little consideration to the lives of actual humans with actual needs. When times are rough we see the true nature of an organization..... If nothing more ALPA is protection for your CAREER and LIVELIHOOD. The meager dues would provide essential legal protection that we all need as pilots.

All very well said and agreed. The more pilots in a union, the stronger the union. In house unions are limited by their own numbers and resources.

 

[ATR Pirate]

ALPA is worthless to regional airlines..go to United if you want ALPA..or comair...or mesa..or any of the other long list of outstanding regionals who are greatly benefiting from ALPA..I think i'll vote NO again..

 

[DoinTime]

ALPA is worthless to regional airlines..go to United if you want ALPA..or comair...or mesa..or any of the other long list of outstanding regionals who are greatly benefiting from ALPA..I think i'll vote NO again..

Weren't you just b*tching about how your non-union company screwed you out of being paid for deicing operations? How many UAL or Comair pilots you think would put up with not getting paid for their services?

 

[Gr82Aviate]

Weren't you just b*tching about how your non-union company screwed you out of being paid for deicing operations? How many UAL or Comair pilots you think would put up with not getting paid for their services?

He was... many here would rather complain, than give themselves a real contract and the ability to fix problems!

 

[EBE]

Well if SAPA is so horrible, why has ALPO never been voted in on the property? Looks like the majority prefers SAPA over ALPO.

Just a thought.

Perhaps many of the 900+ pilots that were hired DURING the union drive now realize that all is not roses and fluff like the company promised them it would be if they voted no.

SAPA is not horrible. However, SAPA is not an effective form of representation. That is the reality.

 

[PBRstreetgang]

He was... many here would rather complain, than give themselves a real contract and the ability to fix problems!

Entitlement generation. Hows that quick upgrade workin' for ya? Music stopped and now you are bitter!
PBR

 

[PBRstreetgang]

ALPA is worthless to regional airlines..go to United if you want ALPA..or comair...or mesa..or any of the other long list of outstanding regionals who are greatly benefiting from ALPA..I think i'll vote NO again..

EH,
Must suck being 11 from the bottom of your seniority list, huh?

PBR