The same thing happens at other airlines, including ASA. The man who headed up the negotiating committee for ALPA became our system chief pilot shortly afterwards. Grievance comm. members have become chiefs as did our captains rep.
The reason simply seems to be that they know the rules and can speak with authority for both labor AND management. It is a little one man conspiracy that works for management.
For example, contract plainly says that after three continuous duty overnights the pilot will be assigned NO MORE FLYING until days off. Management thinks this is too easy and they are short, so they intentionally violate the contract by giving a pilot another day trip after three CDO's. A grievance is filed by the pilot and the matter goes to a hearing.
At the hearing the company's side is presented by their current chief pilot who happened to also be the same guy who negotiated the agreement for labor. On the Pilot's side is pilot rep who wasn't even on the property when the contract was negotiated.
The management rep says, "yeah, I know that is what the contract says, but that is not really what we meant. We meant that after three CDO's the pilot would not be assigned another CDO. I was there and I negotiated the deal - you can trust me." The Pilot's rep repeats the clear contract language and loses.
That is one reason SAPA and ALPA leaders are attractive to management. No one can screw a pilot like another pilot.
In other news, ASA apparently cleaned house at the General Offices today. Confirmation pending, but some very senior managers apparently got an unpleasant surprise. No one knows what it means, but I for one am surprised that ASA would create waves at some of these positions because I can't imagine the FAA likes surprises at the level they interact with the Company. But what do I know, I'm just a line guy.