Unions and Strikes

[Traderd]

My question pertains to protocol in the event of a union strike against an airline.

If one union votes to strike, for example the mechanics, do the other unions (pilots, FAs) automatically respect the striking union's picket line even though their union has not called for a strike? Or is it understood that only the striking union will perform the work stoppage?

I understand that with the interdependency of disciplines a strike by one may make the work of the others moot, but I am curious about the accepted procedures.

 

[mar]

Guerilla warfare

I think your question is hard to answer because, as in guerilla warfare, there are no hard and fast rules and as such no protocol per se.

Sometimes there will be "sympathy strikes" by other departments.

Sometimes the other departments will only conduct "informational picketing" in their free time off company property.

It's just too hard to make a blanket statement. You may want to go back and read some press coverage on past strikes.

 

[Traderd]

Thank you. I asked because it looks like in the past there has been an inconsistent response by union A to a strike called by one union B on the same property. I was just curious if the different unions were now working more closely together as a matter of agreement.

The thought came to me after I read the thread that discussed a part 135 operation servicing the clients of a striking fractioanl pilot group. I understand this is apples to oranges but am still curious how it is looked upon by union members. For example, would it be considered acceptable to a pilot's union member that a union mechanic cross their picket line to go to work? By acceptable I simply mean is it considered an accepted practice and there would be no "hard feelings" for the lack of a better term.

 

[mar]

I understand what you're asking...

...but it's hard to generalize, I think.

Several years ago I worked for a cargo company that contracted with a "major package delivery serivce" during the holiday crunch.

Of course that's when their union started to talk about striking. And even though my company was technically "unionized" we lacked a contract and more to the point, we belonged to a completely different union.

As you can imagine, most of our pilots were sympathetic to the grievances of the other package carrier and were reluctant to carry their freight if and when they commenced a strike.

Well. Talk about a rock and hard place. My company's management could rightfully argue that we had a contractual obligation to carry their freight and, by God, get out there and do it.

But pilots being pilots, a lot of us had at least mixed feelings.

Everyone has a different answer. You just gotta make sure that you make a decision you can live with.

Good luck.