Update on HR 800 Concerning Union Certification

[WWEfan]

Why don't you two exchange email addresses or something?

 

[Soverytired]

Socialist garbage? You work for one of the most evil men in corporate America, live under some of the worst working conditions in this industry, and you still think that less restrictive union organizing is a bad thing? What will it take for some pilots to wake up?

Not anymore. I would also add that Mesa has been ALPA union the whole time I was there (9 years) and the best they can say about why I gave (well, was FORCED to give) them several thousands in dues is that "well, it would be worse without us"

They're probably right. But that's hardly a ringing endorsement. Pretty much EVERY airline in the US is unionized anyway . . . why do you think this bill passing would make ANY difference to any pilot in this country?

G.W. doesn't give a $*&% about you, me, or anyone else who doesn't have a golden parachute and an expense account. I voted for the man twice. I regret my decision.

I couldn't agree more. Embrassed I voted for him twice. But the dems keep putting up even worse. Something is fundamentally wrong with our two party system.

I think you need to stop regurgitating Newt's talking points and actually research the issue. This legislation would be the best thing to happen to working people in this country in decades.

If you don't see the inherent pressure in this new "system", and don't value a secret ballot, you're a fool, or a liar, or both. I suspect your head is so far up the ass of your union's propaganda arm you can no longer see that unions have both pluses and minuses.

Airline unions are useless now anyway. I'd be far more interested in rewriting the RLA, which would give greater flexibility to airline unions to "strike for a day" like they can in Europe. The current model sucks.

 

[PCL_128]

Not anymore.

Congrats! Where'd you go?

Pretty much EVERY airline in the US is unionized anyway . . . why do you think this bill passing would make ANY difference to any pilot in this country?

It doesn't. This bill only applies to NLRB certifications, not RLA. It is, however, a baseline to start working from to change the RLA to being more in our favor. Also, I advocate unions because I believe strongly in the right to representation, not just because it personally benefits me. This bill might not benefit my industry, but it is the right thing to do to help other laborers across this country.

But the dems keep putting up even worse. Something is fundamentally wrong with our two party system.

Amen to that.

If you don't see the inherent pressure in this new "system", and don't value a secret ballot, you're a fool, or a liar, or both. I suspect your head is so far up the ass of your union's propaganda arm you can no longer see that unions have both pluses and minuses.

Much like Joe, you aren't acknowledging that the current authorization card system isn't secret either. You can't have it both ways. Either the current system and the EFCA are bad, or they're both good. You can't claim that the EFCA is bad because it doesn't promise anonymity, but then claim that the current system which doesn't have anonymity either is good. The EFCA only makes the authorization cards binding on the company and NLRB.

Airline unions are useless now anyway. I'd be far more interested in rewriting the RLA, which would give greater flexibility to airline unions to "strike for a day" like they can in Europe. The current model sucks.

Well, how do you think you'll get the RLA changed? ALPA and ALPA-PAC maybe? You'll never change the law if you don't have an advocate to protect your rights in D.C. That's why unions exist, and it's why we need to make unionization far easier than it is today.

 

[Andy Neill]

I can see where one who was not in favor of unionization under the present system could sign a card in order to deceive union organizers or at least get them off his case, and then not vote (= vote NO) in a later vote.

Under the proposed system, that pilot would have to withstand the pressure from union organizers without the shield of a secret ballot. I can also see a chance for greater opportunity for pro-active organizers to "assist" the pilot group by submitting cards on their behalf (whereas ballots are sent to the address of record for the pilot).

The best argument I have heard in favor of the proposed procedure is that it allows a quick unionization move that wouldn't give management a chance to campaign. However, I wonder that if this were passed, that management would adapt by being in a continual informational campaign anyway thinking since the threat is always there, so must be our defenses.