Rez O. Lewshun
Save the Profession
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2004
- Posts
- 13,422
Back to the orginal post and question: what is the purpose of unions?
Simply put: representation. In any given area that decisions are made that concern ones interests, representation is fundamental, paramount and elementary.
What are those area's of interest? That are at least two: collective and individual.
The more local the issue the more the issue is individual whereas the more global the issue the more collective the interests can be found.
On the local level, do you want your employment file and flying record being altered and updated without your knowledge and importantly, your consent?
On a global level, do you want changes made in ICAO rules that effect your ability to operate safely and effectively without your consent?
Between the two 'levels' described above there is the significant and important world of representation.
The easy way out is to describe self governing and democratically run unions as defunct, corrupt or value-less. That is simply a justification for apathy, laziness and ignorance. It justifies a citizen or members incompetence in democratic affairs. It allows weak or narcissistic leaders to abuse power and members. An apathetic and ignorant membership allows poor leaders to make poor decisions for individuals and members and enforce those decisions. Apathetic and ignorant members cannot effectively challenge poor leaders.
On the other hand, there are significant changes to decisions made that effect ones life. For example, retirement funds and healthcare. In the past employees simply did not need to worry about retirement funds and healthcare; it was taken care of by the company.
Future generations of American workers will have to become savvy and self governing with 401ks, for example, and health plans.
The point is, self governance will be required.
Why smart, educated and skilled Air Line Pilots point to "some guy" in the crewroom and say "that is the guy to represent us and our billions of dollars of income over our 20+ year careers" and return to their DVRs, second jobs and/or golf games is an amazing phenomenon.
Why do we trust "this guy" who is really nothing but a fellow pilot just like us. Once again it gets back to an "ignorance is bliss" that we can realistically and pragmatically "trust and expect" "this guy" to represent our best interest.
We cannot. Participation is critical.
We cannot elect a couple of guys no better or worse than us and return to our lives, expecting a good return on investment. Our elected leaders need constant monitoring, guidance and support.
Of course this takes more of our personal time, but just like we are seeing in our new culture of "Crises Management" as the norm, it is more effective and cheaper to deal with issues proactively on the front end, under methodical control than to deal with issues as a crises on the back end under stress, panic, increased cost and less net gain.
Is the status quo working? Is minority participation rates in union elections getting the results we want? Only smarter and democratically intelligent members are going to change the status quo to something more better......
Simply put: representation. In any given area that decisions are made that concern ones interests, representation is fundamental, paramount and elementary.
What are those area's of interest? That are at least two: collective and individual.
The more local the issue the more the issue is individual whereas the more global the issue the more collective the interests can be found.
On the local level, do you want your employment file and flying record being altered and updated without your knowledge and importantly, your consent?
On a global level, do you want changes made in ICAO rules that effect your ability to operate safely and effectively without your consent?
Between the two 'levels' described above there is the significant and important world of representation.
The easy way out is to describe self governing and democratically run unions as defunct, corrupt or value-less. That is simply a justification for apathy, laziness and ignorance. It justifies a citizen or members incompetence in democratic affairs. It allows weak or narcissistic leaders to abuse power and members. An apathetic and ignorant membership allows poor leaders to make poor decisions for individuals and members and enforce those decisions. Apathetic and ignorant members cannot effectively challenge poor leaders.
On the other hand, there are significant changes to decisions made that effect ones life. For example, retirement funds and healthcare. In the past employees simply did not need to worry about retirement funds and healthcare; it was taken care of by the company.
Future generations of American workers will have to become savvy and self governing with 401ks, for example, and health plans.
The point is, self governance will be required.
Why smart, educated and skilled Air Line Pilots point to "some guy" in the crewroom and say "that is the guy to represent us and our billions of dollars of income over our 20+ year careers" and return to their DVRs, second jobs and/or golf games is an amazing phenomenon.
Why do we trust "this guy" who is really nothing but a fellow pilot just like us. Once again it gets back to an "ignorance is bliss" that we can realistically and pragmatically "trust and expect" "this guy" to represent our best interest.
We cannot. Participation is critical.
We cannot elect a couple of guys no better or worse than us and return to our lives, expecting a good return on investment. Our elected leaders need constant monitoring, guidance and support.
Of course this takes more of our personal time, but just like we are seeing in our new culture of "Crises Management" as the norm, it is more effective and cheaper to deal with issues proactively on the front end, under methodical control than to deal with issues as a crises on the back end under stress, panic, increased cost and less net gain.
Is the status quo working? Is minority participation rates in union elections getting the results we want? Only smarter and democratically intelligent members are going to change the status quo to something more better......
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