If Flex and/or Flops would ever do something crazy like vote in the 1108, and then decide to strike to make a point, would NetJets strike with them to show the support of their union brothers and sisters? Just how strong is that 1108? Is your money (union dues) where your mouth is? It sure would be alot of pilots walking and not getting paid. Man is it great not to be part of any union mess.
Certainly quite strong, but they don't have above-the-law strength. Voting to strike is more complicated than you make it out to be, and only occurs after much debate among the membership and research by leadership. I've no doubt that
all of Local 1108 would be involved, not just one pilot group. One section of a union may inspire the call for a strike vote but they can't act unilaterally. Furthermore, even
if a strike vote is successful, the
union must petition the NMB, whose release is based on the RLA.
My observation is that NJ pilots often refuse to fly on an airline that is striking. Thus, it's logical to think that they would show even more solidarity with their peers in the
same industry, and if they were in the
same union then certainly the pilots would follow the rule of the majority. If 1108 pilots voted to strike it would be because they strongly believed industry standards are more effective when applied across the entire industry and they felt that a strike would bring about their stated goals as a union.
Giving credit where credit is due, those
union pilots that you are (inadvertently or deliberately?) disparaging are the very ones responsible for raising the bar on frac wages. The NJ pilots voted to strike by 93% and many walked informational picket lines in numerous cities across the country. That type of picketing generally precedes a strike and can affect bargaining to the point that the latter isn't required. Clearly, 1108 has
already demonstrated that it is willing to put it's money where its mouth is. The insurance and permits for picketing weren't cheap, and then there were signs, meals and transportation for the pilots involved. In addition to the NJ pilot example, I will point to the Flt Ops banners being flown at the NBAA. Those aren't free....
Good advice there RNO! Greetings to the pilots in TEB! Are you discussing the upcoming MEC election?

NJW