I certainly appreciate y'alls posts. It follows along with the story I had heard. Historically, merging of lists never seems a happy time. It was a surprise to hear the idea of APA pilots switching to ALPA, knowing the history there.
The theme of "ALPA wants the dues" is consistant. They seem more desparate now, considering the economy. The agreement just made with FedEx Pilots Association has five (out of 10) pages concerning the money FPA will give to ALPA.
The TWA MEC is watching out for it's members. ALPA national doesn't care. APA is looking out for it's members, too, as evidenced from this communication that was emailed to me:
This comes from an Allied Pilot’s Association (APA) newsletter:
ALPA Pledge Cards:
Most of us received ALPA pledge cards earlier this year. Your DFW representatives have been fairly neutral about re-affiliation with ALPA. The APA BOD can’t take you to ALPA; only a membership vote can take us there. That decision is up to you.
Recently, APA submitted a single carrier petition to the National Mediation Board (NMB). The NMB typically uses 35% as the trigger percentage in determining whether there will be a representational election of bargaining agents (unions). Since, TWA pilots do not make up the required 35%, the NMB probably would not require an election. However, if the ALPA proponents within the APA membership have enough ALPA cards, they could submit them and succeed in provoking an election. While we normally would let the membership make its own decision, we must warn you of one possible outcome.
While APA’s seniority integration agreement has been negotiated with management, we don’t believe it advisable to have a new ALPA MEC taking the position that ALPA merger policy should apply to acquisitions, and thus, undercutting whatever defense of the agreement is possible…unless, of course, you prefer to arbitrate the integration.
We stress that whatever union you prefer is ultimately your choice. What we advise is that a representational election is NOT in your best interests until after single carrier status has been confirmed and after the APA is named as the bargaining agent. That will assure us that the seniority implementation is not overturned. If the membership desires a representation election after this seniority integration is completed, that would be the best time to conduct one.