For the last couple weeks I’ve remained silent on the politics and allegations that have swirled around our union – partly because I was on vacation and partly because of the serious consideration this subject is due. There are a number of issues at hand internally and externally that will obviously need to be seriously addressed by the MEC and Officers.
The 79 Snippet
The 79 Snippet
Conflict and Unity
7Feb12
Dear Fellow
Anchorage Pilots,
For the last
couple weeks I’ve remained silent on the politics and allegations that have
swirled around our union – partly because I was on vacation and partly because
of the serious consideration this subject is due. There are a number of issues
at hand internally and externally that will obviously need to be seriously
addressed by the MEC and Officers.
I’m not
trying to be inflammatory and I do not have a political agenda, all I want is
for our union to be in a strong position from which to negotiate an
industry-leading contract for the pilots of FedEx. The twelve other members of
the MEC also expect and demand the same. There are three critical components to
reaching our contract goals: strong leadership by the MEC Officers, strong
guidance by the MEC, and pilot support (last but certainly not least!)
Many of you
were puzzled after reading the
Chairman’s Message (25Jan12) and
Secretary-Treasurers Message (25Jan12), that were in response to a
Council 7 Block 1 & 4 Message (20Jan12.) That led to a number of emails and
queries that basically asked, “What the heck?”
Another
Block 1 & 4 Message was subsequently published 30Jan12. Since we’re in Block
9, we don’t automatically receive Block 1 or 4 Updates, but Chairman’s Messages
are usually sent to everyone, hence the initial confusion. However the larger
issue is that there are conflicting allegations as to how well our union is
being managed.
As I’ve
mentioned before, in a family of 13 brothers and sisters, there are many
different personalities and it’s hard to ever get 13 Type A personalities to
always agree. In most cases, the MEC is successful in keeping the inevitable
‘dirty laundry’ internal so as not to create distractions or disruptions in the
normal everyday business of our pilots and our union.
However,
that has changed with the Block 1 & 4 letters. I was not pleased that my fellow
representatives chose this course, but I can empathize with their current
situation. Faced with serious issues that they have been unable to resolve with
our leadership and within our MEC, they have appealed to the pilots for
consideration. As distasteful as this may seem, the Block 1 & 4 Reps determined
a public appeal necessary to determine the importance of the issues at hand.
While
normally these sort of debates are internal, the fact that these issues have
been made public does not mean we as an MEC are not united in working to the
betterment of our contract and our union; it just means the MEC has differences
of opinion on the effectiveness of certain strategic and leadership issues and
how we should best succeed. We on the MEC all ultimately share the same goal –
to negotiate an industry-leading contract in a timely manner.
This
“Snippet” is not to debate the merits of either side of the allegations; rather
to acknowledge that there have been in the past, and there are now, salient
issues that need to be addressed by both the MEC and the leadership. This does
not mean we cannot function as a union, it means we are always working to make
things better and stronger. There have been, and continue to be some very real
challenges along the way. I have done, and will continue to do, my best to
represent the ANC pilots and move forward in contract negotiations in supporting
our leadership, our pilots, and our MEC. But I’m not alone, your backing is
essential as we move forward as a union and face the critical issues ahead.
Next week
(Feb. 13-16), the MEC will meet for our regularly scheduled 1st
Quarter MEC Meeting. There will be comprehensive briefings and discussions of
the Scheduling Committee Survey Results, the Negotiating Committee Survey
Results, as well as spending a significant amount of time fine-tuning our
negotiations and leadership strategy for the remainder of the interim talks plus
preparing for Section 6 next year. Coincident to those discussions, there will
be plenty of opportunities to address the different visions in strategy and
leadership amongst the 13 members of the MEC as we move forward.
Like a marriage, union leadership consists of periods
of
challenges and rocky roads, and periods of jubilation and rejoices; yet none of
these periods however are everlasting – it’s always an ebb and flow. Am I
concerned about our strategy and leadership issues as we move towards Section 6?
Of course! Am I concerned about our unity as an MEC and as the line pilots?
Absolutely! Do I believe there are ways we need to operate better as a union? No
doubt about it. Addressing these concerns are some of the reasons that two years
ago you elected me to represent the pilots of ANC.
It takes a certain amount of faith to trust that a person in a position of
responsibility will best represent your interests. It’s a duty I have never
taken lightly and I truly appreciate the support you’ve given me over the years.
As much as transparency is always in the best interest of the pilots, there are
just some issues that cannot be made public (i.e. strategy) and some issues that
shouldn’t be made public (i.e. internal issues aka ‘dirty laundry’ unless
supporting a resolution to a problem.)
You witnessed the consequences of some internal issues last year during
the Officer Elections and you’re seeing it again now.
Diversity occur frequently within the MEC. In fact, having differences of
opinion is critical to our success – if everyone felt the same where would our
innovation and our checks and balances be? Next week I’m sure there will be some
heated moments of discussion as we work to resolve our internal issues. It is
not always pretty, and it is not usually easy. The bottom line is that we on the
MEC work for you, and I honestly believe that all 13 of us share the same goal
to successfully negotiate an industry-leading contract in a timely and effective
manner. I appreciate your support, patience, and understanding as we work
through these issues. In the end, as a union, we will persevere and be stronger.
Mark Your Calendar
Third Thursday
Thursday – February 16, 1630-1800
@ Simon & Seaforts - 420 L St # 200, Anchorage, AK, 907.274.3502
Validated Parking @ Captain Cook Garage
A la Carte Family Awareness Event – spouses encouraged to attend!
Hosted by Ted Duell – look for the Council 79 logo!
Sloupski 2012
Ski, Sled, Soup @ Kincaid
Sunday – February 26, 1300-1700
Family Awareness Winter Event!
Bring sleds and/or xc skis for some winter fun at Kincaid Park. We plan to have
hot chocolate, cider, chili and soups available to warm up in the chalet.
If you are interested in contributing a crockpot of your yummy recipe for this
event, please contact Jade or Erin Beam at
akbeams@gmail.com.
Local Council Meeting
Tentatively planned for February 28th
Rescheduled from the week of February 20th due to Officer scheduling
availability
Details TBA
16th Annual Pilot Ski Event Benefitting Special Olympics Alaska
March 9 -11, 2012
Ski Buddies, Volunteers, and Donations needed. Our goal is to raise $2500 this
year.
For more information contact FO Doug Franz 907.317.5136, or dtp717@hotmail.com
ANC Disputed Pairings
February
32/18Feb
76/08Feb
78/10Feb
82/15Feb
87/22Feb
March
73/29Feb
94/21Mar
Quote of the Day
“Conflict is the gadfly of thought. It stirs us to observation and memory. It
instigates to invention. It shocks us out of sheeplike passivity, and sets us at
noting and contriving.”
~ John Dewey
In Closing
Trust and
Unity – the two principles that are the foundation of our union and that we must
all act upon daily in order to succeed as a union. Sometimes that is easier said
than done; yet the MEC and the Officers must endeavor to lead by example as we
uphold our contract with you. For you have elected us to represent your best
interests, to defend, and to negotiate the contract, a responsibility that not
one of us on the MEC takes lightly. Our success at the negotiating table takes
strong leadership and resolve from the MEC, the Officers, and the Pilots. Your
continued support, trust, and unity is imperative as the MEC pursues our best
course forward.
We Are ALPA,
Captain
Susie Latvala - Chairman, Council 79
susie.latvala@alpa.org
Captain Ted
Duell – Vice Chairman, Council 79
ted.duell@alpa.org
FO Bill
Hubbell – Sec/Treasurer, Council 79
bill.hubbell@alpa.org
fedex-lec79@alpa.org
“Schedule
With Safety”
ALPA Motto Since 1931
