Delegate Committee 1 - ALPA · BRS 219 Capt. Daniel Parnham CMR 045 Capt. David Baker DAL 044 Capt....

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16 16 16 16 16 Air Line Pilot November/December 2008 BOD 2008 Delegate Committee 1 Nominations/Elections/Organizational Structure/Administration By ALPA Staff o build a common foun- dation for its work, Delegate Committee 1 received briefings de- scribing the union’s structure, its evolution, and alterna- tives that exist within ALPA’s govern- ing framework to tailor master executive council structures to the needs of individual pilot groups. Capt. Derek Martin (FedEx), chair- man of ALPA’s Special Representa- tional Structural Review Committee (SRSRC), briefed the Committee on the work of the SRSRC and the repre- sentational structure choices available to MECs. In addition to the traditional status representation method, other choices currently available, such as seniority block representation and the large, single-council option, were developed in response to unique needs present at one or more ALPA pilot groups. They offer a wide range of representational options designed to fit the representational needs of ALPA members. Capt. Mark Seal (United) and Mike Abram, ALPA general counsel, briefed the Committee on the evo- lution and purpose of the Scope Subcommittee of the Collective Bar- gaining Committee. The delegates also heard briefings from Capts. Dave Nieuwenhuis (Atlantic Southeast) and Mark Stanley (PSA) regarding the opera- tional and practical considerations in plan- ning Joint Standing Committees within airline brand families. F/O Ron Abel (United) and Bob Savelson, ALPA general counsel, briefed the delegates on the impor- tance of strategic planning and how industry environmental changes affect the union’s strategy and goals. Those changes, in turn, affect choices relating to structure and allocation of resources. Background The Committee engaged in a thorough and thoughtful round of questions, answers, and discussion calculated to answer a simple, but important, ques- tion: Do the current available struc- tures provide the best ways to represent ALPA members? While the views expressed were largely affirma- tive, the Committee believes four areas should be investigated for pos- sible improvement. First, there should be a review of whether members who become active members in good standing or transfer bases just before or during a ballot period are unable to vote in local council officer elections if the voting roster is prepared at the beginning of the period and not dynamically up- dated as the voting proceeds. Second, the option to switch from one MEC representational structure to another is accompanied by a re- quirement for new elections of status representatives. This may result in losing the MEC’s entire experience base at once and makes it difficult to provide continuity. Also, the Commit- tee felt that the range of options avail- able to large and small councils needs to be fine-tuned to balance workload Participants • Facilitator: F/O Ron Abel (United) Committee Chairman: Capt. Nicholas Tomlin (Atlantic Southeast) Committee Alternate: Capt. Kenneth Evans (Alaska) Subject Matter Experts • Capt. Dave Nieuwenhuis (Atlantic Southeast), Chairman, MEC Capt. Joe Fagone (FedEx), ALPA Executive Vice-President, Group A Capt. Mark Stanley (PSA), ALPA Executive Vice-President, Group B Bill Roberts, Assistant Director, Representation Clay Warner, Attorney, Legal Mike Abram, ALPA General Counsel Law Firm, Cohen, Weiss and Simon LLP Presenters • Capt. Derek Martin (FedEx), Vice-Chairman, MEC, Chairman, SRSRC • Capt. Dave Nieuwenhuis (Atlantic Southeast), Chairman, MEC Capt. Mark Seal (United), ALPA Executive Vice-President, Group A Capt. Mark Stanley (PSA), ALPA Executive Vice-President, Group B Mike Abram, ALPA General Counsel Law Firm, Cohen, Weiss and Simon LLP Bob Savelson, ALPA General Counsel Law Firm, Cohen, Weiss and Simon LLP JOCELYN AUGUSTINO Delegate Committee 1 recognized the need to reconnect members to all levels of union leadership.

Transcript of Delegate Committee 1 - ALPA · BRS 219 Capt. Daniel Parnham CMR 045 Capt. David Baker DAL 044 Capt....

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Delegate Committee 1Nominations/Elections/Organizational Structure/Administration

By ALPA Staffo build a common foun-dation for its work,Delegate Committee 1received briefings de-scribing the union’s

structure, its evolution, and alterna-tives that exist within ALPA’s govern-ing framework to tailor masterexecutive council structures to theneeds of individual pilot groups.

Capt. Derek Martin (FedEx), chair-man of ALPA’s Special Representa-tional Structural Review Committee(SRSRC), briefed the Committee onthe work of the SRSRC and the repre-sentational structure choices availableto MECs. In addition to the traditionalstatus representation method, otherchoices currently available, such asseniority block representation and thelarge, single-council option, weredeveloped in response to uniqueneeds present at one or more ALPApilot groups. They offer a wide rangeof representational options designedto fit the representational needs ofALPA members.

Capt. Mark Seal(United) and MikeAbram, ALPA generalcounsel, briefed theCommittee on the evo-lution and purpose ofthe Scope Subcommitteeof the Collective Bar-gaining Committee. Thedelegates also heardbriefings from Capts.Dave Nieuwenhuis(Atlantic Southeast) andMark Stanley (PSA)regarding the opera-tional and practicalconsiderations in plan-ning Joint Standing Committeeswithin airline brand families.

F/O Ron Abel (United) and BobSavelson, ALPA general counsel,briefed the delegates on the impor-tance of strategic planning and howindustry environmental changesaffect the union’s strategy and goals.Those changes, in turn, affect choicesrelating to structure and allocationof resources.

BackgroundThe Committee engaged in a thoroughand thoughtful round of questions,answers, and discussion calculated toanswer a simple, but important, ques-tion: Do the current available struc-tures provide the best ways torepresent ALPA members? While theviews expressed were largely affirma-tive, the Committee believes fourareas should be investigated for pos-sible improvement.

First, there should be a review ofwhether members who become activemembers in good standing or transferbases just before or during a ballotperiod are unable to vote in localcouncil officer elections if the votingroster is prepared at the beginning ofthe period and not dynamically up-dated as the voting proceeds.

Second, the option to switch fromone MEC representational structureto another is accompanied by a re-quirement for new elections of statusrepresentatives. This may result inlosing the MEC’s entire experiencebase at once and makes it difficult toprovide continuity. Also, the Commit-tee felt that the range of options avail-able to large and small councils needsto be fine-tuned to balance workload

Participants• Facilitator: F/O Ron Abel (United)• Committee Chairman: Capt. Nicholas Tomlin (Atlantic Southeast)• Committee Alternate: Capt. Kenneth Evans (Alaska)

Subject Matter Experts• Capt. Dave Nieuwenhuis (Atlantic Southeast), Chairman, MEC• Capt. Joe Fagone (FedEx), ALPA Executive Vice-President, Group A• Capt. Mark Stanley (PSA), ALPA Executive Vice-President, Group B• Bill Roberts, Assistant Director, Representation• Clay Warner, Attorney, Legal• Mike Abram, ALPA General Counsel Law Firm, Cohen, Weiss and Simon LLP

Presenters• Capt. Derek Martin (FedEx), Vice-Chairman, MEC, Chairman, SRSRC• Capt. Dave Nieuwenhuis (Atlantic Southeast), Chairman, MEC• Capt. Mark Seal (United), ALPA Executive Vice-President, Group A• Capt. Mark Stanley (PSA), ALPA Executive Vice-President, Group B• Mike Abram, ALPA General Counsel Law Firm, Cohen, Weiss and Simon LLP• Bob Savelson, ALPA General Counsel Law Firm, Cohen, Weiss and Simon LLP

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Delegate Committee1 recognized the needto reconnect membersto all levels of unionleadership.

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and representational requirements.The third area for further review

centers on the perennial problem thatpilots are often unable to attend localexecutive council meetings due towork schedules and other commit-ments. Currently, the Association doesnot offer a secure alternative for partici-pation through the Internet or otherelectronic means. While the Commit-tee understands that significant reasonsexist why this option is not available,the delegates believe that ALPA shouldperiodically review the technical andlegal issues involved. After each review,ALPA should clearly communicate tomembers the potential use of elec-tronic participation and/or the ob-stacles, if any, that impede or preventimplementation. With respect to thelocal council nomination and electionprocess, the delegates agreed that theyshould recommend that ALPA pursueimproving the balloting process as well

Airline Council NameASA 112 Capt. Nicholas Tomlin, ChairmanALA 063 Capt. Kenneth Evans, AlternateAAI 072 Capt. Royce SetzerACJ 226 F/O David StepienARW 050 Capt. Richard ClarkeCAL 172 Capt. Daniel WenzelCMR 037 Capt. Matthew LamparterDAL 044 Capt. Timothy ParkerDAL 081 F/O Bradley DicksDHL 017 S/O Christopher ShueEGL 083 Capt. Val JesterEGL 126 F/O Paul SalvatiFDX 022 F/O Aaron HaganHAL 065 Capt. Kim WohlhueterKFC 206 Capt. Kent WickensMAG 085 Capt. Nathan FiedlerMEA 030 F/O Gregory UselmannMSA 106 Capt. Caidy ThompsonNWA 001 Capt. Mark ShanahanNWA 020 F/O William BartelsPAC 023 F/O Teresa DodsonPCL 128 Capt. Craig SukerPDT 029 F/O VACANTUAL 011 F/O Thomas ThomsonUAL 034 F/O Michael HolmanXJT 175 Capt. Cody StroopeXJT 180 F/O Luis Putzeys

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as providing a method for electronicnominations.

Fourth, the Delegate Committeerecognized the need to reconnectmembers to all levels of union leader-ship. The Committee felt that sinceALPA-elected representatives are di-rectly responsible to the members, theunion must improve the methods forincreasing BOD members’ involve-ment in ALPA’s activities beyond thebiennial Board of Directors meeting.

The Committee also confirmed andrecommended that• the BOD reaffirms the value of ALPA’scommitment to codeshare familyinformation sharing and principles ofcareer protection and progression.• the BOD emphasizes the importanceof information sharing and coordina-tion across pilot groups and withinand between network, cargo, and fee-for-departure carriers.• the BOD recommends that all ALPA

MECs establish and maintain strategicplans and that these plans be consis-tent with ALPA’s strategic plan andpromote key ALPA issues.• the BOD recognizes the value ofmaximum member participation inALPA regular and interim elections andthat ALPA shall explore the feasibliltyof an electronic nomination systemand make recommendations to im-prove the electronic balloting systemto support this objective.

During discussions, Capt. NickTomlin (Atlantic Southeast), chair-man of the Delegate Committee,pointed out, “At this Board we have aunique opportunity and a specialresponsibility. Our aim is to developstrategies that strengthen our unionas we face the challenges presented byour industry’s changing landscape.”

ObservationsWhile the Committee kept its focussquarely on the issues before it,the discussion revealed some otherinteresting areas that merit furtherconsideration.Leadership training—increase thefrequency of recurrent LEC officertraining and establish a process inwhich representatives are briefedperiodically about issues that havebeen under review for an extensiveperiod of time.Communications/information tech-nology—make vital union documentsand policy handbooks easier to accessand download on ALPA’s website and atother locations. Create html linksbetween sections in ALPA’s Constitutionand By-Laws and the AdministrativeManual for ease of comprehension andreferencing. Also create easy-to-findlinks to governing body agenda materi-als and minutes, to include, but not belimited to, Executive Council, theExecutive Board, and ALPA nationalcommittees.

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Delegate Committee 2Collective Bargaining/Retirement & Insurance

By ALPA StaffParticipants• Facilitators: Capt. Tim O’Malley (Delta), Chairman, Collective Bargaining

Committee & Bruce York, Director, Representation• Committee Chairman: Capt. Bill Sutherland (Continental)• Committee Alternate: Capt. James Magee (American Eagle)

Subject Matter Experts• Capt. Scott Stratton (FedEx), Chairman, National Retirement &

Insurance Committee• David Vance, Director, Retirement & Insurance• Steve Hodgson, Manager, MEC Benefits, Retirement & Insurance• Liz Koby, Senior Managing Attorney, Retirement & Insurance

Presenters• The facilitators and subject matter experts briefed the Delegate Committee on

their views concerning past and future collective bargaining activities.

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elegate Committee 2reviewed backgroundinformation that in-cluded Collective Bar-gaining Committee and

National Retirement & InsuranceCommittee reports, descriptions ofcornerstone contract and benefitprovisions, historical data related topay rates and benefits, and projectionsof target zones or ranges for future payand benefits, among other material.

Committee chairman, Capt. BillSutherland (Continental), noted, “Ourdiscussions included historical reviewof ALPA collective bargaining anddiscussion of changes that are neededgoing forward, includingmainstreaming benefit issues andestablishing clearer contract goals.”

Delegates concluded that ALPA hassuccessfully bargained for and en-forced contracts throughout its his-

tory. The Committee reviewed anddiscussed the reasons for positivepattern bargaining trends and contractimprovements from 1985 to 2001,along with the challenges and nega-tive bargaining trends during the 2001

to 2006 bankruptcy bargainingcycle—the latter resulting from nego-tiating limitations imposed by the U.S.Bankruptcy Code and judges whotook away employees’ right to strike.

Most encouraging was the Com-

Committe 2 participants listen intently.

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Airline Council NameCAL 173 Capt. Bill Sutherland, ChairmanEGL 083 Capt. James Magee, AlternateAAI 072 F/O John CaputoALA 063 F/O Andrew HobinARW 050 F/O Christopher SuhsASA 112 Capt. Lonnie UtleyBRS 219 Capt. Daniel ParnhamCMR 045 Capt. David BakerDAL 044 Capt. Gary WeistrofferDAL 108 Capt. David ShagenaEGL 131 Capt. William SpragueEIA 118 Capt. James TouchetteFDX 026 Capt. Scott SchwartzHAL 065 Capt. Eric SampsonMAG 084 Capt. John BallantyneMSA 106 Capt. David RiceNWA 001 S/O Art AaronNWA 055 S/O Michael BigelowPAC 028 S/O Robert HesterPCL 130 F/O Peter HaubPDT 035 Capt. Kevin CameronSCA 015 Capt. Maurice ScrogginsTSA 038 F/O Matthew MohrUAL 012 Capt. Eric PopperUAL 052 Capt. Michael DeSantisXJT 175 F/O David Allen

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full advantage of a more positivenegotiating cycle.

“We are providing more informa-tion to local leaders and negotiatingcommittees about our different bar-gaining models and favorable pat-terns,” said Sutherland, adding that theAssociation is “further expanding andcoordinating work of the CollectiveBargaining and R&I Committees tofacilitate pattern-setting improvementsacross pilot group lines and encouragethe use of a strategic planning processby all master executive councils.”

The Committee confirmed andrecommended that ALPA• collectively establish favorablecontract patterns and standards in thepay, work-rule, benefit, and job-secu-rity areas of its contracts so that allpilot groups understand and try toachieve and retain these standardsduring good and challenging times.• “mainstream” benefit issues innegotiations based on the importanceof health and retirement issues tomembers, and communicate betterwith pilots about benefit provisionsand bargain effectively for them.• highlight the importance of strate-gic planning to each MEC council toencourage long-term thinking andplanning, goal setting, correlationwith ALPA’s overall plan, and indi-vidual and collective accountability.• reemphasize the strategic nature ofcontract enforcement rather than treatthis mirror image of negotiations as aroutine function.• share material, data, resources, andrecommendations of its CollectiveBargaining and National Retirement& Insurance Committees and staffexperts in the Representation,Economic & Financial Analysis,Retirement & Insurance, andCommunications Departments withpilot leaders and staff at every levelof the Association.

mittee’s view that changes related tothe negotiating cycle that started in2006 have provided opportunities forcontract repair and improvement.These changes include capacity, yield,and revenue reports and projections;negotiations at financially strongcarriers like Alaska, Continental, andHawaiian leading the bargaining cyclerather than having weak airlines lead-ing off in the bankruptcy bargainingcycle; identification of targets and goals

in cornerstone contract areas; andcollective action across pilot grouplines to support positive bargainingpatterns. Proof of this more positivecycle can be found starting in 2006 inmultiple letters of agreement negoti-ated at Delta, Northwest, and Unitedand contracts negotiated at FedEx andcontinuing in 2007 and 2008 at Ameri-can Eagle, ASTAR, and Atlantic South-east. These efforts are continuing andhave recently resulted in the singleagreement for Delta and Northwestpilots that contains substantial im-provements in pay, benefits, and workrules along with company equity ofalmost 6 percent for pilots.

ObservationsDelegates concluded that negotiatingand enforcing ALPA contracts are topALPA priorities and that the unionmust continue to refine and invigo-rate its bargaining models and take

“Our discussionsincluded historicalreview of ALPAcollective bargaining anddiscussion of changesthat are needed goingforward….”—Capt. BillSutherland, Chairman

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Delegate Committee 3Safety/Security/Flight Time-Duty Time

By ALPA Staff

Participants• Facilitator: Capt. Don Wykoff (Delta), Chairman, Flight Time/Duty Time

Committee• Committee Chairman: F/O Sean McDonald (FedEx)• Committee Alternate: Capt. William Kessler (Delta)

Subject Matter Experts• Jim Johnson, Senior Managing Attorney, Legal• Keith Hagy, Director, Engineering & Air Safety• Jerry Wright, Manager, Engineering & Air Safety

Presenters• Capt. Don Wykoff (Delta), Chairman, Flight Time/Duty Time Committee• Capt. Rory Kay (United), Executive Air Safety Chairman• Capt. Bob Hesselbein (Northwest), Chairman, National Security Committee

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espite the abundance ofissues that could easilybe placed high on anyairline pilot priority list,out of necessity Delegate

Committee 3 whittled down theissues into core areas to include inthe union’s strategic plan. Commit-tee delegates reaffirmed the use of“One Level” mottos—namely, OneLevel of Security, One Level ofSafety, and One Level of Flight Time/Duty Time—to describe their philo-sophical approach to obtainingneeded improvements.

“Don’t get locked in to what we’redoing here—this is not an end-all, butjust the start to a process we expect tocarry on,” said Delegate Committeechairman, F/O Sean McDonald(FedEx).

“While there is a large laundry listof specific issues within these areas,we developed a set of core issues thatwe can reasonably expect to realizegains from, and there’s a twofold rea-soning for that. One: it’s the rightthing to do. Two: our members areexpecting that from us.”

One Level of SecurityAlternate screening protocols:Continue ALPA’s persistent emphasison developing and implementing anationwide alternate pilot andcrewmember screening process, i.e.,CrewPASS in the U.S., while seekingenhancements to Canada’s RAIC, thecountry’s permanent, industry-leadingbiometric screening process.Enhancing security of cockpits:ALPA must continue to drive pilots’agenda to improve defenses for thecockpit. ALPA should focus on currentinitiatives that enhance cockpit secu-rity: installing secondary barriersacross the board, preserving and in-creasing federal flight deck officer

program improvements, and focusingon security directives that encompassall operations, including cargo.

One Level of SafetyThe Committee concluded that thefollowing three long-term prioritieshave the potentialto dramaticallychange the airlineindustry andimprove ALPAmembers’ liveli-hoods.“Just culture”non-punitivesafety reportingprograms: Struc-tured as a long-term goal, ALPAmust continue toapply pressure tobring about a “justculture” that breedsan environment oftrust, respect, and isdevoid of punitive industrial or certifi-cate action. The focus on proactivesafety reporting systems, such as FOQAand ASAP, must continue and be en-hanced, which can be accomplishedby definitive, agreed-upon language in

memorandums of understanding,collective bargaining agreements, andregulatory documents. Success in thisarea may mitigate or prevent the abuseor the misuse of data for reasons notassociated with safety.ATC system modernization: Airline

pilots currently fly in an antiquatedATC system that is based on technol-ogy developed in the 1950s and1960s, yet they fly fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft. Identifying theproblem isn’t the issue—fixing it is.

Committee 3 Chairman, F/O Sean McDonald(FedEx), gives his report to the BOD.

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Airline Council NameFDX 026 F/O Sean McDonald, ChairmanDAL 044 Capt. William Kessler, AlternateAAI 072 S/O Thomas LowACJ 228 F/O Thomas SaundersALA 064 Capt. Craig HuffmanARW 051 Capt. Steven KernASA 112 F/O Seth HeckardBRS 219 F/O Robert MarshCAL 171 F/O Mark BolleterDAL 108 F/O Brenier FriesEGL 105 Capt. Erin HolmanEGL 131 F/O Gaston ValdovinosEIA 118 F/O Harry McKenzieFAB 240 Capt. Richard CampbellHAL 065 Capt. Mark DrakeKFC 206 F/O Fraser CarpenterKFC 206 S/O Nigel DavisonMAG 084 F/O Marcin KolodziejczykMSA 107 Capt. Aaron BuschNWA 001 F/O Jon LewisNWA 074 F/O Russell PicusPDT 035 F/O Eric StalkerPSA 061 Capt. Mark ZukowskiRYN 046 Capt. David SparksSCA 015 F/O Jeff HammerTSA 038 Capt. Todd PerkinsTSA 039 Capt. Andrew FreemanUAL 012 F/O Carlos RodriguezUAL 052 F/O Albert MeroneWSG 236 Capt. Jeff BraunXJT 176 Capt. Gregg Brindley

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The cost associated with upgradingand improving the U.S. ATC system isabout $40 billion. Committee del-egates agreed that improving the U.S.airspace system requires all industrypartners, including government andairline management, to look at systemand airplane upgrades in a new way.Congress needs to understand that asolid commitment to ongoing federalfunding is going to be required. This isnot a project that can be terminatedbefore completion. Airline manage-ments will also need to understandthat they must cover some of the costas they will eventually benefit fromimproved efficiency and capacity.Unmanned aerial systems (UAS):The success of unmanned aircraft inwartime has led to a large number ofcommercial business opportunities for

their use. ALPA maintains that UAS arenot welcome in civil airspace unlessthey meet the same safety standards asairliners. They have to be designed,built, and operated with the sameredundant safety systems, maneuver-ability, and reliability as current aircraft.ALPA must fully participate with groupsdeveloping UAS design and operationsstandards to ensure that “cheaper andfaster” does not create unsafe condi-tions. ALPA must demand an equiva-lent level of safety in these operations.

One Level of Flight Time/Duty TimeThe cornerstone of developing flight-time and duty-time regulations mustbe based in science and place strongemphasis on fatigue risk managementsystems. The Committee determined

that the issue needs to be taken out ofthe collective bargaining arena andaddressed in U.S. and Canadian avia-tion regulations so that negotiatingcapital isn’t expended in each bar-gaining session to achieve a safe levelof fatigue reduction. The followingissues need to be emphasized andshould be applied equally across theboard regardless of the operator:• Define the quality of rest.• Promote parameters that affect restand duty periods, such as long dutydays, circadian rhythms, day andnight sequence, multi-leg duty peri-ods, and time-zone crossings.• Pursue adequate and appropriaterest facilities on long-haul and ultra-long-haul aircraft.

“Our conclusion is fairly simple,”McDonald said. “One level of secu-rity. One level of safety. One level offlight time/duty time. It’s easy to say,it’s harder to do—but we must do it ifwe are to realize our fullest poten-tials. Our pilots demand it. Our pas-sengers demand it. Our customersdemand it. We must take advantage ofthe shift in the administration, aswell as the [increase in] laborfriendly representatives in Congressto further our agenda. We must stoppaying for all of these with ourmoney and our blood and make thegovernment do its job.”

ObservationsThe Committee noted the importanceof captain’s authority and the apparentperception of its erosion among air-line pilots. ALPA must continue tostalwartly convey that the captain isthe final arbiter in matters of safety,security, and fatigue. ALPA must reas-sure its captains that they have thefinal right and responsibility to makesound decisions devoid of any threatof discipline or enforcement with thecomplete backing of their union.

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Delegate Committee 4Accounting and Finance/MCF/Strike Policy and Planning

By ALPA StaffParticipants• Facilitators: Capt. Randy Helling (Northwest), ALPA Vice-President–Finance/

Treasurer & Jalmer Johnson, ALPA General Manager• Committee Chairman: Capt. Frank Furbish (Delta)• Committee Alternate: Capt. Jeff Berg (United)

Subject Matter Experts• Jalmer Johnson, ALPA General Manager• Margarita Lorenzetti, Director, Finance• Kelly Collie, Director, Human Resources

Presenters• Capt. Randy Helling (Northwest), ALPA Vice-President–Finance/Treasurer• Jalmer Johnson, ALPA General Manager• Capt. Ray Miller (Northwest), ALPA Executive Vice-President• Capt. Mike Geer (Delta), ALPA Executive Vice-President• Kelly Collie, Director, Human Resources

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elegate Committee 4 wastasked with conductinga comprehensive reviewof ALPA’s resources froma structural, financial,

and staff complement standpoint.The focus of the discussion included

ALPA’s organizational and financialstructure, industry key indicators, ALPAmembership and dues income, ALPAreengineering initiatives, the Adminis-trative and Support (A&S) account,MEC expenditures and special funds(SMRA), the Operational ContingencyFund (OCF), the Major ContingencyFund (MCF), an Executive Councilsubcommittee report on staff compen-sation, and an overview of ALPA staffcompensation plans and practices.

“Industry financial problems, bank-ruptcies, and restructuring in thisdecade have had a significant, negativeimpact on ALPA’s members, from pay

cuts and furloughs to airline shut-downs,” said Committee chairman,Capt. Frank Furbish (Delta). “Suchlosses, in turn, have caused sizeabledeclines in ALPA’s dues revenue. ALPAhas responded by undertaking exten-

sive reengineering in the Association,particularly in the A&S account, toreduce cost and focus on core priori-ties,” stated Furbish.

The Committee’s findings and con-clusions also included the following:

Members of Delegate Committe 4 are, from left, ALPA general manager, Jalmer Johnson; Committee 4 chairman,Capt. Frank Furbish (Delta); and ALPA executive vice-president, Capt. Ray Miller (Northwest).

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Airline Council NameDAL 016 Capt. Frank Furbish, ChairmanUAL 027 Capt. Jeffrey Berg, AlternateACJ 228 Capt. Dave MorefieldALA 064 F/O Garth ThompsonARW 051 F/O Mark LockwoodASA 112 F/O Michael SchnorrCAL 171 Capt. Wayde BeckmanCCI 119 Capt. Christopher JohnsonCJA 235 Capt. Tracey HyndmanEGL 105 F/O Harry PittsEGL 133 Capt. Thomas DemaeyerEIA 118 S/O William FinkFAB 240 F/O William StonehouseFDX 007 Capt. Jack AnzurFDX 026 Capt. John GronesHAL 065 F/O Samuel TaeuKFC 212 Capt. Derek PorterMAG 088 F/O Derek LatimerMSA 107 Capt. Aaron HerrmeyerNWA 054 F/O Jeffrey PaniotoPDT 078 Capt. Earl PursellPSA 061 F/O Michael WolgemuthRYN 046 Capt. Eric JohnTSA 039 F/O Laura PigottTSC 200 Capt. Sylvain AubinUAL 057 Capt. William BensonXJT 176 F/O David Edgar

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• Recent airline losses and memberfurloughs have triggered additionaland sizeable reductions in the union’sdues revenue, requiring additionalreengineering.• Because of the industry bargainingenvironment and financial challenges,the Association has drawn down itsfund balances—from cash and MECSMRA to the OCF and MCF.• ALPA must eliminate non-essentialactivities, obtain or increase company-paid flight pay loss, maintain effectiveMEC flight pay loss policies, enhancecoordination on planning and sched-uling activities, and increase localfinancial oversight. Examples included—establishing a Financial OversightCommittee to provide checks andbalances as deemed appropriate bythe MEC.—recapturing flight pay loss throughaggressive discussions with manage-

ment during contract negotiations,in letters of agreement, etc.—reassesing expenditures on andfrequency of activities such as BODmeetings and conferences withoutcompromising quality.• ALPA must communicate identifiedchallenges to its members to promotetheir understanding and recognitionof current challenges, use resourcesefficiently, remain focused on corepriorities, and actively promote itsmany strengths upon which to buildpride and unity within the union.This includes a coordinated effort onthe national and local levels to (1)inform members about ALPA em-ployee compensation, including stepsthat have been made to reduce costwhile maintaining quality memberservices, and (2) communicate topilots the allocation of dues incomeand how it’s managed.

• Despite all the challenges andchange the union has experienced,ALPA continues to maintain world-class professional resources, experi-enced volunteers and representatives,and effective relationships and influ-ence to support its pilot groups andmembers.

ObservationsThe Committee was quick to recog-nize the challenges associated withdeclining dues revenue and increas-ingly limited resources. The groupidentified the need to improve effi-ciencies, focus on core priorities, andincrease recognition of the union’sfiduciary responsibilities. The Com-mittee received a report from mem-bers of ALPA’s Executive Councilsubcommittee on staff compensation,which concluded that ALPA’s staffcompensation plan is rational, fair,and reasonable and that staff is fairlycompensated. The Committee con-curred that staff plays an importantrole in helping the union achieve itspriorities and objectives and that thesubcommittee’s conclusions be con-veyed to the members.

Although it would have been easyto take a muted view of ALPA’s cur-rent state and future outlook, theCommittee took a very balancedapproach and spent considerabletime affirming the many strengths ofthe union and the importance ofbuilding pride and unity. WhileCommittee 4 recognized that anotherdelegate committee was responsiblefor strategic planning in the areas ofmembership and education, the del-egates reached a strong conclusionthat in spite of its current challenges,ALPA must continue to invest in thenext generation of airline pilots bysupporting programs that educate andpromote the value of ALPA to theaviation industry.

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Delegate Committee 5Education/Public Relations/Communications

By ALPA Staff

Participants• Facilitator: Marie Schwartz, Director, Communications• Committee Chairman: Capt. Leonard Willey (Northwest)• Committee Alternate: F/O Michael Berrevoets (Piedment)

Subject Matter Experts• Capt. Mike Donatelli (Delta), Chairman, National Strategic Preparedness

and Strike Committee• F/O Paul Ryder (ExpressJet), Chairman, National Education Committee• Capt. David Farmer (Northwest), Chairman, Leadership Conference Committee

Presenters• Capt. Brad Mahoney (FedEx), Chairman, MEC Communications• Capt. Mark Seal (United), ALPA Executive Vice-President, Group A• Capt. Dave Webb (FedEx), Chairman, MEC• F/O Paul Ryder (ExpressJet), Chairman, National Education Committee• Marie Schwartz, Director, Communications• Charlie Murphy, Director, Information Technology

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ith a membershipthat seems to increas-ingly view ALPA asan entity separatefrom individual

pilots, with competing voices in thenews media and on Capitol Hill andParliament Hill, and with a youngergeneration that uses different ways tocommunicate, Delegate Committee 5examined how ALPA can increase theeffectiveness of its communicationsboth internally and externally.

The delegates began their work bydiscussing the messages that membersreceive from the union and whatsome ALPA pilot groups have done toensure that the message remainsconsistent regardless of whether it’s acommittee chairman, status represen-tative, or master executive councilofficer speaking.

Capt. Brad Mahoney (FedEx), thepilot group’s Communications chair-man, and Capt. Dave Webb (FedEx),the pilots’ MEC chairman, said thatduring their most recent negotiations,all MEC, committee, and Local Execu-tive Council messages were part of a

tency doesn’t mean censorship. It’simportant that individual pilot groupshave the ability to create a protocolthat works for them and ensures thatindividual voices and dissentingopinions can be heard.

ALPA’s e-mail system sends, on aver-age, 1.2 million messages monthlyfrom committees, LECs, MECs, andALPA national. While consistency ofthese messages is important in main-taining unity, the Committee heardthat before pilots can act on messages,they must first receive and read them.

Younger pilots and the next genera-tion of pilots, for the most part, usedifferent types of technology such astext messages, social-networking web-sites like Facebook and MySpace, onlinevideo, and other Internet-based re-sources to communicate, said F/O PaulRyder (ExpressJet), chairman of ALPA’sNational Education Committee.

ALPA’s National Education Com-mittee started an educational campaignat the beginning of 2008 that includesa website, www.clearedtodream.org, to

voluntary, centralized communica-tions review process that helpedensure FedEx pilots receive a consis-tent message from all levels of theunion structure. This was key to main-taining a unified message throuoghoutcontract negotiations, Mahoney said.

Delegates concurred that consis-

Director of ALPA’s Communications Department, Marie Schwartz, leads adiscussion about communicating effectively to ALPA members.

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Airline Council NameNWA 020 Capt. Leonard Willey, ChairmanPDT 078 F/O Michael Berrevoets, AlternateACJ 220 F/O Bruno MahieuxACJ 231 F/O Darryl BoonALA 067 Capt. John HornibrookCAL 170 Capt. Albert BrandanoCCI 119 F/O Andrew ForsytheCJA 235 F/O Stephen SpencerCMA 213 Capt. Corey MestonCMR 045 F/O Ryan JohannsenDAL 066 Capt. Reed McDonaldEGL 114 Capt. Peter HeffleyEGL 133 F/O Frank KleteckaFAB 240 S/O Stephen FarnworthFDX 007 F/O Victor TanseyFDX 079 Capt. Guy LopezKFC 212 F/O Marquis TaylorMAG 085 F/O Michael BaumannPCL 130 Capt. Steven RhymesPSA 069 Capt. Scott MaiettaRYN 046 F/O Jesse MaySPA 018 Capt. David MorlandoTSC 200 F/O Sylvain GaumontUAL 027 F/O Benjamin PangelinanUAL 057 F/O Anthony SniederXJT 177 Capt. James Ferace

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provide the next generation of avia-tors factual information about theprofession, as well as to educate themabout what ALPA has done for theprofession over the past 75 years andwhat ALPA is working to achieve, withthe goal of getting them involved withtheir union.

“We’re simply not communicatingwith younger pilots,” Ryder said.“They understand Podcasts, webpages, forums, texting, and Internetvideo. That’s how they talk, and we’renot talking their language. If it’s not intheir language, they’re simply notreceiving it.”

Continental and Alaska pilots havebeen experimenting with Podcasts andhave found that while Podcasts appealto a small segment of their audience,

they have been an effective way tosupplement other communications.

The delegates found that to con-tinue being a successful advocate forthe profession, ALPA must keep reach-ing out to policymakers. “Independentpilot unions are challenging ALPA asthe voice of the profession, and otherunions are now being asked to testifyalongside ALPA’s president on CapitolHill and Parliament Hill,” said MarieSchwartz, director of ALPA’s Commu-nications Department. “ALPA musttake steps to maintain its position asthe authoritative voice of the profes-sion in the press, in Congress, and onParliament Hill.”

In the end, delegates approved aresolution that affirmed the impor-tance of both internal and external

communications and encouragesALPA’s Communications and ITDepartments to research tools andtactics so that ALPA reaches all mem-bers with its messages. The delegatesalso fully endorsed the revitalizationof the ALPA National Pilots Spokesper-son Program so that ALPA’s press state-ments are as far-reaching and topicspecific as possible.

“We found ALPA should take stepsto reengage our current members bysupplying a consistent message aboutwhat ALPA is doing on their behalf,”said Capt. Len Willey (Northwest),Delegate Committee chairman, duringhis presentation to the BOD. “ALPAmust defend its voice on Capitol Hilland in Parliament…. Doing thisshould also help re-couple our currentmembers and capture the attention offuture ALPA pilots. ALPA should incor-porate into its communications mix ameans to capture the attention ofyounger generations of both currentALPA members and future pilots.”

ObservationsDuring discussions about reachingout to external audiences via bill-boards and advertising, one pilotcommented that he noticed in an AirLine Pilot photo taken at ALPA’s Safetyand Security Awards Banquet thatnone of the pilots were wearing theiruniforms. The Committee discussedthe importance of having pilots inuniform when representing ALPA onmatters directly related to the airlinepiloting profession as opposed to atmeetings like the BOD, where theyare conducting Association business.ALPA pilots will be on camera for theworld to see as the authoritativevoice of the airline piloting profes-sion. This type of public display willmake a huge statement when theNational Pilot Spokesperson trainingstarts up again.

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Delegate Committee 6Legal/Grievance/Merger

By ALPA Staff

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elegate Committee 6focused its discussionson issues relating tocareer security, mergers,and merger policy. Del-

egates considered current develop-ments in the merger arena, effortsnow under way to review and reviseALPA Merger and FragmentationPolicy, and proposals related to en-hancing career security. In addition,the Committee heard briefings re-garding important developments inthe areas of duty of fair representa-tion and status quo obligations underthe Railway Labor Act. The Commit-

tee also received a briefing from thefee-for-departure pilot groups withrespect to career security.

After a briefing from the chairmanof ALPA’s newly formed Career Secu-rity Protocol Committee (CSPC),Committee 6 delegates identified anumber of options and issues relatedto career security protocols for theCSPC to consider.

Committee chairman, Capt. KevinHackett (Air Canada Jazz), noted, “TheCSPC intends to review ALPA’s his-toric record of actions and delibera-tions in the area of career securityprotocols and to seek input from linepilots and other sources.”

Because the CSPC has not yet devel-oped its proposals, the discussion wasgeneral. Among the topics discussedwere the viability and application of anational seniority protocol, legalconcerns, implementation issues, andcollective bargaining issues, as well ascross-industry and cross-border issues.The Committee supported the CSPCin moving forward with gatheringinput from all available sources andengaging in a full and deliberateanalysis of the issues raised by theExecutive Board resolution establish-ing the CSPC.

Following a briefing on the Delta/Northwest merger process and a brief-

LEFT: Committee 6 chairman, Capt. KevinHackett (Air Canada Jazz), gives his report tothe BOD.ABOVE: Legal/Grievance/Merger Committee 8facilitators Jonathan Cohen, left, director andchief counsel, Legal, and Betty Ginsburg,managing attorney, Legal.

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Airline Council NameACJ 223 Capt. Kevin Hackett, ChairmanUAL 033 Capt. Richard Perry, AlternateACJ 220 Capt. Gilbert RenaudAIS 146 Capt. Charles CiszekALA 067 F/O Scott MarckmannCAL 173 F/O David GourleyCCI 119 S/O Scott MullinsCMR 037 Capt. Erik JensenCMT 152 Capt. Travis JordanDAL 048 F/O Dick HollowayEGL 121 Capt. Anthony GutierrezEGL 155 Capt. Robert WalshFAB 241 Capt. Shane CollinsFDX 007 F/O David RischFDX 099 Capt. Edgar IrizarryKFC 212 S/O John AlvesMAG 087 Capt. Richard RedfernNWA 074 Capt. Gregory McKinneyPCL 128 F/O David SzurgotPDT 028 Capt. Steve HallPDT 095 Capt. Charles MartinakPSA 069 F/O James McKeeSPA 018 F/O Carlos CuetoUAL 093 F/O Mark ArellanoWSG 236 F/O Jennie SullivanXJT 177 F/O Joseph Costanza

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Participants• Facilitators: Jonathan Cohen, Director and Chief Counsel, Legal & BettyGinsburg, Managing Attorney, Legal• Committee Chairman: Capt. Kevin Hackett (Air Canada Jazz)• Committee Alternate: Capt. Rick Perry (United)

Subject Matter Experts and Presenters• Capt. Tom Crank (Alaska), Career Security Protocol Committee• Capt. Tim Canoll (Delta), Vice-Chairman, MEC• Capt. Monty Montgomery (Northwest), Vice-Chairman, MEC• Capt. Mike Arcamuzi (FedEx), Chairman, Merger Policy Review Committee• Capt. Tom Wychor (Mesaba), Chairman, Fee for Departure Committee• Jonathan Cohen, Director and Chief Counsel, Legal• Marcus Migliore, Managing Attorney, Legal• Jim Wilson, Assistant Director, Representation• Mike Abram, ALPA General Counsel Law Firm, Cohen, Weiss and Simon LLP• Bob Savelson, ALPA General Counsel Law Firm, Cohen, Weiss and Simon LLP

ing from the chairman of the MergerPolicy Review Committee (MPRC),Delegate Committee 6 discussed avariety of issues, including the relativevalue of negotiating an integratedseniority list or a combined contractfirst and the importance of maintain-ing flexibility rather than adhering toa single approach.

Hackett noted that the MPRC chair-man, “Capt. Mike Arcamuzi (FedEx),explained that the MPRC has beengathering information from pilotleaders and other resources concern-ing ALPA’s prior experience withmergers and merger policy in an effortto develop revisions that will create amore effective merger policy.”

Committee members encouragedthe MPRC to consider education andtraining as important components ofcreating a more effective mergerpolicy and discussed a range of other

Committee membersencouraged theMerger PolicyReview Committeeto consider educationand training as importantcomponents of creatinga more effective mergerpolicy.

issues related to the work of theMPRC, including the use of three-arbitrator panels, the role of pilotneutrals, whether to mandate collec-tive bargaining agreement/senioritylist integration timing in mergerpolicy, and whether national repre-sentatives or staff can be of use infacilitating the process.

ObservationDelegate Committee 6 concluded thatrevisions to ALPA’s merger policyshould provide sufficient flexibility toensure that the policy is useful inbringing about resolution in a widerange of circumstances.

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Delegate Committee 7Government Affairs/Regulatory

By ALPA StaffParticipants• Facilitators: Capts. Paul Rice, ALPA First Vice-President, IFALPA Deputy

President & Dan Adamus (Air Canada Jazz)• Committee Chairman: F/O Matthew Rettig (American Eagle)• Committee Alternate: Capt. James Stuart (Northwest)

Subject Matter Experts and Presenters• Capt. Paul Rice, ALPA First Vice-President, IFALPA Deputy President• Capt. Dan Adamus (Air Canada Jazz), Canada Board President,

ALPA Executive Vice-President Group C, IFALPA Executive Vice-President-North American Region

• Capt. Rick Dominguez (Delta), Chairman, International Affairs Committee• Brendan Kenny, Director, Government Affairs• Kelly Hardy, Senior Government Affairs Specialist, Government Affairs• Marcus Migliore, Managing Attorney, Legal• Russ Bailey, Senior Attorney, Legal• Jerry Wright, Manager, Engineering & Air Safety• Ana McAhron-Schulz, Director, Economic & Financial Analysis

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elegate Committee 7 wastasked with reviewingALPA’s current legislativeand regulatory initiativesfor the U.S. and Canada.

“Those [initiatives] are ongoing,”said Committee chairman, F/O Mat-thew Rettig (American Eagle), notingthat discussion topics covered “bank-ruptcy, pension reform and legisla-tion, and the need for national energyand transportation policies.” Rettigadded that the Committee delegateswould also examine the status of “cur-rent foreign ownership and controllimitations.”

The Committee concluded thefollowing:

Delegate Committee 7 members plan ALPA’s direction in legislative and regulatory affairs.

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Airline Council NameEGL 121 F/O Matthew Rettig, ChairmanNWA 054 Capt. James Stuart, AlternateACJ 223 F/O E. Derek WickhamAIS 146 F/O Michael BremnerARW 049 Capt. James DrapeauCAL 178 Capt. Thomas HowardCMA 213 Capt. Conrad SchnellertCMR 037 F/O James FitchCMT 152 F/O Travis JordanDAL 044 F/O Steven UvenaDAL 066 F/O Scott TarvesDHL 017 Capt. George ChetcutiEGL 155 F/O Victor CastroFAB 241 F/O John MurphyFDX 022 Capt. Vic LibertiFDX 100 Capt. Scott LohmanMAG 087 F/O H. Taylor ClementsMSA 104 Capt. Martin McRedmondPCL 129 Capt. Michael LorenzPDT 028 F/O Scott QuinnPDT 095 F/O Owen SmythPSA 070 Capt. Clarence FoxSPA 109 Capt. John HannUAL 033 F/O Robert HebinckWSG 237 Capt. Jason YoungXJT 179 Capt. Christopher Cashmareck

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The U.S and Canada both need acomprehensive energy policy that—reduces fuel prices and volatility bycontrolling rampant speculation,—recognizes aviation’s contributionsto conservation,—continues the use of carbon-basedfuels without an increase to theindustry’s tax burden, and—supports new technology.

The U.S. and Canada must create atransportation policy that fosters aviable and functional airline industry

that protects the long-term interests ofthe public and all airline employees.

ALPA will continue to work on abipartisan basis with the legislativeand executive branches of both theU.S. and Canadian governments.

ALPA-PAC is the best means to gainaccess to members on Capitol Hill.Therefore, participation in ALPA-PACmust be increased not only throughefforts in Washington, but more im-portantly, also through direct pilot-to-pilot contact.

ALPA must continue to opposeefforts to modify foreign ownershipand/or control limitations that wouldnot benefit ALPA members in bothCanada and the U.S.

While BODdelegates had afairly highunderstanding oftheir owngovernment’sworkings, there wasmuch to be learned aboutthe respectivegovernments of fellowmembers.

ObservationWhile much of the Committee wasfocused on the specific task at hand,one unexpected area of discussion wasdirectly related to the differencesbetween the Canadian and U.S. gov-ernments—how much the respectivegovernments directly affect the indus-try and the airline piloting profession.Differences in the way in which po-litical campaigning is funded anddifferences in labor laws in the U.S.and in Canada were also highlighted.While BOD delegates had a fairly highunderstanding of their own govern-ment’s workings, there was muchto be learned about the respectivegovernments of fellow members.

Committee 7 chairman, F/OMatthew Rettig (American Eagle),makes his report to the Board.

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Delegate Committee 8Membership/Organizing

By ALPA Staff

Participants• Facilitator: Capt. Tom Wychor (Mesaba), Strategic Planning Committee• Committee Chairman: Capt. Jay Schnedorf (Midwest), Chairman, MEC• Committee Alternate: Capt. Melvin Mason (United)

Subject Matter Experts• Capt. John Prater, ALPA President• Jalmer Johnson, ALPA General Manager• Art Luby, Assistant Director, Representation• Jeff MacDonald, Manager, Representation

Presenters• Capt. John Prater, ALPA President• Capt. John Sluys (Alaska), Chairman, ALPA Membership Committee• F/O Larry Deist (Delta), Coordinator, Furloughed Pilots Support Program• Jeff MacDonald, Supervisor, Representation• Phil Comstock, President, Wilson Center for Public Research

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elegate Committee 8 wastasked with reviewingALPA’s organizing effortsand membership initia-tives. Members of the

Committee engaged in spirited debateon ALPA’s past and present internaland external organizing activities,including the structure, process, andfinancing of organizing in the U.S.and Canada.

Committee Chairman, Capt. JaySchnedorf (Midwest), noted thatCommittee 8 delegates were con-fronted with three broad challenges:“How to make ALPA the union for allairline pilots, how to maximize theuse of resources to conduct internaland external organizing activities,and how to reengage the existingmembers.”

The Committee concluded thefollowing:• Internal and external organizing isvital in the efforts to connect mem-bers with their union and keepingALPA the preeminent voice of theairline piloting profession. ALPA’swork—whether it be organizing newmembers, super-servicing current

members, or securing a future forfurloughed members—is intercon-nected and dependent upon the beliefof line pilots that ALPA is valuable inevery facet of their profession.—A $2 million grant was allocatedfrom the Major Contingency Fund(MCF) for internal and externalorganizing efforts. All agreed thatALPA must work to incorporate inter-nal and external organizing effortsinto the Administrative and Support(A&S) budget when feasible for thelong-term strength and growth ofthe Association.• The Delegate Committee recom-mended, and the Board of Directorsapproved, a resolution that in partreaffirmed the 2000 Board of DirectorsUnity Resolution to be ALPA’s guidingprinciple and long-term goal. Givencurrent limited financial and staffresources, the Board acknowledgedthat organizing target decisions mustbe made strategically through thework of ALPA’s Organizing Task Forceto ensure that ALPA can effectivelyrepresent both current and newlyorganized pilot groups.—Members of the Organizing TaskForce shall include the president, a

national officer, two pilot representa-tives appropriate to the group to beorganized, and Association staff toinclude the general manager anddirectors, or their designees, for theCommunications, Legal, and Repre-sentation Departments.• It is important to have an effectiveorganizing committee, extensivecontact information, and evidence ofstrong support for ALPA representa-tion before launching and fundingan organizing campaign in order toaccomplish external organizing goals.• ALPA must investigate new methodsof communicating with its membersas the “new” generation, specificallythose pilots who are under the ageof 35, get their information andcommunicate differently than theolder generation of pilots.• ALPA must better publicize andbrand its successes. It cannot be shyin proclaiming, “ALPA did that!” Somerecent examples of ALPA success thatshould be trumpeted include the FFDOprogram, CASS, runway status lights,CrewPass, Canadian RAIC, protectingjobs in bankruptcy, and more. Doing

Capt. Tom Wychor (Mesaba) facili-tated the group’s discussions.

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Airline Council NameMEA 030 Capt. Jay Schnedorf, ChairmanUAL 011 Capt. Melvin Mason, AlternateACJ 226 Capt. Scott FrolickACJ 231 Capt. J. Robert SaundersARW 049 F/O Norman AllabyCAL 170 F/O Nick FabryCAL 172 F/O John PersonCMA 205 Capt. Lance TremaineCMA 205 F/O Timothy PerryCMR 037 F/O Frederick HermanDAL 016 F/O William McLarenDAL 081 Capt. Mark SaltzmanDHL 017 F/O Patrick WalshEGL 126 Capt. Jeffrey SanchezFAB 241 S/O Jeremy StudneyFDX 022 Capt. Anthony CutlerMAG 088 Capt. Erik LarsenMSA 104 F/O Gregory WertzNWA 055 Capt. Drew GrimesNWA 055 F/O Art AaronPAC 023 Capt. Robert HendersonPCL 129 F/O Christopher WigginsPDT 029 Capt. Scott McGuiganPSA 070 F/O David IsenbergSPA 109 F/O Douglas PolettiUAL 034 Capt. Elroy AleshireWSG 237 F/O Chris BrakeXJT 180 Capt. Samuel Landry

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so will ensure that members and non-members are aware of the work thatALPA does on their behalf and thepiloting profession as a whole.• Independent unions using ALPAservices must publicly acknowledgeany service agreement and subsequentinformation provided by ALPA. Bydoing so, non-members will under-stand the benefits ALPA membershipprovides and that their independentunion relies on ALPA to representtheir members.• ALPA members do not fully under-stand their union, the benefits it pro-vides, and their own contracts. TheALPA Membership Committee needsto expand its new-member orientationprogram and develop an “ALPA 101Class” and mentoring program inwhich members receive an orienta-tion on ALPA following IOE. Thisprogram will be available to every

master executive council so that itmay be customized for each pilotgroup and provided to new hires, aswell as to those who have been withALPA for many years but may notknow the benefits and services theyhave access to as members.• ALPA needs to provide assistance andhelp U.S.- and Canadian-based MECsexperiencing furloughs to build theirsupport programs. By doing so, mem-bers who are furloughed and eithercome back to their original ALPA-represented pilot group or are hired byanother airline will know unequivo-cally that ALPA was there for them,supporting them during the good timesand the bad. These members willmake strong allies in future organizingefforts, both internal and external.• Like the other delegate committeesof the recent Board of Directors meet-ing, there was an apparent cross-over

of issues. For example, in Committee5, the Education Committee reportedon its activities to instill the knowl-edge and importance of what ALPAhas accomplished and why represen-tation is so important to our futuremembers and the airline pilotingprofession. In Committee 8, the Mem-bership Committee provided an over-view of its activities to educate/orientnew members and to provide supportto furloughed brothers and sisters.Both of these Committees have coordi-nated their objective of organizingpilots around the common message of“We Are ALPA” and are a perfect ex-ample of how the individual ALPAcommittees must work together toprovide the best programs and supportfor the overall good of our union.

Observations• One unanticipated area of Commit-tee discussion was the focus and desireby leaders of many of ALPA’s pilotgroups to become involved in support-ing the union’s organizing activities. Assuch, all agreed that it would makesense to involve appropriate memberson the task force who are familiar withthe customs of the pilot group to beorganized, and this language was addedinto the resolution.• All Committee members agreed onthe importance of funding internal andexternal drives for continued serviceto ALPA’s members and growth of theunion; however, several Committeedelegates questioned whether the MCFwas the appropriate source for suchfunding. After much discussion, theCommittee determined that there wasno other source of funding to supportorganizing activities deemed critical toALPA and its members at this time;however, the group advised the Execu-tive Council to make it a priority toincorporate organizing expendituresinto the A&S budget in the future.