Quote:
Originally Posted by CAPIP1998  Let me first start by saying that I mean no disrespect to the PNCL pilots or ALPA. I want nothing more than a fair and equitable working contract for BOTH PNCL and CJC.
First, I think we can all agree that each and every one of us wants what we perceive is best for us. It is very clear that the PNCL pilot's want a list merger, which is what you perceive is best for you. That does not necessarily mean that a list merger is best for CJC. As an FO here I have listened to many CA's explain what they want. Two things are clear to me. One, the colgan pilots most definitely want a union, and two, we want a union that will represent OUR interests. I think the major problem (and why we get into these much heated discussions) is that the CJC pilots (myself included) do not know that the interests of PNCL pilots are the same as the CJC pilots. They may be, they may not be (although it's highly doubtful in my opinion). The simple fact that you are so forceful in pushing ALPA is surely reason enough for many of us to doubt your good intentions.
Secondly, I have read over and over that we (CJC pilots) need to be educated on the benefits of ALPA, and that we cannot state specific reasons for not wanting ALPA represent us. To this let me say that we do not live in a vacuum, and many of us have friends and family that work for airlines that are represented by ALPA. Many people are not happy with the way that ALPA has represented them, and they have "educated" us as well.
Each and every one of us is entitled to an opinion, and I would expect that people will stand up and argue for something they believe in. In fact, I would be disappointed if they didn't. But at the end of the day, it's one man, one vote. Please respect other people's opinions even if you don't agree with them.
So where do I stand on this issue? I am still trying to "educate" myself, which brings me back to my original question. Is a list merger unavoidable? To be clear, is there some way that a list merger could be forced upon us, and will it happen? I think this question goes to the heart of why so many CJC pilots fear ALPA representation. |
I respect your thoughts and understand that what the CJC folks want is different than the PNCL folks. I also grew up in the airline world. My father has been around a certain airline that has thrown out ALPA in favor of "in house" only to bring ALPA back in and have (still) the industry leading contract. I have had the speeches, and I also have MY own views that are different than his and his respected company peers. Collectively I can see both CJC and PNCL are under the same "umbrella of coverage", beyond that I think seperate is best as far as the day-to-day stuff.
As to you avoidable/unavoidable question- I don't have an answer and I will not speculate or pass on the "gossip" from our side of the fence. All I will say is the PNCL folks look at Colgan as our brothers and sisters (even though not by our choices respectively) but want the best for both sides, and a fence is I think the only aspect that both seem to want for sure regardless of unions.
You are right- you have one vote and one voice. Without going into politics we all know that even people that vote for the same person still have different hopes and ideals when they cast their vote.