Thursday, March 15, 2012

The problem with ALPA


Unions.  I've never been a fan, call me different.  Necessary evil?  You bet!  Nothing is created 'just because.'  I've read Flying the Line, and it's very clear why ALPA came to be in the first place.

Since those days though ... I think it's grown much too large for it's own britches.

The picture above illustrates just one facet of whats wrong with ALPA (and people).  At the core of this grievance - Continental Pilots being awarded Profit Sharing for this past year.  What's the big deal?

Ask a United Pilot about a Continental Pilot (do you already see a problem with this scenario ... we are a merged Company - but there are still two pilot groups, an 'Us' against 'Them' scenario - which is what United loves to leverage) being rewarded with Profit Sharing and you'll hear 'It's a contractual item, for United Pilots, it was not in Continentals Contract.'

True.  At the core, Continental came aboard, and was granted 'super user' access to things that are not in their contract.  This, alone ... is the setting for a battle between groups.  And you have to ask yourself 'Why would The Company allow this to happen?'  (see above - they produce this type of thing on purpose - IMO)

So what's wrong with ALPA?  Read the image above again.  The United and Continental (two groups, one company - problem 1) MEC (Master Executive Council) were scheduled for a joint meeting (should there be any other kind? .. we are 1 group) and due to a grievance being filed by United pilots (over the Continental Pilots being granted Profit Sharing although it's not in their contract) ... the joint meeting has been delayed.

Here's how I see it.  Was it wrong for them to get profit sharing?  If you simply look at one group having a contractual benefit and one not having profit sharing negotiated in the contract ... yes.  As anyone that looks forward - if one thing was granted that was not contractual for one group and was for another ... what lies ahead?  It's a viable question - for either side to ask.

We are now 1 group, in that line of thinking, is it wrong that Continental was awarded profit sharing ... no.

But Pilots (like any other person roaming the earth) have a tendency to be greedy and territorial.  Shoot, I used to be one of them!  I could have wrote the book before Mid 2008.

The bigger picture, as I see it, is this.  My profit sharing check ... was pennies on the dollar.  I wrote about this earlier on FB, but in reality - my check was the same amount the bankruptcy process stripped from one month of our pay.  So the difference in what we are paid per month now ... compared to what we were paid 10 years ago on a monthly basis ... was the amount of our 'profit sharing' check.  Again, was it appreciated?  Yes.  Did we use it?  Yes.  But in reality, it's a slap in the face after losing so much ... for so long.

Beyond that one payment ... lies a new Contract.  Changes to what we have been living for 10 years!  Increases that should be in the works (this Pilot is voting down any non-incremental increases .. given 10 years of heart wrenching pain for my family).

And the 'two Unions' (both ALPA) are now in stalled talks because of 'one month of pay difference' that was paid out Once.

Divide and Conquer - it's not just for war.  It's for United Management too.  They play the violen perfectly, dividing not only legacy United work groups (Flight Attendants, Mechanics, Pilots, Ramp Service, Customer Service, Dispatch ... on and on and on - they love it when we fight because it takes the attention off the ball, keeps us chasing our tails so to speak) ... but now United and Continental ALPA as well.  Brilliant, seriously.  If they could just run a business as well as they pit the work groups against one another - United would return to a spot in the Market Place that matched it's talk of being so.

And they have done it again.  What did it cost to pay all the Continental Pilots a 'non-contractual' Profit Sharing check?  Pennies on the dollar.  If United delays a new (higher) pay rate for all of us just by one month .. they have saved money.

But no one really looks at that, no one cares.  Most people, are bound by a check to check lifestyle and they will simply jump at anything that is thrown their way not weighing the overall consequence.  The recent Flight Attendant vote of Yes was an example.  In my informal, un-scientific polling of flight attendants, most said 'I just want to move on, I want this over with .. I need more money!'  Yes, after 10 years of 40% + losses ... we all expect, and rightly deserve for our sacrifices ... more.  Much more than the $4 an hour the AFA just voted in.

On the other hand, us ALPA members need to keep ALPA National Officers comfortable.  Take a look at how the National Officers are compensated (I cut the list off at the level of an Airbus 320 Co-Pilot for United - so everyone on the list is compensated more than my flying Brothers and Sisters);


NameTitleGross SalaryBenifits & Other CompensationTotal Compensation
JOHN PRATERPRESIDENT$328,277.00$174,957.00$503,234.00
JALMER JOHNSONGeneral Manager$408,482.00$7,336.00$415,818.00
JONATHAN COHENChief Counsel/Dir Legal$406,249.00$4,938.00$411,187.00
BRUCE YORKDirector, Representation$379,803.00$29,212.00$409,015.00
WILLIAM ROBERTSAsst Dir, Representation$319,018.00$21,190.00$340,208.00
JIM JOHNSONSr Managing Attorney$301,476.00$7,374.00$308,850.00
ANA MCAHRON-SCHULZDir, Econ&Fin Analysis$281,280.00$18,739.00$300,019.00
KEITH HAGYDirector, E&AS$286,022.00$3,949.00$289,971.00
LIZ KOBYSr Managing Attorney$272,683.00$16,448.00$289,131.00
JIM WILSONAsst Dir, Representation$271,289.00$8,491.00$279,780.00
JEFFREY SMALLSr Contr Admin/MEC Coord$238,343.00$36,477.00$274,820.00
BRENDAN KENNYDirector, Gov't Affairs$266,338.00$5,540.00$271,878.00
MARCUS MIGLIOREManaging Attorney$255,019.00$2,578.00$257,597.00
BETTY GINSBURGManaging Attorney$251,818.00$4,548.00$256,366.00
CLAY WARNERManaging Attorney$255,038.00$1,088.00$256,126.00
ROBERT NICHOLSSr Contr Admin/MEC Coord$238,643.00$15,926.00$254,569.00
ART LUBYAsst Dir, Representation$244,899.00$8,460.00$253,359.00
PATRICK BRENNAMANSr Contr Admin/MEC Coord$253,146.00$15.00$253,161.00
JOHN SCHLEDERLead Cont Admin/MEC Coord$222,132.00$26,636.00$248,768.00
CHARLIE MURPHYDirector, IT & Services$242,624.00$2,486.00$245,110.00
RUSS BAILEYSr Attorney$238,343.00$6,622.00$244,965.00
BERT LEGERContract Administrator$141,826.00$100,679.00$242,505.00
RUSSELL WOODYSr Benefits Attorney, R&I$235,131.00$7,293.00$242,424.00
DAVID KRIEGERManager, E&FA$223,052.00$8,420.00$231,472.00
SETH ROSENDirector IPSC$211,511.00$13,596.00$225,107.00
STEVE HODGSONManager, R&I$219,844.00$4,186.00$224,030.00
MARGARITA LORENZETTIDirector, Finance$216,194.00$1,280.00$217,474.00
$46,350.00$169,327.00$215,677.00
ANDREW SHOSTACKSupv, Representation$190,820.00$23,000.00$213,820.00
WILLIAM COUETTEVICE PRESIDENT ADMIN$0.00$209,024.00$209,024.00
VICTORIA FORTUNASr Benefits Attorney$197,654.00$10,805.00$208,459.00
CHRIS BAUMMgr Engineering & Ops$203,240.00$2,906.00$206,146.00
JANE SCHRAFTSr Contract Administrator$200,010.00$4,520.00$204,530.00
PAUL RICEFIRST VICE-PRESIDENT$0.00$203,897.00$203,897.00
KELLY COLLIEDirector, Human Resources$200,127.00$1,553.00$201,680.00
JERRY WRIGHTMgr Aviation Safety&Secur$194,020.00$2,698.00$196,718.00
DAVID HOLTZMANSr Contract Administrator$189,538.00$6,186.00$195,724.00
RICHARD HARRELLManager IT Network & Ops$194,457.00$989.00$195,446.00
W. RANDOLPH HELLINGVICE PRESIDENT FINANCE$0.00$193,241.00$193,241.00
JAMES CONNOLLYSr Field Representative$185,716.00$7,191.00$192,907.00
JOAN (JODY) BETTENBURGSr Contract Admin$186,226.00$6,459.00$192,685.00
MARIE SCHWARTZDirector, Communications$189,343.00$3,072.00$192,415.00
DANIEL MCMANUSPension Investment Coord$167,964.00$20,947.00$188,911.00
RICHARD PAVELSr Field Representative$183,185.00$3,853.00$187,038.00
JOHN DEANSr Contract Administrator$172,823.00$8,200.00$181,023.00
JIM LOBSENZSr Attorney$177,966.00$630.00$178,596.00
JOHN WELLSSr Attorney$172,284.00$3,960.00$176,244.00
JIM MEDLEYSr Applications Architect$174,174.00$0.00$174,174.00
LEE VEID-NORSTERNMgr, IT Development&Supp$171,660.00$1,693.00$173,353.00
BILL EDMUNDSSr Human Perf Specialist$170,306.00$1,744.00$172,050.00
ELIZABETH BAKERSr Legislative Rep.$169,377.00$1,664.00$171,041.00
TERRANCE MCTIGUESr Contr Admin/MEC Coord$168,125.00$1,288.00$169,413.00
PERCY TOOPContract Administrator$159,566.00$9,664.00$169,230.00
DANIEL ORFIELDSr Contract Administrator$143,865.00$22,469.00$166,334.00
SUZANNE KALFUSSr Attorney$163,227.00$2,949.00$166,176.00
ELAINE GRITTNERSr Benefits Specialist$164,902.00$399.00$165,301.00
SANDRA PUSEYSr Database Administrator$162,631.00$0.00$162,631.00
TERRENCE FENNINGHAMACO MEC CUS$0.00$162,103.00$162,103.00
JACK PARRACKEnrolled Acturary, R&I$158,996.00$3,070.00$162,066.00
DON MCCLUREAir Safety Coordinator$158,314.00$3,291.00$161,605.00
MARCIA EUBANKSLead Economic Analyst$140,322.00$20,149.00$160,471.00
BILL DESPINSLead Economic Analyst$151,147.00$7,443.00$158,590.00
NEAL DAVISContract Administrator$143,710.00$14,511.00$158,221.00
DAVID HANNAHSr Contract Administrator$155,711.00$2,350.00$158,061.00
ANDREA GRIFFITHMgr, Finance & Mem Svcs$155,521.00$692.00$156,213.00
WAYNE KLOCKESr Contract Administrator$152,200.00$2,416.00$154,616.00
TERRY SATURDAYSr Contract Administrator$146,667.00$5,150.00$151,817.00
JAMES ANDRESAKESSupv Aviation Security$151,331.00$410.00$151,741.00
ANDREW BRENNERContract Administrator$143,765.00$6,564.00$150,329.00
KYE JOHANNINGLead Economic Analyst$138,307.00$10,141.00$148,448.00
MIKE CRANFORDSr Systems Integrator$147,074.00$645.00$147,719.00
HELEN WONG-SCRUGGSSr Web Developer$146,958.00$0.00$146,958.00
HONG LEESr Database Administrator$146,752.00$81.00$146,833.00
CHRIS MCCARTHYSupv, IT Ops & Support$143,481.00$2,032.00$145,513.00
KELLY HARDYSr Gov't Affairs Spec$144,281.00$1,179.00$145,460.00
JAN STEENBLIKTechnical Editor$144,181.00$566.00$144,747.00
TRAI NGUYENSr Network Integrator$143,581.00$353.00$143,934.00
ALLISTER OGILVIELegal/Gov't Affairs Rep$136,743.00$2,806.00$139,549.00
DAVID SEMANCHIKSenior Attorney$138,503.00$865.00$139,368.00
GORDON ROSEContract Administrator$138,617.00$447.00$139,064.00
DANIEL FROEHLICHContract Administrator$137,054.00$1,308.00$138,362.00
JEFFREY MACDONALDManager, Representation$114,653.00$23,322.00$137,975.00
CHARLES YEAGERSupv, Web Sys Dev&Support$135,850.00$672.00$136,522.00
MATTHEW BABCOCKLabor Attorney$133,971.00$1,233.00$135,204.00
CORY TENNENSr Sched&Work Rule Analys$128,119.00$5,522.00$133,641.00
KENNETH MULDERSupv, Network Sys Support$131,165.00$2,386.00$133,551.00
JANIE MILLERSystems Analyst$133,345.00$0.00$133,345.00
MICHAEL FREDERICKSSr Aviation Security Spec$130,494.00$2,801.00$133,295.00
LISA NOYESMgr, Publishing Services$131,839.00$133.00$131,972.00
ERIN SHIELDSContract Administrator$128,711.00$3,052.00$131,763.00
CLINTON BURNERWeb Architect/DBA$131,067.00$674.00$131,741.00
REAL LEVASSEURAviation Safety/Sec Coord$127,983.00$2,531.00$130,514.00
NAM VANContract Administrator$128,711.00$318.00$129,029.00
LAP NGUYENSystems Analyst$129,000.00$0.00$129,000.00
MARK KOVACHSupv, General Accounting$128,758.00$0.00$128,758.00
MIKE CARNEYManager, Real Estate$124,313.00$4,124.00$128,437.00
MARTA WAGNERSenior Attorney$128,349.00$16.00$128,365.00
CHRISTOPHER BROWNContract Administrator$118,900.00$8,964.00$127,864.00
REBECCA RONGAnalyst/Programmer$126,473.00$0.00$126,473.00
PAM QUAYLESupv, Meeting Planning$124,457.00$1,024.00$125,481.00
CHAD BALENTINESr Staff Engineer$122,259.00$2,757.00$125,016.00
MARK ANGOLIASr Comm Production Spec$115,301.00$9,408.00$124,709.00
KEVIN COMSTOCKSr Training & Qual Spec$123,235.00$1,058.00$124,293.00
ERIC IVERSONContract Administrator$123,016.00$941.00$123,957.00
RICK KESSELSr Staff Engineer$121,765.00$1,488.00$123,253.00
DONNA KEESESupervisor, Finance$122,463.00$282.00$122,745.00
DOUGLAS BAJMgr Strategic Pilot Comm$119,662.00$2,665.00$122,327.00
DAVE VANCESupv, Member Insurance$116,601.00$5,482.00$122,083.00
ANYA PIAZZAStrategic T&C Admin$117,263.00$4,802.00$122,065.00
JENNIFER CRICHTONAccounting Supervisor$120,903.00$0.00$120,903.00
MARK CATOSr Staff Engineer$118,121.00$1,108.00$119,229.00
DAVID MARTINLegislative Rep$116,889.00$1,777.00$118,666.00
RON RINDFLEISCHOrganizing Comm Spec$108,221.00$10,028.00$118,249.00
ROBERT HANCOCKSr Web Developer$115,434.00$1,541.00$116,975.00
JEFFREY LOESELAssoc Contract Admin/Org$102,159.00$13,661.00$115,820.00
KAY YANCEYSr Economic Analyst$107,631.00$7,959.00$115,590.00
RITU GOYALSystems Analyst$115,117.00$0.00$115,117.00
SALLY GLOVERContract Administrator$112,771.00$550.00$113,321.00
MARK REEDStaff Engineer$110,300.00$2,444.00$112,744.00
BLAIR DONOVANOperations Analyst$112,230.00$0.00$112,230.00
MELANIE HOWEYSupervisor, Delta MEC$110,333.00$1,707.00$112,040.00
GERALDINE MILLERPension Investment Analys$111,528.00$177.00$111,705.00
SUZANNE MENONISupervisor, FedEx MEC$110,311.00$1,375.00$111,686.00
KELLY GRANIELLOFacilities Coordinator$109,387.00$1,730.00$111,117.00
JANICE GENTRYSr Benefits Specialist$110,687.00$108.00$110,795.00
DUANE DAVISContract Liason$108,697.00$1,797.00$110,494.00
DARRYL JENKINSSr IT Coordinator$108,117.00$1,171.00$109,288.00
JEANETTE DUVALLSr Economic Analyst$98,467.00$9,133.00$107,600.00
RICHARD BARTSCHSys Integrator/Analyst$106,161.00$1,268.00$107,429.00
JOHN WHITEStaff Engineer$103,889.00$2,940.00$106,829.00
SHARON VEREBManager, Member Comm$105,239.00$1,256.00$106,495.00
STEVEN TAMKINALPA Member$0.00$106,439.00$106,439.00
KAREN BROWNE-FLECKSr Benefits Specialist$104,647.00$1,401.00$106,048.00
MARIAN TASHJIANSr Benefits Spec R&I$105,217.00$196.00$105,413.00
LAURA NAABCompensation/Benefit Spec$105,410.00$0.00$105,410.00
JOHN STIFTStaff Engineer$103,008.00$1,685.00$104,693.00
SHIRLEY GIFFORDSupv, Purchasing/IT Svcs$104,380.00$0.00$104,380.00
STEVE SERURStaff Engineer$103,889.00$0.00$103,889.00
KAREN PATESr Publishing Coordinator$103,721.00$0.00$103,721.00
BILL FORDDesign/Production Editor$103,061.00$280.00$103,341.00
ANYA MUDRYWeb Developer$102,172.00$560.00$102,732.00
JOHN HANSONContract Administrator$101,362.00$1,293.00$102,655.00
SUSAN FAGERAssociate Managing Editor$102,326.00$0.00$102,326.00
GREGORY BERGNERAviation Safety&Sec Spec$101,478.00$412.00$101,890.00
PAUL KARGSr Economic Analyst$95,909.00$5,034.00$100,943.00
LOUISE FAWBUSHSr Paralegal, Legal$100,581.00$334.00$100,915.00
KATHLEEN(CHE MOHRSr Paralegal/Contr Spec$100,481.00$0.00$100,481.00
JAMES SHEANetwork Integrator$99,777.00$546.00$100,323.00
MARK STEPHENSNetwork Integrator$99,132.00$678.00$99,810.00
PAMELA NEILLOffice Coordinator$96,193.00$3,396.00$99,589.00
RONALD GRAHAMNetwork Integrator$96,224.00$2,365.00$98,589.00
LINDA SHOTWELLSr Comm/Media Specialist$93,612.00$4,538.00$98,150.00
DENA JACKSONLabor Relations Spec$97,678.00$424.00$98,102.00
AMY ENOSupv, Balloting/Cncl Svcs$96,956.00$1,134.00$98,090.00
ERIN PHILBINSupv Membership Svcs$97,952.00$0.00$97,952.00
OFELIA CARRASCOSupervisor, CAL MEC$97,080.00$810.00$97,890.00
TIMOTHY RAMIREZNetwork Integrator$96,813.00$900.00$97,713.00
VICTORIA BRADYSr MEC Benefit Specialist$95,910.00$1,156.00$97,066.00


This list can be viewed by anyone, it's public at http://www.unionfacts.com/local/employees/179/ALPA//

I see they have removed 'Secretary' ... there used to be that job title listed, and that person was paid just over $130,000.  Where do I sign up?

I'm kidding, but what is fundamentally wrong with the picture (that few know outside of United), is that while United Employees took steep pay reductions in 2002, ALPA National was no where to be seen for help.  To paint that a little clearer ... the National Office of ALPA was unwilling to show support for (at that time) the largest contributing Employee group, largest ALPA-PAC contributor to ... ALPA.

Later, as Northwest Airlines (now Delta, merged) entered Bankruptcy, ALPA National set up a $10 Million war chest to fund Northwests fight in the Bankruptcy process.

Why?  ALPA National's President was also a Senior Captain at ... ready, Northwest Airlines.  Hmmmm.

Who is ALPA Nationals current President?  Your Mr. John Prater is a Delta Captain.

Conflict of interest?  Maybe.  We'll see.

As the prop turns ... this could be a Soap Opera :)