Our Union: Behind the Lines
By Capt. Tim Canoll, ALPA President
In the introduction of Andrew Carroll’s book Behind the Lines, which catalogues servicemen and women’s wartime correspondence during conflicts from the Civil War to the modern day, he writes about how essential receiving mail from home was to the morale of those who served. Relatedly, as servicemen and women—including our ALPA members who have been or are deployed now—will tell you, the training, intelligence, supplies, and equipment they receive behind the lines means not only support but success at the front.
Each day that ALPA pilots fly the line, our union’s contribution can be seen in the cockpit and across the profession, with much of that work occurring behind the lines. As ALPA celebrates 85 years, the mastery and expertise of our union’s volunteers and staff members have never garnered more respect or positive results.
During the recent biennial meeting of ALPA’s committee chairmen, the vast array of issues that our union advances through the intense and dedicated support of our union’s experts was indisputable. While the work may take place far from the cockpits that our members occupy while flying the line, our union’s efforts translate into tangible progress in safety, security, pilot assistance, negotiating, and career progression.
The same behind-the-lines backing supports ALPA pilot groups on the picket line. In June, for example, Delta pilots picketed at the airline’s hubs to raise the sense of urgency in concluding negotiations––given the company’s historic pretax income of $1.56 billion and that all other employees, shareholders, and investors have benefitted from the airline’s profits. ALPA pilots who fly for other airlines and staff members assisted the Delta pilots in every way possible for this picketing event.
Likewise, Spirit pilots, who have sought National Mediation Board (NMB) services to negotiate an industry-standard agreement in light of their airline’s strong projected growth, are nearly one year past the amendable date of their contract. From Pilot-to-Pilot and Family Awareness programs, Spirit pilots, like all ALPA pilot groups, have access to ALPA’s tremendous assets during their contract talks.
As Hawaiian Airlines pilots walked the picket line carrying signs reading “Fully Qualified, Partially Paid,” the countdown has begun toward a 30-day cooling-off period. If approved by the NMB and after 30 days, both the pilot group and the airline will be free to enter self-help—including a strike by the pilots or a lockout by the company.
In the context of Hawaiian’s record profits, management has failed to bargain realistically and continues to seek concessions while offering below-average industry pay. ALPA’s Strategic Preparedness and Strike Committee has been standing fully behind Hawaiian pilots, offering insight and expertise to advance progress before, during, and after the cooling-off period.
First Air pilots have been quick to note the importance of the participation of ALPA staff and subject-matter experts as the pilot group engaged in five months of negotiations that culminated in a new four-year collective agreement.
Island Air also completed negotiations on a three-year contract that reflects important gains garnered by ALPA resources. While the pilots are voting as this issue goes to press, the Island Air MEC strongly supports the new contract, and we are optimistic it will pass.
Internationally, ALPA has been working behind the lines to defend fair competition—and we’ve seen encouraging progress. On June 30, the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced it would deny Norwegian Air UK’s (NAUK) foreign air carrier permit exemption. Denying the exemption is a step forward, but ALPA will continue to oppose NAUK’s foreign air carrier permit application because the airline has not supplied adequate information about its employment plans, so its potential effect on U.S. jobs cannot be evaluated.
Similarly, our union will continue to oppose the foreign air carrier permit application of Norwegian Air International, another Norwegian subsidiary, because its business plan runs contrary to the U.S.–EU Air Transport Agreement. The DOT previously rejected NAI’s exemption application, but it has not yet rejected NAI’s permit request.
Whether flying the line or walking a picket line, ALPA is always behind the lines, fighting for its members.
