Executive Board Convenes in Preparation for Upcoming BOD
ALPA’s Executive Board met in Herndon today, receiving updates from the Association’s national officers on union activities and preparing policies—including a recommendation to lower the dues rate even further in 2015—for a vote by ALPA’s Board of Directors this October.
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watch the national officers' remarks. “Patience is power,” said ALPA president Capt. Lee Moak, emphasizing that a “patiently aggressive approach,” exercising restraint until the most advantageous moment, is often the key to success. “History, and the story of our union, is rich with examples of the powerful change that can emerge from refusing to take the bait of immediate gratification and instead driving with resolve toward a goal that will improve our profession and our industry.”
Among the union’s various campaigns, Moak referenced ALPA’s steady effort that resulted in Norwegian Air International’s recent dismissal of an exemption to begin temporary flag-of-convenience operations to the United States. He also talked about the Association’s extended efforts to change widebody aircraft financing practices at the Export-Import Bank. “ALPA will never ever stop fighting,” he said. “But, when we say ‘fight’ we don’t just fight to fight, we fight to win.”
First vice president Capt. Sean Cassidy described ALPA’s Air Safety Organization pilot representative as the “beat cop for the aviation industry,” adding, “We’re always vigilant.” Cassidy, who also serves as the Association’s national safety coordinator, reviewed recent discussions with the FAA on the transportation of hazardous materials, the implications for newly restricted airspace, and other pressing issues related to safety, security, and pilot assistance.
Shifting gears, the first vice president talked about the success of the Association’s political action committee. “This year we are on our way to raising more than 1.4 million dollars for the PAC, pulling in as much as 130 thousand dollars in a month.” He noted that, this year, more than 7,400 pilots have either given or signed up to support ALPA-PAC.
ALPA is updating its many products and services to keep pace with technological change. Vice president-administration/secretary Capt. Bill Couette discussed the Information Technology Advisory Committee and its work with the Association to purchase a new platform to host ALPA’s website. “The site (which will be demoed at ALPA’s October Board of Directors’ meeting) is going to have a brand new look,” he said.
Couette also acknowledged the generous gift AirTran pilots shared with ALPA as a last act before officially being absorbed into the Southwest Airlines pilot ranks. The AirTran MEC previously created a Pilot Contingency Fund from an assessment to help members experiencing financial hardships. The balance in this fund will go to charities in the name of the AirTran pilots,, including $51,179.05 to the ALPA Emergency Relief Fund (P4P). “I want to thank the AirTran pilots for this substantial donation,” he said.
Capt. Randy Helling, ALPA vice president-finance/treasurer, observed, “Your Association stands on a firmer financial footing today than it has in past years, and is ready to take on new challenges.” Helling reported that ALPA’s dues revenue is increasing and the Association’s liquidity has improved. “This allows ALPA to respond to, not only challenges, but also to opportunities, quickly and effectively,” he said.
Helling continued, “Our improved financial condition has allowed us to lower the dues rate in 2014 for the first time in decades, and the Executive Board will be considering a recommendation at this meeting to lower the dues rate even further in 2015.”
As part of the meeting’s agenda, MEC chairmen offered an inside look at their pilot groups’ recent activities. In addition, Executive Board members broke into four delegate committees to discuss proposed resolutions and strategic planning initiatives. Capt. Roger White (DAL), a member of the ALPA Strategic Planning Committee, explained that ALPA Executive Board members would be responsible for reviewing the current strategic planning report and discussing it with fellow delegates to make sure ALPA is “on track.”
All of these actions were coordinated to better position the Association for a productive Board of Directors meeting this October. The ALPA Executive Board meeting continues through Thursday.
