Does ALPA ever strike?

[3rdWorldClassPilot]

ALPA has negotiated 34 pilot contracts since 2020....ZERO strikes.

They are enjoying some success with pattern bargaining in the US.

Pretty abysmal performance North of the border. Canadian companies are hardly buckling with the "tools" from ALPA.

14 years of negotiating since the last strike in 2010. That's for 41 airline pilot groups and ZERO strikes. It's phenomenal.

I guess they don't want to spend their "war chest"?

They want to keep their powder dry?!

What's the deal? They are in a country where striking is actually relatively doable with the Canada Labour Code but they keep fumbling the ball with pretty marginal results.

[Dash.Trash]

ALPA has negotiated 34 pilot contracts since 2020....ZERO strikes.

They are enjoying some success with pattern bargaining in the US.

Pretty abysmal performance North of the border. Canadian companies are hardly buckling with the "tools" from ALPA.

14 years of negotiating since the last strike in 2010. That's for 41 airline pilot groups and ZERO strikes. It's phenomenal.

I guess they don't want to spend their "war chest"?

They want to keep their powder dry?!

What's the deal? They are in a country where striking is actually relatively doable with the Canada Labour Code but they keep fumbling the ball with pretty marginal results.

It’s clear you don’t understand how the “war chest” works.

Every group who enters end stage negotiations receives a grant from the Major Contingency Fund (MCF) or “War Chest.” The size of the grant depends on the size of the pilot group. AC was $5m, WJ I think $2-2.5m.

Strike pay does not come from the MCF. It is paid via a special dues assessment on the entire membership, should it be required. This assessment was approved for AC and for WJ should it have been required.

If you’re going to complain, at least understand what you’re complaining about.

Further reading:

https://www.alpa.org/news-and-events/ai ... /mcf-myths

[BigGreen]

So...when was the strike fund last used?

Has it EVER been used in Canada...ever?

And....follow up question...how many contracts have been negotiated without striking from ALPA?

Let's compare that so say other unions...do they go say 0 for 40 in the last 14 years?

[Bede]

So...when was the strike fund last used?

Has it EVER been used in Canada...ever?

And....follow up question...how many contracts have been negotiated without striking from ALPA?

Let's compare that so say other unions...do they go say 0 for 40 in the last 14 years?

Did you even bother clicking on the link and reading it? To save you the effort of clicking the link, here's the text.

4 Myths About ALPA’s Major Contingency Fund
By Capt. Randy Helling, ALPA Vice President–Finance/Treasurer, and Kevin Cuddihy, Contributing Writer

ALPA’s Major Contingency Fund (MCF) is often referred to as our “War Chest,” and it’s an extremely valuable resource for our union. But beyond knowing these facts, what else do you know about the MCF? You might have heard a reference to it in passing, or maybe you’ve read a press release about a master executive council (MEC)—it might have even been yours—receiving an allocation from the fund. But what does this mean? What is the allocation for? And where exactly does it come from?

In order to better familiarize ALPA members about this most strategic asset, let’s debunk a few myths surrounding the fund, its uses, and its strength.

Myth 1. The MCF covers all costs associated with a strike, including lost wages
Per Section 60 of ALPA’s Administrative Manual, “The MCF may be properly used to provide funding to MECs (a) in advanced stages of negotiations to fund communications-related activities, including strike preparedness, Pilot-to-Pilot and Family Awareness projects, and (b) during strikes to fund MEC activities.”

The purpose of the grant is to help prepare the MEC and the pilots for end-stage negotiations and potentially a strike. This grant isn’t something used in lieu of MEC funds. Rather, reimbursement from the MCF “shall occur only after all MEC funds…are exhausted,” per the Administrative Manual. The simple rule is “self-help first.”

As for lost wages during a strike? Those are only paid out from a special dues assessment levied on the entire membership. As noted in a May 2010 Air Line Pilot article, “The intent of the 1985 [Board of Directors] and ALPA policy is that individual strike benefits are separate from the MCF, paid to individual striking members by a national assessment of ALPA members authorized by the Board of Directors or the members themselves.”

Myth 2. The MCF is only available for costs associated with negotiations and strike preparation
While funding needs for negotiations in advanced stages and strike preparedness initially led to the creation of the fund, the stated purpose of the fund was broad. The resolution establishing the MCF said that the fund was to be used “to build the financial strength and resources of ALPA to provide the strongest and most effective union and collective-bargaining representation on matters of urgent concern to the membership.”

In the 1990s, the role of the MCF was explicitly expanded with an amendment to ALPA’s Constitution and By-Laws to include “issues of urgent concern that significantly and adversely affect the airline piloting profession and which cannot be funded by normal Association budgeting practices and policies, including defense of the integrity of the Association.”

The October 2015 Report of the Major Contingency Fund Review Committee, which was prepared for the Executive Board, examined historical MCF funding and found four nonstrike-preparedness general areas where the MCF has been called into play, including

litigation and settlements,
organizing,
capitalization of other funds (including Kitty Hawk), and
other expenditures (including mainly interest on debt and unforeseen advocacy campaigns).
To assist in the stabilization and growth of the MCF, all organizing expenses and premiums for Kitty Hawk (ALPA’s wholly owned, captive insurance company) are now funded by ALPA’s Administrative & Support Account. Certain litigation and reimbursable expenses incurred by Strike Oversight Board members are still funded by the MCF.

That’s it, though. The Administrative Manual clearly states, “The Major Contingency Fund shall not be utilized under any conditions as a source of funding for past or current budgeted operational expenses, unless specifically authorized by the Executive Board.” The MCF remains a very specific resource.

Myth 3. All money in the MCF is allocated directly from dues dollars
This was the case when the MCF was created, but not as much today. The 1985 Board of Directors special session (see “MCF: The Origin Story”) voted to increase dues by a full percent, from 1.35 to 2.35 percent, to create the War Chest. However, the MCF dues’ allocation eventually went away over the course of 10 years, and the percentage of dues dollars going into the MCF hit zero in 1995. And through 2015, that’s how it stood. As the May 2010 Air Line Pilot article explained, “Expenditures since 1994 have been solely funded from investment returns and the sale of real estate.”

However, from 2006 through 2015, the funds in the MCF dwindled from $86.4 million to $42.9 million. This was partly attributed to use, as more MECs were spending more and more time in negotiations, and partly to the significant losses and poor returns on investments during the extended downturn in the economy. The MCF Review Committee Report in 2015 recommended reestablishing an annual recapitalization of the MCF, and ALPA’s annual budget began including $500,000 allocated directly from dues—the first time since 1994 that this has happened. Each year, the Executive Board has made additional capital contributions from operating surpluses of the Administrative & Support Account, and has also transferred $7 million from the Operating Contingency Fund, thanks to that fund’s growth and stability. The MCF Review Committee recommended a $100 million target level for the fund, so identifying recapitalization opportunities will remain a priority in the coming years.

Myth 4. The amount of an MCF grant to a pilot group is somewhat random and always used in full
Nope. There’s a specific formula that dictates the maximum amount of a grant, and it’s quite simply based on the number of active and apprentice members in your pilot group. With 1–250 members, your allocation is a maximum of $500,000; 251–500, it’s $1 million; 501–2,000, it’s $2 million; 2,001–4,000, it’s $2.5 million; and 4,001-plus it’s $5 million. The allocation’s first important use is as a show of ALPA unity—that the entire union stands behind this one pilot group and we’re putting our money where our mouth is, so to speak. It lets every management know that ALPA members have the funds necessary for the fight and as such can even influence the speed of negotiations. But should negotiations falter, it provides backing and support when and where it’s needed most.

There’s also a duty to spend ALPA’s money wisely and responsibly. MECs must receive approval for expenditures from an appointed Strike Oversight Board and, as stated, must use MEC funds before tapping into the MCF. They also must have a strategic plan, communications plan, and financial operating plan. The entire allocation amount may not necessarily be withdrawn from the MCF. The length and timing of negotiations can significantly impact an MEC’s monetary needs, leading to varied usage. For example, one MEC used roughly half of its $1 million MCF allocation to assist with its negotiations and strike preparedness, while another—thanks to a significant MEC account surplus—didn’t even touch a penny. But both knew the funds were there if and when they were needed.

Conclusion
ALPA’s Major Contingency Fund remains one of our top resources in contract negotiations. Over the years, it’s been utilized to help numerous pilot groups gain successful agreements with managements. And it will continue to be a strategic asset for the Association for years to come so that we can provide the strongest and most effective union and collective-bargaining representation for our members.

[3rdWorldClassPilot]

Interesting...after reading that and learning that ALPA is trying to grow the MCF like it is a retirement fund, it is no wonder they don't want to use it...hard to grow something when you're spending it...especially on strikes in Canada.

(A country with pilots that can actually legally strike)

So it is no surprise ALPA has never done a strike in Canada...

[hithere]

Do you somehow believe that it’s “Big ALPA” that somehow decides whether an airline strikes or not? Because if you do, you are out to lunch.
Rather it’s the voting members of the MEC(who are elected at the LEC level by the pilots in that base) who decide whether to send an AIP(agreement in principle negotiated by the negotiating committee) to the membership for their ratification or rejection.
This has nothing to do with some philosophical direction from ALPA and is completely within the MEC’s control-an MEC whose rank and file pilots elected

[Booming]

Do you somehow believe that it’s “Big ALPA” that somehow decides whether an airline strikes or not? Because if you do, you are out to lunch.
Rather it’s the voting members of the MEC(who are elected at the LEC level by the pilots in that base) who decide whether to send an AIP(agreement in principle negotiated by the negotiating committee) to the membership for their ratification or rejection.
This has nothing to do with some philosophical direction from ALPA and is completely within the MEC’s control-an MEC whose rank and file pilots elected

So you're saying no one from "big ALPA" was in the building when this TA came out?

Or that no one from "big ALPA" was in Toronto during the final stages and they wouldn't have influenced the outcome of this?

The reps are literally saying they "relied on ALPA experts" for their decision to say yes to this mess.

I think it is very CLEAR ALPA has their hands all over this and they have a clear history of avoiding striking

[hithere]

The Negotiating Committee legal advice came from CaleyWray, a Canadian firm. They know Canadian labour law and political system better than ALPA legal in Washington.

[Dash.Trash]

Interesting...after reading that and learning that ALPA is trying to grow the MCF like it is a retirement fund, it is no wonder they don't want to use it...hard to grow something when you're spending it...especially on strikes in Canada.

(A country with pilots that can actually legally strike)

So it is no surprise ALPA has never done a strike in Canada...

I think your reading comprehension needs some work…

“No wonder they don’t want to use it…”

They literally use it every time a pilot group reaches end stage negotiations. Every pilot group gets a grant from the fund to support strike preparedness activities and eventually ratification.

It does not cost them any more from the fund to actually go on strike. The grant has already been given to the pilot group. The only additional cost would be if a strike went on long enough (greater than 2 weeks, highly unlikely) for the group to qualify for strike pay. If that were to actually occur, the other 77,000 ALPA pilots would have a special assessment on their dues to pay the strike pay of the striking pilot group. Doesn’t come out of the fund.

Try reading a little harder next time. You just look foolish at this point.

[Booming]

The Negotiating Committee legal advice came from CaleyWray, a Canadian firm. They know Canadian labour law and political system better than ALPA legal in Washington.

So you don't think " Big ALPA" had anyone in the room September 14th?

No one from ALPA National would have flown there???

That's what you are saying?

A) that's not true

B) just using common sense...you don't think ALPA with their "toolbox" & war chest wouldn't have anyone there??

[hithere]

Of course they had people there, but I don’t think there was a concerted effort to convince the NC and MEC not to strike because of some ALPA National philosophy that you claim

[Bede]

So you don't think " Big ALPA" had anyone in the room September 14th?

No one from ALPA National would have flown there???

Yes, ALPA would have had someone there. They would have provided their opinion.

Now it's up to the pilots to vote on it.

[Dry Guy]

Just vote the TA. Everything else is made up by people who are trying to rationalize what happened.

[FelixGustof]

Does anyone have the airline & time when ALPA used their elusive "strike fund" in Canada?

I assume the answer is never?

[Tbayer2021]

Interesting...after reading that and learning that ALPA is trying to grow the MCF like it is a retirement fund

I've learned that something like this is actually in the early stages of being looked into/evaluation in Canada. Spoke to senior leadership at ALPA Canada and this is exactly what they said. Now that most pilots in the country are represented by ALPA, maybe some sort of retirement fund can be created from dues. Specially now that more and more groups are seeing substantial raises, so contributions will increase.

[BigGreen]

Interesting...after reading that and learning that ALPA is trying to grow the MCF like it is a retirement fund

I've learned that something like this is actually in the early stages of being looked into/evaluation in Canada. Spoke to senior leadership at ALPA Canada and this is exactly what they said. Now that most pilots in the country are represented by ALPA, maybe some sort of retirement fund can be created from dues. Specially now that more and more groups are seeing substantial raises, so contributions will increase.

ALPA: "substantial raises"..."so let's just turn the strike fund into a retirement fund"

Air Canada pilots: "what about these sub standard working conditions?"

- paid 50% to deadhead
- have starting pay less than Flair
- have 4 years of flat pay
- be the only pilot group without a proper bonus plan
- be giving up scope concessions
- have the worst average daily guarantee of any legacy airline, and you get that in 2027
- completely worst TAFB ratio in the world of 4:1
- have to contribute 39% of the total 18% of salary contributions required for a pension plan while US legacy airline pilots contribute 0%
- have to train outside of block
- have to wait till 36 hrs before a deadhead to be released. Other carriers are immediate once pairing assigned
- have to be on short call reserve, all the time if not assigned anything
- be rewarded for speeding to the airport and the potential safety concerns with distressed & rushed pilots
- be forced "Draft on the Go", ever. You should have a block and that should be what you do
- not have blockholder rights once assigned a pairing on reserve
- have commutes "reviewed on a case by case basis"
- have their schedule "unstacked"
- have the lowest paid % of captain pay by a large margin to other legacy carriers
- not have it in their collective agreement that no other employee group will have better passes (like every other pilot group)
- have to rely on a cap of 16 days because of horrendous productivity rules and terrible pairings

[cjp]

The difference is the U.S government doesn't threaten to interfere or worse yet, interfere in the actual bargaining, nor keep the door cracked open for pilot immigrants to help offset demand. Canada has one of the easiest license conversion processes I have ever seen, once you get past the bureaucracy of TC, and zero - and I mean ZERO language verification prior to the issuance of a license.

Natural course, pilots are paid their worth in the U.S. In Canada, the government, no matter which side, (and yes I know P.P said he supports the striking workers, until he's in power next year) continues to assist in keeping discounted rates to protect it's oligopolies from competition; both foreign and domestic.

If you're working here, I've come to the conclusion, you'll never be paid your worth. Suck it up, or move apparently is your only recourse, all the while paying 55% income tax, plus 8-13% provincial tax on everything....in perpetuity - with wages that don't match inflation and a currency floating around 70% of the closest neighbor.

Good luck.