Political "statements" by CO FA's
May 7, 2011, 11:49 am
#1
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Political "statements" by CO FA's
Over the last few weeks I've noticed a lot of buttons and lanyards that appear to be of a political nature on the person and luggage of some CO flight attendants. The messages are Union related and very prominent - I'm sure others have seen them too.
My thought is that it is inappropriate to display one's political viewpoints in the workplace, and definitely in front of customers. However, the wearing of such buttons and lanyards is approved by CO management, according to a rather irate FA I approached with my complaint while he was serving me a cup of coffee earlier this week. I told him that if I wore a lanyard like his with a political message in front of my clients, I'd be thrown out. He stated that "this was a free country and began to lecture me on american democracy and freedom of speech before pulling back and stating that his management approve the wearing of the lanyards. Just to stir the pot I asked him if it was OK to display my" Osama Bin Laden is a Hero" screensaver. Unfortunately, he didn't take the bait but it was still a very eye opening conversation in that he saw nothing wrong with subjecting customers to his political viewpoints.
My thought is that it is inappropriate to display one's political viewpoints in the workplace, and definitely in front of customers. However, the wearing of such buttons and lanyards is approved by CO management, according to a rather irate FA I approached with my complaint while he was serving me a cup of coffee earlier this week. I told him that if I wore a lanyard like his with a political message in front of my clients, I'd be thrown out. He stated that "this was a free country and began to lecture me on american democracy and freedom of speech before pulling back and stating that his management approve the wearing of the lanyards. Just to stir the pot I asked him if it was OK to display my" Osama Bin Laden is a Hero" screensaver. Unfortunately, he didn't take the bait but it was still a very eye opening conversation in that he saw nothing wrong with subjecting customers to his political viewpoints.
May 7, 2011, 11:59 am
#2
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Unfortunately that comes from the top at CO -- an airline that allows uniformed military to board first.
If the company thinks it's appropriate to make statements like that via their policy, then it would logically follow that the rank-and-file employees think it's okay to wear a politically charged lanyard as well.
May 7, 2011, 12:26 pm
#3
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Seriously? Can we please be adult about this?
People disagree about things. Sometimes vehemently. It has been true from the beginning of time. People have also agreed to disagree and get on with their lives. Reasoned debate has it's place, but it isn't in the passenger cabin of an airliner.
Freedom of expression means that I can express myself, so long as its done reasonably. The FAs weren't harassing anyone. When asked about the buttons, they replied politely and refused to be baited into an argument. This kind of professionalism is commendable.
Churchill said, "A fanatic can't change his mind and won't change the subject". A wise man indeed. Why don't you leave well enough alone and enjoy your flight?
People disagree about things. Sometimes vehemently. It has been true from the beginning of time. People have also agreed to disagree and get on with their lives. Reasoned debate has it's place, but it isn't in the passenger cabin of an airliner.
Freedom of expression means that I can express myself, so long as its done reasonably. The FAs weren't harassing anyone. When asked about the buttons, they replied politely and refused to be baited into an argument. This kind of professionalism is commendable.
Churchill said, "A fanatic can't change his mind and won't change the subject". A wise man indeed. Why don't you leave well enough alone and enjoy your flight?
May 7, 2011, 12:30 pm
#4
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I am sorry but the US employees do it and yes, believe it or not, the UA people have done it. Quite antagonizing the CO people with your bologna.
May 7, 2011, 12:31 pm
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Seriously? Can we please be adult about this?
People disagree about things. Sometimes vehemently. It has been true from the beginning of time. People have also agreed to disagree and get on with their lives.
Freedom of expression means that I can express myself, so long as its done reasonably. The FAs weren't harassing anyone. When asked about the buttons, they replied politely and refused to be baited into an argument. This kind of professionalism is commendable.
Churchill said, "A fanatic can't change his mind and won't change the subject". A wise man indeed. Why don't you leave well enough alone and enjoy your flight?
People disagree about things. Sometimes vehemently. It has been true from the beginning of time. People have also agreed to disagree and get on with their lives.
Freedom of expression means that I can express myself, so long as its done reasonably. The FAs weren't harassing anyone. When asked about the buttons, they replied politely and refused to be baited into an argument. This kind of professionalism is commendable.
Churchill said, "A fanatic can't change his mind and won't change the subject". A wise man indeed. Why don't you leave well enough alone and enjoy your flight?
May 7, 2011, 12:32 pm
#6
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Seriously? Can we please be adult about this?
People disagree about things. Sometimes vehemently. It has been true from the beginning of time. People have also agreed to disagree and get on with their lives. Reasoned debate has it's place, but it isn't in the passenger cabin of an airliner.
Freedom of expression means that I can express myself, so long as its done reasonably. The FAs weren't harassing anyone. When asked about the buttons, they replied politely and refused to be baited into an argument. This kind of professionalism is commendable.
Churchill said, "A fanatic can't change his mind and won't change the subject". A wise man indeed. Why don't you leave well enough alone and enjoy your flight?
People disagree about things. Sometimes vehemently. It has been true from the beginning of time. People have also agreed to disagree and get on with their lives. Reasoned debate has it's place, but it isn't in the passenger cabin of an airliner.
Freedom of expression means that I can express myself, so long as its done reasonably. The FAs weren't harassing anyone. When asked about the buttons, they replied politely and refused to be baited into an argument. This kind of professionalism is commendable.
Churchill said, "A fanatic can't change his mind and won't change the subject". A wise man indeed. Why don't you leave well enough alone and enjoy your flight?
Unlike most of us these days, the FA's are still unionized and have certain labor rights. I, for one, am glad to see them stand up for FAIR treatment. Too many of us act like sheeple...
May 7, 2011, 12:34 pm
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May 7, 2011, 12:44 pm
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Just to clarify, my only problem is with a company I am doing business with allowing it's staff to air their laundry and their political views in public. Wearing political lanyards and publicizing positions on union ballots, making a huge deal of allowing military to board first, etc - these are all unnecessary political acts and have no place in front of the customer.
You are correct (from an earlier post) that UA and US FA's have similarly made political statements while on the job, and indeed I see a lot of union stickers, american flags and worse on pilots rolling luggage. Why did I pick out CO for this thread? because this phenomenon is something I've seen on virtually every CO flight in the last two weeks, and I don't honestly recall seeing any US or UA crew members wearing such things lately.
May 7, 2011, 12:49 pm
#9
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LOL -
Just to clarify, my only problem is with a company I am doing business with allowing it's staff to air their laundry and their political views in public. Wearing political lanyards and publicizing positions on union ballots, making a huge deal of allowing military to board first, etc - these are all unnecessary political acts and have no place in front of the customer.
You are correct (from an earlier post) that UA and US FA's have similarly made political statements while on the job, and indeed I see a lot of union stickers, american flags and worse on pilots rolling luggage. Why did I pick out CO for this thread? because this phenomenon is something I've seen on virtually every CO flight in the last two weeks, and I don't honestly recall seeing any US or UA crew members wearing such things lately.
Just to clarify, my only problem is with a company I am doing business with allowing it's staff to air their laundry and their political views in public. Wearing political lanyards and publicizing positions on union ballots, making a huge deal of allowing military to board first, etc - these are all unnecessary political acts and have no place in front of the customer.
You are correct (from an earlier post) that UA and US FA's have similarly made political statements while on the job, and indeed I see a lot of union stickers, american flags and worse on pilots rolling luggage. Why did I pick out CO for this thread? because this phenomenon is something I've seen on virtually every CO flight in the last two weeks, and I don't honestly recall seeing any US or UA crew members wearing such things lately.
Of course UA crew wouldn't be mad....they are getting a HUGE pay raise.
Just wait another 2 weeks and you will see the US Crews doing the same thing.
You shouldn't single out CO just because they are the *only* ones doing this now. This is common amongst most airlines and they are free to do as they please. The tone of your thread is what I had a problem with. Given the slamming of Continental on this board since the merger closed, it can be seen as just another ridiculous UA Elite being obnoxious. So I ask, what is your motivation behind posting this?
May 7, 2011, 1:08 pm
#10
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It is not really abstract "political speech" that is at issue.
UA/CO F/As are in the process of voting for a union to represent them as a combined group. Wearing union insignia in support of a union is protected by the National Labor Relations Act and Railway Labor Acts. It would be illegal under labor law for management to forbid or otherwise interfere with the wearing of union pins.
So you'll just have to deal with it.
UA/CO F/As are in the process of voting for a union to represent them as a combined group. Wearing union insignia in support of a union is protected by the National Labor Relations Act and Railway Labor Acts. It would be illegal under labor law for management to forbid or otherwise interfere with the wearing of union pins.
So you'll just have to deal with it.
May 7, 2011, 1:12 pm
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Maybe it's just a nice gesture on behalf of the company for people who are either beginning or ending a really horrible "trip" to the desert?
I don't see that as political at all.
May 7, 2011, 1:13 pm
#12
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This forum was designed to allow the participants to understand and maximize their travelling experience- can we focus on that?
was just going to point that out -- those that have not worked in union environments may not realize what the law is.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; May 7, 2011 at 1:19 pm Reason: self merge
May 7, 2011, 1:15 pm
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Of course UA crew wouldn't be mad....they are getting a HUGE pay raise.
Just wait another 2 weeks and you will see the US Crews doing the same thing.
You shouldn't single out CO just because they are the *only* ones doing this now. This is common amongst most airlines and they are free to do as they please. The tone of your thread is what I had a problem with. Given the slamming of Continental on this board since the merger closed, it can be seen as just another ridiculous UA Elite being obnoxious. So I ask, what is your motivation behind posting this?
Just wait another 2 weeks and you will see the US Crews doing the same thing.
You shouldn't single out CO just because they are the *only* ones doing this now. This is common amongst most airlines and they are free to do as they please. The tone of your thread is what I had a problem with. Given the slamming of Continental on this board since the merger closed, it can be seen as just another ridiculous UA Elite being obnoxious. So I ask, what is your motivation behind posting this?
May 7, 2011, 1:16 pm
#14
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These buttons are the equivalent of online trolling. . . You took the bait and started a conversation about it.
I say ignore it.
I say ignore it.
May 7, 2011, 1:20 pm
#15
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It is not really abstract "political speech" that is at issue.
UA/CO F/As are in the process of voting for a union to represent them as a combined group. Wearing union insignia in support of a union is protected by the National Labor Relations Act and Railway Labor Acts. It would be illegal under labor law for management to forbid or otherwise interfere with the wearing of union pins.
So you'll just have to deal with it.
UA/CO F/As are in the process of voting for a union to represent them as a combined group. Wearing union insignia in support of a union is protected by the National Labor Relations Act and Railway Labor Acts. It would be illegal under labor law for management to forbid or otherwise interfere with the wearing of union pins.
So you'll just have to deal with it.