In response to a post in my new 777 thread, I agree it would be good to post this question in a unique thread: what is the general feeling of the FAs in regards to the union? The last I heard there was a bit of unrest amongst the members regarding their representation, which is unfortunate if it is still the case as that is detrimental to all parties involved.

Our Union Sucks. The did not even try to negotiate a decent contract. They are pretty worthless. When it comes to representing the FA's they do nothing.

Don't hold back!

Seriously, why do you think this? Wouldn't it be to their advantage to represent you well?

Why should they represent us. The company is paying them. Under the TA that was turned down the union would have gotten 15hrs. pay per every 100 FA's. Right now the union gets 10 hrs pay per 100.

I have never heard of a company paying a union, but it is in BLACK and WHITE.

I have unfortunately lived through some contract negotiations as a member of a collective bargaining unit and, IMHO, the stewards and negotiators hadnt the slightest damn clue as to what was important to Joe and Jane Employee and certainly did their best to foster an adversarial relationship with management. Perhaps it was self interest, perhaps it was other things.

In any event, it is really unfortunate if the negative feelings toward the union are as rampant as they seem.

Does anything come out of your pocket as well?

Yes, we pay $42.50 each month for our so called "representation". So with around 8000 FA's that makes it around $4,080,000 per year.

The reason they proudly boasted that we didn't take a cut in pay for our base wages is so they would not have to have a cut in dues. They are trying to cut pay for many overrides. Such as lead pay, international pay, per diem vacation, training pay,and in work rules. In most cases that would work out to almost a 20% pay cut for the average FA.

That is why the flight attendants finally stood up for ourselves and "JUST SAID NO MORE"

So is there a solution?

Sounds from the above like it's time to find another union, or to dump it entirely. Of course we are only hearing one (of three) sides to this...

can you guys dump your union?

it looks like today the ramp workers soundly rejected an attempt by the transport workers assoc to unionize.

if the union gets 10 hours out of 100 pay from the company, sounds like CO could easily save 10% there...

If they split the 10% the FAs could get a raise and the company could still save 5%.

Frankly, I can't see what on earth the union could be doing that costs 10% of the employee's salaries plus $42.50/head/month. That's a lot of money!

Easier said than done, but if enough FA's feel this way how about getting together voting yourselves in?

It's being pursued by some, though I doubt it will go anywhere. Those that have been on the fence are now hesitant to risk changing representation in the middle of contract negotiations - and many have been concerned about what we might lose if we switch to an independant union. The IAM may not be great, but they have experience and money behind them (even if it isn't clear that we're reaping many benefits from it!).

I haven't been around long enough to have any legitimate beef with the IAM (other than being generally disappointed in their inaction and lack of proactive-ness). But I hope that they recognize the number of FA's who have been interested in at least hearing what the others have to say. Perhaps it will light fires where fires need to be lit.

Actually, I wasn't thinking about an independant union - I was thinking that perhaps you and like-minded FA's should organize & have a say in your current union... run for office, petition to be heard, etc.

I can't speak for others, but I know where my talents lie - and being in the middle of a politically-charged atmosphere all the time most definitely isn't one of them. Running for office isn't an option, though I do go to meetings when possible and do try to keep up on whatever's current.

Course if some candidates were to come along that I had great confidence in, I'd do whatever I could to support them.