Recently, a friend passed along this excellent letter written by former AFA NWA MEC Vice President Albert Garcia (SFO flight attendant). As you know, Albert has held a number of high-level positions within AFA, including Government Affairs Chair. In that position, Albert worked tirelessly for our group, lobbying on Capital Hill to improve our careers and futures. While I haven't always agreed with Albert, I nevertheless have great respect for his work and dedication on our behalf.
I urge you all to read this letter, and in so doing recognize the implications of our now announced upcoming representational vote. Just as an old Roman adage states: Caveat emptor! (Let the buyer beware.)
Sincerely,
Jose Arturo Ibarra
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An open letter to my colleagues at the New Delta - We can do better!
After much thought and consideration, I have decided to speak on what I see as the reality that faces each and everyone of us now that the NMB has changed the voting rule and we make the decision that will affect our future for many years to come. As many of you know I was the MEC Vice President for a short time and Government Affairs Chair for the Northwest Airlines flight attendants for over 3.5 years. As Government Affairs Chair, my job was to advocate on behalf of our group on Capitol Hill lobbying for legislation that helped our career and the careers of all flight attendants, represented or not. It was very rewarding and I am very proud of the work we did during my tenure. But as proud as I am of what we accomplished in Government Affairs, I became increasingly disturbed by what I witnessed at the organization at all levels of the AFA. I feel strongly that I must express my thoughts with all of you as we embark on a decision that could very well change who we are. As a retired union leader and a proud flight attendant I would be remiss if I did not at least express my opinion.
I was at one time, as a blogger once called me - "an AFA poster boy". Until that is, I realized that as democratic as it all seemed, this organization was more like an illusion in the name of democracy. Like one of those fake back lots at Universal Studios, what you see at first looks real enough but when you look around the corner, nothing is like what you first saw. Unfortunately for me, I hit a wall after 3.5 years of serving the members and walked away somewhat devastated, hurt and disappointed in my Union. I fought for something important - I advocated for the members and helped make positive changes and for that I continue to be very proud. However, the organization I once saw as the most democratic of Unions showed me another side - Not a Union for the benefit of its members, but a business for the benefit of leaders - without term limits. A good and decent model in theory and on paper involving many good and well intentioned people but a flawed and misguided system that just doesn't work in practice. I feel we can do better than this. We need to do better.
This lack of cohesion, this mishmash that I see may not only be because of a flawed structure but also because of who we are as a group - For despite all the yearning for a better future we don't respond to a system that in theory calls on all of us to participate. In reality most of us are too busy trying to make ends meet and cannot find the time or don't bother to participate, leaving the journey to that "better future" to a few that may or may not have our collective interest at heart. Or - it may be because of a Constitution that is democratic to a fault and as such allows decent people to behave indecently. A system that in the name of democracy accepts abuse and immature behavior from its leaders yet rejects an independent spirit - the cornerstone of democracy. I don't know. All I know and all I saw and continue to see is a bureaucracy that allows tiresome politics to take a front seat and an all-encompassing role when it should be a union that takes us toward that ever elusive better future. We can do better.
I'm no stranger to politics. This very letter is political in nature. I know politics and realize that politics in life is as natural as having an opinion on how things should be. Like it or not, admit it or not, politics is a part of our daily lives and should be accepted as natural. Politics can be a good thing as long as the goal and focus is not lost and used to advance an individual, but rather to advance a movement of individuals for the greater good of all those individuals. Therein lies the problem from my perspective. For me, many in this union lost that goal, that focus along the way in exchange for a month of UB (Union Leave) days or worse never understood it. The system allows this and no one with the power has the courage to try and change it simply because they are benefiting from it. And those that have tried, are no longer there. The good ones often times get lost or worse, ridiculed for not fitting the mold. Called traitors, accused of wrong doing and forced to retire or stay and leave their integrity at the door - Just shut up! - In essence - Too many amateurs at the helm with too much power with only their best interest in mind. That is the AFA that I left and still see.
And what are the plans now that the NMB has changed the rule, is challenged and goes to court? Which it has and will. What now? Wait until the courts make a determination? The more we wait, the more this smells of $10 million worth of revenue for a union that is more focused on increasing its membership then representing its members. Who or what exactly is this "wait" protecting? All I see this wait doing is continuing to show that a non-AFA represented Delta may be the better choice. Delta controls the message because the AFA has been handing them the message all along. At this point, we are not being protected or served, only the organization's future is being protected. We are better than this. We can do better.
While the union was playing chicken with our future in the name of a democratic vote - the union allowed (or sanctioned) other votes for smaller carriers to go forward with their representational elections under the current rules. Why? Because we were bigger, more important? Could it be because we represent over 10 million annually in dues? Why was it not democratic for us to vote then, but democratic for the smaller carriers? I just cannot wrap my head around that one. I would have been prouder if all votes had been halted until the rules changed. In the end the decision to withdraw the petition played right into the hand of the company strengthening their hold on the message. And believe me - Any political junkie will tell you, whomever controls the message wins the contest. Always!
All along the union has been touting its data based on phone calls and exchanges where the flight attendant is classified as a 1, 2 or 3 depending on their level of support. The data they claim shows a majority of the combined group is pro- union and will vote for the AFA. If this data (allegedly rich in 1's) is true, then why did we wait continuing to prolong what very well could be the longest negotiations we have ever seen on the property. Again - strengthening the company's hold on the message.
So while our Delta counterparts do not pay dues and make an additional $5 more an hour - PMNW flight attendants will continue to be held hostage by a Union and a concessionary contract without opportunities afforded to our Delta counterparts, (e.g. "A" days, for one). If the negotiations take 5 years (from the time that we initially petitioned - and it will), by my calculations we stand to lose an average of $32,580.00 per PMNW flight attendant - ($5 an hour times 100 hours + $43 Union dues x 12 x 5). Is that being an effective Union? After all we have already given, I ask myself, is this contract/Union worth $32,580.00 to me - to each of us?
Our Union contract? From my perspective as a 14.5 year flight attendant - A skillfully negotiated deal benefiting those at the top of the seniority list. A contract that leaves me and my junior peers to only hope for a fair covenant that allows for a quality of life at all seniority levels like the one Delta flight attendants enjoy without a Union. Listen up PMDL - Its two different worlds at PMNW - those that have and those that don't. And I have little faith that hand picked negotiators will make a difference, despite countless polls and questionnaires that will surely come our way.
We need to vote now regardless of what rule is in place or who challenges it! I will take my chances with the current rule. If we don't get 50%+1 it will not be due to apathy as Patricia "Pat" Friend, AFA International President was quoted and have us believe, but simply because the majority don't want the AFA. Or maybe President Friend's theory of apathy is what the union is hoping for after this exhausting wait. After all with the new rule - a majority of those who vote - not necessarily a true majority of those represented will control our fate! I disagree with President Friend's theory on apathy. In either case (50%+1 or a simple majority rule) the burden will fall on us. I have faith that this vote is important enough to motivate all of us to vote (in favor or not of representation by the AFA) with our future as Delta flight attendants in mind and not the AFA as the motivation.
Tell the Union you want to vote NOW! And when the time comes, vote carefully - Your future and our company's future depends on it
Respectfully,
Albert Garcia
Delta Flight Attendant - SFO
