Bob,
With regard to AFA as a union....we have a constitution and bylaws that we adhere to. Same as the country who adheres to the Constitution of the United States. In order to amend the constitution, an agenda item has to be presented to the BOD (67 presidents of 26 airlines), argued, lobbied for and voted on...same as Congress when they write new bills and vote on them.
It is very difficult to have passed, when within the constitution allows for a payment schedule if you can't make those payments. When this was brought up beffore, the argument was that it would open a door for no one to pay. Then AFA would not be able to run and provide any services.
FYI...all the lealeting materials, attorney representation for grievances and any and all training of union officials new or current along with local and MEC chairs goes through and paid by International. Any legislative issues that effect the flight attendant proffesion as a whole (certification) safety security etc, is fought for and lobbied paid for by AFA International. There is more than here than what you are reading into. You are just not taking in the entire view of what unions do. I've written this out before to you and on the board where the $34 goes, but no matter, it does not suffice your quiery.
If any union member on Voluntary furlough (those who chose to take a leave NOT forced) can set up a payment plan....even if it is $1 a month. Those who choose not to, just don't care. So, point is there is something in place to provide for those who can't pay it. In the past we have given "deferrals" which means a postponement until the furloughee returns. But at present situation, with PIT in particular losing 1400 members in my base in one year, we can only have 1 full time person in the office, (and that's the President). We use to have 3 and two part time. Can't approve deferrals anymore, but I know the President will allow for payment plans of any increment. Its up to the f/a if they care enough about their organization to set this up. This union is all the flight attendants have to voice their frustration and try to elicit change outside of a section 6. Union organizations are not utopic, and members need to understand that the dues are a pulling of resources to be able to fight the good fight, which we collectively as unions have just done. Know the process first before you are quick to judge the organization.
We went after the deferral because we knew that for the reasons the company cited for taking it was an exaggeration of half truths and there was no adverse war effect on the industry, but rather that it was more a soft economy creation impact on our Industry. We were allready as a nation in that spriral before any war or talk of Iraq invasion. That is the point. Mangement knew this and thought that if they ignore us or give us more retorhic on the need for more money from employees, was just plain not credible reason for taking it. You as a customer could not see this internal union effort to get this returned for the reasons I've cited many times on this board. All of the labor coalition was on this. AFA was the first to cite taking action in the resolution if the Board did not intercede.
5% deferral would not be given if the company had justification beyond anyone's reasonable doubt to take it. Rest assured, Dr. Bronner got involved in this one.
