Phoenix Domicile Update
Are PHX Based Pilots really a part of USAPA, OR Just a Revenue Source for the union?
You may have recently seen USAPA's May 3rd BPR Conference Call Update. Have you heard that yet another PHX based pilot has been removed from yet another committee? Former AWA First Officer Mark Burman, an extremely well-qualified, hardworking and dedicated volunteer was removed from the Security Committee this past week. Mark has worked closely with the Security Committee Chairman, Captain Steve Sevier, for well over a year and has done a very fine job. So much so, that at the last BPR meeting Mark, Steve and the PHX Reps had the pleasure of dining together in order to discuss various issues. Suffice it to say that any PHX representative having dinner with any committee chairman is an extremely rare, (as in perhaps, never), and it appeared as if everything was perfectly fine between Steve and Mark on that Monday night.
Mark was scheduled to give the BPR and Officers a presentation on the timely topic of Identity Theft on Tuesday. Mark is especially well-qualified in this area, as he serves as an active Police Officer and has attended classes presented by the PHX Police Department on this subject. ID theft is a topic of interest to all of us especially when ACCUSATIONS of ID theft are being made so publicly by USAPA against several of its members. Mark and Steve worked closely together to develop the presentation, informed the officers, and were put on the agenda for the regular April BPR meeting. USAPA President Mike Cleary was well aware of the subject matter to be briefed by the Security Committee, and who would be involved making the presentation for at least a week prior to the meeting.
Mark traveled all the way from PHX to CLT on Monday in order to give the presentation on Tuesday. Mark patiently sat through the meeting for most of the day on Tuesday, when finally (late in the afternoon) it was time for the Security Committee's hour-long presentation on how best to protect yourself from identity theft. Given the accusation made by USAPA against certain West pilots (and the associated fear-mongering), this was information that we could all put to good use. The extremely important information Mark was to present is also used by the PHX Police Department in their own training. However, in what we can only describe as overly-dramatic, purely-political showmanship, President Mike Cleary stopped the show with a “revelation” and asked Mark if he was an “agent of Leonidas” after Mark's five-minute introduction and about two slides into the presentation. The timing of Mike's “revelation” was rather amazing in light of the fact that, during the Addington trial, Cleary sat in the same courtroom with Mark, saw him testify, and was well aware of Mark’s involvement in the DFR litigation. Since Mark Burman was one of the Addington plaintiffs, Mike Cleary should not have had this late “revelation” that Mark was involved with Leonidas as there should have been no surprise had Mike been paying any attention at all. Mike Cleary was “shocked and outraged” that someone who “stole our information” was now going to give the BPR a presentation on how to protect their Identity.
We ask the question, “why did President Mike Cleary wait until Mark had traveled all the way to CLT and was standing before the BPR to then come to the 'revelation' about who it was that was going to give the BPR and Officers an Identity Theft presentation?” The excuse Mike Cleary gave was that he “only found out an hour prior to the Security Committees presentation.” In the PHX reps view, this is an extremely weak excuse, as this sort of ambush from Mike has been demonstrated time and again and was no surprise to us when it happened. Plus, if Mike Cleary did know for an hour prior why did he allow presentation to even begin.
This is when the attempted “lynching” began, and while the BPR indicated that it wanted to hear the information, it was the presenter with which they had a problem. The BPR then asked the Security Chairman, Steve Sevier, to give the same presentation using the same slides, however, Steve expressed that he had not taken the class Mark had, felt he was not qualified, and said he was not comfortable “taking over” to give the presentation by himself. It was at this point that Captain Sevier made many flattering comments about First Officer Burman as it pertained to his performance on the Security Committee, and stood his ground in defending someone who he clearly believed to be an asset to the union.
In our opinion, it was an act of complete cowardice and political maneuvering by Mike Cleary which then caused the other reps to vote not to hear the prepared presentation from as long as it was going to be given by Addington Plaintiff, Mark Burman. This begs the question as to whether the BPR is really more concerned about sincerely protecting its members, or scoring some personal “political points?” The following day without Mark’s involvement, Steve attempted to present a small portion of the information.
Only three days after Captain Sevier really “went to bat” for Mark by fully defending his performance on the committee in front of the BPR, he demanded Mark’s resignation from the Security Committee in a puzzling reversal of his stated opinion of Mark. This, Mark declined to provide. Steve then went to President Mike Cleary in order to have Mark removed from the Security committee. The political pressure to not allow committee members their freedom of speech during their own time has deeply infiltrated this union. Pretty sad, if not blatantly illegal.
The USAPA constitution says that the President appoints and removes committee members with approval of the BPR. The discussion during this week’s BPR telephonic meeting to remove Mark from the Security Committee lasted about 10 minutes. David asked the President if anything had been proven or was there any evidence that Mark had “stolen” anything, or even done anything wrong at all. The only answer he received was that Mark “was an agent of Leonidas, therefore that was good enough.” Guilt by association (of those who have asserted a valid legal claim against the union) is all it takes around Mike. We hope that no other USAPA volunteer, Rep or Officer is accused of anything wrong (except an assault), otherwise, using this standard we will all be subject to USAPA's regular practice of considering the accused guilty until proven innocent. It seems that Cleary and the remainder of the BPR actually believe this is the American Way! Gentlemen, our justice system actual presumes the opposite- innocent until proven guilty. We should consider adopting that worthy principle as a union as well.
To be accurate, not every East BPR member voted not to hear Mark Burman give the Security presentation last month, but all but one East Board member, Dave Ciabattoni (acting as DDR for Eric Jordan) did vote to remove Mark from the Security Committee this week in accordance with the President's recommendation.
As you know, this is not nearly the first removal of a West committee member. You may remember that it was an 8-to-3 vote which removed the very qualified and dedicated George Maliga from the (supposedly) “non-political” HIMMS committee. Dave Simmons was removed from the P4P committee because of the recommendation of Scott Theurer, the committee chair. Dave was (and remains) the ONLY west pilot to have served in any capacity whatsoever within any part (or sub-part) of USAPA's largest Committee- Communications. In fact, even the media contact for PHX is a DCA based pilot! How's that for having your point-of-view heard?
We were unable to garnish just one more PHX pilot to the Negotiating committee last summer (our third attempt to address this issue) in order to give the NAC equal representation with two West pilots. That resolution was also defeated by [take a wild guess] 8 to 3! Not a single other member of the BPR believed that an additional PHX pilot could assist in negotiating a joint contract. Clearly they, and Mike Clearly, believed the NAC's progress was acceptable at that time.
Pat O’Neill submitted his resume and interviewed with the Scope Committee Chairman (and CLT Vice-Chairman), Dewitt Ingram several months ago, but as to date has not heard a word. That is probably a long-shot now, in light of the fact that President Cleary had the CLT Airport Police remove Pat (along with PHX Vice-Chairman Velez) from a BPR meeting back in March while serving as the DDR for Eric Ferguson.
Johan de Vicq has repeatedly volunteered to work on the ERP (Efficiency Recover Program), a West contract provision that has gone largely ignored since USAPA took over. He has not heard a word either.
A quick check of the USAPA yellow pages lists 248 committee positions. Of those positions, PHX based pilots hold only 18. Of those 18 positions, David Weeks is listed for three different committees, Dennis Glauner on two different committees, Hershel Beard on two different committees, and Aaron Wallace two committees. The committees (and the number of West pilots involved) are:
Dues Collection
1
Grievance
1
Hotel
1
HIMMS
1
Pro Standards
1
Training
1
Safety
1
Bereavement
1
Scheduling
1
Base Scheduling
3
PBS
2
UPEAF Trustee
2
CIRP
2
Only 18 out of 248 USAPA Committee positions! Really, how much input do West pilots have in the direction of this union? It appears that PHX based pilots are treated simply as an unwilling revenue source, under threat of termination. Most of those who do wish to participate are not allowed to serve, and even then are NEVER treated as equals or as valued members with experience or ideas which might help to lead this union into the future.
We can only conclude that west pilots are to shut up and remain in the back of the bus, (even as the bus is stuck in a ditch). If a PHX based pilot does manage to break through the iron curtain, experience has shown that they will eventually be removed. History has irrefutably proven this. So just keep sitting quietly in the back of the bus like the second class-citizens we are considered. An elite and exclusive team of East pilots (only), chosen by Cleary have everything under complete control and are making splendid progress on all fronts. Just ask them- they will tell you all about it (so long as they do not think you are based in PHX).
By the way, has anyone based in Phoenix received one of the new “XXXX” yellow lanyards we see so many East Coast pilots wearing lately? Your representatives haven't been given any to distribute and do not know what special credentials are required to wear one. We were privy to an email exchange from a West pilot who inquired about getting one, but was told by Communications Chairman Theuer that, “The lanyards are not however just a 'party gift' handed to everyone; they are handed to those, from any domicile, who have first demonstrated that they are on board with the idea that safety comes before everything else.” Regrettably, we have been given zero guidance on what it takes to “first demonstrate” your commitment to safety above all else. We know that your impeccable safety record says this, but that is apparently not enough, and we remain in the dark as usual. If you find out what it takes to “earn” one of these, please let us know.
Sincerely,
David Braid
Eric Ferguson
Roger Velez
Are PHX Based Pilots really a part of USAPA, OR Just a Revenue Source for the union?
You may have recently seen USAPA's May 3rd BPR Conference Call Update. Have you heard that yet another PHX based pilot has been removed from yet another committee? Former AWA First Officer Mark Burman, an extremely well-qualified, hardworking and dedicated volunteer was removed from the Security Committee this past week. Mark has worked closely with the Security Committee Chairman, Captain Steve Sevier, for well over a year and has done a very fine job. So much so, that at the last BPR meeting Mark, Steve and the PHX Reps had the pleasure of dining together in order to discuss various issues. Suffice it to say that any PHX representative having dinner with any committee chairman is an extremely rare, (as in perhaps, never), and it appeared as if everything was perfectly fine between Steve and Mark on that Monday night.
Mark was scheduled to give the BPR and Officers a presentation on the timely topic of Identity Theft on Tuesday. Mark is especially well-qualified in this area, as he serves as an active Police Officer and has attended classes presented by the PHX Police Department on this subject. ID theft is a topic of interest to all of us especially when ACCUSATIONS of ID theft are being made so publicly by USAPA against several of its members. Mark and Steve worked closely together to develop the presentation, informed the officers, and were put on the agenda for the regular April BPR meeting. USAPA President Mike Cleary was well aware of the subject matter to be briefed by the Security Committee, and who would be involved making the presentation for at least a week prior to the meeting.
Mark traveled all the way from PHX to CLT on Monday in order to give the presentation on Tuesday. Mark patiently sat through the meeting for most of the day on Tuesday, when finally (late in the afternoon) it was time for the Security Committee's hour-long presentation on how best to protect yourself from identity theft. Given the accusation made by USAPA against certain West pilots (and the associated fear-mongering), this was information that we could all put to good use. The extremely important information Mark was to present is also used by the PHX Police Department in their own training. However, in what we can only describe as overly-dramatic, purely-political showmanship, President Mike Cleary stopped the show with a “revelation” and asked Mark if he was an “agent of Leonidas” after Mark's five-minute introduction and about two slides into the presentation. The timing of Mike's “revelation” was rather amazing in light of the fact that, during the Addington trial, Cleary sat in the same courtroom with Mark, saw him testify, and was well aware of Mark’s involvement in the DFR litigation. Since Mark Burman was one of the Addington plaintiffs, Mike Cleary should not have had this late “revelation” that Mark was involved with Leonidas as there should have been no surprise had Mike been paying any attention at all. Mike Cleary was “shocked and outraged” that someone who “stole our information” was now going to give the BPR a presentation on how to protect their Identity.
We ask the question, “why did President Mike Cleary wait until Mark had traveled all the way to CLT and was standing before the BPR to then come to the 'revelation' about who it was that was going to give the BPR and Officers an Identity Theft presentation?” The excuse Mike Cleary gave was that he “only found out an hour prior to the Security Committees presentation.” In the PHX reps view, this is an extremely weak excuse, as this sort of ambush from Mike has been demonstrated time and again and was no surprise to us when it happened. Plus, if Mike Cleary did know for an hour prior why did he allow presentation to even begin.
This is when the attempted “lynching” began, and while the BPR indicated that it wanted to hear the information, it was the presenter with which they had a problem. The BPR then asked the Security Chairman, Steve Sevier, to give the same presentation using the same slides, however, Steve expressed that he had not taken the class Mark had, felt he was not qualified, and said he was not comfortable “taking over” to give the presentation by himself. It was at this point that Captain Sevier made many flattering comments about First Officer Burman as it pertained to his performance on the Security Committee, and stood his ground in defending someone who he clearly believed to be an asset to the union.
In our opinion, it was an act of complete cowardice and political maneuvering by Mike Cleary which then caused the other reps to vote not to hear the prepared presentation from as long as it was going to be given by Addington Plaintiff, Mark Burman. This begs the question as to whether the BPR is really more concerned about sincerely protecting its members, or scoring some personal “political points?” The following day without Mark’s involvement, Steve attempted to present a small portion of the information.
Only three days after Captain Sevier really “went to bat” for Mark by fully defending his performance on the committee in front of the BPR, he demanded Mark’s resignation from the Security Committee in a puzzling reversal of his stated opinion of Mark. This, Mark declined to provide. Steve then went to President Mike Cleary in order to have Mark removed from the Security committee. The political pressure to not allow committee members their freedom of speech during their own time has deeply infiltrated this union. Pretty sad, if not blatantly illegal.
The USAPA constitution says that the President appoints and removes committee members with approval of the BPR. The discussion during this week’s BPR telephonic meeting to remove Mark from the Security Committee lasted about 10 minutes. David asked the President if anything had been proven or was there any evidence that Mark had “stolen” anything, or even done anything wrong at all. The only answer he received was that Mark “was an agent of Leonidas, therefore that was good enough.” Guilt by association (of those who have asserted a valid legal claim against the union) is all it takes around Mike. We hope that no other USAPA volunteer, Rep or Officer is accused of anything wrong (except an assault), otherwise, using this standard we will all be subject to USAPA's regular practice of considering the accused guilty until proven innocent. It seems that Cleary and the remainder of the BPR actually believe this is the American Way! Gentlemen, our justice system actual presumes the opposite- innocent until proven guilty. We should consider adopting that worthy principle as a union as well.
To be accurate, not every East BPR member voted not to hear Mark Burman give the Security presentation last month, but all but one East Board member, Dave Ciabattoni (acting as DDR for Eric Jordan) did vote to remove Mark from the Security Committee this week in accordance with the President's recommendation.
As you know, this is not nearly the first removal of a West committee member. You may remember that it was an 8-to-3 vote which removed the very qualified and dedicated George Maliga from the (supposedly) “non-political” HIMMS committee. Dave Simmons was removed from the P4P committee because of the recommendation of Scott Theurer, the committee chair. Dave was (and remains) the ONLY west pilot to have served in any capacity whatsoever within any part (or sub-part) of USAPA's largest Committee- Communications. In fact, even the media contact for PHX is a DCA based pilot! How's that for having your point-of-view heard?
We were unable to garnish just one more PHX pilot to the Negotiating committee last summer (our third attempt to address this issue) in order to give the NAC equal representation with two West pilots. That resolution was also defeated by [take a wild guess] 8 to 3! Not a single other member of the BPR believed that an additional PHX pilot could assist in negotiating a joint contract. Clearly they, and Mike Clearly, believed the NAC's progress was acceptable at that time.
Pat O’Neill submitted his resume and interviewed with the Scope Committee Chairman (and CLT Vice-Chairman), Dewitt Ingram several months ago, but as to date has not heard a word. That is probably a long-shot now, in light of the fact that President Cleary had the CLT Airport Police remove Pat (along with PHX Vice-Chairman Velez) from a BPR meeting back in March while serving as the DDR for Eric Ferguson.
Johan de Vicq has repeatedly volunteered to work on the ERP (Efficiency Recover Program), a West contract provision that has gone largely ignored since USAPA took over. He has not heard a word either.
A quick check of the USAPA yellow pages lists 248 committee positions. Of those positions, PHX based pilots hold only 18. Of those 18 positions, David Weeks is listed for three different committees, Dennis Glauner on two different committees, Hershel Beard on two different committees, and Aaron Wallace two committees. The committees (and the number of West pilots involved) are:
Dues Collection
1
Grievance
1
Hotel
1
HIMMS
1
Pro Standards
1
Training
1
Safety
1
Bereavement
1
Scheduling
1
Base Scheduling
3
PBS
2
UPEAF Trustee
2
CIRP
2
Only 18 out of 248 USAPA Committee positions! Really, how much input do West pilots have in the direction of this union? It appears that PHX based pilots are treated simply as an unwilling revenue source, under threat of termination. Most of those who do wish to participate are not allowed to serve, and even then are NEVER treated as equals or as valued members with experience or ideas which might help to lead this union into the future.
We can only conclude that west pilots are to shut up and remain in the back of the bus, (even as the bus is stuck in a ditch). If a PHX based pilot does manage to break through the iron curtain, experience has shown that they will eventually be removed. History has irrefutably proven this. So just keep sitting quietly in the back of the bus like the second class-citizens we are considered. An elite and exclusive team of East pilots (only), chosen by Cleary have everything under complete control and are making splendid progress on all fronts. Just ask them- they will tell you all about it (so long as they do not think you are based in PHX).
By the way, has anyone based in Phoenix received one of the new “XXXX” yellow lanyards we see so many East Coast pilots wearing lately? Your representatives haven't been given any to distribute and do not know what special credentials are required to wear one. We were privy to an email exchange from a West pilot who inquired about getting one, but was told by Communications Chairman Theuer that, “The lanyards are not however just a 'party gift' handed to everyone; they are handed to those, from any domicile, who have first demonstrated that they are on board with the idea that safety comes before everything else.” Regrettably, we have been given zero guidance on what it takes to “first demonstrate” your commitment to safety above all else. We know that your impeccable safety record says this, but that is apparently not enough, and we remain in the dark as usual. If you find out what it takes to “earn” one of these, please let us know.
Sincerely,
David Braid
Eric Ferguson
Roger Velez
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