MEC members are reporting that the PIT representatives are threatening the recall of MEC Chairman Chris Beebe. Here is the revealing post as it appeared on the ALPA WebBoard:
Topic: MEC Chairman recall-the real motive (1 of 2), Read 28 times Conf: MEC / LEC Discussions From: KEVIN GILLESPIE Date: Tuesday, July 25, 2000 03:15 PM Captain Davis: You have avoided the issues once again by attempting to sidetrack the reader with misleading information intended to defame and discredit myself. I will be more than happy to elaborate on your misleading accusations regarding "MEC newspaper reading and non-currency" on this forum but not under this thread, as it detracts the reader from the real issues, as was your intent. You would do better to stick to your own council letters, as they allow you to communicate in this deceptive fashion without any type of legitimate response from those you accuse. The ALPA website, however, places you on even ground and therefore allows your motives and behavior to be uncovered for all to see. Let us review with the US Airways pilots participating on the web board what one of your motives are; Why do you, or members of the minority Roll Call Seven, want to discredit and dishonor the MEC Chairman? Simply, it is because you have planned a recall of the MEC Chairman. As you will recall, you approached me last Thursday with your plans. You stated, "As soon as the LEC 135 S/O Rep is removed in August Beebe is going to be recalled." You went on to state, "We will recall him by roll call." You admitted that you did not have the votes to place a new MEC Chairman back into power, (Officer elections are done by senatorial votes, roll call is not allowed), commenting, "That doesn't concern me." As you walked away you added, "I have talked to Mugerditchian [ALPA National's V.P. of Administration], if we can't put in a new MEC Chairman then Pollock will assume the duty of Chairman." Though this is probably irrelevant to your primary objective, John, other members of the minority Roll Call Seven may want to check with Pollock and Osterhus because they may leave with Beebe on their own accord if he is successfully recalled. What is absolutely astounding, John, is that you could care less what impact this will have on the US Airways pilots and the merger that is looming in our futures. You have no concern with the significant negative implications that this may have on the careers of our pilots-the best interest of our pilots are but a distant second from your perspective. Your primary, and perhaps only, concern is to dishonor and discredit those you have utter contempt and disdain for, regardless of the effect on those you have been elected to represent-our pilots. Kevin
The ALPA Constitution permits the recall of an MEC officer "with or without cause", however, any recall attempt is likely to further fracture the governing body and distract the MEC from conducting other important business. Although the issue has not yet been placed on the MEC's agenda, the emotions of some MEC members are already heated. Here is another WebBoard post on the issue:
Topic: MEC Chairman recall-the real motive (7 of 11), Read 104 times Conf: MEC / LEC Discussions From: ROBERT NOLAN Date: Tuesday, July 25, 2000 11:11 PM Gee... you mean it is time for another lynching? Nothing like some good ol' fashion MEC self-destruction to bring everyone together under the banner of Unity, is there? So now the Roll Call 7 have decided among themselves that it is time to take Chris Beebe out of the picture. Wow, and at exactly the right moment, thank god. Can't think of a better time, what with this big lull in our collective futures. After all, what is more important than a personal vendetta and placing another notch on their guns. Forget that we are a long long way from being truly prepared for the UA merger. Forget that there is no widely acclaimed replacement MEC Chairman waiting in the wings. Forget that should the MEC deadlock on the election no roll call allowed here folks...no one can be elected and Bill Pollack will assume command. And nothing against Bill Pollack but his current talents and relationships are built around his last job at ALPA National and not in the arenas that must command our attention today. He is a good man certainly but this is asking an awful lot from him at this juncture. But hey, no matter. Why at this point I am certain that each of the Roll Call 7 have taken the time and made the effort to fully and completely poll each and every one of their respective pilots and insure that it is the will of the PILOT GROUP that Chris Beebe be recalled at this critical venture. What's that you say? No one has contacted you? Ah...don't worry...the Roll Call 7 knows exactly what you want. Remember the 6000 block hours and related jobs they left on the table on the RJ issue. Remember how each and every one of them worked so hard and so long to get you to vote LOA 79 down. They knew what this Pilot Group wanted didn't they? Why after all their hard and effective work the Pilot Group approved LOA 79 by a Two to One margin. Clearly they have the pulse beat of America running in their veins. And here they go again. Folks, don't you think it is time to put a stop to this madness? Just say NO!!!! And say it Loud and Clear! Bob Nolan Chairman Council 135
Council #135 F/O Representative Burt Amos resigned from the MEC amid turmoil caused by a roll call driven MEC agenda. His letter to Council #135 can be viewed in a separate window by clicking here. Apparently, the MEC meeting nearly ended as an un-contained failure while Vice-Chairman Bill Pollack was temporarily manning the gavel and doing his best to maintain control. Council #148 F/O Representative Kevin Gillespie recounts events. You can view his correspondence by clicking here. The situation has caused some MEC members to call for pilot intervention. You can click here to read more.
The FAA Administrator has formally rejected the NTSB's recommendation to install video recorders in airline cockpits. ALPA lobbied hard against video recorders and the FAA has responded.
Minnesota Rep. James Oberstar introduced legislation Wednesday that would give the Department of Transportation (DOT) wide powers to protect consumers if the U.S. airline industry becomes more concentrated. The bill includes provisions allowing regulators to order airlines to roll back fares and prevent discrimination against new airlines should three or fewer airlines control 70 percent of flights. Oberstar, who happens to be the senior Democrat on the House Transportation Committee, is speaking out against the proposed purchase of US Airways by UAL.