Howdy Blue,
Andy here...
FYI
The call between Angela and I took place at 4:14 on the 8th. I called her because I have always felt it’s in good professional etiquette to give Inflight a heads up whenever anything is planned in the crewroom. I was planning on being there through the weekend and into next week. Angela told me that the company would not allow candidates to use the crewroom spaces to campaign...I then asked her about using the mail files...was also told candidates could not use them anymore.
I hadn’t been in the crewroom during the week and wasn't aware that others had been stuffing the boxes until the Thursday before I called. I hear it’s out of control and F/A's are complaining about it. Maybe that’s why the company was saying no, not sure. I have learned that after my letter went out a few other candidates called the MEC and International to get some clarification about using the boxes…My guess is a call was placed to the sandcastle by the MEC because they called me today at 9AM and said it was OK to use the boxes now….just sharing the facts…not complaining at all. After hearing how upset the members are with the file situation…not to sure if that’s the way to go anyway…still considering it.
For all I know Blue you may be a candidate yourself …anyway you have my phone # on the e-line you reference why didn’t you just call and ask me about it if it was important enough to post here? The local has had enough drama…let’s try and do things differently this time if you have a question just call me.
Thanks
Andy,
The company has never interferred with union campaigns, never had to get permission to stuff the boxes in my history. I sat in the crew rooms in all 3 concession campaigning for a NO vote, and Ashby and Siegel were in the crew room in PIT with me there in the audiance. I never got thrown out of a crew room. The only way a candidate can access the membership is through the mail files. I see now, with this new local interim President that allows the company to interfer with union business without a challenge, or a weak aszz MECP, the company has taken a new position. Why? Becuase the MEC has allowed it with no challenge. THe MECP is just not strong enough to oppose this management and is playing both sides. The AFA International now charges a member $75 for use of the E-lines and that's only if they return your phone call or e-mail from what I'm told.
What I see today is the company is riding a shot gun over the union and their affairs making it more difficult for the leadership and new leadership or potentially new leadership the ability to rperesent and conduct union business, without the company putting their thumb on you . Now, they say you have to have your material approved by the company before stuffing. That is total control of the information.
If that were the case in my day, I would have never been able to communicate to the members any kind of opposing view.
You guys are crazy if you let this company or MECP control that kind of autonomy. Mike will tell you that he had to go through his base manager while campaigning, but I would ask Steve Hearn the previous LEC President whether this is true. OTher MEC members said they didn't have to go through any base manager for approval. Seems like the only idiot that did was Mike F who is being controlled by management.
Bottom line, imo, there is collusion going on between the co. and certain members of the MEC to control these elections by not giving candidates free access to the membership and thus, control their own current positions.
OUT WITH ALL WHO ARE RUNNING FOR REELECTION!!!
Otherwise, you folks will never have control of your union on this property and will be controlled by those who are being controlled and contantly running to the company for permission to take a shittt.
