On the subject of whether or not a union rep should live in base or out, I have a few thoughts.
First, a union rep needs to be in base during office hours to be available to the membership. If you are a F/A who has been called into a Supervisor's office for a "meeting" you need to have a union rep with you. Sometimes these scenarios present themselves in an unplanned (ie days in advance) situation. A rep can't represent you if they can't get to the airport in a relatively short period of time. Hard to get there if you live in TPA, ATL, IAH or even BOS to name a few. Also,, God forbid, what if there is a critical incident? If they are willing to come up during the week that's fine.
Second, the C&Bs do allow for you to claim the expenses of a commuter pad. That is for now, nothing says that the C&Bs can't be modified to bring more fiscal responsibility to our union. The LEC President can propose a change to the C&Bs at the BOD meeting. I believe that they do have to do this in advance of the meeting by submitting the proposed amendment, and take a few other steps as well. The membership can ask the LEC President to do this at a local council meeting.
We can't leave important issues to us in limbo. WE have to dictate to our leadership what WE want. WE have to make them accountable and WE have to stick to our guns. I believe that the first steps have been taken, as seen in CLT and PHL. Be smart in who we elect, correct them if they misstep and, if needed, replace them.
As for those recalled officers who have plopped their names back on the ballot, shame on them. If they get re-elected...shame on you.
Taking back OUR union one step at a time!