Why don't we take a stroll down AFA memory lane and pull the curtain back a little here. Look at the email that was found in the DCA archives. This may help us to understand where loyalties lay and how the game is played. One person right in the middle of it is none other than Mike Flores who at the time was LEC President of Charlotte.
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November 14, 2004
Dear Council 41 Members:
MEC ELECTIONS; WHAT HAPPENED?
At the MEC Meeting (Nov 9-11) MEC Officers and Committee Chairpersons were elected by the MEC (each LEC President). The term of office begins January 1, 2005 and ends December 31, 2007.
The officers are:
MEC President, Teddy Xidas LEC President Pittsburg; MEC Vice President, Buddy Brannon LEC President BOS; MEC Secretary/Treasurer Leslie Miller, re-elected. Keep in mind Ms. Xidas has stated she will keep her position as LEC President of PIT which is allowed but not recommended by the AFA Constitution and Bylaws.
Now many of you may ask or at least you should, how these people were elected. Each LEC President has one vote and one person must receive a majority vote of the MEC (4 votes). There were 4 individuals running for President. I supported and voted for the current MEC President Perry Hayes. However after a great deal of political games there was a run off election between Ms. Xidas and an unknown individual. I say unknown because this person has never done AFA work. So now I am faced with voting for Teddy or this other individual, I had no choice but to abstain my vote. I cannot support Ms. Xidas and if you want to know why, please contact me. Teddy Xidas was elected; 4 votes for and 2 abstentions. Immediately after the election I motioned to recall Ms. Xidas (CLT seconded the motion) however the motion failed, only the CLT President Mike Flores and myself voted for the recall.
The political games played in my opinion were: the new MEC vice president lost his local election in BOS and cut a deal with other members of the MEC to put him into the VP position and Teddy into the Presidents position.
I have written to you in the past regarding the current negotiating committee and MEC President, I told you that I can sleep nights knowing they will do their absolute best in the absolute worst of times. With Ms. Xidas leading the group now I am NOT sleeping nights. I hope I am wrong and I will be the first to admit it. I know we should show a unified front but that will be very hard to do. She will have to earn my trust and respect and I do not believe we have time for that. Things are happening fast and furious. I will do my best to look after our interests. I will remain vigilant and prepare for our futures. The MEC President answers to the LEC Presidents of each base; I will do my best to hold her accountable to speak for all members not just those in PIT.
The AFA process of elections is a democratic one and I stand by that, I do not condemn AFA for this and neither should you; it is the individuals that should be faulted.
Bob Kenia
LEC President
Alin Boswell
LEC VP
Katie Whitney
LEC Secretary
There was NEVER a deal struck with Buddy and me...NEVER!!! That's Bob Kenia's version and his side kick Alin B. Bob never cared for my positions and going against his favorite girl at AFA ...Pat Friend. Same with Alin who is very far up AFA International's BUTTT.
These guys, including Boy Wonder...Mike F. who loved the political wrangling and fed into Bob K. politics of protecting AFA International.
The hardest time I had at AFA was never with the management...it was with my own people, the MEC and International who only cared about membership dues!!!
That is one powerful entity and they will do what they can to destroy you. This is the nature of the beast when you deal with political envy and moral corruption...you have to deal with these kinds of folks, but its like a knife being thrown at you... to be able to even talk to managment...is one hard feat dodging those knives and getting around the union BS.
Mike Flores wasn't even an LECP for one year, and had political envy with me...he wanted the MECP seat and would have done anything he could to pull me out.
My days were numbered, and I knew it. I tried to get done for the f/as whatever I could while I still could hold on to the seat with the Pittsburgh roll call numbers that I had as LECP. PIT numbers along with LGA, and BOS (Lynne) still could keep me in office, and of course the "will" of the majority of the f/a membership. There was still much to do with the "dependability" modifications that I sought and the company was going along with it, too, but the political wrangling of those MEC members was stronger and they were pushing me out.
Once Laura A (PHL LECP) won her election in July 2005, Alin(DCA), Mike (CLT) and Laura(PHL) had the numbers to get me out using every excuse they could find, even calling a recall special meeting in DCA AFA International to pull me out.
Finally I resigned as MECP and held my seat as the LECP of PIT until I took the furlough Dec. 5 2005.
That's the history.
Remember, AFA Constitution and Bylaws its all about rollcall numbers that the base has. Now, its PHL along with DCA combined that hold Mike F. in his seat and has the majority of the power at USAirways for the f/as.
Its Alin (DCA) and John, PHL Presidents that should be pushing to change LTO...these are your "huckleberrys".
They have formed their "alliance", and protect Mike F., and AFA International. The rest of the LECPs at USAirways have formed theirs but don't have enough votes together to make "change" for you. Hell, they try and I know this for a fact, folks...but they can't break the stronghold with the DCA/PHL alliance.
If I were a f/a active, I'd be doing everything in my power to BREAK that toxic alliance. And bringing in someone with heart and passion for the group, and strategy for immprovements to the concessionary agreements.[/b]
