Senator Eugene McCarthy once said, "As long as the differences and
diversities of mankind exist, democracy must allow for compromise,
for accommodation, and for the recognition of differences."
Never before in APFA history have we had to grapple with the harsh
realities of a completely divided workforce, as in the case of STL;
a furloughed majority, comprised of previously active flight
attendants, and a working minority, consisting of active flight
attendants, many of whom were force-transferred to fill the
vacancies left by the furloughed majority. The relative numbers
virtually guarantee that the furloughed workforce will determine the
outcome of any election. As a result, wariness abounds. Few
opportunities for active interaction; for dialogue; and for
inclusion exist.
The STL flight attendants, both active and furloughed, have before
them the very difficult task of determining who will lead their base
into the future. It is my belief that the futures of both sides are
inextricably linked, however divergent their interests might appear
to be.
I believe that the interests of the STL membership, both active and
furloughed, would be best served by a candidate who can not only
accept the inevitable differences between the two workforces, but
who celebrates those differences as a basic ingredient of a
democratic society, while doing so in a fully participative,
inclusive environment. As with all union representatives, the
future Chairperson of STL must be willing, and dedicated, to putting
aside their personal feelings for the common good.
It is for these reasons that I have chosen to support Dixie Daniels
in her bid for the Chairperson position of STL. I have long known
of Dixie's good work with the Independent Federation of Flight
Attendants (IFFA), the union which represented the TWA flight
attendants until 1997. IFFA was formed at a time when flight
attendants industry-wide decided that their futures lay in forming
independent unions dedicated solely to the furtherance of the flight
attendant career, and, in fact, formed the template for the creation
of the APFA. IFFA's victories are well-documented in the annals of
labor history.
Dixie is devoted to the principles of unionism, and has committed to
me that she wants to create, and foster, an atmosphere of trust,
inclusion, and participation at the STL base. She brings to the
position a fresh perspective, free of the political baggage that has
so thwarted our unity.
This race is not about seniority. It is about who will best
represent the STL flight attendants on a daily basis, as well as on
a national level, and who will do so in an inclusive environment.
I have written this endorsement on my own time, and on my own
computer.
John Nikides
LAX
diversities of mankind exist, democracy must allow for compromise,
for accommodation, and for the recognition of differences."
Never before in APFA history have we had to grapple with the harsh
realities of a completely divided workforce, as in the case of STL;
a furloughed majority, comprised of previously active flight
attendants, and a working minority, consisting of active flight
attendants, many of whom were force-transferred to fill the
vacancies left by the furloughed majority. The relative numbers
virtually guarantee that the furloughed workforce will determine the
outcome of any election. As a result, wariness abounds. Few
opportunities for active interaction; for dialogue; and for
inclusion exist.
The STL flight attendants, both active and furloughed, have before
them the very difficult task of determining who will lead their base
into the future. It is my belief that the futures of both sides are
inextricably linked, however divergent their interests might appear
to be.
I believe that the interests of the STL membership, both active and
furloughed, would be best served by a candidate who can not only
accept the inevitable differences between the two workforces, but
who celebrates those differences as a basic ingredient of a
democratic society, while doing so in a fully participative,
inclusive environment. As with all union representatives, the
future Chairperson of STL must be willing, and dedicated, to putting
aside their personal feelings for the common good.
It is for these reasons that I have chosen to support Dixie Daniels
in her bid for the Chairperson position of STL. I have long known
of Dixie's good work with the Independent Federation of Flight
Attendants (IFFA), the union which represented the TWA flight
attendants until 1997. IFFA was formed at a time when flight
attendants industry-wide decided that their futures lay in forming
independent unions dedicated solely to the furtherance of the flight
attendant career, and, in fact, formed the template for the creation
of the APFA. IFFA's victories are well-documented in the annals of
labor history.
Dixie is devoted to the principles of unionism, and has committed to
me that she wants to create, and foster, an atmosphere of trust,
inclusion, and participation at the STL base. She brings to the
position a fresh perspective, free of the political baggage that has
so thwarted our unity.
This race is not about seniority. It is about who will best
represent the STL flight attendants on a daily basis, as well as on
a national level, and who will do so in an inclusive environment.
I have written this endorsement on my own time, and on my own
computer.
John Nikides
LAX
