USA320Pilot
Veteran
- Joined
- May 18, 2003
- Messages
- 8,175
- Reaction score
- 1,539
Compass Correction Coalition (Potential Violation!): February 15, 2012
Potential Violation of LMRDA
(Sections 401 (c) and (g))
Two of the PHL Representatives, Steve Szpyrka and Mike Gillies, have been using the union’s resources to write political opinion pieces, to tacitly endorse certain candidates (Bill Mckee), and to castigate their perceived political rivals (Gary Hummel). Szpyrka and Gillies have generally run rough-shod over the Federal Laws that constrain unions. These guys are Cleary and McKee’s proteges...kinda’ sad, if one thinks about it. This embarrassing mistake could also prove to be expensive.
Below is information direct from USAPA Representatives, from a “PHL Domicile Update”. We reprint it here because it is very interesting reading and because unfortunately, pilots from domiciles other than Philly may miss the show...and the point!
Fraternally,
Eric Rowe PHL A330
Woody Menear PHL 76i
Dave Ciabattoni PHL AB320
PHL Domicile Upate - Rebuttal-Opinion
Philadelphia Pilots,
It has been determined that the PHL Domicile Update published on February 4th, 2012 was in potential violation of LMRDA Sections 401 (c) and (g). As a remedy, an email was sent to the affected individuals who are running for office. Each were invited to produce a rebuttal or opinion piece equal to the length of the potentially objectionable article (approximately 250 words), with the understanding that their responses would be published and distributed in exactly the same manner as was the PHL Update in question
Please be advised the opinions or commentary expressed in the previously issued Update was not intended and should not be considered or viewed by anyone as an endorsement or criticism of any candidate for office by the USAPA.
Below are the replies in alphabetical order of domicile identifier (DCA, PHL, PHX):
Fellow USAirways Pilots
Last week's PHL update contained misleading statements and false accusations of DCA representatives and one from PHL being tied to harming the union. Also incorrect is suggesting votes of east and west representatives being involved in some kind of conspiracy.
Votes during the last year, including one for in house lawyers resulted in CLT, PHL and PHX representatives voting opposite DCA. We did not run to the pilots with charges they were harming USAPA. We may have different opinions on matters like the office location, how to staff committees or the Hotline, but NOT on seniority. The CLT, DCA and PHL representatives remain committed to the USAPA Constitution and seniority based on DOH with Conditions and Restrictions. The PHX pilots support the NIC. That is a huge difference but it is being addressed
Our merger parodies a shotgun wedding. We can try to make the best of things in our control or fight over everything. Pete Dugstad and I have always, and will continue, to act in the best interest of the DCA pilots using the Constitution and Union Operating Manual as our guide. We do not vote for "friends", "personal gain" or to harm USAPA.
How ironic that those calling for unity are attacking others and causing the opposite. While I abhor the remarks and state they are totally false, political spin, I respect the right to opinion and free speech. Censorship is not acceptable in any manner. Transparency on this and other issues that have been misrepresented is an absolute requirement. As a candidate for EVP, I look for your support. Please contact me for questions or more information
Fraternally,
Joe Stein
DCA Chairman
ndshq@yahoo.com
Fellow PHL Pilots,
I have been informed that the PHL update of February 4, 2012, authored by "Spike and Mike", potentially violated LMRDA rules as it relates to campaigns, and they have been advised to allow me and others a whopping 250 words to the PHL pilots. This, in spite of the fact that as Eric Jordan's DDR, I represent the seat that garnered the most votes in the PHL election (Szpyrka – 0, Jordan – 336, and Gillies - 247).
You should know that I have been trying since Monday February 6, 2012 to get an update published to the PHL pilots explaining my No vote on the Pension Investigation Committee (PIC) Audit. The same information I shared with the pilots in attendance at the PHL Domicile meeting of January 25, 2012. In a great display of cowardice, your Chairman will not allow it to be published because he disagrees with it. So much for the touted transparency of your PHL representatives, "Mike and Spike". You might note that there have been no less than four updates published since I took over for Eric, none of which had my name on them. We don't even write our own, they copy CLT. Your Chairman doesn't give me the opportunity to participate, nor did he Eric. Censorship has no place in a democracy but it is prevalent in the current USAPA administration and your PHL leadership.
I'm out of words; so if you want to know more about the PIC Audit or anything else, email me and I will share with you what I know first hand, not what someone else tells me to think.
Respectfully,
Jamie A. Weidner
(Vice Chair DDR\
Jweidner@usairlinepilots.org
Dear US Airways Pilots of Philadelphia,
I, Eric Ferguson, am addressing you on behalf of the Phoenix BPR representatives. This is because there are specific laws governing union elections embodied in the LMRDA. Unfortunately, certain reps recently violated the law when using union resources to disparage candidates with whom they disagree. To compensate for this error, the three affected candidates are being afforded the opportunity to address you directly.
A recent PHL update made the accusation that the PHX reps (and others) have "vowed publicly to destroy USAPA from within." Nothing could be further from the truth. I joined USAPA at the beginning and have always encouraged the PHX pilots to join, pays dues, and remain Members-In-Good-Standing. I have served as a LAS and PHX rep, ran for EVP, served on the System Board of Adjustment, and now I am running for President. That is not the record of someone trying to "destroy USAPA." In reality, most of our time as reps is spent trying to protect USAPA from harms caused by certain non-PHX "leaders" found within the BPR and officer ranks
No, the PHX reps are not trying to destroy the union. We do seek to honor the seniority arbitration while working to strengthen the union for everything else. Unless you believe that the sole purpose for the creation of USAPA was to avoid the Nicolau Award, then our work can only be viewed as beneficial to its well-being.
Sincerely,
Eric Ferguson
USAPA Communications
Potential Violation of LMRDA
(Sections 401 (c) and (g))
Two of the PHL Representatives, Steve Szpyrka and Mike Gillies, have been using the union’s resources to write political opinion pieces, to tacitly endorse certain candidates (Bill Mckee), and to castigate their perceived political rivals (Gary Hummel). Szpyrka and Gillies have generally run rough-shod over the Federal Laws that constrain unions. These guys are Cleary and McKee’s proteges...kinda’ sad, if one thinks about it. This embarrassing mistake could also prove to be expensive.
Below is information direct from USAPA Representatives, from a “PHL Domicile Update”. We reprint it here because it is very interesting reading and because unfortunately, pilots from domiciles other than Philly may miss the show...and the point!
Fraternally,
Eric Rowe PHL A330
Woody Menear PHL 76i
Dave Ciabattoni PHL AB320
PHL Domicile Upate - Rebuttal-Opinion
Philadelphia Pilots,
It has been determined that the PHL Domicile Update published on February 4th, 2012 was in potential violation of LMRDA Sections 401 (c) and (g). As a remedy, an email was sent to the affected individuals who are running for office. Each were invited to produce a rebuttal or opinion piece equal to the length of the potentially objectionable article (approximately 250 words), with the understanding that their responses would be published and distributed in exactly the same manner as was the PHL Update in question
Please be advised the opinions or commentary expressed in the previously issued Update was not intended and should not be considered or viewed by anyone as an endorsement or criticism of any candidate for office by the USAPA.
Below are the replies in alphabetical order of domicile identifier (DCA, PHL, PHX):
Fellow USAirways Pilots
Last week's PHL update contained misleading statements and false accusations of DCA representatives and one from PHL being tied to harming the union. Also incorrect is suggesting votes of east and west representatives being involved in some kind of conspiracy.
Votes during the last year, including one for in house lawyers resulted in CLT, PHL and PHX representatives voting opposite DCA. We did not run to the pilots with charges they were harming USAPA. We may have different opinions on matters like the office location, how to staff committees or the Hotline, but NOT on seniority. The CLT, DCA and PHL representatives remain committed to the USAPA Constitution and seniority based on DOH with Conditions and Restrictions. The PHX pilots support the NIC. That is a huge difference but it is being addressed
Our merger parodies a shotgun wedding. We can try to make the best of things in our control or fight over everything. Pete Dugstad and I have always, and will continue, to act in the best interest of the DCA pilots using the Constitution and Union Operating Manual as our guide. We do not vote for "friends", "personal gain" or to harm USAPA.
How ironic that those calling for unity are attacking others and causing the opposite. While I abhor the remarks and state they are totally false, political spin, I respect the right to opinion and free speech. Censorship is not acceptable in any manner. Transparency on this and other issues that have been misrepresented is an absolute requirement. As a candidate for EVP, I look for your support. Please contact me for questions or more information
Fraternally,
Joe Stein
DCA Chairman
ndshq@yahoo.com
Fellow PHL Pilots,
I have been informed that the PHL update of February 4, 2012, authored by "Spike and Mike", potentially violated LMRDA rules as it relates to campaigns, and they have been advised to allow me and others a whopping 250 words to the PHL pilots. This, in spite of the fact that as Eric Jordan's DDR, I represent the seat that garnered the most votes in the PHL election (Szpyrka – 0, Jordan – 336, and Gillies - 247).
You should know that I have been trying since Monday February 6, 2012 to get an update published to the PHL pilots explaining my No vote on the Pension Investigation Committee (PIC) Audit. The same information I shared with the pilots in attendance at the PHL Domicile meeting of January 25, 2012. In a great display of cowardice, your Chairman will not allow it to be published because he disagrees with it. So much for the touted transparency of your PHL representatives, "Mike and Spike". You might note that there have been no less than four updates published since I took over for Eric, none of which had my name on them. We don't even write our own, they copy CLT. Your Chairman doesn't give me the opportunity to participate, nor did he Eric. Censorship has no place in a democracy but it is prevalent in the current USAPA administration and your PHL leadership.
I'm out of words; so if you want to know more about the PIC Audit or anything else, email me and I will share with you what I know first hand, not what someone else tells me to think.
Respectfully,
Jamie A. Weidner
(Vice Chair DDR\
Jweidner@usairlinepilots.org
Dear US Airways Pilots of Philadelphia,
I, Eric Ferguson, am addressing you on behalf of the Phoenix BPR representatives. This is because there are specific laws governing union elections embodied in the LMRDA. Unfortunately, certain reps recently violated the law when using union resources to disparage candidates with whom they disagree. To compensate for this error, the three affected candidates are being afforded the opportunity to address you directly.
A recent PHL update made the accusation that the PHX reps (and others) have "vowed publicly to destroy USAPA from within." Nothing could be further from the truth. I joined USAPA at the beginning and have always encouraged the PHX pilots to join, pays dues, and remain Members-In-Good-Standing. I have served as a LAS and PHX rep, ran for EVP, served on the System Board of Adjustment, and now I am running for President. That is not the record of someone trying to "destroy USAPA." In reality, most of our time as reps is spent trying to protect USAPA from harms caused by certain non-PHX "leaders" found within the BPR and officer ranks
No, the PHX reps are not trying to destroy the union. We do seek to honor the seniority arbitration while working to strengthen the union for everything else. Unless you believe that the sole purpose for the creation of USAPA was to avoid the Nicolau Award, then our work can only be viewed as beneficial to its well-being.
Sincerely,
Eric Ferguson
USAPA Communications
