CCC Update (Building Credentials): April 12, 2012
Building Credentials
A New Day for USAPA?
From: "Rob Streble" <rstreble@usairlinepilots.org>
Date: April 10, 2012 7
00 AM EDT
To: "xxx xxxxx
Subject:RE: Paul Music FPL for grievance training
Confirmed he was removed from trip 2xxxx on Xxxxx xxth at an estimated cost to the Union of $2,717.57 as authorized by Spike and Parrella. ]
The email above came in response to a written request for union information, from The Compass Correction, to USAPA. We had our curiosity raised by the endorsement letter for candidate Paul Music, by Captain William G. Glynn on his web-board blog.
This e-mail confirmation from our USAPA Secretary/Treasurer brings up some compelling talking points.
Why is a candidate going to training to be a rep prior to being elected?
Why does this candidate need 3 days off, at a cost to USAPA members for a 3-hour course that could and should be done voluntarily?
Why did current PHL Chairman Steve Szpyrka authorize this?
What is Mr. Music doing the other 2 days he has off and is getting paid for with our dues dollars?
Since Grievance Chair Parrella is off full-time, why couldnt she teach this course at a convenient time that did not require Mr. Music to drop and get paid for a 3-day trip?
Shouldnt this course be taught to reps AFTER THEY ARE ELECTED, so our dues money is not wasted? What if Mr. Music does not win the election? Then that $2727.57 of your dues money was entirely wasted, and Mr. Music got a paid vacation on your dime!
We at the Compass Correction have had enough of this sort of cronyism, back-scratching and money-wasting at USAPA. The Cleary Era is all but over…and still this kind of dues money wasting is going on.
Please consider carefully, before you vote in current ongoing PHL election. If you have already voted, it is not too late to recast your ballot. Unlike other elections, there is only one position on the ballot for recasting.
In his recent Blog, Glynn could not resist slamming Jamie Weidner, rather than simply singing the praises of Paul Music; that always raises our collective eyebrows. If the endorser cant put forth positive reasons to vote for his candidate, he will generally resort to mud slinging.
Mr. Glynn states that candidate F/O Music, a Cleary and Szpyrka disciple, is uniquely qualified to represent you in the PHL Chief Pilots office since he has recently received important union training. Heres the rest of the story…
Jamie was notified by PHL Chairman Szyprka, on March 22, that he had been scheduled for a March 27th training session onrepresentation. He was told that this was to educate him on the nuances of Parrella style representation.
This three-hour class was to be hosted by none other than Tracy Parrella, our USAPA Grievance Chair. Weidner responded that he had a scheduling conflict and that any of the following dates would work for him: March 28, 29 or 30th. Also, he pointed out the fact that these dates dovetailed with the upcoming BPR Meeting. The later dates would also increase efficiency, since the new PHX Representatives, as well as new VP, Steve Bradford and new EVP, Steve Smyser would all be present at that time for the same training; which they all needed.
Heres the training course in a nutshell:
a. Prep the Pilot
b. Take good notes
c. You cant bring a USAPA Attorney
d. Dont say anything stupid!
Also, the always practical Weidner pointed out that this 3 hour training class could wait until after the PHL special election, because if he was not elected, the expense and USAPA resources would not be wasted. Weidner also mentioned to Chairman Szyprka that in the meantime, three previous Representatives were available in PHL and had made themselves available, should the need arise.
For reasons unknown, Szyprka instead decided to train Candidate F/O Music, on March 27th., along with two other non-Committee PHL First Officers, hand picked by Szpyrka. As a result, First Officer Music was paid for a three day Rome trip + expenses, for attending this three hour Parrella indoctrination. This is simply another Cleary sponsored Cash for Cronies deal, or as Mike Cleary himself refers to it as building credentials. We are reminded of that credit card commercial.
Three hours work!
Three days of pay!
Political favors and campaign points obtained!
Priceless!
And it only cost you, the dues paying USAPA member, $2,717.57! (USAPA estimate).For those of you doing the math, remember; a bought trip costs USAPA a company mandated 30% (approximately)- cash penalty, paid back to Management. Mike Cleary loves to spend other peoples money!
The PHL special Election: An endorsement of Jamie Weidner.
We at the Compass Correction like to think we know a little about representation. In fact, at least five of our recent contributors have served as representatives for the pilots at our current bargaining agent or under our previous bargaining agent. We also know what this special election is all about.
This election is about the continuation of the nightmare many of you thought was in the rearview mirror when you elected a new president in Gary Hummel and a new approach in leadership; separate from the disasters of the past failed tirades of the Cleary administration. Under Mike Cleary, this pilot group witnessed failure after failure for 3 years with an administration that included four (AZ, NC, NY, MN) miserable court losses amid a dysfunctional leadership corp.
You see, the reason your outgoing president did not run for re-election was because his closest aides told him he was not electable. So Cleary chose to run a hidden campaign, a campaign that would allow enough support for one of those golden flight pay loss jobs.
It has come down to this his one last shot! Mike Cleary needs the election of First Officer Music to join his other PHL and CLT cronies to provide the needed BPR majority to land one of those coveted positions on the NAC (negotiating) and/or Merger Committees.
Lets be clear. A vote for F/O Music is a vote to place Mike Cleary on an important committee.A Committee where Cleary can bring us more of his failed leadership and no results accomplishments for this pilot group. All US Airways pilots deserve a fresh start. You deserve it and you know it!
So fellow pilots and USAPA members, particularly you the PHL voters, it is time to pay attention to this little glimpse into the current political world of Mike Cleary and his last desperate grasp for power. It is also important to note the continued political maneuvering by the current CLT and PHL reps and their disregard for your wishes, not to mention YOUR money.
We know Jamie Weidner from our days as the Council 41 leaders who were the first to declare our opposition to the NIC. Jamie was right there with us on the bus to and from Herndon and hes never gotten off that bus since. He is the intelligent, rational and independent candidate that we can all be proud of.
Fraternally,
Eric Rowe PHL A330
Woody Menear PHL 7i
Jed Thomas PHL A330
Dave Ciabattoni PHL AB 320
