The dinosaurs who claim to advance economic justice for workers can't
figure you out. But you're steering in the right direction.
Don't stoop down to their level and keep your message clear. Good
people will listen to you.
(a personal note--Happy New Year
to all those virtual reality-connected people at COG--Steve Nieman) Dear
Buddy Stewart, Bill Rainey, Sean Cassidy and Tom Lent (and all interested
recipients):I received email responses (read below)
from four Horizon/Alaska union leaders regarding my contention (and many
others) that Buddy Stewart, the Chairman of the QXTeamsters who represent
Horizon Air Pilots, has moved on to very shaky ground as he pursues his
personal lawsuit against Horizon Air and CEO George Bagley. I have taken
my reply into the HACECA arena, because this exciting discussion demonstrates
why myself and others started this non-profit: To
speed reform in organized labor and corporate governance at our two companies
so that employees and customers can truly succeed in the workplace and
marketplace.
As is typical of much standard union rhetoric, all four
never responded directly to the ethics of what Buddy is doing, and by extension,
what all of our unions do. Readers have to rely on what's implied. The
implication is that he's on holy ground. Another common feel is that entrenched
institutional attitude, where they are so sure of themselves that they
are accountable to no one. One more observation:
They totally ignore the concerns of our precious customers. Our customers
have witnessed first hand what employees do daily--our
unions will not hesitate to make them suffer so they can build up their
power. Our customers pay our paychecks every two weeks so we and
our families can enjoy life. For that they deserve--A
LOT MORE THAN THEY'RE GETTING FROM ALL OF US!
Horizon/Alaska just announced significant expansion East,
taking advantage of many business opportunities that have evolved since
9/11. This move promises the growth of jobs and service to our customers
as we grow. Any growth in the airline industry is wrought with significant
risks. What are our six unions doing to help
shoulder this risk? What are they doing to address high
and growing fixed costs that prevent us from capitalizing on new opportunities?
Can they see how promoting workers and customers partaking together in
capital side rewards will more broadly distribute risk so that all true
stakeholders can benefit?
In order for Horizon/Alaska Airlines to be successful
reform has to occur in several
critical areas. The revolution of the Internet promises to be the engine
that powers these reforms. That's why HACECA will soon announce its liaison
with the Virtual Union,
a company on the Internet where among other services, polling of union
members, customers and shareholders can occur quickly and accurately. All
of our unions are two votes away by its members of 50 percent plus one
of being unseated by another union that understands and promotes the reforms
that are necessary and occurring.
And management--the customer and
shareholder reforms that you refuse to address? Don't sell short
the power of the Internet to communicate with and organize
customers and shareholders. There are thousands of employees, customers
and shareholders who are fed up with this conflict
model of management, with various union leaders and executives taking
turns applying a variety of choke holds as accepted business behavior.
These stakeholders are ready to listen to groups such as HACECA that promote
responsibility, accountability, and rewards based
on what individuals produce or contribute to the corporation to provide
jobs and services to our customers, communities and nation.
To Buddy, Bill, Sean and Tom: You
cannot stop change. Reform powered by broader ownership by employees
and customers championed by many throughout the world is moving forward.
This dawning millennium promises many exciting adventures and opportunities.
What future roles will you play? What will you learn?--Steve
(Received Jan. 5, 2002)
Steve,
The EXCO meeting,
on the date you have heartburn over, began at 5:00PM and lasted until midnight.
Several of the EXCO members had problems with schedules, so we had a late
meeting.. This allowed me to attend both events. Just like
our flight schedules, our meetings don't always begin during regular buisines
hours. We were well prepared for our meeting with management. No
union resources have been expended, nor will they be, on my private buisiness.
You are wrapped around the wrong axle. I am not sure where you recieved
your information, but please get all the facts from your sources before
you make yourself look foolish again. I would ask that you examine
your own ethics and motives before you continue with the witchhunt you
seen so obsessed on pursuing. Buddy
(received Jan. 7, 2002)
steve,
i do not where you get your info, but you are off course.
buddy did hold exco meeting prep and i was there. more than one thing
can be accomplished in one day. hope this helps clear up your misunderstanding.
bill rainey (Mr. Rainey is the Business Rep. of the IBT Local 747)
(received Jan. 6, 2002)
Steve,
I'm more than a bit tired of this tripe, so please remove
me from your address list ASAP. You are certainly welcome to freely espouse
your opinions, and actually do make a valid point amidst your ramblings
every once in a great while, but I take great umbrage at the wholsale assaults
on our unions and view most of this stuff as spam. Obviously, I don't agree
most of this, but more importantly, I feel this is not the appropriate
forum for dealing with your issues with IBT 747. If you have a beef with
Buddy and John, a face to face meeting would be far better than ccing these
messages to the world.
Simply put, I'M NOT INTERESTED.
Sincerely,
Sean Cassidy
Chairman, Alaska Air Group Labor COALITION
(received Jan. 7, 2002)
Hi Steve:
I would appreciate you not copying me on the internal
problems of the QX pilots.
AFA has done a lot of research that proves bargaining
unit employees do not like nor wish to hear of the internal struggles of
their union leadership.
Thank you,
Tom Lent
MEC President
Association of Flight Attendants, AFL-CIO
Alaska Airlines
Sent 1-4-02
Dear Buddy,
I received your email below where you express that debate
on issues of questionable ethics that I have raised within the QXTeamsters
is unproductive. As a dues-paying member I couldn't more strongly disagree.
Also, the By-Laws of both the QXTs and Local 747 have much to say about
investigating unethical activity by union officers.
I ask you to please respond to other questionable activity
regarding your personal lawsuit against CEO George Bagley, as it relates
to your current elected position as Chairman of the EXCO of Horizon Air
Pilots.
As legal activity quickens approaching the Feb. 4th trial,
explain the following: Why last Dec. 12th, an SBS day-off to conduct QXT
union business, paid for by HAP dues to Local 747, were you at your attorney
David Sugerman's office all day, while he took depositions from Captain
Ron Coleman, Chief Pilot LaMar Haugaard and Director of Ops Ken Heninger?
I would deduce that your attorney wanted you there so
you could respond privately to questions about the depositions. But since
our dues paid for that day, and you were supposed to be preparing for an
EXCO meeting with management on the next day--don't you think it gives
the impression of an impropriety?
The By-Laws of Local 747 Section 15 (F) state that all
officers "occupy positions of trust...and are therefore accountable to
the membership with respect to the performance of their duties in handling
funds and property of the Local Union." As a dues-paying member, the By-Laws
clearly don't allow my membership money to be spent for you to attend to
your own personal affairs.
Ethics and justice matter--a lot. The future success of
our company depends upon it. I would ask that you please provide justification
to not just HAPs, but all members of the other ten airlines in the Local,
why our money went to pay your salary on Dec. 12--Steve
From: "Buddy Stewart"
To: "Steve Nieman"
Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2002
Steve,
In response to your most recent e-mail, I respect your
right to express your opinions and will always defend that right. Philosophically,
we will probably never agree on a wide reange of issues, so I agree to
disagree. Debate on these isuues is time consuming and unproductive. I
will certainly read your e-mails, however, don't expect much in the way
of future responses.
Buddy
At 08:30 AM 1/3/2002, you wrote:
Dear Buddy,
You say you've been quiet for the last several months
because you've been busy. How do I not know that you've been quiet on the
advice of your attorney? As an elected union official, when you individually
sue the number one officer of our company, lots of conflicts instantly
form.
This lawsuit colors every move you and the QXTeamsters
make, in my opinion. That is what a conflict of interest is--it interjects
all kinds of subtleties that interferes with your elected responsibility
to lawfully represent all QXT members fairly before the company as required
by the union's bylaws. And by necessary extension, yours and the QXT's
responsibility to work cooperatively with our other unions, our non-represented
employees, our customers and our shareholders. Without this mutual interconnectedness
we all suffer because our business will suffer.
In order for Horizon to be economically successful, leaders
in both management and our unions have to operate from a position of promoting
the highest human values, which is the anchor premise of Value Based Management
and Value Based Unions. Obviously you're within your individual rights
to sue George. But having the top elected official of the most influential
union at Horizon suing the CEO, and then continuing to maintain his position
of power while trying to work with him--in my opinion this is morally wrong,
unethical.
There are many ways to bring about change. Most effective
change is brought about by building long and wide coalitions between true
stakeholders. It's unfortunate you chose this particular narrow route.
But to maintain as you and your supporters have that this lawsuit will
not affect your ability to do your union job fairly is laughable, in my
opinion.
You admonish long time employee Tom Taylor to be a part
of the solution and not part of the problem. I would ask you to do the
same. Do the right thing; walk the ethics. Resign your QXT EXCO chairmanship
until your dispute with George and Horizon has run its course. Meanwhile
a new leader of the Horizon pilots can work at truly unifying not just
the pilots, but all stakeholders: a critical requirement for our future--Steve
The Horizon/Alaska Customer/Employee Co-Ownership Assn.
(HACECA) Inc's website is www.eahsop.org