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Letter From our Jumpseat Coordinator to Pizza Man

(ed. note: Pizzaman is one of KHI's IBT representatives. His letter follows at the end)

Dear Pizza Man,

I am writing in response to several of your letters, so please forgive me if I jump around while addressing your points from each letter. First, I would like to say how sorry I am about the awful tribulations that you and your pilots have suffered through as of late. And now that it looks like you all might have been purchased, I'd like to be among the first of our pilots to congratulate you on your change of fortune. I hope that it works out for you all. And I apologize in advance for the length of this letter.

The main reason, however, that I am writing you in particular, is that you have been a prominent spokesman for the IBT to our pilot group. I have sat in the background, noticing several inaccuracies in your letters, but I have remained silent until now. Respectively and constructively, I would like to address some of these inaccuracies and offer suggestions on alleviating some of the problems that you face at IBT Local 747.

One of the first inaccuracies is that ALPA was sanctioned by the AFL-CIO because they "recruited"(your emphasis) the ATA pilots away from the IBT. Come on, Charley! You must realize that most of us KHA pilots know several pilots at ATA; One of our pilots was even there during the time that the ATA pilots fought to decertify the IBT. Yes, fought. We know about the hundreds of grievances that piled up. And we know the story about their BA (and ex-Local 747 President). The ATA pilots did not decertify the IBT because they were "recruited" by ALPA; They decertified the IBT because of notoriously poor representation by the IBT for their pilot group. Why won't any of you leaders of IBT Local 747 realize this and address this? It is O.K. that mistakes happened, but you guys do not seem to have learned from the loss of the ATA pilots. What's worse is that you guys at Local 747 still haven't addressed the core reasons that the ATA pilots fought so hard to get away (But I'll address that later). Even today, the IBT is still harassing ALPA through the AFL-CIO in an attempt to force ALPA to return the ATA pilots to the Teamsters. Tell me that this is not true. Has anyone thought to ask what the ATA pilots want? Haven't they already sent a strong message to the IBT that they don't want you. I realize that running a union is a business, and that losing your biggest pilot group is a huge loss to your business. But do you really want to represent a pilot group that was unhappy enough with the IBT that they decertified you? I can tell you that the ATA pilots do not speak well of the IBT and that is one of the main reasons that we here at KHA chose not to vote for you. One of my friends on the MEC there says that they will go independent or unrepresented before they would go back to the Teamsters. Those are pretty strong words, Charley. Rather than wasting time and money trying to force yourselves on us (and re-force yourselves on the ATA pilots), why don't you use this misplaced energy on making the Teamsters a better union that pilots seek out to join on their own free will. Also, why has no one at the IBT responded to The Bark's allegation that the IBT attempted to raid the American Airlines F/A's from their union? Quit wasting this time and energy attacking other unions, and make yourself a better union. This is another subject that I will address later, so please bear with me.

Next, I would like to address your (and the IBT's) assertion that "hey, it's not us doing this to you guys, it's the AFL-CIO". This is your biggest inaccuracy because it was the IBT that HAS done this to us. It started with filing your Single Carrier petition during APLA's campaign, forcing them to drop us. But you really "did it to us" after our own KPA filed for election and you followed. When the IBT realized that many of the KHA pilots were going to write in ALPA, you exercised your prerogative within the AFL-CIO to file an Article 21 complaint. This complaint was filed in April by your Teamsters Airline Division Director, Mr. Ray Benning. The IBT did not have to do this; It was your choice. Then, you (the IBT) sought to coerce us and increase your chances of us certifying the IBT by use of threatening, tape recorded messages and letters to our homes. I still have this message on tape and I can tell you that it is threatening, negative, and sounds like a phone call that you might receive in China, Occupied Tibet, or the old Soviet Bloc. I would be glad to play it for you some time. Instead of concentrating your efforts on denying us our right to free choice, why weren't these phone calls made by your pilot volunteers in person, exalting all the positive aspects of being a Teamster?

Think about it, Charley. Would you want to be called at home and told who you could or could not vote for? And when you were told whom you could not vote for, wouldn't it make you want to rise up against this form of oppression and vote for them anyway. It's the principles of freedom of choice that this country was founded on and the American dislike of bullies that forced us to ignore the IBT threats and and vote as we saw fit. In analogy, the KHA pilots felt like we were the encircled American troops in the besieged city of Bastogne. And like the American's reply of "NUTS" to the calls of the German SS Corps Commanding General's call for surrender, the KHA pilots said "NUTS" to these IBT threats. According to www.thebark.org, the Ballot count was as follows:

Out of 341 Eligible voters:

304 voted ALPA
4 voted KPA
1 voted Teamsters (ONE!)

Why couldn't the IBT have stood back and let the chips fall where they may? Without these threats, the IBT may have won. But with the threats, you sealed your fate. In the future, the IBT should adapt the policy of letting the best union win. It is much more sporting and makes you guys look less like the bully. Filing Article 21's is not the best way to win members; It is the best way to gain enemies. And you know how word travels in this small industry.

Shortly after the election, ALPA advised the NMB that they were unable to represent us due to an "award" by the AFL-CIO for the IBT on May 8, 2000. This award (which came after most of our ballots were in the mail) was in response to an Article 21 complaint against ALPA by Mr. Ray Benning of the IBT. So yes, you did do this to us. The IBT may not have pulled the trigger, but you sure ordered the "hit". Had it not been for the IBT's action (Article 21), this group would now be represented. But alas, there are no winners in this situation. Some say that the company was the winner in this situation, but I don't think they think so. I think that they realize that a union will help to retain pilots and provide stability, even though they campaigned against the union a little bit. The joke out on the line is that Kitty Hawk will dump Ford and Harrison and retain the IBT to keep unions off the property. This should help you realize that ALPA and the Kitty Hawk Air Cargo pilots were not the big losers in this battle; It was the Teamsters. Suffice it to say, the KHA PILOTS ARE PISSED and it is not the company or ALPA that are the targets of this anger; It is the Teamsters. And can you blame us?

This so-called "award" from the AFL-CIO is no award for you. Rather, it will a public relations nightmare for the IBT (It's not too late..read on). Right now, the UOC is emailing every person, not just pilots, they know telling this story and they have asked us to do the same. I can just see the press release now..."Enemies of Organized Labor Laughing Worldwide as Teamsters Actions Help to Keep KHA Pilots Unrepresented". It makes you guys look petty, capricious, vindictive, and above all, like sore losers. Right now, our pilots are calling the NMB, the AFL-CIO, ALPA, newspapers, radio, 20/20 (the same contact you had on your KHI hotline), John Panetta (SP?) in the White House, their Senators and Representatives, and Mr. Hoffa himself. Our pilots when jumpseating and deadheading on passenger airlines have been handing out printed excerpts from THE BARK to other airline pilots, flight attendants, etc. In their personal lives at FBO's, restraunts, department stores, grocery stores, gas stations, what do you think that these pilots are saying about the IBT? One pilot is going to Career Day at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and is planning to mention what the Teamsers have done to us. Another pilot said that she was listening to your Airline Division Organizing Hot Line waiting for any new airlines to pop up on there. And when they do, she plans to seek out these airline workers and tell them about us, UPS, Evergreen, and of course, ATA. Also, the word had spread to all the other airlines, ALPA and Teamster alike. I have received many emails from my friends at other airlines expressing their outrage for what the IBT, through the AFL-CIO, has done to us. We are even getting support from your own guys at ATI, agreeing that "you guys were screwed". And whenever you are trying to organize a new group, add "What did you guys do to the Kitty Hawk pilots?" to your list of embarassing questions that your Mr. Treichler has to answer (In addition to UPS, Evergreen, ATA, etc.). And, as Americans, the IBT's cop out story of "it's not us, it's the AFL-CIO and ALPA" just won't fly. To say that this is bad P.R. is an understatement, and I'm sure it is not the type of P.R. that Mr. Hoffa would want to see muddy the proud history of the Teamsters. But it is not too late.

The Teamsters Airline Division, and more importantly, IBT Local 747, has now reached a crossroads. Either you will turn this Public Reations disaster around by doing the right thing, or you will see the continued decline of your reputation in the Airline Industry. Losing the UPS pilots was a bad start; Evergreen didn't help; then, the tragic losses of Zantop, Southern Air Transport, and now KHI suspending operations; Express One pilots wanting out of the IBT, etc. Again, it is a small industry and the above reasons are why you are having problems in winning such union elections as Kitty Hawk and USA Jet. Now you have a chance to reverse this course to self distruction. Here's how:

Rumour has it that this situation can be reversed by you (the IBT) going to the AFL-CIO and declining their "award" from Judge Frazer. Then, the IBT could contact ALPA and let them know that "in the interest of Trade Unionism", you would hold ALPA harmless for representing us (and ATA). This would instantly end this ridicuous feud between the IBT and ALPA, and it would promote trade unionism overall. It would make you (the IBT) look like the magnanimous, big-hearted people that win or lose, promote unions period. Not hinder them just because they didn't get elected (Be a big man: A good winner, AND a good loser). One of our pilots spoke to Mr. Benning, whom he said was actually really nice to him, last week. When he asked Mr. Benning to consider going to the AFL-CIO and giving back the "Article 21 award", Mr. Benning said that he would he would contact his legal department and that he would look into it. I can tell you that you would have the Kitty Hawk pilots undying gratitude if the IBT decided to do the right thing. And the IBT would have gained a newfound respect in the Airline industry, in that you would rather see us represented by another union than for us to go unrepresented. You know that sounds better than the "scorched earth, if we can't have you, nobody can have you" reality that we face now. Pizza Man, you can help by calling (and encouraging all your friends to call) the following people and expressing your support for dropping the Article 21 "award". These numbers are not given in an effort to harrass these people, only to show them how many of you really care (These numbers can be found on The Bark):

IBT:
Mr. James Hoffa, Jr. (202) 624-6800
Mr. Ray Benning (800) 635-3961
Mr. Don Treichler (916) 791-6747

AFL-CIO:
Mr. John J. Sweeney (202) 639-6200
Ms. Deborah Greenfield (202) 637-5397

Charley, you can help make this happen and turn this disaster in to a win-win situation for EVERYONE.

Finally, I said that I had some suggestions for you at IBT Local 747 that I would like to respectfully submit. They are not necessarily numbered in order of their importance, for they are all important. And they are all meant to be constructive criticism, so don't take them personally:

1. IMMEDIATELY CEASE ALL ACTIONS AGAINST OTHER UNIONS- It really makes the IBT look petty and vindictive to the layman. The Teamsters should be "bigger" than that and should not have to run to the AFL-CIO all the time. Article 21's are the act of desperation by unions that see themselves slowly slipping away.
R 2. BE PROFESSIONAL- Immediately stop insulting ALPA in your letters and hotlines. Airline Pilots, Cargo or not, are professionals and do not respond well to this type of sales pitch. Nearly all letters that we received from the IBT had at least one pejorative remark against ALPA or independent unions. Instead, trumpet the positives of being a Teamster and how the IBT intends to make itself THE best union for airline pilots. Set a higher standard for yourself as a union and do not tolerate those that seek to organize a pilot group through threats or insults to other unions.

3. (should probably be #1) LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES- Look into why the ATA pilots left and why the KHA pilots risked being unrepresented, rather than voting for the IBT. Instead of attacking ALPA, join them or least work with them and learn from them. Obviously, they are not perfect but they have learned from their mistakes at Eastern and Continental. They must be doing something right to have the ATA and KHA pilots wanting them so overwhelmingly. And THEY have never blocked a group from electing a union of their choice. Learn what they do so well, emulate it, then improve upon it. Your reputation for representing pilots will improve and you will thus attract more employees in the Airline industry. It will be a self-sustaining process.
R 4. (but should probably be a tie for #1) DECIDE WHETHER YOU REALLY ARE WILLING AND ABLE TO REPRESENT AIRLINE PILOTS- Right now, you guys (Local 747) do not have a very good reputation for representing the pilots that you represent now, and in the past. Yes, 25,000 pilots did not choose to be ALPA, but very few of these chose the IBT. Improve your representation and that will change. A call to your Local 747 hotline shows that many hotlines have not been updated in months, even years. They should be updated weekly, news or no news (Although I see you have removed your "Don't waste your vote on ALPA" KHA hotline right after the election). And looking at the Who's Who on your Web Site makes Local 747 look like a "paper tiger". It looks as if, except for clerical staff and your General Counsel, your office in Indianapolis is otherwise unoccupied. Everyone else listed on your Web Site is a pilot, that could just as easily be out flying and inaccesible. "We'll get back to you" just does not cut it and your pilots deserve full-time airline pilots on staff, like ALPA does. And having one person represent SEVEN airlines at once is "NUTS"! If the IBT has 1.5 MILLION members and ALPA has 50+ THOUSAND members, you would think that the IBT could afford a level of staffing more commensurate with requirements of Airline Pilots. A staffing level more like ALPA's (which has HUNDREDS of full-time staff members, I'm told). If you want to represent pilots, you'll have to do better and hire more than just THREE full-time staff members. Why don't you try merging with the ABEX, EJA, and WORLD pilots that your letters to us speak of. THEY have a history of good representation for their pilots and there is strength in numbers. This would help you turn in to one butt-kicking pilots union that people would line up to get into, rather than out of. Heck, even try to get the ALPA, APA, FPA, IPA, and SWAPA to join, too. Turn it in to something like the AMA, which certifies and represents EVERY Physician in America (Again, strength in numbers). And again, quit attacking these people: Instead, teach them, learn from them, and work with them.

In conclusion, Pizza Man, I hope that you realize that this letter is sent in an air of conciliation and constructive criticism. In addition to the animosity between the KHA pilots and the IBT, I hope that the air clears between you all and KH Inc. management. I sincerely hope that the Bankrupcy Judge sees fit to let Kitty Hawk pay you all your monies owed. And I'm sure that my fellow KHA pilots join me in wishing you guys well with your new buyer. I hope that it "flies". Please don't forget to call your leaders at the IBT and ask them to turn this P.R. nightmare into a moral victory for the IBT. Then, pray for us. Thanks alot in advance for your help.

Respectfully (I can't say "fraternally" because we are currently unrepresented),

John D. Keller, Jr.
A KHA Pilot

Pizza Man Congatulates us...
Fellow Union Members, I congratulate you on your choice of a Union. Only problem now is to get the rest of the world to recognize it. What's that you say? A Teamster congratulating ALPA? YBYSA! Anything is better than what you've got. Congrats! I'm going to YIP to meet with the "new buyer" of KHI. Someone has stepped forward and is trying to take KHI off KH's hands. It's going to be great!. We'll go past where you folks are now. We'll have give up any and all claims against KH, start as new hires, etc, etc. Some additional information you may not have heard. Every crewmember at KHI that had a Company American Express card for Company Expenses just got the last bill. In some cases it was 4,000$+. So far, we have to pay. BE CAREFUL HERE! Of course, most of the pay checks for April 28 bounced and we are now "priority" creditors: that means we'll go first whenever! Also! and I really like this one! All medical was gone on our termination date. Yep! Believe it! We even have one crewmember who has an artificial leg. He requires continual therapy. His last insurance check bounced along with the insurance checks of all our troops on workmen's comp. Several of us have been in touch with the Federal authorities who control Health Insurance and Workmen's Comp. Somebody's in trouble. Again, Congrat's on your vote. You folks really need someone, right now doesn't matter who, to help. Sincerely, good luck. And believe it on not KHI wasn't the problem!

Blue Side Up

Pizzaman