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All Flights To, From Greek Airports Cancelled
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed that, according to Greek media, all flights to and from airports in Greece will be cancelled on October 9, October 10, October 12 and October 13 due to 24-hour relay strikes of air traffic controllers. (www.novinite.com) Mais...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
I was a controller on August 3, 1981, when PATCO, and the arrogant and self-destructive union bosses running it, led thousands of good controllers to lose their jobs. Those bosses ended up doing well for themselves while line controllers lost their homes, their families, and some, their lives. PATCO's mantra was, "They can't fire us all!" Well Reagan did. Pathetically, some who walked later came back whining and begging and using all kinds of excuses on why they stepped all over their oath and "really" didn't show up for work. It was not fun times for those who walked, and those who didn't.
My Brother was a newly hired ATC during that time. And I can tell you that he wass 100% opposed to the strike. In fact he was going to report for work but found out that the strikers were vandalizing the cars of those who wanted to keep their jobs.
The whole thing was a piece of crap...The union bosses were DEAD WRONG.
They knew the federal laws barring federal employees from staging any type of job action.
The Controllers, for the most part were used as pawns by those who had their own self interests in mind.
The whole thing was a piece of crap...The union bosses were DEAD WRONG.
They knew the federal laws barring federal employees from staging any type of job action.
The Controllers, for the most part were used as pawns by those who had their own self interests in mind.
Sorry Frank but you controllers had to vote for the strike. The union bosses could not have called a strike unless most 50%+ wanted it. So you may have been led down a bad path but you didn't need to follow.
Your assertion that the union bossed could not have called a strike unless most 50% wanted it needs a closer look. That sounds like rank & file are driving the process. In my experience, union leaders tend to drive the discussion and try to convince the members to vote their way. In 45 years of inside observation of union activities I have rarely seen union leaders (call them bosses, management or whatever) engaged in overly altruistic efforts.
I do not have the experience that you do , only 34 years. It still takes a fifty one percent vote from the membership to call a strike That is just how it works! If you do not vote, and go out on strike that is your fault! Simple...
That only applies if all members or at least a plurality of members actually voted.
And despite the fact that so called 'card check' does not exist, union bosses and the more activist union members have ways of finding out who voted and which way. There is a lot of pressure brought to bear to vote in the way the leadership wishes the vote to go.
And those who are discovered to have gone "the other way" are harassed by their fellow workers.
So if anyone thinks there is democracy within the ranks of union members, they are delusional.
My father was a union member until he was promoted to management....Form him I learned the expression "don't rock the boat"
And despite the fact that so called 'card check' does not exist, union bosses and the more activist union members have ways of finding out who voted and which way. There is a lot of pressure brought to bear to vote in the way the leadership wishes the vote to go.
And those who are discovered to have gone "the other way" are harassed by their fellow workers.
So if anyone thinks there is democracy within the ranks of union members, they are delusional.
My father was a union member until he was promoted to management....Form him I learned the expression "don't rock the boat"
Been there done that never been pressured to vote to the point I would change.
Right, 50% +1 of membership voting. I looked for info on how many controllers actually voted and plurality of the vote. Haven't found anything. Was wondering how many voted and what the % was.
The problem is if you do not vote the % change so the membership can only change things if they vote.