More than 40 pilot volunteers participate in ALPA’s Grievance Training Seminar to learn more about representing their fellow pilots in grievances.

What happens when you receive your paycheck and notice that the flight you were supposed to be compensated extra for is only paid at the regular rate? What do you do when you’re assigned a trip that you’re sure runs counter to the protections your contract offers? Who do you call when you get that e-mail summoning you to the Chief Pilot’s Office for a disciplinary meeting?

These issues are all handled by your master executive council’s (MEC) Grievance Committee, which works closely with ALPA staff, including attorneys from the Association’s Representation Department, to support pilots in need of assistance.

To ensure that Grievance Committee members have the knowledge and tools necessary to provide their pilots the best support possible, ALPA held its Grievance Training Seminar on May 24–25 at its McLean, Va., offices. More than 40 pilot volunteers from 15 pilot groups gathered to learn about the important duty of representing their pilots in the grievance process.

“Alongside bargaining, defending contracts and protecting pilots from unfair discipline lie at the core of what we do as a union,” said Andrew Shostack, director of ALPA’s Representation Department. “Grievance Committee volunteers are at the front line, marshaling resources to defend the contract the pilot group negotiated. The support they provide to pilots facing discipline makes a world of difference to that pilot and shows the entire pilot group the true power of a union.

“This is going to be a hands-on opportunity for you to see what the process is like and what your role in that process is,” Shostack explained. “ALPA functions the way it does because of our pilot volunteers, and yours is one of the most important positions in the union.”

Presenters started with the basics, such as the difference between a grievance and a dispute and how the grievance process is dictated by collective bargaining agreements with legal backing by the Railway Labor Act and Canada Labour Code. They discussed the types of grievances and explained the components necessary for a contractual grievance: that it has merit, is based on the contract, and a remedy exists.

Presenters reviewed each portion of the grievance process in detail, including the rules of contract interpretation in determining if a grievance should be pursued, focusing on who, what, where, when, why, and how much—e.g., the dollar amount of potential damages.

They discussed the typical process and timeline of both a contractual grievance and a disciplinary grievance, the importance of document retention, and the arbitration process—should a grievance proceed that far. The pilots also viewed videos of a fictional disciplinary process that highlighted a multitude of dos and don’ts that Grievance Committee representatives should be aware of.

Attendees engaged in discussions on the strategic aspects involved in the grievance process and how it can fit into the MEC’s larger strategic plan. Coordination among MEC committees such as Grievance, Negotiating, and others can multiply the effectiveness of each committee to move the pilot group forward toward its strategic goals. The discussion also emphasized the importance of communication throughout the process—communicating with the pilot, communicating with ALPA, communicating with other MEC Committees, and communicating successes with the pilot group as a way of increasing unity and solidarity.

In a simulated grievance hearing, pilots researched a grievance based on a set of provided facts and then prepared their arguments. They then engaged individually in an extended back-and-forth conversation with “management” personnel, who probed their arguments, and received immediate feedback on their performance. The simulation provided hands-on experience with determining the elements of a grievance, preparing for a hearing, reviewing prehearing items, what to expect during the hearing, and what to expect after a hearing.

“Representing your pilots can be a stressful and difficult job,” said Shostack. “But we’re all here together to interact and learn from each other. That’s what makes this organization so successful.”