The JAL investment backing; another surprise, a no-notice offer of the Delta Pilots’s full support of a management initiative. This was yet another secret MEC action with NO advance notice and NO Line Pilot input demonstrating once again a lack of respect for the pilots they serve.
This is unacceptable; we have higher expectations from our Leaders.
To the MEC:
- Show some courtesy and tell us prior to making decisions that involve and affect the Delta Pilots.
- Why do you, a small fraction of our workforce, think that you can make the best decisions on our behalf while leaving out the incredible knowledge and experience of the broader pilot group? Certainly there is a pilot or two who could offer valuable insights and ideas. This broader input could add to your understanding and expand your range of options.
- Most all of the information in the bulletin you sent to the Delta Pilots is public knowledge. All background information used in making any MEC decisions should be pulled together and readily available to all of the Delta Pilots on our website.
There is a culture of Secrecy within our union that is unnecessary. We have outgrown the paternalistic approach our MEC uses to control and govern. It limits our possibilities. Our efforts as a Union could be multiplied with leadership that recognizes the value of expanded information sharing and collaborative problem solving prior to making decisions.
What do we have to do to impress on the MEC that we live in a time where information is readily available to all (end secrecy), bandwidth is essentially free (share information) and there are models of success that have grown well beyond the current ones employed by our Union (better use the vast resources available to you)?
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Thanksgiving, Sidewiki and Progress ...
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, either at home or on a layover. Thanksgiving is such a simple holiday. No presents, no huge buildup; just a day for gratitude, friends, family and football. I am thankful for your support and participation in improving our union.
Sidewiki
Google has a free product, Sidewiki, that lets anyone post comments in the “margin” of any website. It is pretty cool. You can read about Sidewiki and download it here (http://www.google.com/support/toolbar/bin/topic.py?topic=24314&hl=en). It is on the Google Toolbar and can be used without the toolbar as a bookmark on Mac’s and PC’s.
Sidewiki is a great way to post comments on any website. For example, you can comment on a DALPA home page entry (http://dal.alpa.org/Default.aspx?tabid=76). Or you can post a comment next to a Webboard post by highlighting the text (http://dalforums.alpa.org/Forum/tabid/708/aff/10/aft/5178/afv/topic/Default.aspx). This is especially helpful if you read a great/informative post and want to comment alongside it rather than at the bottom of the thread creep (and below the inevitable thread creep that shows up below good posts). (Hopefully these links work properly, the ALPA website has not been very user-friendly lately.) There may be downsides to Sidewiki as well. Since Sidewiki is a separate website the determination of what is inappropriate falls on Google's shoulders. Technology marches forward and innovators make the best of what is available.
Transform ALPA Progress
There as been some good feedback and discussions this past week. I have had positive, candid conversations with candidates and elected members of the MEC. Transparency, more union involvement and better collaboration through readily available communication technology is drawing broad support.
I think it is time to start crafting resolutions calling for these broad concepts and specifics to help implement them. Please send or post your comments on possible Council Resolutions calling for these concepts, including ideas on how to broaden support for passing these resolutions.
Sidewiki
Google has a free product, Sidewiki, that lets anyone post comments in the “margin” of any website. It is pretty cool. You can read about Sidewiki and download it here (http://www.google.com/support/toolbar/bin/topic.py?topic=24314&hl=en). It is on the Google Toolbar and can be used without the toolbar as a bookmark on Mac’s and PC’s.
Sidewiki is a great way to post comments on any website. For example, you can comment on a DALPA home page entry (http://dal.alpa.org/Default.aspx?tabid=76). Or you can post a comment next to a Webboard post by highlighting the text (http://dalforums.alpa.org/Forum/tabid/708/aff/10/aft/5178/afv/topic/Default.aspx). This is especially helpful if you read a great/informative post and want to comment alongside it rather than at the bottom of the thread creep (and below the inevitable thread creep that shows up below good posts). (Hopefully these links work properly, the ALPA website has not been very user-friendly lately.) There may be downsides to Sidewiki as well. Since Sidewiki is a separate website the determination of what is inappropriate falls on Google's shoulders. Technology marches forward and innovators make the best of what is available.
Transform ALPA Progress
There as been some good feedback and discussions this past week. I have had positive, candid conversations with candidates and elected members of the MEC. Transparency, more union involvement and better collaboration through readily available communication technology is drawing broad support.
I think it is time to start crafting resolutions calling for these broad concepts and specifics to help implement them. Please send or post your comments on possible Council Resolutions calling for these concepts, including ideas on how to broaden support for passing these resolutions.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Error: ALPA Search Unavailable
ALPA’s use of modern technology is antiquated. We need leadership that takes a visionary approach to communication technology.
We are lacking in some basic tools. Take “search”. Most websites in the modern world have a sophisticated search bar. Our DALPA website has no “search” at all!
I recently spent 30 minutes looking unsuccessfully for a document that was on our website. I posted my frustration on the Forum. I got 3 responses from pilots and an email and a phone call from 2 different Council 44 Reps all telling me where the information was. I really appreciated the quick responses but this wastes everyone’s time.
We need modern, readily available and cheap web tools to facilitate openness, more and better information flow and eased methods for making inputs to our union. The response from our leadership has been hugely disappointing.
There are many of us who want a more responsive union. We want leadership that considers and tries to integrate good ideas. We want union officials to be open and recognize that they are in a service position. Service means being attentive, responsive, positive and understanding. We expect it.
Technology is not a yes or no proposition. We fly to 112 countries. The world is changing around us. We are limited to emails and phone calls, with a world of unused web tools available to us. Let’s get going ALPA. We want more.
http://transformalpa.blogspot.com/
TransformALPA@gmail.com
We are lacking in some basic tools. Take “search”. Most websites in the modern world have a sophisticated search bar. Our DALPA website has no “search” at all!
I recently spent 30 minutes looking unsuccessfully for a document that was on our website. I posted my frustration on the Forum. I got 3 responses from pilots and an email and a phone call from 2 different Council 44 Reps all telling me where the information was. I really appreciated the quick responses but this wastes everyone’s time.
We need modern, readily available and cheap web tools to facilitate openness, more and better information flow and eased methods for making inputs to our union. The response from our leadership has been hugely disappointing.
There are many of us who want a more responsive union. We want leadership that considers and tries to integrate good ideas. We want union officials to be open and recognize that they are in a service position. Service means being attentive, responsive, positive and understanding. We expect it.
Technology is not a yes or no proposition. We fly to 112 countries. The world is changing around us. We are limited to emails and phone calls, with a world of unused web tools available to us. Let’s get going ALPA. We want more.
http://transformalpa.blogspot.com/
TransformALPA@gmail.com
Sunday, November 1, 2009
An Interesting Week. . . Blogging for transparency and transformation
It started off with a Forum post where the Strategic Planning Committee Chair suggesting that open discussion of topics may be too expensive (I assume he is talking about those line pilots are not able to have with their union now, such as building Strategic Planning ideas). He also thought that I should be more transparent. Huh? He suggests a line pilot should exercise transparency as a response to a pilot asking for union transparency?? This conversation and a private email from another MEC Administrative Officer (denouncing my ideas as too expensive and unwise) were very revealing. Our union’s decisions are supposed to be made by the MEC (our elected LEC’s when meeting together constitute the MEC). They directly represent Line Pilots. In actuality, the Master Chairman and his Administration exert more union control than they are designed to have. Since when does a Committee Chair decide whether new communication technology should be used, or is too expensive? Neither the Master Chairman nor his officers or committee chairs have any vote on the MEC. Their role is to follow the directives of the MEC whom we elect and whose job it is to set policy.
I have been emailing most of the ideas you have been reading to my LEC. I traveled to the MEC offices on Friday to meet with the ATL Council 44 Chairman who expressed wanted to have a further exploration of our emails. We had a good discussion of many low cost technological improvements available for our communications. We also discussed my contention that the MEC should be more transparent and more collaborative with pilot members. I realize he acts in concert with the rest of the MEC. Transparency, collaboration and up-to-date communication tools would have to be called for by a majority of the MEC if they were to be implemented. Clearly political pressure from Line Pilots would be helpful to move in this direction.
In a time of crisis (i.e. bankruptcy and hostile takeovers) a strong leader may be best or even essential. In less critical times it is important for our union to be lead the way we are chartered to be administered; by an MEC acting on the input of the line pilot. In my opinion the MEC needs line pilot support to make this happen. In addition the extremely low participation rate of the line pilots can be attributable to mistrust that developes when a union is not straight with the membership. Many of our pilots have disconnected from our union processes. We may never have a robust volunteer force, but we can open the MEC up to more scrutiny, greater line pilot participation and new technology tools that can smoothly facilitate involving more pilot volunteers in union business.
I just started writing a blog (called “Transform ALPA”) as a way of collecting my thoughts and ideas about ALPA. I wish more pilots would do the same and move some of the discussion of how to improve our union off the Forum. If this were to occur, some of the best thoughts would be linked to the Forum and other discussion boards. Those ideas would get more attention and support. Blogging can be a way of improving ALPA.
Here are links to my two blogs, here and here. I would really appreciate your input on them, either by email or as a comment on the blog. Which do you like better (they have the same material)? I also hope you will consider starting your own blog of thoughts and ideas on how to improve and transform our union. This effort is not about me. I hope it takes off and I can sit back and just be a small part of an effort for improvement. Lots of dialogue and effort to involve others in the discussion can be really helpful.
I have been emailing most of the ideas you have been reading to my LEC. I traveled to the MEC offices on Friday to meet with the ATL Council 44 Chairman who expressed wanted to have a further exploration of our emails. We had a good discussion of many low cost technological improvements available for our communications. We also discussed my contention that the MEC should be more transparent and more collaborative with pilot members. I realize he acts in concert with the rest of the MEC. Transparency, collaboration and up-to-date communication tools would have to be called for by a majority of the MEC if they were to be implemented. Clearly political pressure from Line Pilots would be helpful to move in this direction.
In a time of crisis (i.e. bankruptcy and hostile takeovers) a strong leader may be best or even essential. In less critical times it is important for our union to be lead the way we are chartered to be administered; by an MEC acting on the input of the line pilot. In my opinion the MEC needs line pilot support to make this happen. In addition the extremely low participation rate of the line pilots can be attributable to mistrust that developes when a union is not straight with the membership. Many of our pilots have disconnected from our union processes. We may never have a robust volunteer force, but we can open the MEC up to more scrutiny, greater line pilot participation and new technology tools that can smoothly facilitate involving more pilot volunteers in union business.
I just started writing a blog (called “Transform ALPA”) as a way of collecting my thoughts and ideas about ALPA. I wish more pilots would do the same and move some of the discussion of how to improve our union off the Forum. If this were to occur, some of the best thoughts would be linked to the Forum and other discussion boards. Those ideas would get more attention and support. Blogging can be a way of improving ALPA.
Here are links to my two blogs, here and here. I would really appreciate your input on them, either by email or as a comment on the blog. Which do you like better (they have the same material)? I also hope you will consider starting your own blog of thoughts and ideas on how to improve and transform our union. This effort is not about me. I hope it takes off and I can sit back and just be a small part of an effort for improvement. Lots of dialogue and effort to involve others in the discussion can be really helpful.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Ingredients for Change
Blogs, wikis, twitter and links. These are the free and readily available tools anyone can use to effect change.
The Internet is leveling the playing field between the powerful and those they serve. Ignore your constituents? A blogger will make sure your actions get widespread attention. Jeff Jarvis helped change the culture of Dell Computer through his blog post, “Dell Sucks. Dell Lies.” Jeff tells the story (in his book, “What Would Google Do?”) of how his post hit a nerve with highly dissatisfied Dell customers. Equally angry readers linked (click on the underlined blue words for more) his post so widely it quickly rose in prominence in Google Searches until it appeared just below Dell’s own website! It was at that point Dell decided they had been ignoring their blogging critics too long. They had missed important input that was now hurting them. Their critics are now their partners.
Wiki’s. Wikis are moderated websites where collaboration grows great ideas. Have you ever visited Wikipedia? Did you know that unpaid volunteers make almost all entries in Wikipedia? How do they keep controversial topics from becoming one big free-for-all? Wiki software and the more experienced and committed volunteers created a system where ideas grow and controversy is effectively managed. Wiki software is free. Feature-laden versions may add some costs that are worth the price. Is your organization using them to collaborate and nurture good ideas?
Twitter. I thought Twitter was for kids, until I listened to some fascinating lectures on one of my favorite websites, Ted.com. What I learned about Twitter on TED was that twitter was providing instantaneous news, long before the media could report it. It was changing the game in Iran and Africa while breaking news from the little guy in the US. When used as a tool by organizations, the speed and focused message Twitter provides could bring large groups together in powerful unison.
These are just a few of the many mostly free tools that populate the web. Wise organizations and leaders are effectively employing they with remarkable results. Use them. Don’t get left in the dust.
The Internet is leveling the playing field between the powerful and those they serve. Ignore your constituents? A blogger will make sure your actions get widespread attention. Jeff Jarvis helped change the culture of Dell Computer through his blog post, “Dell Sucks. Dell Lies.” Jeff tells the story (in his book, “What Would Google Do?”) of how his post hit a nerve with highly dissatisfied Dell customers. Equally angry readers linked (click on the underlined blue words for more) his post so widely it quickly rose in prominence in Google Searches until it appeared just below Dell’s own website! It was at that point Dell decided they had been ignoring their blogging critics too long. They had missed important input that was now hurting them. Their critics are now their partners.
Wiki’s. Wikis are moderated websites where collaboration grows great ideas. Have you ever visited Wikipedia? Did you know that unpaid volunteers make almost all entries in Wikipedia? How do they keep controversial topics from becoming one big free-for-all? Wiki software and the more experienced and committed volunteers created a system where ideas grow and controversy is effectively managed. Wiki software is free. Feature-laden versions may add some costs that are worth the price. Is your organization using them to collaborate and nurture good ideas?
Twitter. I thought Twitter was for kids, until I listened to some fascinating lectures on one of my favorite websites, Ted.com. What I learned about Twitter on TED was that twitter was providing instantaneous news, long before the media could report it. It was changing the game in Iran and Africa while breaking news from the little guy in the US. When used as a tool by organizations, the speed and focused message Twitter provides could bring large groups together in powerful unison.
These are just a few of the many mostly free tools that populate the web. Wise organizations and leaders are effectively employing they with remarkable results. Use them. Don’t get left in the dust.
Anger; a Motivator for Change
LOA 18, No Fly Lines (NFL’s) pissed me off. Pilots getting leave with insurance benefits?? Great, why not? My union negotiating deals without my knowledge? INDEFENSABLE! Didn’t anyone ever teach you guys a basic principle; before making decisions that affect others, let them know and get their input before you decide anything?!
How could such a basic, respectful concept be so often ignored? Our Union Leadership forgets whom they are serving. They forget that they are our representatives. How can they act on our behalf unless they regularly seek guidance from us? How can we possibly give input without knowing what our union leaders are up to? It is a huge mistake to keep us unnecessarily in the dark. Are you afraid of pilots knowing too much? Or was it an honest mistake? Have you ever heard an apology from a union leader?
I don’t know about you, but actions like this make my blood boil. They also motivate me. I will no longer sit quietly when information pilots have a right to know is kept secret. This union will hear from me in the most vocal way I can use when they make decisions without consulting us. Anger and the Internet are a dangerous combination. Are you paying attention ALPA?
How could such a basic, respectful concept be so often ignored? Our Union Leadership forgets whom they are serving. They forget that they are our representatives. How can they act on our behalf unless they regularly seek guidance from us? How can we possibly give input without knowing what our union leaders are up to? It is a huge mistake to keep us unnecessarily in the dark. Are you afraid of pilots knowing too much? Or was it an honest mistake? Have you ever heard an apology from a union leader?
I don’t know about you, but actions like this make my blood boil. They also motivate me. I will no longer sit quietly when information pilots have a right to know is kept secret. This union will hear from me in the most vocal way I can use when they make decisions without consulting us. Anger and the Internet are a dangerous combination. Are you paying attention ALPA?
Monday, October 26, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Join A Grassroots Transformation of Delta ALPA - Handout
Join A Grassroots Transformation of Delta ALPA
Please help form a grassroots movement to transform Delta ALPA. We need to find better ways to unite behind the vast talents of our members. We can exponentially multiply our strengths by modernizing and updating the way we communicate.
Communication is a two-way street. If given equal access to relevant, non-proprietary information, pilots will provide innovative and insightful ideas. Yet this information is frequently withheld; decisions are made without the broad, intelligent input readily available from the membership. Admittedly it is difficult to collect, manage and utilize pilot input when the issues are numerous, contentious and complex. Fortunately, the Internet age has provided a wealth of communication and collaborative tools that are revolutionizing organizations. ALPA needs to lead in this new paradigm.
I propose we work together to start a grass roots effort to:
· Web based meeting software to video-cast LEC, MEC and Committee Meetings. Organizational changes must be made to facilitate this reform.
· Secrecy - Review and modify with the goal of making available all non-proprietary information to the membership.
· Use of communication tools such as SMS, Twitter, and other cutting edge networking software to keep interested members well informed.
· Use of wiki type software to facilitate collaboration between the paid volunteers and members in all areas including Safety, Scheduling, Contract Negotiations and Communication.
· Complete the above in a cost neutral way while operating within US law and the guidelines of Fair Representation.
This effort is non-partisan. This is not about personalities (Master Chairman M. vs. former Master Chairman M.) or politics (Red Book vs. Green Book).
If you are interested in joining this effort, please let me know along with your thoughts. Please pass this on to your friends. Let's get the conversation started to transform our union.
Jeff Joslin
Welcome to the Transform ALPA blog
Over the course of my career as a pilot at Delta Air Lines I have grown to appreciate and truly value the concepts of teamwork, open communication and shared endeavor to be successful. In my broader life, the experience of focused and conscious efforts in groups (communities) I belong to has shown how working together accomplishes much while providing a camaraderie that makes the effort enjoyable.
This blog is a grassroots effort to build a community within the Delta Pilot’s Union members to transform our union. What we seek is fairly simple:
- Increase Transparency. If DALPA makes decisions that affect Line Pilots, let us know about them before decisions are made.
- Seek out broad input. The Delta Pilots are a vast resource; a goldmine for our leaders to seek out ideas, knowledge and opinion.
- Use readily available technology to achieve this transparency, collect input and really collaborate with the Delta Pilots. Examples of technology to use? SMS instant messaging, wiki websites (for collaboration) and networking software to name just a few.
If you are a Delta Pilot and are interested in joining this effort, please send me an email (TransformALPA@gmail.com), or join the discussion at our message boards (coming soon). Stay tuned for an idea building (wiki) website to help share this movement together.
Transforming ALPA is not political. It is not about regime change, red vs. green, you or me. It is an effort to open the union’s process to better ideas and more participation. It is about asking our leaders to be more inclusive. Ultimately it is about improving our contract and our careers.
Fraternally,
Jeff Joslin
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