The Purpose of This Page is to Show the Reasoning Used to Develop the Original Ethics Pledge. When taking the Survey, use this page to help understand the logic and purpose behind each of the Pledge Elements.   After surveying the pilot group to find out what the membership believes are the most important Elements for an NWA ALPA Ethics Pledge, the survey data will be used to create a final version of that Ethics Pledge. That final version will then become an addition to the NWA ALPA Policy Manual.

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Below is The Original NWA ALPA Ethics Pledge (with Background Reasoning added)

____________________________________________________________________________________

As a person seeking a position with the organization of the

Northwest Airlines Air Line Pilots Association,

I Pledge on my honor that if given an opportunity to serve:

 

(Survey Question Number 4)

• Pledge Element>>> I will always, and above all else, keep the best interest of all Northwest Airlines Pilot’s careers first and foremost in mind when making any and all decisions.
• Background Reasoning>>> The union is involved in many activities that help our industry, but do not directly improve the Careers of NWA Pilots. This element sets the priorities for the activities of our Union.

(Survey Question Number 5)

• Pledge Element>>> I will make the restoration of our contract my first priority.
• Background Reasoning>>>Again, the most important responsibility our union leadership is entrusted with are the Careers of NWA Pilots. The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is the primary tool used to determine those careers. Therefore restoration of the CBA must be the top priority.

(Survey Question Number 6)   

• Pledge Element>>> I will not use this position, or any other ALPA position, as a “stepping stone” for any position within Northwest Airlines management or its subsidiaries, nor will I ever accept such a position now or in the future.
• Background Reasoning>>>This issue is one of the most troubling activities within our union that leads to serious Conflict-of-Interest situations. It simply is not possible for union leaders to be staunch advocates for NWA pilots, and at the same time develop the kind of relationships with NWA management that might lead to a job offer. What is even more troubling is that this practice has become accepted within the Culture of NWA ALPA Leadership. Other efforts to stop this activity failed because of Right-to-Work Laws. An Ethics Pledge addresses this issue without violating any laws.

(Survey Question Number 7)   

• Pledge Element>>> I will not socialize with members of NWA Management.  All meetings, contacts, events and other required activities will be conducted on an “arm’s length” business level.  I will not accept gifts, be they physical gifts, services, preferential treatment or otherwise from management at anytime, for any reason.
• Background Reasoning>>>This covers other activities that cause Conflict-of-Interest. What may seem like an innocent act, like a NWA management person picking up a Union Leader's tab for few beers, can lead to Conflict-of-Interest situations. There must be a hard and formal line drawn between what is and is not acceptable behavior. Currently there are no guidelines in place to prevent such behavior.

(Survey Question Number 8)   

• Pledge Element>>> I do believe that the possibility of confrontation can be a legitimate aspect of any successful negotiation.
• Background Reasoning>>>If the real possibility of confrontation with Management is considered to be "unacceptable" to leadership, then no improvements can be expected.

(Survey Question Number 9)   

• Pledge Element>>> I do support Membership Ratification both in policy and in spirit.  Membership Ratification will be used to its greatest extent practical.  Before a vote is taken, I favor the timely distribution of the most accurate, unbiased information available to the membership followed by a suitable time for discussion.
• Background Reasoning>>>This element attempts to address the need for following NWA ALPA Policy, both literally and in spirit. This element is not so much about the issue of Membership Ratification, but about the Leadership of NWA ALPA thwarting the Will of the Membership. This Element should probably be re-written to encompass the broader issue of the Leadership respecting the Policy Manual and doing the Will of the Membership.

(Survey Question Number 10)   

• Pledge Element>>> I would rather have the respect and trust of the pilot group over friendship from management.
• Background Reasoning>>>To be the effective leader that the pilots of this union deserve, a person must accept that fact that they may be despised by members of NWA Management. Furthermore, friendships between union leaders and management can lead to Conflict-of-Interest issues.

(Survey Question Number 11)   

• Pledge Element>>> When endorsing, nominating, or electing a member for any union position, I will place that candidate’s skills, experience, education, dedication, integrity and sense of fairness to all NWA pilots above any personal or professional relationship I might have with that candidate.
• Background Reasoning>>> A person's qualifications should always out weigh any personal relationship that may exist between a candidate and the person appointing/electing that candidate. This element set some guidelines to help follow that thought process.

(Survey Question Number 12)   

• Pledge Element>>> I will fly the line.
• Background Reasoning>>>It is an all too common problem for persons in leadership positions to loose touch with the people they are responsible to. The union leaders need to regularly perform the job that they are entrusted to improve. The element does not say how often a leader should fly the line. Certainly no one would expect anyone to fly a full schedule and perform the work required for the union. Alternately, flying a hand picked trip on occasion or not flying for months or years may be considered unacceptable by the majority of the pilot group. It will be up to the membership to decide if a person is satisfying this pledge element.

(Survey Question Number 13)   

• Pledge Element>>> I will not show favoritism to one segment of the pilot group over another.
• Background Reasoning>>>Fairness to all pilots, both as a concept and a practice is essential.

(Survey Question Number 14)   

• Pledge Element>>> I will be honest.
• Background Reasoning>>>Self Explanatory

(Survey Question Number 15)   

• Pledge Element>>> I will not use this position to unjustly enrich myself.
• Background Reasoning>>>The reason the word "unjustly" is included is because pilots performing union work are well within their rights to receive compensation in the from of reimbursements (flight pay loss, etc.), which is technically an "enrichment." Therefore enrichment in the form of reasonable reimbursements is acceptable. Any other form of enrichment would be unjust.

(Survey Question Number 16)   

• Pledge Element>>> I will avoid conflict of interest situations and relationships.
• Background Reasoning>>>A broad statement to cover all Conflict-of-Interest issues.

(Survey Question Number 17)   

• Pledge Element>>> When forwarding information to the pilot group, I will be as forthcoming and as factual as possible and always make the greatest effort to remain neutral about the facts.  If I offer my opinion on the facts, I will always make it clear what my opinion is (as a fellow line pilot) and what the facts are, keeping the two separate at all times.  I will not show bias nor intentionally leave out known facts in order to support my personal position.
• Background Reasoning>>>The members of this union deserve to receive the most accurate, unbiased, timely information available. Persons in leadership positions have a responsibility to provide that information without using their positions to slant, taint, or spin that information. Whether intentional or unintentional, such distortions are intellectually dishonest and must be avoided. The element provides some guidance for the dissemination of information.

(Survey Question Number 18)   

• Pledge Element>>> I will always reaffirm this Pledge in writing when seeking this position or any other position within NWA ALPA, whether that position be voluntary, elected by the pilot group, elected by the MEC, or appointed.
• Background Reasoning>>>Housekeeping.

(Survey Question Number 19)   

• Pledge Element>>> I am committed to do all I can within limits of my position to include the principles of this pledge into the NWA MEC Policy Manual.
• Background Reasoning>>>Once an Ethics Pledge is incorporated into the NWA ALPA Policy Manual, this element will not longer be necessary.

 

 

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