Unions
What Do They Do For Pilots?
Simply put, a union is there to represent the airline pilot group’s interest when dealing with management, and to protect their pilots from that same management’s overreach. They negotiate pay, benefits and working conditions on behalf of the pilots and codify it in the pilot contract.
In the good times, like the current job market, Unions are working overtime to increase the pay and benefits of their pilot employees. In bad times, such as the Covid-19 slow down, unions negotiated the furloughs and reduced the pay decreases that pilots saw. There were companies out there without representation that saw an immediate 10% pay reduction and there was nothing the pilots could do about it.
Union Dues
The dues that pilots pay depend on the union representing the group. The two big unions are the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) and the Transport Workers Union. The dues are usually a small percentage of a pilots paycheck, typically from .5% to 2%. Those dues are used to further the Union’s mission, including the cost of lawyers.
Do I Have to Join?
Yes and no. You will be forced to pay the Union Dues, but you are not required to join the union. It is not advised to go that route, but it is an option. You still have to pay the fees because you are still reaping the benefits of the union whether you are a member or not. Those who do not join the union are almost looked down upon and if they ever need representation, they will not be afforded any assistance by the union.
Downsides of Unions
The unions have a tendency to ensure that any relationship with management remains adversarial. Whether or not that is intended is unclear, but what is clear is that they try to ensure you will need their protection from management, who might now have a negative disposition toward pilots.