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aims and scope of apla : why it's a professional organization

The Air Line Pilots Association by definition, by basic function, by its history is a labor union.  It was born in the same cauldron of economic pressures and protective necessity as many other unions.  But it is, at the same time, unique as a labor organization.  Perhaps, "Labor Associa-tion" would be more apt and descriptive term because while retaining many union aspects, it has also become simultaneously an association of professional men, in  much the same way as the American Medical Association is a professional association composed of doctors.  ALPA has found the dual functions compatible and has found itself capable of embracing both roles without second-placing either.

A Professional Association...
  Perhaps, in this respect, ALPA can be thought of as fostering a new labor concept, peculiarly adapted to the air line piloting profession.  The general conception of the primary purpose of a labor organization is the establishment of rates of compensation, rules and working conditions be-tween employer and employee.  From the air line pilot's standpoint, this alone is insufficient.  It is in the further extension of the concept of what a labor organization should be and do the ALPA stands alone as a true "pilots" organization." Where many others leave off, ALPA, in reality, only begins.
  ALPA must assume the responsibility, in keeping with the dignity of the air line piloting profession, for the maintenance of good labor relations.  Such responsibility stretches far beyond exclusive employer-employee relationships and into the relationships with all of the agencies having to do with air transportation.

Highest of Standards...

  Members of ALPA constitute some of the most highly trained and skilled professional men in our society.  Air line pilots are continually under rigid supervision not only from their employers, but also from federal agencies.  They are constantly under scrutiny by the traveling public with whom they are in constant contact and who daily put their faith in them.  The air line pilot's occupation is a tenuous one.  Not only are the initial employment standards high, but the air line pilot is one of the few professional men today who must continually put his livelihood and his occupa-tional future "on the block" several times a year from both a physical and proficiency standpoint.  Considering the high physical and proficiency standards and the rigid supervision, the air line pilot has need of the most adequate represent-tion possible in all aspects of his profession.

Safety Important...

  Since the pilot's welfare is tied to the safety and de-pendability of the operation of his aircraft, a large portion of the activity of ALPA must, therefore, be devoted to doing all possible for an increased standard of air safety.  If there is a malfunction of any of the many complex component parts which make up the modern aircraft, the air line pilot is the first one who will become cognizant of such defects and the one who may suffer most from their inadequacy or malfunctioning.  He must, therefore, be in a position to make his voice heard, powerfully and independently, in air safety.
  There are many other aspects involved in air line pilot representation.  He must have legal aid in his contact with municipal, state and federal agencies, as well as with his employer.  He must have a positive guarantee that, where any problem develops with his employer, or, anyone, in relationship to his job, he will receive a fair hearing.  The air line pilots demonstrated their belief in this right of an individual to a fair hearing in the National Air Lines strike, which lasted for some nine months and which had only one objective - that of securing a fair hearing for a pilot.  The pilot did receive his day in court.

The Pilots' Voice...

  In the now famous Neuhauser case in New York City, where the city promulgated regulations considered by the pilots not to be in the best interests of air safety, the Air Line Pilots Association found a long and involved legal case to exonerate the pilot.  The problem involved the entire concepts of state versus federal authority in the control of air space.  In all instances of this character, the Air Line Pilots Association has been, and will, of necessity, always be, involved as a strong and independent spokesman for the pilot.
  The air line pilot bears a high responsibility for life and property.  Much of the faith of the air traveling public in the air transportation business is carried on his shoulders.  He is also an integral part of our national defense structure.  This was demonstrated in World War II and again in the Korean Airlift and mobilization program.  It is important to air transportation that the highest type of men be drawn into this industry.  These, then, are the aims and scope of the Association: to be a strong, constructive, and aggressive spokesman for the air line pilots, furthering the policies and objectives laid by its Board of Directors.

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