This week members of the Raise the Pilot Age Coalition notified United Air Lines MEC Chairman Capt. Garth Thompson that the actions of ALPA regarding our effort to raise the mandatory retirement age for 121 pilots is both unethical and a violation of its Code of Ethics. Members requested “Duty of Fair Representation” and Article 8 investigations.
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United Master Executive Council
9550 W. Higgins Road, Suite 1000
Rosemont, Illinois 60018
May 30, 2023
UAL MEC Chairman
Captain Garth Thompson,
We are writing regarding the mandatory retirement age of 65 and the United MEC’s support of this discriminatory policy.
Last month ( April 2023) our UAL MEC unanimously passed a resolution that directed you to “communicate its commitment to the unwavering representation of, and support for, all United Pilots, regardless of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, medical status, pregnancy, parental status, marital status, family make-up, military status, citizenship status, and socioeconomic status. It’s a lengthy list that includes “AGE.” The language states very specifically, “every ALPA member shall adhere to this policy and the Code of Ethics at all times.” ALPA National and the UAL MEC has stated publicly and in writing that you will support us – your dues paying members who are in good standing – against age discrimination. Rather than support our efforts, however, ALPA is actively lobbying our Government against its pilots who are fighting to raise the retirement age. These actions have a desperate impact on older pilots.
The statements being argued by ALPA suggest pilots between the ages of 65 and 67 would present A THREAT TO SAFETY. These statements are defamatory and biased. We further believe that ALPA is providing misinformation and misstatements in its attempts to undermine our efforts to address a discriminatory regulation. Even more frustrating is that ALPA is actively lobbying Congress using our dues dollars to disparage the reputations of our brothers and sisters who turned 65 with baseless accusations that they would constitute an increased risk to the traveling public if allowed to fly to age 67. The actions and irresponsible comments of ALPA National regarding extending the age limit to 67 violate ALPA’s ethical responsibility and Duty of Fair Representation obligation.
ALPA’s current policy to oppose any change to the age 65 retirement rule is based on direction of the union’s governing bodies and is stated in the ALPA Administrative Manual. This policy materialized without LEC direction. Further, this policy is in direct violation of the ALPA Code of Ethics and Federal age discrimination law. Establishing a “policy” does not provide a justification for engaging in actions that promote discrimination and result in a disparate impact against older pilots.
As a reminder, under direct questioning during a recent Congressional hearing, the Acting Director of the Federal Aviation Administration – the governing body responsible for setting regulations regarding access to the aviation profession – did not oppose raising the age limit for pilots.
We want your commitment – the commitment of the unanimous UALMEC and the commitment of ALPA National – to uphold the ALPA Code of Ethics and to take immediate steps to change the ageist and discriminatory policy of opposing the mandatory age 65 age limit.
Please consider this letter as a specific request to initiate a “Duty of Fair Representation” investigation along with an article 8 investigation to all Union leadership that supports this form of age discrimination. We are writing to you personally to ensure this takes place, with expediency, because a component of your membership is being harmed by our very own biased union. The UALMEC’s moral compass is being called into question. Regardless of personal bias, you have an obligation to represent all of us! According to the ALPA Administrative Manual, you are the ultimate guardian and defender of the rights and privileges of the professional airline pilots who are members of the Association.
We await a speedy response with your thoughts and action on this issue.
Respectfully,
Raise the Pilot Age Coalition Leadership
Captain Lance Okada-C93
Captain Jon Russell-C57
F/O Dev Colin-C34
Captain Phil Irwin-C33
Captain Bo Ellis-C12
Captain Andy Allen-C12
Captain Jayson Baron-C5
Captain Joe Blake-C11
Captain Phil Michelsen-C171