Airline pilots

ALPA Governmental Affairs Office Records

bbealmear — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 10:39:51 -0400

Part I: These records contain information on air carrier safety, airport security, hijacking, and pilots' benefits. They also mostly reflect the activities of Judge James F. Gartland during his appointment as director.

Part II: This collection consists of exhibit packets concerning safety issues.

ALPA President's Department Records

mstepaniak — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 09:42:42 -0400

The President's Department records are arranged in three parts.

Part I: The Air Line Pilots Association was formed in secret in 1930 by a group of “Key Men” from each airline, they formed openly and affiliated with the American Federation of Labor in 1931. In that same year David Behncke was elected president of ALPA, an office he held twenty years, until being recalled in 1951 (and off and on through 1952 during his legal battle with ALPA). His successor, Clarence Sayen, held office eleven years from 1951-62 and was replaced by Charles Ruby from 1962-70. These three president’s tenures make up part 1 of the President’s Department records. The collection is divided by each president’s term of office, with some overlap in election years, and some overlap between Behncke and Sayen from 1951-52 during the court battles and periodic switches in president. The collection is further divided into: correspondence (external, internal, and with airlines) and the supporting documentation, subject files, and governing bodies and committee records for each president’s tenure. Some of the subjects include: Psychological Testing, Medical Testing, Pilot Benefits, Hijacking, Flight Engineers Jurisdictional Dispute, Crew Complement, Age 60 Rule, United Airlines Class and Craft Dispute, American Airlines Secession, ALPA/ALSSA Split, Behncke Recall, Washington Move, and Technological Innovations.

Part II reflects the office's activities, primarily under J.J. O'Donnell, in coordinating the activities of ALPA local offices and in speaking on behalf of its members in the media and before various government bodies. Predominately correspondence and reports, these records cover subjects such as airline mergers & strikes, airport security, bomb threats, hijacking, and terrorism. Important correspondents include J. Edgar Hoover and George E. Hopkins.

Part III focuses on the careers of the fourth, fifth, and sixth presidents of the Association, J.J. O’Donnell (1970-82), Henry Duffy (1982-90), and J. Randolph Babbitt (1990-98). One of the major issues the presidents from this era had to contend with was deregulation, which completely changed the landscape of the airline industry and the way unions functioned in that system. All three presidents struggled in the aftermath of unforeseen problems and challenges to ALPA pilots including Alter Ego airlines, Chapter 11 union-busting tactics, and the introduction of a B-scale. Other issues they faced include Hijacking, Crew Complement, Age 60 Rule, Cabatoge, Drug and Alcohol Testing, and Strikes at Continental and Eastern Airlines. Part III includes correspondence with government departments, industry organizations, and ALPA members; presidential statements; governing bodies minutes; department files; and committee meetings and reports.

Part IV consists of records from the Southern Airways strike of 1960-1962. The collection largely contains correspondence, including communications regarding matters that weren’t settled until long after the strike ended.

ALPA Governing Bodies: Executive Board Records

bbealmear — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 15:32:24 -0500

The Executive Board was created in 1947 as part of ALPA's governing structure to assist the Board of Directors. The Executive Board exercises control over the association and manages its business affairs when the Board of Directors is not in session. The Executive Board can also interpret the constitution and by-laws, as well as create or change policy. The board covers issues such as administration, membership, accounting and finance, employment agreements, retirement and insurance, contract administration, and mergers. The records include minutes, agendas, transcripts, correspondence, general books, reports, and supporting documents for meetings from 1947-2009.

ALPA Governing Bodies: Executive Committee

srafferty — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:33:17 -0500

The Executive Committee (EXCO) was established in 1951 as part of the organizational restructuring of ALPA, with the first meeting occurring in 1953. The Committee worked with the president in a consultation role and was designed to execute policies made by the Board of Directors (BOD) and Executive Board (EXBD) as well as recommend policy to both bodies. In addition the Committee also determined the organizational structure of the home office, ratified staff members, and was a trustee for ALPA business and funds as well as scheduling BOD and EXBD meetings. The Committee consisted of President, Secretary, Treasurer and Regional Vice Presidents (later Executive Vice Presidents).
The Committee covered Association issues such as: Budget, Negotiations, Contracts and Mergers, Membership and Staff, Insurance and Retirement, Engineering and Air Safety, Public Relations, and Affiliations. In 1992 the Committee was abolished and replaced by the Executive Council. The records of the Executive Committee covers the period of 1953-1992 and include Agendas, Minutes, Transcripts, Reports and Correspondence.

ALPA Governing Bodies: Executive Council

srafferty — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:53:31 -0500

In 1992, the ALPA Executive Council was created by the Board of Directors to replace the Executive Committee. The Executive Council helps advance the policies and objectives established by the Board of Directors and Executive Board. It has the authority to interpret the association’s constitution and by-laws and policy. The council mainly covers financial, accounting, organizational and administrative matters. The Executive Council Records include meeting minutes, agendas, budgets, and background information on subjects covered during the years 1992-2009.

ALPA Herndon EAL Strike Center Records

srafferty — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 14:31:51 -0400

The Herndon EAL Strike Center Records document the 265 day strike on Eastern Airlines (EAL) from March 4, 1989 - November 23, 1989. During this period 3400 of 4200 EAL pilots went out on sympathy strike along with the flight attendants represented by the Transportation Workers Union (TWU), both of whom voted to honor the International Association of Machinists (IAM) strike of Eastern Airlines. The Herndon EAL Strike Center Records focus on the records of EAL Council 142 located in Herndon, VA, but also include EAL wide communications. The records are made up mainly of the daily fax messages sent to each EAL strike center every day for strike coordinators, and pilots and their families. The updates included information on strike developments, negotiations, media coverage, and research to counter company information. They also provided information about benefits, family awareness blocks, and writings to keep morale up. In addition there is information on Operation Love Song, the IAM/ALPA/TWU travel agent program, MEC updates, and strike/picket information and procedures. Also included are pilot letters, writings, songs and poetry, and cartoons created during the strike.

ALPA Contracts

srafferty — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 17:10:52 -0400

Part 1: The ALPA Contracts are a collection of pilot contracts ALPA negotiated by airline. Ranging from 1939 with their first agreement with American Airlines, to the mid-1980s the contracts reflect the many changes the airline industry went through during ALPA’s first fifty years. Included are letters of agreements, memos of understanding, letters, mediation and arbitration agreements, and other negotiation materials.

Part 2: The ALPA Contracts Part 2 are a collection of pilot contracts ALPA negotiated by airline. Ranging from the 1950s to 1980s the contracts reflect ALPA’s handling of many major technical innovations in airline history. Included are letters of agreements, memos of understanding, letters, mediation and arbitration agreements, and other negotiation materials.

A portion of the collection has been digitized. Access is available onsite in the Reuther Library Reading Room.

ALPA Dallas Contract Administration Records

bbealmear — Tue, 05 Oct 2021 13:28:29 -0400

The ALPA Dallas Contract Administration Records chronicle the activities of Local Executive Council (LEC) #42, which represented the employees of Mid-Continent Airlines, and later Braniff International, when the companies merged in 1952. The records contain such materials as contract agreements, correspondence, as well as Council #42 and Master Executive Council (MEC) meeting minutes. Subjects covered include a proposed merger between Braniff and Pacific Southwest Airlines, and Braniff’s bankruptcy reorganization in 1983.

ALPA Miami ALI MEC Records

srafferty — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 13:18:10 -0400

The records of the Airlift International (ALI) Master Executive Council (MEC) cover the last decade of ALI’s existence. The airline originated as Riddle Airlines and became Airlift in 1965, expanding in 1968 and buying out Slick Airways. The airline went into Chapter 11 in 1981 and reorganized but was plagued by problems for the rest of the decade. The pilots and management were at odds over collective bargaining and working agreements and the MEC spent much time negotiating contracts and attempting to enforce work rules. In 1986, the Airlift fleet was grounded by the FAA for noncompliance with noise regulations. All ALI pilots were furloughed, causing ALPA to take custodial leadership over the ALI MEC; the airline ceased domestic flights and only operated a short stint of flights in Asia in 1987. Airlift ceased operations completely in 1991.The ALPA Miami ALI MEC Records are made up of correspondence, Chapter 11 documents and litigation, negotiation documents and notes, letters of agreement, and agreements.

ALPA Miami EAL MEC Records

srafferty — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 17:34:15 -0500

Parts 1 and 2 of the EAL MEC Records spans 30 years but focuses mainly on the last decade of Eastern Air Line's operations. Major subjects include mergers, air safety and bankruptcy litigation.

ALPA Miami Joint Council Office Records

srafferty — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 14:19:42 -0400

The ALPA Miami Joint Council Office (JCO) was a regional office for ALPA Region II and councils in the Southeast United States. It was home to several Master Executive Councils (MEC) and Local Executive Councils (LEC) including: Braniff Airways MEC and Council 29, Delta Airlines Council 71, Eastern Airlines MEC and Council 18, National Airlines MEC and Councils 8 and 73, Pan American Airways (PAA) Council 10, Pan American-Grace Airways (Panagra, PNG) MEC and Councils 38 and 83, and Riddle Airlines (RID) MEC and Councils 114 and 134. The Region II Vice President also worked out of the office and kept his files there. The JCO records cover the years 1935 to 1968 and span a number of technological and service changes within the airline industry. The records are made up of MEC and LEC minutes and correspondence, A-Z files, correspondence, reports and studies, contracts, negotiations, aircraft evaluations, and air safety and accident investigations. Subjects include: Behncke recall, Third crew member/Crew complement controversies, American Airlines secession from ALPA, National Airlines Strike 1948, Southern Airlines Strike 1960-62, Pilot physical controversies, “Take-A-Look” policy, Flight Engineers International Association (FEIA) issues, and Air traffic controller controversies.

ALPA Miami PAA MEC Records

srafferty — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 10:37:15 -0400

The records of the Pan American World Airways (PAA) Master Executive Council
(MEC) span from the 1970s to 1991 when Pan Am ceased operations. The PAA MEC worked to ensure its pilots had fair working agreements, and focused on retirement and insurance for all levels of cockpit crew. In 1980, Pan Am bought National Airlines (NAL) in an attempt to expand their domestic routes and increase revenue. The MEC pursued an evenhanded merging of the two seniority lists, however the end product caused some frustration among the pilot group, particularly those lower on the seniority list. In the end, the merger wasn’t enough to save the airline and PAA declared bankruptcy on January 8, 1991. The PAA MEC Records include MEC meeting minutes, agendas, and supporting documents from the 1980s and 1990s, as well as administrative, and Retirement and Insurance Committee files from the 1970s-1980s. The Pan American-National Airline merger is covered through subject files, arbitration hearing transcripts, and exhibits from both the PAA and NAL ALPA, and the PAA and NAL Flight Engineers International Association (FEIA).

ALPA Photographs

bbealmear — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 15:44:41 -0400

ALPA Photographs is a collection of photographic prints and negatives produced and compiled over decades. The materials came to the Reuther from what is currently known as the Communications Department; previous names of the department include Publicity and Public Relations, and ALPA Publications. The images collected appeared in the union’s publications, including the Air Line Pilot, and in conjunction with various public relations tools, such as news releases. The prints and negatives document various events, individuals, subjects, and organizations related to ALPA. The collection is strong in images of ALPA officers, pilots, and flight attendants.

ALPA Publications

srafferty — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 13:47:50 -0500

The ALPA Publications is a collection of pamphlets, newsletters, magazines,
bulletins, manuals, constitutions and by-laws, arbitration transcripts, and research reports
produced by, or involving ALPA from 1933-2006. ALPA’s main publication, Air Line
Pilot, is still in print and so not included here, but both ALPA national, and individual
Master Executive Councils (MEC) also produced a wide variety of publications during
the past 80 years which are included in this collection.

ALPA Publications: Air Line Pilot

bbealmear — Tue, 26 Mar 2019 09:43:16 -0400

Air Line Pilot is ALPA's main publication and has been in continuous print since April 1932. The first volumes were published twice a month, and came in newspaper form, running about 4 pages each. ALPA soon began to produce Air Line Pilot monthly and steadily increased the page count, eventually publishing in the present magazine form in 1949. Air Line Pilot covers a variety of topics relevant to pilots such as news in the airline industry, ALPA structure and Association news, technical innovations and information, medical studies, contracts and organizing, and stories on airlines and individual pilots. Subjects include 85 Hour Rule, Age 60, ALPA Organizing, Air Mail, Ariel Hijacking, B Scale, Crew Complement, Deregulation, Eastern Airlines Strike, Northwest Airlines Strike, Southern Airways Strike, Steward and Stewardess Division, Terrorism, Trans World Airlines Strike, Wien Airlines Strike, and Wind Shear. The collection contains the complete run of issues from 1932-present. It also includes a bound volume from 1931 of various letters, organizational information, and other publications issued by first president David Behncke to keep ALPA members updated before production of Air Line Pilot commenced.

ALPA San Francisco Joint Council Office Records

bbealmear — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 12:55:24 -0400

The ALPA San Francisco Joint Council Office (SFO) was the office of Local Executive Council (LEC) 56, which represented employees of Pan American Airways (PAA). The records contain such materials as meeting minutes, correspondence, and committee reports. One of the subjects included is the February 1961 pilot furlough triggered by the flight engineers’ strike.

George Hopkins Papers

bbealmear — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 15:37:33 -0500

The George Hopkins Papers document ALPA’s activities during the Southern Airways (SOU) strike of 1960. Hopkins is a historian and the author of a number of books concerning airline pilots. He obtained the files from John Boyd, a SOU pilot who spent considerable time lobbying for ALPA in Washington DC during the strike.

The main issue of the SOU strike was equal pay for equal work. ALPA maintained that all pilots should receive the same salary regardless of the size of the airline, but Southern Airways, a smaller company, claimed they could only afford to pay a lower rate. The strike was long, lasting from 1960 until 1962, though ALPA ultimately prevailed.

Flight Attendants and the Air Line Pilots Association

srafferty — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 10:40:47 -0500

It was 1973, and the Air Line Pilots Association was rife with tension. Things hadn’t been working out for a while between the Steward and Stewardess and Pilot Divisions of ALPA. It was clear to both that “the Problem” (as the relationship between the Pilot and S&S Division was being referred to) needed to be fixed. But a solution, one which would work for both divisions, ensuring pilot control over ALPA and stewardess autonomy, proved elusive. While “the Problem” was first brought to the fore in 1970, it took one convention, four study groups, and countless meetings, proposals and counter proposals, for the two divisions to work out a solution and bring the Association of Flight Attendants into being. read more »

The Eastern Airlines Strike of 1989

srafferty — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 09:44:48 -0500

At 12:01 am on March 4th, 1989 the ALPA pilots of Eastern Airlines (EAL) walked out in a sympathy strike to support the International Association of Machinists (IAM) strike. The pilots held the line for 285 days, but when they finally voted to return to work at the end of November there were no jobs left to return to. In fact, in less than three years after the vote to strike, Eastern Airlines ceased operations permanently, never to fly again. read more »

The Southern Airways strike of 1960: ALPA’s epic battle over fair wages for pilots

bbealmear — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 11:09:55 -0400

By the late 1950s, it was becoming increasingly clear that the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) would have to strike against Southern Airways (SOU). The main issue was wages. The union maintained that all of their aviators should receive the same salary regardless of the size of the airline, but SOU, a smaller, regional carrier, claimed they could only afford to pay a lower rate. ALPA knew this was a battle they had to take on, though it would not be easy. Frank Hulse, the founder and president of SOU, was staunchly anti-union, and had recently succeeded in breaking up the mechanic’s union at Southern Airways. ALPA was the last union standing at SOU. read more »

(31516) EAL Strike Cartoon, 1989

srafferty — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 17:41:26 -0500

EAL Strike Cartoon, 1989

(31515) EAL Strike Cartoon, 1989

srafferty — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 17:38:55 -0500

EAL Strike Cartoon, 1989

(34246) ALPA, Southern Airways Strike, 1960s

eclemens — Mon, 28 Mar 2016 14:21:00 -0400

Unidentified ALPA pilot picketing during the Southern Airways strike, c. 1960-62.

(34247) ALPA, Southern Airways Strike, 1960s

eclemens — Mon, 28 Mar 2016 14:22:26 -0400

Four unidentified ALPA pilots and one unidentified pose with aircraft during the Southern Airways strike, c. 1960-62.

(34248) ALPA, Southern Airways Strike, 1960s

eclemens — Mon, 28 Mar 2016 14:24:37 -0400

A view of pickets during the Southern Airways Strike.

(34249) Southern Airways Strike, 1960s

eclemens — Mon, 28 Mar 2016 14:28:38 -0400

“Beware: Don’t Fly Southern” sticker, distributed during the Southern Airways strike, c. 1960-62.

[Podcast] The Southern Airways Strike of 1960: ALPA’s Epic Battle Over Fair Pilot Wages

teller — Fri, 31 May 2019 11:36:05 -0400

Air Line Pilots Association archivist Bart Bealmear shares the history of ALPA's shrewd 1960 strike against regional carrier Southern Airways over pilot wages. read more »