Welcome to XJT: The New America West/US Airways

[WestIndian425]

Okay, I have another question:

Is there some sort of system in place at national for training (or a better word would be mentoring) newly elected leaders at their respective MECs? I believe that leadership shouldn't just serve their constituents, but also mentor and train others to replace them. No one lives forever.

 

[SlumTodd_Millionaire]

Yes, there's a leadership conference every year that new reps attend for several days. But no amount of training can ever replace experience.

 

[WestIndian425]

Yes, there's a leadership conference every year that new reps attend for several days. But no amount of training can ever replace experience.

I agree, which is why I believe the experienced ones ought to mentor the newcomers in the game.

 

[BobDDuck]

I agree, which is why I believe the experienced ones ought to mentor the newcomers in the game.

Keep in mind that many times, when new leadership comes in to power it's because the group (or the vocal part of the group) got tired of the old leadership. The last thing the new guys want to be seen doing is looking to the old guys for advice.

We are in the middle of a potential recall out here. If it goes through I'm pretty certain that even if the removed MEC wanted to help out with the transition, the new guys wouldn't even talk to them.

 

[SlumTodd_Millionaire]

What he said. Remember, this is politics. Just like President Bush wasn't going to sit around and be "mentored" by President Clinton, neither are new union reps going to listen to the old ones. They all come into office thinking they're going to "fix" everything that the last guys "screwed up." I spent most of my time in office dealing with political in-fighting. It's sad, but it's reality.

 

[WestIndian425]

You guys bring up a good point. I didn't consider that.