Today in labor history: Air Line Pilots Assocation founded in Chicago

On this day in 1931, the Air Line Pilots Assocation was founded when 24 activists from across the country gathered for a meeting in Chicago.

David L. Bencke met with what were called the “key men” to form ALPA – a name approved by pilots. A five-man Central Executive Council was established, dues were set, and the official motto became “Schedule with Safety.”

Today, ALPA is the collective bargaining representative for 59,000+ pilots of 39 U.S. and Canadian airlines, and a member of the AFL-CIO and the Canadian Labor Congress.

Photo: ALPA members picket in Milwaukee, demand a fair contract.   Jenissee Volpintesta/Flickr