On the other hand, isn't it better to do what 100,000 airline employees have already done?

Even great employers can make a bad call now and then. They may fire somebody unjustly. Or they may delay a justified pay raise and benefits.

The worst time to deal with unfairness in the work place when you're already a victim. And unfairness creeps in unexpectedly. That's one reason joining a union always makes sense, even if things are looking good today. The aim is to keep it good.

Here's the good news. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, members of a union earn an average of 22% more than non-union workers in wages alone. Additionally, IAM members enjoy the best benefits, job security and working conditions in the industry. For example, part time employees at United Airlines have paid medical, dental, and a fully funded IAM pension plan. How can that be? The IAM has nearly sixty years of experience in Contract Negotiation. IAM Contracts have set a standard of living for all airline employees.

Now, here's reality. Unless you work under a collective bargaining agreement, you can be fired for any reason, or for NO reason at all. As an example, under your current five year contract with Virgin America, employment can be terminated if either party chooses to do so. Potentially, right when you're building up seniority and climbing the pay scale - and, yes getting older - you could find your wings clipped for good. Collective bargaining agreements seek job security, better pay and benefits, and fairness through an enforceable agreement.

Your rights are protected by the United States government. We already know that Virgin America management plays dirty. So, we've collaborated with your United States Congressman to issue a warning to Virgin America management: Straighten up and fly right. Congressman Tom Lantos is a longstanding supporter of working families, and we think you'll find his letter to Virgin's CEO quite interesting.

The simplest and safest thing to do is to sign a confidential card provided by the IAM. Your right to do so is protected by federal law, and your employer will not know whether you sign or not.

Signing the card does not commit you to anything. The purpose of signing is to document general interest in a union, or conversely to show there isn't enough interest. When a sufficient number of cards are signed, then a process begins. That process leads to a fair, up-or-down vote in the future for a union.

So, the future is really in your hands. People just like you, here at the IAM union, hope you'll do the right thing and sign the card.

Will the future you choose include Higher-than-Average-Pay, Job Security, Better Benefits, and a Defined Benefit Pension? Or will it hold a five year contract that Virgin America can terminate, and more intimidation from the company?

Join with people who hold the same kind of jobs you do, who care, and who also understand the complexities of labor. The point, after all, is to stay in good company.