2014 Fleet Service Discussion

[roabilly]

There are currently over 30 stations on the US side where Fleet Service work is IAM represented. It is my understanding; there are approximately 17 stations currently represented by the TWU on the AA side. Represented work on the US side includes CLP, catering in PHL and CLT and tower operations in the hubs. Additionally, it is my understanding, there is no represented in house catering, tower or CLP jobs under TWU representation on the AA side. How do we bridge this gap in represented jobs going forward? Should this issue be seen as a priority for improvement in JCBA talks? The floor is open for input, opinions and discussion. JCBA negotiations will be upon us in the near future. It's time to begin debate and discussion on this and many other issues. Shall we begin?   

Cargo,
 
Perhaps we are looking at this all wrong...
 
Actually,  AA (AAL) DOES have CLP, Tower, Catering, and Airfreight, and this was all effective the day the merger was approved and accepted! This is something to consider as it was DP himself that wanted the Merger, and it is he that now must own it!
 
The mindset of AA has this... and US has this.... is antiquated as the two companies should be viewed as a single entity as the two Union teams go into JCBA talks!
 
Semper Fidelis!

 

[WeAAsles]

Cargo,
 
Perhaps we are looking at this all wrong...
 
Actually,  AA (AAL) DOES have CLP, Tower, Catering, and Airfreight, and this was all effective the day the merger was approved and accepted! This is something to consider as it was DP himself that wanted the Merger, and it is he that now must own it!
 
The mindset of AA has this... and US has this.... is antiquated as the two companies should be viewed as a single entity as the two Union teams go into JCBA talks!
 
Semper Fidelis!

Good point.

 

[T5towbar]

if AA does not have any one or all of those that we at PMUS have now  why not bring that work back in house?   raise the top out to around 26 or 27ish   keep scope the way it is

 
You haven't heard the word "harmonization" yet..........
As Ograc said, how is that going to work where one side has a job function that another side hasn't? Will it get grandfathered to a set of stations that has the work? Will it get integrated to both sides, or will it get "harmonized" out all together?
 
What is going to be given up to preserve scope?
Somethings got to give, sooner or later.
 
That's just my opinion, but you are in a better position with the "Association" to do something creative.

 

[700UW]

We, we lost Utility, which was part of maintenance in bankruptcy part 2, and the crazy thing is we met their ask in negotiations which would actually increase line utility, but kept the cost neutral, and they company of course turned it down, they didnt want to manage people.
 
We went from having 1,000 Utility, mostly on the line, at all the hubs maintenance stations to only having a total of 50, 25 in CLT heavy and 25 in PIT Heavy.

 

[ograc]

Cargo,
 
Perhaps we are looking at this all wrong...
 
Actually,  AA (AAL) DOES have CLP, Tower, Catering, and Airfreight, and this was all effective the day the merger was approved and accepted! This is something to consider as it was DP himself that wanted the Merger, and it is he that now must own it!
 
The mindset of AA has this... and US has this.... is antiquated as the two companies should be viewed as a single entity as the two Union teams go into JCBA talks!
 
Semper Fidelis!

 
Very good point ROA. When you look at it that way; we have more than we realize going into JCBA talks. With this in mind; the number one priority going in is defend and protect what we currently have and build on that. Time to fall in! 
 

 

[WeAAsles]

We, we lost Utility, which was part of maintenance in bankruptcy part 2, and the crazy thing is we met their ask in negotiations which would actually increase line utility, but kept the cost neutral, and they company of course turned it down, they didnt want to manage people.
 
We went from having 1,000 Utility, mostly on the line, at all the hubs maintenance stations to only having a total of 50, 25 in CLT heavy and 25 in PIT Heavy.

Cabin was "partially" our own fault. Some of our guys just did not do the job and customers complained. Yes there were also plenty of times that the company made it impossible to do with manpower and time constraints but WE also need to take responsibility when we have a job and have sufficient manpower to get the job done that we DO that job to the absolute best of our abilities.

When we don't do our jobs it's very understandable why the company would want to farm it out to someone that will do that job.

 

[roabilly]

 
Very good point ROA. When you look at it that way; we have more than we realize going into JCBA talks. With this in mind; the number one priority going in is defend and protect what we currently have and build on that. Time to fall in! 
 

Cargo,
 
I can assure you that the Company has already realized that these departmental assets ARE a tangible part of the NEW equation. Air Freight and Catering alone require extensive equipment and facilities that the new AA now OWNS! You can bet every piece of equipment, every piece of furniture, and every employee in these departments has already been entered into the AAL database as assets for business and corporate tax purposes.
 
It will be the will, and determination of the alliance, as well as that of the Membership to ultimately secure, and expand these functions going forward!

 

[WeAAsles]

I want to expand just a little bit on my last comment. Doug Parker wants us to embrace the ideology that American Airlines is a new company. Well along with that I think it's time that we regain the ideology of "Union Pride" Union pride does not mean just proud to be in a Union. It means that being union means we take pride in the work we perform and what we have to offer over those who are non union. It also certainly never meant that a Union should be there to condone or protect those who consider the union to be a tool for them to perform sub par work or shirk their responsibilities. Too many people seem to be under that grave false impression.

What I would like to see come out of this NEW association is a greater emphasis on trying to recapture that sense of "Union Pride" and what it truly means. If we can get back to that mindset the work will also come back home to us where it belongs.

I am UNION and because of that NO ONE can perform my job better than I can!!!!

 

[roabilly]

I want to expand just a little bit on my last comment. Doug Parker wants us to embrace the ideology that American Airlines is a new company. Well along with that I think it's time that we regain the ideology of "Union Pride" Union pride does not mean just proud to be in a Union. It means that being union means we take pride in the work we perform and what we have to offer over those who are non union. It also certainly never meant that a Union should be there to condone or protect those who consider the union to be a tool for them to perform sub par work or shirk their responsibilities. Too many people seem to be under that grave false impression.

What I would like to see come out of this NEW association is a greater emphasis on trying to recapture that sense of "Union Pride" and what it truly means. If we can get back to that mindset the work will also come back home to us where it belongs.

I am UNION and because of that NO ONE can perform my job better than I can!!!!

I hear ya WeAA...
 
I’m not surer about the combined system as whole, but I can tell you that “Union Pride” was prevalent when I worked in CLT pre-merger. Even through the worst times in BK, the work ethic remained very high for the most part!
 
There are a lot of very good dedicated, hardworking folks in CLT, and I’m sure there are many in MIA as well. The key here is to instill a sense of unity in this pride within BOTH Union Groups, and to communicate that pride with each member regardless of the affiliation. Union employees provide a superior and more efficient service for the most part... because they CARE! In other words it's not just a "job"... it's a CAREER!
 
P.S. That's why the song went... "take this JOB, and shove it" ... not take this CAREER and shove it!

 

[freedom]

I agree with the concept of union pride ..I cannot tell you how troubled I am when I see union members doing substandard work just because they can get away with it ..

There are literally people who are so lazy that instead of doing something to ensure our passengers will get their luggage when they arrive, they will instead sit there and make excuses as to why they don't need to bother to do their jobs ..."there's not enough time the bag probably won't make it so I'm not going to try and run it to the plane "

Not only that but it's disturbing to me how many of our workers are continuing to drive past bags on the ground ...hey it was fine not to see them when we didn't have a contract but I think the wage increase we received could at least be called fair and now it's time for everyone to pitch in and do their jobs ....

 

[700UW]

What you posted has NOTHING to do with being a unionized worker.
 
Its someone's work ethic of shall I say lack of it.

 

[freedom]

I think as a union we have an obligation to help correct bad practices coming from the membership. ... just as we would do when it comes to safety ...

I don't want to see anyone lose their job because they let their work ethic slip to the degree that they're no longer working and I don't want to see our customers not get their bags ..

I think as a union we should strive to correct bad patterns among the membership before it ends up going to management. ...

 

[WeAAsles]

I think as a union we have an obligation to help correct bad practices coming from the membership. ... just as we would do when it comes to safety ...
I don't want to see anyone lose their job because they let their work ethic slip to the degree that they're no longer working and I don't want to see our customers not get their bags ..
I think as a union we should strive to correct bad patterns among the membership before it ends up going to management. ...

I have to side with Freedom here guys. I think we as Union Patriots should be more forceful with members in letting them know and understand how fortunate they have it in comparison to our non union counterparts.

A good or great leader should lead and that means NOT cow tailing to the memberships dictate if they are wrong.

Great leaders explain the truth irregardless of the consequences or if it's popular.

 

[ograc]

A membership who feels they are not being treated fairly or recognized for their efforts should work accordingly. Additionally, the same applies to a membership who is recognized for their efforts. let's show the company we are better than anyone at doing our work. As long as that work ethic is appreciated, respected and recognized.

 

[AANOTOK]

I think as a union we have an obligation to help correct bad practices coming from the membership. ... just as we would do when it comes to safety ...

I don't want to see anyone lose their job because they let their work ethic slip to the degree that they're no longer working and I don't want to see our customers not get their bags ..

I think as a union we should strive to correct bad patterns among the membership before it ends up going to management. ...

Odds are if you start out a bad worker or become a bad worker in a union, you will stay a bad worker AND stay employed...not laying blame, just sayin! Be around long enough to know and witness the game.