2015 AMT Discussion

[AMFAinMIAMI]

Your asking for us to stick together to save your job in Tulsa. How pathetic. We are all AMT'S but the guys in Tulsa over the last 30 years felt that Tulsa was all that mattered and the TWU fed Tulsa what they wanted to eat. Today we still have guys in Tulsa still drinking the kool-aid and throw in the Title II guys who are brainwashed into thinking that changing unions is a bad idea. Nothing has changed in 30 years except the day on the calendar. Just wait and see what the ASSociation will present next week.

 
It's NOT about Tulsa, the same stuff goes on here in MIA and being from MIA you know this to be true.
 
The TWU has had everyone drinking the cool-aide so long that even though the Union guys don't hav to come to work as the rst of us do when they pass through everyone bows down and kisses the ring.
 
We had 170 or so guys who did not vote or voted "YES" on this contract, just here in MIA.
 
From what we are being told the Intl. dislikes the leadership at 591 and tells them very little. So when asked what is the plan of 591 if Intl. keeps us all out of the loop Nothing is the answer what can we do?
 
The apathy that is here at AA within the TWU rank and file is sickening. Even a week with "NO" overtime is too much to ask.
 
The IGM is the only thing that matters here at AA, and the company know it. We prove it every day, you se it, I know you do.
 
T-Town had the numbers yrs ago and the TWU catered to them that is true, but with all that has benn taken away either by vote or not it still has not been enough for the mechanics both title 1 & 2 to remove the TWU.

 

[AA89]

Meanwhile in Europe:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/todayinthesky/2015/11/06/lufthansa-flights-snarled-attendants-begin-week-long-strike/75288280/

 

[Buck]

I've signed 6 amfa cards and a teamsters card and so far it's gotten me nothing. All I'm trying to say is it doesn't matter who represents us if we don't stick together and apparently we can't do that. So let's work on unity amongst members. If we aren't united then it won't matter who represents us. You are a perfect example of the problem with our union now. I say something that you don't agree with and suddenly a "newbie" and a "union troll". Rather than give a constructive response as to why you disagree with me or why you think my comment is incorrect, you call me names. To me that shows a lack of intelligence. I don't mind constructive criticism. Discussing things and coming to common ground helps everyone. To simply say I'm wrong because I have a different opinion than you will never convince me or anyone else to change our way of thinking.

Did you do anything else? Many sign cards but only a few fully participate in the drives. Did you at least go eat a hamburger?

 

[Realityck]

 
Here's a concept............Why don't we nominate and elect a representative to an Int'l position??

 
 
You, or a majority of your Local's members, elected your Local Presidents, so why can't they recommend someone they prefer for the Int'l AMT Staff position?
 
Tell them that's what you expect from them when they meet with Harry Lombardi next week. If you don't you're just blowing smoke like a lot of guys on this blog.

 

[Rogallo]

You, or a majority of your Local's members, elected your Local Presidents, so why can't they recommend someone they prefer for the Int'l AMT Staff position?
 
Tell them that's what you expect from them when they meet with Harry Lombardi next week. If you don't you're just blowing smoke like a lot of guys on this blog.

I have several times. Told them exactly who needs to be on the Int'l staff. It always falls on deaf ears.

Any other suggestions? Puff, Puff!

 

[conehead777]

They did not take a week from US and give it to them. They divided us and we allowed it! I don't know what locals,younger from but I can only assume that you're either at different membership meetings or you're not going because the bitching I hear on here is never mentioned,at the meetings by anyone other than me. In my personal opinion, only #### on here then you need to stfu.I assure you, your voice isn't heard of you only #### on social media and never go to a meeting. You're the problem of that's how you voice your opinion.

i voted no on the bk plus all other contracts . The twu took a week from us and gave a extra week to stores. That's how the twu has always worked aa tells the money benefits to the twu then they are going to do what gets them more dues like making fleet service happy with better pay then the twu gives us less I'm voting no but they always get it passed let's face facts the twu hates mechanics because we have been vocal got amfa drives going and just because we are in separate negotiations then stores and fleet service was a smoke screen because like I said the company offers so much to twu.and the twu decides what group to give the pay benefits to are the most con sessions witch is usely the case . When the company stopped power back who got push back the fleet service did to keep there higher numbers for dues. And no I will not stfu

 

[Vortilon]

New? Are you freaking kidding me? Because I have common sense or because I think that the membership cacould actually stand together? I'm new to the forum. As far as AA, may of 89

 
Yeah, we have seen random TWU trolls like you before on this board.  BTW, I have been posting constructive criticism on this board for years.  How many times do you need to be reminded of all the slights against AMTs the TWU International has perpetuated?  You say you signed a Teamsters card? how did that work out for you/us?  Thanks a lot.  You were all warned about the scam with the Teamsters card drive. 
 
Interesting, you speak of unity - tell me how that would be possible given the disrespect the TWU International has for Line AMTs.  Take this industry averaging raise we just received which saw title II mechanics get 80 cents more base pay than an AMT.  That is what I call a slap in the face to all AA AMTs - further diminishing the value of our A&P license pay.  Gary Peterson was elected by the line AMTs to represent our best interests - not the best interests of the International.  For that he is taking heat from the International ass hats and AA's leadership as well.  Ever wonder why AA produced the documentation so fast after the Teamsters filed?  Wake up! 
Take a look at the negotiating committee leadership for the AMTs, we have a baggage handler leading our committee!  Wake up!  Good God man, the list goes on and on with one slight after another.  Remind me how much you get paid as a licensed A&P - when you call in sick on the first day, and then when a baggage handler calls in, how much he gets paid.
Not so much flow through huh?  The TWU International has and will continue to screw AA's AMTs, because it's in their best interests to use us, and parse off our pay and benefits to prop up the unskilled, and even the skilled.  It wasn't that long ago, that A&Ps made about $5.00ph more than the Sim Techs - now it's the other way around.  How do you suppose that happened?  Guys working on pretend airplanes in a climate controlled environment making more than a line AMT signing off a logbook with all the responsibility that goes along with that?  Yeah, it's politically incorrect to say such a thing, it is still is a fact though. 
The AMTs at AA need new representation that will represent the best interests of the AMTs!  The TWU can take their one size fits all commie philosophy and peddle that nonsense somewhere else.  I have worked under TWU contracts for 30 years - not unlike many on this board, and I can honestly say they have had a fair chance to do right by AAs AMTs.  The TWUs brazen lack of respect for AA's AMTs was further amplified with the denial of the memberships wishes to have a vote for this joint representation venture.  Yet here you are telling us "c'mon guys, lets get together, and give them another chance".  Really?

 

[conehead777]

I've signed 6 amfa cards and a teamsters card and so far it's gotten me nothing. All I'm trying to say is it doesn't matter who represents us if we don't stick together and apparently we can't do that. So let's work on unity amongst members. If we aren't united then it won't matter who represents us. You are a perfect example of the problem with our union now. I say something that you don't agree with and suddenly a "newbie" and a "union troll". Rather than give a constructive response as to why you disagree with me or why you think my comment is incorrect, you call me names. To me that shows a lack of intelligence. I don't mind constructive criticism. Discussing things and coming to common ground helps everyone. To simply say I'm wrong because I have a different opinion than you will never convince me or anyone else to change our way of thinking.

i find it doubtful you signed 6 alfa cards when you signed a teamster card we all knew that was a twu plot to stop the amfa vote.it dose matter who represents us AMFA you can vote every one out if the membership is not happy . plus the AMFA leaders make in line what the members do .not some intl president making 280000 plus a year. no wonder they do not care about our contract as long as they make there 280000 plus a year

 

[Overspeed]

Rogallo,
It is not who you want in the Int'l, it is who the membership wants. The AA M&R membership should vote on a resolution of who we want as our ATD rep. While we cannot chose the person since they are appointed, advising Lombardo as to who we want would be different than we have in the past. Now is the time to do that.
 
It's worth a shot and if Lombardo blows us off then we know where he stands and we make choices on what to do next.

 

[Rogallo]

Rogallo,
It is not who you want in the Int'l, it is who the membership wants. The AA M&R membership should vote on a resolution of who we want as our ATD rep. While we cannot chose the person since they are appointed, advising Lombardo as to who we want would be different than we have in the past. Now is the time to do that.
 
It's worth a shot and if Lombardo blows us off then we know where he stands and we make choices on what to do next.

 
So now, all of a sudden, it's about giving the membership the choice of who represents us at the Int'l level.
What about the last 30+ years?
 
Boy, you've flip-flopped!

 

[Badwlmson]

I HAVE signed 6 cards and a teamsters card. Was signing a teamsters card wrong? Possibly, but I thought they had a better chance of making than amfa, which had failed several times. Since I obviously lack the "seniority" on this board to be allowed to voice my opinion without attacks I will respectfully bow out of commenting and just quietly observe. But if I may be allowed to voice one more opinion: get used to the twu because that's all we'll ever have because amfa supporters are all loud and obnoxious and only want to talk to the rest of us like we're idiots. Like I said in previous posts, without unity NO representation will change anything and telling everyone who disagrees or is uninformed how stupid we are will never promote unity. Sorry I've wasted everyone's time and my own trying to have constructive conversation.

 

[Overspeed]

Rogallo,
Flip flopped? On what? I enever said I was opposed to member choice. The fact is that many organizations you vote for the top leadership and the pick the team that will help them get the job done. If the questions is about ATD rep recommendations then that's what a resolution is for. You do understand what the difference is between a resolution and a motion is don't you?

 

[Vortilon]

I HAVE signed 6 cards and a teamsters card. Was signing a teamsters card wrong? Possibly, but I thought they had a better chance of making than amfa, which had failed several times. Since I obviously lack the "seniority" on this board to be allowed to voice my opinion without attacks I will respectfully bow out of commenting and just quietly observe. But if I may be allowed to voice one more opinion: get used to the twu because that's all we'll ever have because amfa supporters are all loud and obnoxious and only want to talk to the rest of us like we're idiots. Like I said in previous posts, without unity NO representation will change anything and telling everyone who disagrees or is uninformed how stupid we are will never promote unity. Sorry I've wasted everyone's time and my own trying to have constructive conversation.

 
Nice technique, portray yourself as the poor disenfranchised, often misunderstood TWU supporter.  Are you really being bullied off the board, or is it, you can't debate the facts?  AMFA supporters loud and obnoxious, now that's funny, setting out yellow cards, and waiting for guys to fill them out - is now considered loud and obnoxious?  Having a paid Teamster supporter show up on my front door step; on the other hand, is obnoxious.

 

[AMFAinMIAMI]

I HAVE signed 6 cards and a teamsters card. Was signing a teamsters card wrong? Possibly, but I thought they had a better chance of making than amfa, which had failed several times. Since I obviously lack the "seniority" on this board to be allowed to voice my opinion without attacks I will respectfully bow out of commenting and just quietly observe. But if I may be allowed to voice one more opinion: get used to the twu because that's all we'll ever have because amfa supporters are all loud and obnoxious and only want to talk to the rest of us like we're idiots. Like I said in previous posts, without unity NO representation will change anything and telling everyone who disagrees or is uninformed how stupid we are will never promote unity. Sorry I've wasted everyone's time and my own trying to have constructive conversation.

 
Badwlmson
 
Signing any card whether it be amfa or IBT is your choice but to sign either just because someone says too is stupid. That is what lots of guys here at AA did. So don't feel bad.
getting informed after all the AMFA drives and looking at what the TWU has done to us as a craft and class and still supporting them then shame on you. So much info was put out by both the IBT and AMFA supporters here at AA, every one should of known just what was going on. The TWU has traded our families future for small tid bits. The Intl. boys have gotten richer while we suffered under all the bs they agreed too.
 
Unity is something that will NEVER Happen here at AA, the TWU did not stress that it promotes the IGM attitude. It as a union looks out for the groups that they feel will vote in what bs they are selling to insure the dues stay flowing. I have supported AMFA as an organizer  for three reasons. (1). I could sit in on negotiations, (2). No stores/Fleet members, (3). Possibility of removing officers at the Top if they don't perform. The rest of the union bs is just that without support from the membership no union will succeed. As far as being loud and obnoxious some of the organizers may have been because after all that was taken, or voted away, due to the lack of guys not doing their own research reading the fine print just going along the TWU has stayed here and we all have suffered.
 
Most of the negatives that have fallen onto our industry is because of the TWU's failure here at AA. They just roll over supporting the company and its bottom line. It has caused what has happened in the industry to A&P's.
 
Besides trading jobs for money and thus keeping our pension funded for a few yrs more the TWU has taken us back to the stone age. Unions fought hard for holiday pay and holidays off, Vacation, and much more yet we have lost so much more. 
 
If you have something to add to any discussion say it. Sitting on the side lines is the reason we are in this place since so many do that, hare at AA. 

 

[Badwlmson]

Nice technique, portray yourself as the poor disenfranchised, often misunderstood TWU supporter.  Are you really being bullied off the board, or is it, you can't debate the facts?  AMFA supporters loud and obnoxious, now that's funny, setting out yellow cards, and waiting for guys to fill them out - is now considered loud and obnoxious?  Having a paid Teamster supporter show up on my front door step; on the other hand, is obnoxious.

Yes, loud and obnoxious. Here in Tulsa, the only thing amfa supporters want to do is ***** about how the twu is screwing me. I don't need anyone to point that out to me, I'm not blind. Tell me what you're going to do differently and how you plan to accomplish it. Mud slinging doesn't impress me any more in union politics than it does in goverment politics. Pointing out the faults of your competitors doesn't prove anything to me. "He sucks so you should vote for me". And giving me a hamburger or hotdog doesn't impress me either, not does it show any greater commitment to a cause or change. Amfa will never be successful out here as long as they continue to use the same tactics for recruitment. Hell, I can remember when they wouldn't have anything to do with the osm's. Or srp's as they were then. That is until the realized they needed their signatures for the card drive to have a chance. I'm sure there are still plenty of those people left that remember that and would never sign a card. So, instead of telling me how bad twu is, tell me how amfa will be better. And as far as the obnoxious teamsters going door to door? They listened to what I had to say. They presented their case on what they could do to improve things then thanked me for my time. Turns out it was all a big attempt to stop amfa, but at least they listened. Like I said in a previous post, we're NEVER gonna have anything different because we'll NEVER stick together. The twu has created that culture out here over the years pitting us against each other and overbearing people like yourself do nothing to help it. The vocal minority such as yourself on an airline forum that only a few people get on and even fewer of us comment will never impact change. Until EVERYONE can come together for a common cause we'll never accomplish what we all want. Everyone wants basically the same thing, yet we still can't agree. The one group that should be sticking together, the mechanics, can't even do that because the twu has allowed a wedge to be driven between line and O/H.if it were me, I'd start by figuring out how to get those 2 groups together. Just my two cents