AA Mechanics, Where do we go from here?

[TWU informer]

AA Pilots have faired well with an independent union.

AA F/A's have faired well with an independent union.

Why wouldn't it be in the best interest of AA Mechanics to form an independent union and begin another organized push to rid ourselves of the TWU?

 

[eolesen]

What happened to the IBT?...

 

[AMFAMAN]

What happened to the IBT?...

That's the twu boys drive and I for one have been waiting for confirmation of the IBT supporting this effort. To date, I have seen nothing to confirm for or against the drive from the IBT.

But back to the thread, creating our own union is certainly an interesting scenario.

 

[eolesen]

Yep, and it would force a hell of a lot more accountability than you'll find with a union like AMFA or the industrial unions.

 

[AMFAMAN]

Yep, and it would force a hell of a lot more accountability than you'll find with a union like AMFA or the industrial unions.

Yes, if it is set up correctly with a very pro member constitution from the get go.

 

[Hackman]

Yep, and it would force a hell of a lot more accountability than you'll find with a union like AMFA or the industrial unions.

Of course, we should all listen very seriously to former AA management about "accountability".

 

[TWU informer]

Of course, we should all listen very seriously to former AA management about "accountability".

I happen to strongly agree with former AA management's comments on this matter.

 

[TIME FOR CHANGE]

Use the pilots constitution as a guide.
Then the only obstacle is getting the twu off the property.
We could all start by going to hand pay.
And of course hand pay in pennies

 

[FWAAA]

I've posted repeatedly that I don't understand why airplane mechanics ever allowed themselves to be represented by a bus drivers' union. A union that also includes various flight attendants and fleet service clerks. Assuming the truthfulness of Mr Owens' assertions that the TWU has screwed the AA mechanics for going on 25 years now - and I have no reason to doubt him - the AA mechanics have suffered more than enough.

Forming a union composed solely of AA (and maybe AE) mechanics should result in one that has the mechanics' best interests front and center. If you're gonna pay union dues, why settle for anything less?

Good luck.

 

[Hackman]

I happen to strongly agree with former AA management's comments on this matter.

I do also, it sure as hell couldn't be much worse. I was just considering the source.

 

[eolesen]

Of course, we should all listen very seriously to former AA management about "accountability".

Color me stupid, but I've always paid pretty close attention to people who know what is in the other side's playbook...

 

[Bob Owens]

I've posted repeatedly that I don't understand why airplane mechanics ever allowed themselves to be represented by a bus drivers' union. A union that also includes various flight attendants and fleet service clerks. Assuming the truthfulness of Mr Owens' assertions that the TWU has screwed the AA mechanics for going on 25 years now - and I have no reason to doubt him - the AA mechanics have suffered more than enough.

Forming a union composed solely of AA (and maybe AE) mechanics should result in one that has the mechanics' best interests front and center. If you're gonna pay union dues, why settle for anything less?

Good luck.

Well the problem with an "AA mechs only union" is that it further ties the fate of the members to one particular company. This in turn actually increases the companies leverage, so if the objective is to just get rid of the TWU, fine, it could work, but if the objective is better pay and benifits success is doubtful.

If the concessions had been confined to AA then there may be a valid arguement as to the benifits of forming an "AMR only" union, but thats not the case. The concessions were industrywide, therefore the remedy must also be industrywide. Forming a company specific union is not the answer nor do I think thats what TWU Informer had in mind.

Assuming the truthfulness of Mr Owens' assertions that the TWU has screwed the AA mechanics for going on 25 years now - and I have no reason to doubt him - the AA mechanics have suffered more than enough.

My position is that the TWU has screwed everyone they claim to represent at this company.

The objective should be better pay and benifits.

Clearly just going into another union is not the answer, getting rid of the TWU would most certainly be an improvement but not the end all, in fact it would be a step in the right direction. In order to accomplish the objective of getting better pay and benifits we must eventually form a structure that can deal with the challenges we face on an industrywide basis. We have to recognize that what happens to other workers in this industry affects us.

Another thing is we must have every group going for this or it will fail as the other drives have. The assumption that Fleet Service, Stores and other TWU represented workers are happy with the TWU is false, they simply had no other options. Lets face the facts. Fleet service had nothing to do with the maintenance concessions, the TWU is the problem, not the other workgroups.

Pilots have the unions they have because their membership is made up of individuals who invested a lot in their industry specific careers. It just follows that they would initiate forming organizations that protect their investment. They have been moderately sucessful. Mechanics have had less sucesss, mainly because they started too late, ALPA existed 30 years prior to the initial formation of AMFA. Another problem that mechaincs face is the NMBs unclear and overly broad interpretation of our "class and craft". This ambiguity has already helped the TWU and AA prevent an election for AMFA. An election that TWU International Rep Bobby Gless admitted under oath "the TWU would lose".

If the mechanics want to get rid of the TWU their best allies are their brothers and sisters in other departments. A simultaneous filing by every dept would eliminate the ability of the TWU/AA to stack the deck and prevent an election. I would very much be in favor of forming a completely new union with the objective of organizing all the ground workers in the entire industry as long as it also allows for a reasonable amount of self determination for each class and craft within the union. In other words under one union where each group owns their own contract, from ratification to implementation, everything under the electoral authority of the membership.

 

[MCI transplant]

<_< ---- You know the Mechanics at TWA had the chance to join the Pilot's Union at least twice, that I know of! Turned them down both times! But that was way before my time!

 

[Kev3188]

I would very much be in favor of forming a completely new union with the objective of organizing all the ground workers in the entire industry as long as it also allows for a reasonable amount of self determination for each class and craft within the union. In other words under one union where each group owns their own contract, from ratification to implementation, everything under the electoral authority of the membership.

Amen.

 

[nofaultfound]

Is union membership mandatory?