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On 5/7/2003 1:23:46 PM diogenes wrote:
I have some long standing disagreements with how the IAM operates. The divisions amongst the class and crafts, and between stations, are appalling. Isn't the root word of 'union' unity? And don't even get me started on the 'vote the slate' bullhockey. Doesn't the district trust us to elect our own representation? (Trivia question: How many AGC's has been voted out of office in the past 20 years? Answer: None.)
Having said that, the IAM is not the sole, nor major reason for the recent enema we just took. ALPA is the most powerful union in the industry, if not the world. Did they not take a pimp-slapping, as did the rest of us? If they were unable to protect their jobs, pensions and health care, how in the world was the IAM, CWA or AFA expected to do any better? When this company's tactics find their way over to NW, and it will, AMFA will get punked just like everybody else.
Moreover, what political outreach does AMFA have? And please, do not give me the naive "unions should not be involved in politics" line. Management is involved. The Business Roundtable is involved. Majority stockholders are involved. WE need to be involved.
For instance, our contract calls for FMLA in compliance with federal law. No federal law, no FMLA. Federal law restricts FMLA? Your rights get restricted along with it. (FMLA abuse is another thread) Another example. A bill that has just passed the House says an employer can pay you compensatory time, rather than money, for overtime. The bill also reclassifies who is and is not eligible for overtime. Under the bill, the poor schmuck at JC Penney's that sells you a necktie is ineligible for overtime IF he is even partly compensated by commission - that commission can be any figure the company sets. Imagine the fun the Palace would have with that! But, you say, my contract says I get cash for overtime. Read the first few pages closer. It says the contract is subject to changes in the law. Right now, the only thing between this bill and Bush signing it into law is labor's friends in the Senate. I pray there are enough of them to vote down this monstrosity. So a political presence is very much in order. While I don't agree with every IAM political issue, UNIONS ARE THE ONLY DOG WE HAVE IN THIS FIGHT! Someone please educate me as to where AMFA is on these issues.
Seems to me AMFA wants us to marry them on the rebound.
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Diogenes I always enjoy your post but I suppose we may actually disagree on some things you said, unless I misunderstood you.
You mentioned that we must rectify some things in the IAM, specifically I believe you mentioned some AGC's not worth their weight.
First off, the AGC's make $94,500 and usually burn another $15,000 a year, some more, some less.
But that isn't the point of this post.
I actually tried to rectify getting some of the deadweight out and I can assure you that it has never happened. The Labor dept actually had to rule against the District once. How can yo vote out a current AGC when you have workers from Phillipines, Hawaiian, United, and Aloha voting on your AGC's, and they have no clue on who they are voting for? How do you reconcile that to the pursuit of voting out your AGC, I certainly would like to know?
Alas, maybe a bylaw change at the convention then right? Well, that's worse than pulling teeth. I been there and done that. Call the biggest local in 141 [ORD] which only has about 7,000 members and ask them why they aren't financially supporting any delegates to the 141 convention this year! Off the record their answer will be because the convention is a joke...on the record they might say it's because of a money crunch. Either way it IS because the convention isn't worth the money.
I also served on the Convention screening committee and we had one proposal come through that me and all the other screening committee members approved to go to the bylaws committee but that was discarded also. But none of this is new.
If we are the union then how can this be?
So are we the Union? Yes, but the IAM is the organization that represents us the members. let me explain. When you switch unions, the union doesn't change, i.e., you, me and all other fleet service, because we are the union. But the Labor organization does change. And I won't do a long diatribe about the self evident type of representation the IAM has shelled out to Fleet service, I will simply just say all one needs to do is look up at the scoreboard.
The fundamental problem with the IAM is the jurassiclike paternal system of government that went out in the 70's. So that, let me ask you a few questions regarding this.
Have you ever voted on your contract proposal screening committee? No, in fact lately we haven't even had one because the IAM decided they knew what was best and didn't bother asking the members for proposals.
What member decided we should take the $45 million dollar concession associated with the IAM pension fund?
And, Diogenes, who actually elected our negotiations team?
There are two 'major' fundamental reasons to have a union, Negotiations and Grievances, do you agree?
Tell me Diogenes, you say you work in a medium sized station? Who was there representing your station at the table? Surely one person...right?
Also, regarding small/medium stations, I believe I remember you saying things don't add up to $14 million unless there are more furloughs? Correct me if I'm wrong.
I asked about this and I was told that the fleet numbers would stay the same and that the only IAM members affected would be in M&R. Now we see the lie manifested.
But, the IAM signed confidentiality papers so it was not permissible for them to reveal some things was it?
Now comes this opportunity to switch unions. So that, I ask you to carefully consider everything I said but moreso read the AGW constitution or highlight sheet. It is distinctly democratic and moreso than any other Labor organization.
No more would small/medium sized stations not have someone on a negotiations committee, after all, if the small stations were all represented last time then we might have had some idea of what the term "express station" meant and its application.
Sorry for the long post Diogenes but please call me at the dialnet area code and first 3 numbers as you see them in the computer, then the last 4 numbers being 7158. We are seldom in the breakroom but it is best to reach me at or around 0700-0800 CST
Onward AGW
Tim Nelson, Former Local Chairman 1487
orthwest Airlines
