American Airlines and Labor Negotiations

[NYer]

Obvious??? Hardly.... the amount of work, understanding of each other’s language and coming to agreement on how to proceed is not Obvious at all..Why some language existed in the past in each other’s agreements and how some may have survived is no way Obvious to the members of both the IAM and TWU. Any new language agreed upon no one can know the hard truth of the hows and whys unless they were part of it.

And I've been a proponent of the two unions spending much more time trying to understand all that you mentioned instead of letting so many months pass before getting together in July 2015. As well, it would have been productive to have that same information shared with the Members in order to try and address why this process is so lengthy and challenging.

Too little time getting to know each other, too little time understanding each other, too little substantive information being shared equals the current frustration and lack of understanding of the process while having misguided expectations.

 

[WeAAsles]

And I've been a proponent of the two unions spending much more time trying to understand all that you mentioned instead of letting so many months pass before getting together in July 2015. As well, it would have been productive to have that same information shared with the Members in order to try and address why this process is so lengthy and challenging.

Too little time getting to know each other, too little time understanding each other, too little substantive information being shared equals the current frustration and lack of understanding of the process while having misguided expectations.

I notice a pattern with you that is completely insulting and that is how going on for years now you continue to completely IGNORE anyone and everyone who has continued to tell you that their greatest frustration is that particularly the TWU in Jim Little informed that there would be a vote to allow the members to have a voice on this Association and that NEVER came to pass.

The greatest frustration is in the FACT that the FORMER leaders of the TWU “””LIED””” to their members and people like you continue to insult all by NEVER even acknowledging it.

If you ever REALLY want to fix the problem you need to start where it began in the first place.

 

[Racer X]

And I've been a proponent of the two unions spending much more time trying to understand all that you mentioned instead of letting so many months pass before getting together in July 2015. As well, it would have been productive to have that same information shared with the Members in order to try and address why this process is so lengthy and challenging.

Too little time getting to know each other, too little time understanding each other, too little substantive information being shared equals the current frustration and lack of understanding of the process while having misguided expectations.

They spent over 6 months together preparing for Jan 2015

 

[Racer X]

If the hows and why’s were so obvious then the new TWU Fleet President’s would not have needed so far two separate meetings with the past Presidents who actually did the work to try and understand how they arrived where they ultimately did with the TA’d items.

Oh and now I hear they would like to have a meeting with the IAM Negotiators as well to gain there perspectives.

Doesn’t sound like it’s all so obvious to me either in that case.

P.S. What are people scared to use the phone these days? Crikey.

I agree...it’s not at all obvious.

 

[Tim Nelson]

Disagree again my friend. The mere existence of the ASSociation is the driving factor here. Even more so than just the TWU. We don't like being shared.
One union representation, not two! Especially not one which was forced upon us.

BTW, cards are being signed like they are giving money away.

i hope you guys do this.

 

[NYer]

They spent over 6 months together preparing for Jan 2015

Should have been longer.

 

[Tim Nelson]

They spent over 6 months together preparing for Jan 2015

bs. they didnt do squat. Preparing what??? Stop being a moron. This isnt preparation for going to the moon, this is preparation for negotiating a labor contract. They did guzzle down beer and gain weight though. Sorry

 

[NYer]

"The latest rumor is that somehow “The Association” is the problem. While we all wanted a vote on representation, the National Mediation Board made the determination that was not an option. The NMB then established “The Association” as our bargaining representative."

 

[WeAAsles]

Should have been longer.

May 19, 2013 (The very first time the lie was told)

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) and the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) today announced a partnership to jointly represent nearly 30,000 ground workers at the “new” American Airlines following the merger of American Airlines and US Airways.

This week the two international unions have signed joint agreements to cover the Mechanic & Related, Fleet Service, and Stores employee work groups at the soon to be merged airline.

“”””The new labor partnership, to be known as the TWU/IAM Employee Association, will ask the federal National Mediation Board (NMB) to hold elections among the combined employees for each classification after the close of the American-US Airways merger. The election will formalize the joint-council agreement reached this week.””””

“I am proud that our two great unions put the members first in a true demonstration of solidarity,” said IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger. “These agreements protect our members’ representation, pensions and seniority. Working jointly with the TWU, we will ensure both unions’ members are rewarded in this merger.”

“This agreement allows us to use our combined strength and resources on behalf of all our members as we move forward at the new American Airlines,” said TWU International President James C. Little. “Both unions have decades of experience representing workers at US Airways and American Airlines and both unions are members of the AFL-CIO.”

 

[737823]

On a % of total increase in overall comp has anyone in the airline industry benefited more financially on the mergers of HP/US then US/AA than former HP rampers and TWU 580 officials? Pretty remarkable to think they went from a small, strategically limited low cost carrier paying near minimum wage with meager benefits on an essentially worthless CBA and 580 officers making ~$20k.

Today top of the scale is ~$32/hr with benefits and IAM AGCs make low six figures, aggregated over the past 12 years on a percentage basis has anyone come out further ahead? They hit the lotto, the IAM at USAIR gave them full DOH and they are getting full DOH today at AA.

Josh

 

[WeAAsles]

"The latest rumor is that somehow “The Association” is the problem. While we all wanted a vote on representation, the National Mediation Board made the determination that was not an option. The NMB then established “The Association” as our bargaining representative." View attachment 13157

NYer give me a break. The TWU/IAM Association should have been voted on “”””BEFORE”””” it filed with the NMB to service the combined membership.

Yes I still continue to recognize that a partnership between the two Unions (to me) was/is a MUCH better idea than the fighting that would have occurred without it.

BUT it is and will continue to be the root cause of many problems until someone officially recognizes that fact.

(Even you are now engaging in infighting here against IAM Negotiators. Nice role model you’re showing yourself to be)

 

[737823]

May 19, 2013 (The very first time the lie was told)

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) and the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) today announced a partnership to jointly represent nearly 30,000 ground workers at the “new” American Airlines following the merger of American Airlines and US Airways.

This week the two international unions have signed joint agreements to cover the Mechanic & Related, Fleet Service, and Stores employee work groups at the soon to be merged airline.

“”””The new labor partnership, to be known as the TWU/IAM Employee Association, will ask the federal National Mediation Board (NMB) to hold elections among the combined employees for each classification after the close of the American-US Airways merger. The election will formalize the joint-council agreement reached this week.””””

“I am proud that our two great unions put the members first in a true demonstration of solidarity,” said IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger. “These agreements protect our members’ representation, pensions and seniority. Working jointly with the TWU, we will ensure both unions’ members are rewarded in this merger.”

“This agreement allows us to use our combined strength and resources on behalf of all our members as we move forward at the new American Airlines,” said TWU International President James C. Little. “Both unions have decades of experience representing workers at US Airways and American Airlines and both unions are members of the AFL-CIO.”

And Jim Little & Buffy are both gone but the membership who pays dues and finances their cushy perks didn’t get to vote and is subject to this worthless entity.

Josh

 

[WeAAsles]

And Jim Little & Buffy are both gone but the membership who pays dues and finances their cushy perks didn’t get to vote and is subject to this worthless entity.

Josh

Worthless entity? LMFAO. Sorry but I don’t think so. My Bank Accounts, Stocks and 401k say something entirely different. And I ain’t driving a 1998 Mustang any more either.

The Association deserves some of the credit.

Nice try though.

 

[Jester]

On a % of total increase in overall comp has anyone in the airline industry benefited more financially on the mergers of HP/US then US/AA than former HP rampers and TWU 580 officials? Pretty remarkable to think they went from a small, strategically limited low cost carrier paying near minimum wage with meager benefits on an essentially worthless CBA and 580 officers making ~$20k.

Today top of the scale is ~$32/hr with benefits and IAM AGCs make low six figures, aggregated over the past 12 years on a percentage basis has anyone come out further ahead? They hit the lotto, the IAM at USAIR gave them full DOH and they are getting full DOH today at AA.

Josh

I agree except to say AW having full seniority was pretty much a non-factor for US and AA rank-and-file, as average AW ramp agents seniority was a few total years, and even if an ramp agent started at AW day one, by the time of the merger with US that person would only have 22 years. While respectable, it was pretty average among the US side and later the AA guys. AW received no protections or fences during the ensuing post-merger furloughs, which I think to be unfortunate as it would be far more easier to stay with a job that paid reasonably well with good benefits (as with US and AA), than it would be to stay with a job that took 6 years to make $10/hour with lousy benefits. Not surprising the average seniority at both US and AA to be much higher as the turn-over rate to be much lower.

 

[cltrat]

so, this isn't a hunch or an 'i wish' moment...your top secret source tipped you off?

well, if it's the case, i agree...the twu will vote in a T/A that promises money that couldn't have been dreamed of 7-8 years ago.

we're still looking at $3k signing bonus per lucky employee and $65k fsc buyout?

the laa crew chiefs really lucked out if the language goes the laa way. unbelievable...and the company wants lavs instead. we'll have a handful of bad news c/c and contract workers crashing into planes and messing up the lavs.

if arpey was still ceo, i'd guess i'd be the other way around.

Crema if the LAA cc work rules are indeed to way going forward that’s going to be quite a change on the LUS side,I can tell you that,if what I have read is correct