American Airlines won't sweeten offer

[TWU informer]

American Airlines won’t raise the overall value of a tentative contract rejected by its mechanics and stock clerks when talks with the labor group resume, the carrier’s lead negotiator said Thursday.

“The company can’t afford to sweeten the deal because it was rejected,” Jeff Brundage, American’s senior vice president for human resources, said in an interview with Bloomberg News. “That’s not going to happen.”

American would be willing to change elements of the contract while maintaining the same total cost, he said.

Bluff Called Your Move - Now the rest of the story

Ok boys, now which group wants to take more, and which group gets screwed?

I would love to give my opinion, but what comes to my mind is not allowed here.

 

[DallasConehead]

Informer, the money will be shuffled, and as a result, everyone will get a worse deal. Next year....

But,, hip hip hooray, we voted one down for once. Bunch of fart smellers we are..

 

[Frank Szabo]

... snip
But,, hip hip hooray, we voted one down for once. Bunch of fart smellers we are..

I'd have been pleased with the product of real negotiations however - I don't believe that those "real negotiations" ever took place. How else could one explain the time involved then, all of a sudden, the "agreements" begin literally began "falling" from the sky over Fort Worth/Centrepork?

It's quite evident what we were told took place and what actually happened weren't the same. Most believe these so-called "negotiations" were strictly for show; another attempt at continuing the drama of 2003 for the benefit of those still faithful to the TWU.

On the chance the TWU hasn't been keeping up with current events, a full two-thirds of the membership said to get your collective arse back to work and "earn your keep".

... and, boys and girls of the TWU, earning one's keep has nothing to do with stupid slogans and T-shirts. That may have worked in years past but the compAAny and its wholly-owned subsidiary (the TWU) are playing to a different crowd - over 60 percent of the membership voting down the TA is proof that we actually acted like a real union for a change by refusing to make the under 50 group a batch of second rate humans as the compAAny and TWU would have had us do for a temporary and minor "reward".

Someone should call the Pope and ask if hell froze over.​

Only time will tell if either are paying attention (and I'm interested in what Benny the Pope had to say).

 

[Deleted member 14439]

Typical and expected company rhetoric. Now where do you guys expect to go from here? More supposed negotiations? Rearrange the t/a and send it back out? Get put on "ice" by the mediator or Binding arbitration? I`m curious what you guys think.

 

[Vortilon]

Well Continental AMTs got their TA today - so that could be used as some sort of guide. Haven't had time to peruse the whole thing yet; anyway, here's the link: http://www.teamsterslocal19.org/suggest_article.cfm?homeID=174716 If this link doesn't work, just check local 19 teamster site for link to pdf of contract.

 

[eolesen]

Your link is hosed.

Try http://www.teamsterslocal19.org/?zone=/unionactive/view_article.cfm&homeID=174716

 

[Deleted member 14439]

Thanks for the link "E". I just skimmed over it and at first blush it blows or FORMER t/a out of the water. Double time, more vacation,more holidays, more sick time. Premium pay for engine run/taxi, 5% premium for crew cheif/inspector. This to name but a few things. I`m sure I missed alot but that was the snapshot.

 

[787nightmare]

I'd have been pleased with the product of real negotiations however - I don't believe that those "real negotiations" ever took place. How else could one explain the time involved then, all of a sudden, the "agreements" begin literally began "falling" from the sky over Fort Worth/Centrepork?

It's quite evident what we were told took place and what actually happened weren't the same. Most believe these so-called "negotiations" were strictly for show; another attempt at continuing the drama of 2003 for the benefit of those still faithful to the TWU.

On the chance the TWU hasn't been keeping up with current events, a full two-thirds of the membership said to get your collective arse back to work and "earn your keep".

... and, boys and girls of the TWU, earning one's keep has nothing to do with stupid slogans and T-shirts. That may have worked in years past but the compAAny and its wholly-owned subsidiary (the TWU) are playing to a different crowd - over 60 percent of the membership voting down the TA is proof that we actually acted like a real union for a change by refusing to make the under 50 group a batch of second rate humans as the compAAny and TWU would have had us do for a temporary and minor "reward".

Someone should call the Pope and ask if hell froze over.​

Only time will tell if either are paying attention (and I'm interested in what Benny the Pope had to say).

Frank, good post.
The notion it takes that long to get a deal done, I feel is BS. I''ve felt all along that the companies are just playing with the unions.
Outside of the company just dragging there feet(which they do), it doesn't take that long to exchange proposals. Of course, the TWU will comply with what the company wants and "swap the furniture around" & sell it to the members. The real issue the company has(and Crandall had)was paying the "unskilled/entry level" positions an outragous hourly rate-resulting from coat-tailing the mechs. Which is why the mechanics in this industry need desperately to seperate from the others dragging them down.

Again...the company and the TWU will pull off something that'll get the TULE bunch to bite and presto, done deal. And once again, the outstations will remain pissed off at TULE. Once again, the AA mechs will take it in the shorts. Hide and watch...

 

[Bob Owens]

Thanks for the link "E". I just skimmed over it and at first blush it blows or FORMER t/a out of the water. Double time, more vacation,more holidays, more sick time. Premium pay for engine run/taxi, 5% premium for crew cheif/inspector. This to name but a few things. I`m sure I missed alot but that was the snapshot.

During the road show claims were made that Continental made a few pennies more than us but they paid a lot more for medical so they are around the same as us. Shortly afterwards I reviewed their Contract and found that when you added in the value for their Holidays , vacation etc they were making about $10k more than we were. while I hope our brothers reject the agreement(the raises lag inflation) I understand that there's a lot of uncertainty over there due to the merger with UAL. They also got a lot more sick time than we did and a lot more IOD time. The have a DB and a 401k match as well.

I havent reviewd the language but here are the Highlights:
• Signing Bonus LOA of up to $6,000.00, based on longevity, to be paid on or before November 15, 2010.
• 2.5% increase in base as of 1/1/09; 2.5% compounded increase in base as of 7/1/10, with retro pay to be applied to both 1/1/09 and 7/1/10 increases and paid on or before November 15, 2010; 2.5% compounded increase as of 7/1/11; and 2.5% increase as of 7/1/12.

AATWU Retro only to May5 of 2010 despite the fact the agreement became amendable two years earlier. For Cal they would get in addition to the $6k lump sum another $2600(base 3120 hrs 1/1/09 Retro), so they would be getting around $8600 each not including the retro for Holday pay and OT.

• An additional one million dollars in one-time bonus pay to be allocated to members on a longevity basis.

• Floating Holidays will be increased from two to four starting January 1, 2011.• Line premium increase to $0.30 (1/1/09); $0.40 (7/1/11) and $0.50 (7/1/12).
• GSE/Utility premium increased to $2.13 as of date of signing.
• FCC Premium increased to $3.30 on 1/1/09 and $3.48 on date of signing.
• Taxi run-up premium $1.00/Hr.
• Total License premium increased to $4.25 total.
• Retirement plan LOA – CAL shall maintain CARP
• Continue present no furlough protections for the duration of the Agreement; also, maintain all current scope protections.
• Overtime: Elimination of 40 hour overtime rule.
• Temporary upgrade: will be paid at the premium rate for full shift.
• Information sharing: CAL must provide Union with readily available information regarding work performed by contractors at line stations and for GSEs.
• Arbitration: CAL and the Union Agreement to create an expedited Board of Arbitration. Also, agreements to revamp arbitration discovery procedure, and other important improvements in the process.
• Medical Leaves: 120 day accruals for unpaid medical leaves.
• Revamping of bid procedures: after ratification, all vacancies will be standard bids and posted in EBID.
• Adverse conditions: FAC with no definitive answer regarding open or closed will be considered open two hours prior to shift.
• VDAT: employees may elect to use any or all vacation as VDAT.
• Variable use option: Employees may defer up to three (3) weeks of vacation per year with no age restrictions for single lump sum severance payment.
• FMLA: agreement to revamp FMLA leave policy.
• Military Leave: Retirement protection while on Military Leave, and travel passes for Technicians and family while on Military Leave
• Non Critical Illness Leave: amount of leave increased from three to six days.
• Retiree Bridge Medical: Does not expire 18 months after Amendable Date.[/b]• Field trips: New flat 1.75 times base rate for all hours away from station.• Safety: Agreement to create a new System Safety Board
• Pay: Step increases will be on the first day of the pay period in which the employee’s anniversary falls, starting January 1, 2011.
• Hotel expense increase, along with mileage rate for use of personal car.
• Moving expenses: increased to $12,000 total as of date of signing.
• Health Care: CAL must share with union all health care methodologies and experience rates.
• Accident Insurance: Employees insured up $200,000 while traveling on Field trips.
• LTD Plan: CAL will pay 50% of the premium.• Employees who are called in late for OT will be pay protected for the entire shift.
• Job Continuation: CAL must document job continuations
• Grievance Procedure: employees must be informed that they can have representation during questioning.
• Employees procuring I.D’s without loss of pay (Schedule adjusted)
• Duration: Agreement becomes amendable after 26 months (12/31/2012)
• Commuter protection LOA

So it comes out to a three year agreement with a raise of 7.5% on the base(vs our 6% over 5 years ). Delta just got a 10% snapback, inflation averages 3%/year, So the wage increases lag inflation.

If the IBT wants to take advantage of the new NMB ruling on elections and try and organize the Mechanics at Delta they need to do better than that.

While it appears that there are several improvements we dont see if they gave concessions. In all its not a very good deal but it appears to be superior in its entirety to what we rejected and it does make Brundages claim that they are sticking to their "cost neutral proposal" look silly. I think a year from now Jeff Brundage will no longer be at AMR. His rant a few months back about how it was just too bad about 9-11 and the fuel spike and airline workers should be greatful that they allow us to work for less while he pockets millions in bonuses was irksome to say the least. He must give Missy Latham nightmares about damage control.

 

[Ken MacTiernan]

787nightmare,

"Again...the company and the TWU will pull off something that'll get the TULE bunch to bite and presto, done deal. And once again, the outstations will remain pissed off at TULE. Once again, the AA mechs will take it in the shorts. Hide and watch..."

Do not assume the previous actions of the appointed members of the twu will prevail again. TUL AMTs have seen the twu for what they are. Or better yet, what they aren't. There is unity at AA. There always has been but it had been buried by the twu. Do not be surprised when the next t/a with the rearranged furniture is brought back with another colored flyer urging a yes vote is voted down again.

The twu is asking for a survey of what we want?

Local 514 is under the leadership of an appointed international union organizer who believes that the twu world will remain intact because union members will be t-shirt coordinated.

Things have changed at AA... and (pun intended) THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

GO AMP!

 

[eolesen]

I suggest you read the CAL contract's scope clause. There is no restrictions on commuter flying, and there are also no outright prohibitions or caps on outsourcing.

 

[Hopeful]

I suggest you read the CAL contract's scope clause. There is no restrictions on commuter flying, and there are also no outright prohibitions or caps on outsourcing.

I, for one, do not think the CAL TA is all that great. True there some aspects that are more beneficial than ours. And I have a strong feeling that the CAL mechanics are not all that thrilled with their TA. Monetarily, their top pays falls a bit short of ours. But they are getting a truer retro pay and signing bonus.
I don't see the creation of new classification ASM nor a permanent probation for their Lead Mechanics. Nor do I see CAL demanding a zero cost contract.
We can compare item for item, we do better in some areas while they do better in others. But overall, I think their TA bests ours but I still do not think too much of it.

 

[Bob Owens]

I, for one, do not think the CAL TA is all that great. True there some aspects that are more beneficial than ours. And I have a strong feeling that the CAL mechanics are not all that thrilled with their TA. Monetarily, their top pays falls a bit short of ours. But they are getting a truer retro pay and signing bonus.
I don't see the creation of new classification ASM nor a permanent probation for their Lead Mechanics. Nor do I see CAL demanding a zero cost contract.
We can compare item for item, we do better in some areas while they do better in others. But overall, I think their TA bests ours but I still do not think too much of it.

Their pay doesnt fall short of ours, if you are going to include our MRT , which very few will get thanks to the shortened window, then you have to include the CAL Geo pay for HNL, $2/hr, which very few will get.

I agree, I dont think much of it either, imagine how you would feel if ours had passed! At least we know where the bar is now, if they reject this, which I hope they do then we are all in better shape.

 

[787nightmare]

787nightmare,

"Again...the company and the TWU will pull off something that'll get the TULE bunch to bite and presto, done deal. And once again, the outstations will remain pissed off at TULE. Once again, the AA mechs will take it in the shorts. Hide and watch..."

Do not assume the previous actions of the appointed members of the twu will prevail again. TUL AMTs have seen the twu for what they are. Or better yet, what they aren't. There is unity at AA. There always has been but it had been buried by the twu. Do not be surprised when the next t/a with the rearranged furniture is brought back with another colored flyer urging a yes vote is voted down again.

The twu is asking for a survey of what we want?

Local 514 is under the leadership of an appointed international union organizer who believes that the twu world will remain intact because union members will be t-shirt coordinated.

Things have changed at AA... and (pun intended) THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

GO AMP!

Well...I sure hope so Ken. Because when I was at TULE back in 07-08(scheduler), a lot of the TULE mechs thought they were pretty much screwed either way. AA holds the cards for the OH bases. The only reason they don't start outsourcing is because of the OSM deal, which greatly assists AA in keeping labor costs down and the 3rd party MROs(in the US)don't have the capacity to take on more heavys. AAs fleet is just too big to start handing heavys out to whereever they can find somebody to do them. Good way to really screw your fleet maint scheduling all up.
But I do hope those guys stick to there guns. There was an awful lot of them wearing TWU jackets down there. The OSMs know that if it wasn't for the TWU, they wouldn't even have a job in Tulsa(again, job starved area). Again, TULE will be counted on to be the swing vote by the company and TWU. Just hope they stand united...
Btw, you get my PM I sent you about 2 wks ago?? Remember me or no??

 

[frontline]

Bring in the AMP, because they will do sooooooooo much better!

When hell freezes, that is. I could have told you they would take this position months ago. But no one wanted to listen. So we are still working on the 2003 contract for who knows how long.