AMFA Organizing Drive to Replace Association

[chellow]

I would rather not read anything from that scammer.

 

[1AA]

I would rather not read anything from that scammer.

Agree, I know what you mean. His videos are more entertaining.

 

[swamt]

June 4, 2021

Dear TWU-IAM Association member,

The National Mediation Board (NMB) is still in the process of determining if a representation dispute exists among the Mechanic and Related class and craft at American Airlines, based on the AMFA filing representational cards. We have also been asked if the NMB determines a representation dispute does exist, who will be on the ballot. If the NMB does conduct a representation election, the options will be the TWU-IAM Association, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, no-union, and write in.

We understand that many American Airlines Mechanic and Related workers signed AMFA authorization cards because they were extremely frustrated with the pace of joint contract negotiations between the Association and American Airlines management. However, even with the AMFA trying to divide us during such a critical time, our unity and solidarity endured and we were able to negotiate and ratify the best Mechanic and Related contract ever negotiated in the airline industry. And, through that unity and solidarity we are poised to make future gains, which will benefit us, our families and our communities.

Not only were we able to negotiate industry top wages and cash compensation, we also fought for and achieved industry-leading benefit, retirement and work/job protections. That's the hard stuff and the issues that American management pushed back on with all its might. It became so adversarial that a Federal District Court in Texas slapped a bogus injunction on us and threatened us with hundreds of millions of dollars in fines. Through all of it, we stuck together, engaged in concerted actions to make our voices heard and won the best contract ever negotiated in the airline industry. We should be proud.

However, during this time, AMFA began to prey on the frustrations of Association members, during our negotiations, often telling members we could never achieve the contractual gains our membership eventually ratified. At the same time, AMFA achieved almost nothing, other than backpay, after nearly seven years of negotiations at Southwest. In true AMFA fashion, AMFA organizers bought into company propaganda telling members to demand a vote on American management's proposal, seeking to divide and dilute our collective strength. That's not what a real union does.

There are serious risks to AMFA representation based on its representation model and its history. Simply, the AMFA sells work for wages because it does not have the resources to fight for everything. Currently, AMFA contracts at Southwest and Alaska Airlines, allow for the most outsourcing of aircraft maintenance and related work in the airline industry. The AMFA allows for so much maintenance and related outsourcing that at Southwest and Alaska Airlines, there are only 3 and 4 mechanics per aircraft, respectively. By contrast, because we fought American tooth and nail to protect our work, we have about 16 mechanics per aircraft employed. That's a lot of work and jobs protected.

The AMFA's history also tells us that under AMFA representation, jobs will be lost. After their membership raids at Northwest over 9,000 jobs lost, United about 3,300 jobs lost, and at Alaska Airlines AMFA agreed to allow the contracting out of ALL heavy maintenance work for a loss of nearly 500 jobs. All of these examples are due to the AMFA's lack of power to protect work. Click here to read more about the AMFA's historical failures.

Also, let's just look at the last year. With the largest decline in air travel ever in the airline industry due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, TWU and IAM members mobilized and led the way, with other AFL-CIO affiliated unions, to achieve the Payroll Support Program (PSP), which has kept every single airline worker employed during the worst crisis in aviation history. We didn't just write a letter, we mobilized. We met with the US President, US Senators and US Representatives and ensured we achieved job protection for all airline workers. The AMFA didn't lift a finger to make that happen.

The bottom line is, all American Airlines Mechanic and Related workers face great risks to our future if the AMFA is our representative.

Let's continue to strengthen our unity and solidarity and get ready for the fights that will undoubtedly come in the future. Together we have already demonstrated the power and resolve to achieve our worth and value we rightly deserve.

In solidarity,



Gary Peterson Dave Supplee

WoW! Still can't believe he and they are calling it an ILC. Amazing how they keep telling themselves as well as the membership that it's an ILC in hopes that it will stick in the memberships minds. Gary, the membership already knows it's not a ILC, period. Stop the lies and misinformation, it no longer works.
Also Gary; Start packing your bags, cuz when the gravel falls after the membership votes AMFA in, the International will be firing you as the fall guy of AMFA getting in SINCE YOU were one of the main supporters of AMFA coming to AA way back before you were "handed" your International position to shut your a$$ up on supporting AMFA. To late though, the International will remember and WILL take the correct action after the vote is complete.

He completely lied about AMFA in his letter. It's so obvious and fake that it doesn't even deserve a break down correction, pathetic Peterson, simply pathetic.

Now let's kick the summer off with an NMB decision released for a vote to move forward...

 

[Timid Weak Union]

June 4, 2021

Dear TWU-IAM Association member,

The National Mediation Board (NMB) is still in the process of determining if a representation dispute exists among the Mechanic and Related class and craft at American Airlines, based on the AMFA filing representational cards. We have also been asked if the NMB determines a representation dispute does exist, who will be on the ballot. If the NMB does conduct a representation election, the options will be the TWU-IAM Association, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, no-union, and write in.

We understand that many American Airlines Mechanic and Related workers signed AMFA authorization cards because they were extremely frustrated with the pace of joint contract negotiations between the Association and American Airlines management. However, even with the AMFA trying to divide us during such a critical time, our unity and solidarity endured and we were able to negotiate and ratify the best Mechanic and Related contract ever negotiated in the airline industry. And, through that unity and solidarity we are poised to make future gains, which will benefit us, our families and our communities.

Not only were we able to negotiate industry top wages and cash compensation, we also fought for and achieved industry-leading benefit, retirement and work/job protections. That's the hard stuff and the issues that American management pushed back on with all its might. It became so adversarial that a Federal District Court in Texas slapped a bogus injunction on us and threatened us with hundreds of millions of dollars in fines. Through all of it, we stuck together, engaged in concerted actions to make our voices heard and won the best contract ever negotiated in the airline industry. We should be proud.

However, during this time, AMFA began to prey on the frustrations of Association members, during our negotiations, often telling members we could never achieve the contractual gains our membership eventually ratified. At the same time, AMFA achieved almost nothing, other than backpay, after nearly seven years of negotiations at Southwest. In true AMFA fashion, AMFA organizers bought into company propaganda telling members to demand a vote on American management's proposal, seeking to divide and dilute our collective strength. That's not what a real union does.

There are serious risks to AMFA representation based on its representation model and its history. Simply, the AMFA sells work for wages because it does not have the resources to fight for everything. Currently, AMFA contracts at Southwest and Alaska Airlines, allow for the most outsourcing of aircraft maintenance and related work in the airline industry. The AMFA allows for so much maintenance and related outsourcing that at Southwest and Alaska Airlines, there are only 3 and 4 mechanics per aircraft, respectively. By contrast, because we fought American tooth and nail to protect our work, we have about 16 mechanics per aircraft employed. That's a lot of work and jobs protected.

The AMFA's history also tells us that under AMFA representation, jobs will be lost. After their membership raids at Northwest over 9,000 jobs lost, United about 3,300 jobs lost, and at Alaska Airlines AMFA agreed to allow the contracting out of ALL heavy maintenance work for a loss of nearly 500 jobs. All of these examples are due to the AMFA's lack of power to protect work. Click here to read more about the AMFA's historical failures.

Also, let's just look at the last year. With the largest decline in air travel ever in the airline industry due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, TWU and IAM members mobilized and led the way, with other AFL-CIO affiliated unions, to achieve the Payroll Support Program (PSP), which has kept every single airline worker employed during the worst crisis in aviation history. We didn't just write a letter, we mobilized. We met with the US President, US Senators and US Representatives and ensured we achieved job protection for all airline workers. The AMFA didn't lift a finger to make that happen.

The bottom line is, all American Airlines Mechanic and Related workers face great risks to our future if the AMFA is our representative.

Let's continue to strengthen our unity and solidarity and get ready for the fights that will undoubtedly come in the future. Together we have already demonstrated the power and resolve to achieve our worth and value we rightly deserve.

In solidarity,



Gary Peterson Dave Supplee

 

[767 mechanic]

The letter was so riddled with lies and half truths the 3 local presidents refused to sign it. Gary contacted the presidents about 2 hours before the release of the letter in an effort to pressure them to sign. In his way of thinking if he did not give them much time they would not thoroughly read the letter and contact each other regarding how misleading the letter was. One example of this is when he stated that the ass was going to be sued for hundreds of millions of dollars. I never heard a dollar amount. The only dollar amount that I know of was the amount of back pay that we were screwed out of. The fact that Gary said that he contacted the NMB regarding an election tells me that they are worried and have probably gotten a heads up that an election is on the horizon. The timing of this letter is not a coincidence. My prediction is that the NMB will announce an election this week or at the latest next week.

 

[Rogallo]

The letter was so riddled with lies and half truths the 3 local presidents refused to sign it. Gary contacted the presidents about 2 hours before the release of the letter in an effort to pressure them to sign. In his way of thinking if he did not give them much time they would not thoroughly read the letter and contact each other regarding how misleading the letter was. One example of this is when he stated that the ass was going to be sued for hundreds of millions of dollars. I never heard a dollar amount. The only dollar amount that I know of was the amount of back pay that we were screwed out of. The fact that Gary said that he contacted the NMB regarding an election tells me that they are worried and have probably gotten a heads up that an election is on the horizon. The timing of this letter is not a coincidence. My prediction is that the NMB will announce an election this week or at the latest next week.

Very informative, Thanks.

I'm surprised his buddy Schaible didn't sign. Must of been a tough dicision for him to choose between sucking up to the Int'l or siding with fellow local presidents.

 

[Rogallo]

WoW! Still can't believe he and they are calling it an ILC. Amazing how they keep telling themselves as well as the membership that it's an ILC in hopes that it will stick in the memberships minds. Gary, the membership already knows it's not a ILC, period. Stop the lies and misinformation, it no longer works.
Also Gary; Start packing your bags, cuz when the gravel falls after the membership votes AMFA in, the International will be firing you as the fall guy of AMFA getting in SINCE YOU were one of the main supporters of AMFA coming to AA way back before you were "handed" your International position to shut your a$$ up on supporting AMFA. To late though, the International will remember and WILL take the correct action after the vote is complete.

He completely lied about AMFA in his letter. It's so obvious and fake that it doesn't even deserve a break down correction, pathetic Peterson, simply pathetic.

Now let's kick the summer off with an NMB decision released for a vote to move forward...

Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures!

 

[richardhead]

The timing of this letter is not a coincidence. My prediction is that the NMB will announce an election this week or at the latest next week.

Sure hope so.

 

[swamt]

The letter was so riddled with lies and half truths the 3 local presidents refused to sign it. Gary contacted the presidents about 2 hours before the release of the letter in an effort to pressure them to sign. In his way of thinking if he did not give them much time they would not thoroughly read the letter and contact each other regarding how misleading the letter was. One example of this is when he stated that the ass was going to be sued for hundreds of millions of dollars. I never heard a dollar amount. The only dollar amount that I know of was the amount of back pay that we were screwed out of. The fact that Gary said that he contacted the NMB regarding an election tells me that they are worried and have probably gotten a heads up that an election is on the horizon. The timing of this letter is not a coincidence. My prediction is that the NMB will announce an election this week or at the latest next week.

So none of the Presidents would sign the letter in support of Petersons quotes tells me Gary Peterson was told to put out a letter against AMFA so he simply wrote what he wanted to write. The Presidents didn't want to add their names for liability reasons I would assume. Knowing all his rhetoric was simply false and misinformation. It does speak volumes.
I really hope your predictions of this week or next week is correct. And if his timing is as you say, we can expect the anti AMFA rhetoric to increase 10 fold.

On a side note;
Peterson shrugged off the fact that AMFA was able to get their members "full retro pay" by saying, "they only got them back pay." What he doesn't make note of is AMFA actually got their members not only "full retro" they also was able to get "full retro plus". Something no other union has ever been able to obtain for any group in any industry period. On top of that they were able to get the mechanics the highest wage scale in the industry for passenger airliners (second only to UPS a couple bucks). Added Vac. weeks and rules as well as banking more and selling back more with an added roll over account. Kept article 2 (scope) UNTOUCHED, where the company wanted to dismantle it and on top of that added more work in house in back shops, lines, and overnight maint.
These are just some highlights of the added retro, pay, increases and benefits. There are many more QOL issues that made big improvements that are usually never talked about.
He was correct about ONE thing and one thing only, yes it did take 6.5 years to get the contract done because of the companies propaganda and agendas. Once the co. side of negotiations were replaced twice and then finally "the new guy" came in to get it done and took over negotiations per GK's request to get it done now.
Very informative and speaks volumes, thanks for the info, it will be interesting to see how Petersons support or non support going forward will go. Nobody wants to follow the known "Fall Guy"

 

[swamt]

Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures!

Yes sir, and it will only get worse as we move forward.

 

[1AA]

Peterson a fellow AMT should have done some research about AMFA. AMFA was the first union to negotiate license premiums for AMT'S. An AMFA first maybe because AMFA is a class and craft union. I'm sure he is patting himself on the back for getting an increases in our license premiums but failed to thank O.V Delle Femmine (God rest his soul) for introducing it to the industry. Desperation is the only conclusion I see from Peterson. The Association will survive without us and Peterson will be thrown to the curb.

AMFA's History

O.V.

www.amfanational.org

 

[Topcat187]

So none of the Presidents would sign the letter in support of Petersons quotes tells me Gary Peterson was told to put out a letter against AMFA so he simply wrote what he wanted to write. The Presidents didn't want to add their names for liability reasons I would assume. Knowing all his rhetoric was simply false and misinformation. It does speak volumes.
I really hope your predictions of this week or next week is correct. And if his timing is as you say, we can expect the anti AMFA rhetoric to increase 10 fold.

On a side note;
Peterson shrugged off the fact that AMFA was able to get their members "full retro pay" by saying, "they only got them back pay." What he doesn't make note of is AMFA actually got their members not only "full retro" they also was able to get "full retro plus". Something no other union has ever been able to obtain for any group in any industry period. On top of that they were able to get the mechanics the highest wage scale in the industry for passenger airliners (second only to UPS a couple bucks). Added Vac. weeks and rules as well as banking more and selling back more with an added roll over account. Kept article 2 (scope) UNTOUCHED, where the company wanted to dismantle it and on top of that added more work in house in back shops, lines, and overnight maint.
These are just some highlights of the added retro, pay, increases and benefits. There are many more QOL issues that made big improvements that are usually never talked about.
He was correct about ONE thing and one thing only, yes it did take 6.5 years to get the contract done because of the companies propaganda and agendas. Once the co. side of negotiations were replaced twice and then finally "the new guy" came in to get it done and took over negotiations per GK's request to get it done now.
Very informative and speaks volumes, thanks for the info, it will be interesting to see how Petersons support or non support going forward will go. Nobody wants to follow the known "Fall Guy"

What is the maximum amount of vacation at SWA?

 

[eolesen]

I love how the TWU-IAM brags about how they've continually traded away higher pay for more jobs...

 

[1AA]

I love how the TWU-IAM brags about how they've continually traded away higher pay for more jobs...

That's self preservation of union dues and they spin it by making the membership think jobs were saved. That has been the TWU play book since they introduced the B scale contract of 1985.
The TWU is like your dads old Buick were you need to let it go and upgrade to a newer and better model.

 

[swamt]

Peterson a fellow AMT should have done some research about AMFA. AMFA was the first union to negotiate license premiums for AMT'S. An AMFA first maybe because AMFA is a class and craft union. I'm sure he is patting himself on the back for getting an increases in our license premiums but failed to thank O.V Delle Femmine (God rest his soul) for introducing it to the industry. Desperation is the only conclusion I see from Peterson. The Association will survive without us and Peterson will be thrown to the curb.

AMFA's History

O.V.

www.amfanational.org

AMFA is also the first and only union that was successful through the NMB to get the "Mechanic and Related" Class and Craft adopted by the NMB and became certified in 1998.
Next to your example of getting the mechanics lic. premiums, is just yet another of many reasons why the Mechanic and Related at airlines should be going with the Class and Craft AMFA union for representation. They are dead focused on Mechanic and Related instead of being the smallest group within a dozen other groups all packed into one with the focus on the largest group being Fleet.
It's time to rid yourselves of the bus and railroad as well as fleet folks over populating the representational side of the groups. Get a union that will be focused on you the "Mechanic and Related" Class and Craft Group, period...