AMFA sold us out.

[jenny@nw]

I said this the other day in another post...If the AMFA would have sent this offer back to the company without a vote, the whining would have been intolerable. As it is they presented it to us and we voted. Now you're crying about the fact they sold us out??? Make up your mind. Bob Owens is right, we can ALL hold our heads high. I know some guys that had 1,000+ hours of vacation sitting in limbo. Those are the ones who voted yes. Can't say I blame them. Me? I could have done another year of strike standing on my head. As it turns out, it doesn't matter anymore. Unless you took the five weeks, its over. I've moved on to another job and it took a year but I'm back where I was pay wise. Now its a time to recover and NOT LOOK BACK. nwa can go down the toilet for all I care.

Just look toward to a great bright sunshine future!
There are OTHER jobs where you can make over 26.33 cents (and with benefits!)
Leave the excess baggage behind when you go job huntin' again.
One thing I am sore about is that the company doesn't show any respect to the employees.

 

[1withIntegrity]

Buddy, you are the union! There was no pressure from the national.

What is the difference between the stabbing in the back we received from the SCABS and by those who presented this T/A (and those who voted yes)? If in fact "I am the union" then all you 72% who voted yes are no better than they who crossed. A fatal blow is a fatal blow regardless of who's holding the knife.

If you in fact believe what AMFA is telling you, that they want to give the opportunity for the senior mechanics who are close to retirement the ability to "be an active" employee so they can in fact retire, I got some ocean front property to sell you. Are these the same guys who waited for AMFA's last contract to see what AMFA would get for retirement pay??? The same guys who after the contract was signed continue to work because "Gee, I never made $36/hour" AND WHO CONTINTUED TO WORK OVERTIME WHILE OTHER MECHANICS WERE ESCORTED OFF THE PROPERTY DURING THE FORCE MEJURES...

The fact AMFA's using a page from the Northwest handbook, by using the Railway Labor Act for their reasoning to remain on the property to represent the SCABS, is an indication that it's all about the MONEY. Do I believe the national had it's hand in actions of our local 33, you bet I do.

 

[groundcontrol]

What is the difference between the stabbing in the back we received from the SCABS and by those who presented this T/A (and those who voted yes)? If in fact "I am the union" then all you 72% who voted yes are no better than they who crossed. A fatal blow is a fatal blow regardless of who's holding the knife.

If you in fact believe what AMFA is telling you, that they want to give the opportunity for the senior mechanics who are close to retirement the ability to "be an active" employee so they can in fact retire, I got some ocean front property to sell you. Are these the same guys who waited for AMFA's last contract to see what AMFA would get for retirement pay??? The same guys who after the contract was signed continue to work because "Gee, I never made $36/hour" AND WHO CONTINTUED TO WORK OVERTIME WHILE OTHER MECHANICS WERE ESCORTED OFF THE PROPERTY DURING THE FORCE MEJURES...

The fact AMFA's using a page from the Northwest handbook, by using the Railway Labor Act for their reasoning to remain on the property to represent the SCABS, is an indication that it's all about the MONEY. Do I believe the national had it's hand in actions of our local 33, you bet I do.

I don’t know about you, 1withIntegrity, but it tweaks me whenever someone says, “YOU are the Unionâ€.

Well, if “I†were the Union, we would never have gone on strike and if “I†were the Union, we never would have voted the last POS t/a in.

I can understand where you are coming from. The Locals and National are the nuclei of the Union; they are the ones that are supposed to have our best interest in mind. They are the ones that are supposed to keep the members abreast of all situations. Do I think that happened? NO! Being from an out station, I had no clue as to what their thinking was. Were they speaking loud and clear when speaking nothing? Was that our cue to vote no? Who the he!! knows.

I refuse to let the outcome of the vote eat at me. The yes vote isn’t exactly cut and dry. It’s gonna take some time for the dust to clear. If the National withheld vital information in order to serve them, it will be made known.

All I know is I have been playing the hand that’s been dealt me my entire aviation career and there have been many. I have till the 27th to decide - do I fold, or do I continue to play the hand that’s been dealt.

 

[1withIntegrity]

...had a good laugh this morning when checking out the Local 33 website, on it was a picture of Ted and apparently other union members over in Japan during a labor rally holding up a sign that reads "Solidarity, more than just a word." This coming from a union that presented a TA that didn't guarentee NOT A SINGLE JOB! But does however guarentee a 1.5% pay increase for the SCABS (per year for the next 5 years). I think they're better off sticking with showing pictures of the Twin Towers on 9/11.

I did find it interesting however the article posted on Yahoo Finance that read experts predict NWA will be bought out in the next 6 months. If this in fact happens, what do you think will happen to the recall list?

I have yet to make my decision (recall/resign), however with this latest news, I think I'm going to resign, and when the buyout dust clears, reapply with the new owners, maybe they might respect qualified mechanics as apposed to the one year wonders and the flunkies who crossed because they were LOSERS before and will always be, LOSERS.

 

[groundcontrol]

...had a good laugh this morning when checking out the Local 33 website, on it was a picture of Ted and apparently other union members over in Japan during a labor rally holding up a sign that reads "Solidarity, more than just a word." This coming from a union that presented a TA that didn't guarentee NOT A SINGLE JOB! But does however guarentee a 1.5% pay increase for the SCABS (per year for the next 5 years). I think they're better off sticking with showing pictures of the Twin Towers on 9/11.

It’s embarrassing that they had to go to another country to find solidarity. In Japan, Solidarity “is more than just a wordâ€; in the good old USA sad to say that it is just a word. Bet you won’t find any SCABS there!

I did find it interesting however the article posted on Yahoo Finance that read experts predict NWA will be bought out in the next 6 months. If this in fact happens, what do you think will happen to the recall list?

Well, if you look at the other thread that says the exec’s are protectingâ€/securing their ass’ in case of a hostile take over/merger, I’d say the recall list would be garbage. Wonder where the AMFA was in all this? I see ALPA and the IAM had something to say. Were they not privy to this, does NW still have them/us by the balls, have the leaders all given up? It reminds me of the three monkeys, see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil.

I have yet to make my decision (recall/resign), however with this latest news, I think I'm going to resign, and when the buyout dust clears, reapply with the new owners, maybe they might respect qualified mechanics as apposed to the one year wonders and the flunkies who crossed because they were LOSERS before and will always be, LOSERS.

This is getting to be more of a tough call as the day draws near. I commend all the honorable men and women who have made their decision and already resigned. I’m sure it depends on where they were last stationed. MSP and DTW would mean working w/ SCABS and that is just not an option to most people; therefore making their decision a little easier. No brainer you can say. Probably still heart wrenching though.

I think reapplying is as much as a gamble as taking the recall or resigning. There are so many mechanics on the streets. Whoever takes control of NW probably has a recall list of their own.

Guess I'm not much of a help to you, I seem to be giving you more to think about which doesn't make your decision any easier. My decision may come down to me doing a toin coss, pardon me coin toss.

 

[1withIntegrity]

"AMFA is the bargaining agent for the NWA property, good or bad. There will be a time when honorable people are the majority."

"Local 33 is eager to welcome our honorable brothers and sisters from Local 5 who have stayed true."

"Please have a safe Thanksgiving weekend."

Just got the AMFA udate (11/20/06), maybe they should lay off the "honorable" crap, it's so hypicritical, let's see, who's back on the property and who isn't???

Suggestion, take all the "honorable" people off your emailing list, and replace them with the SCABS you now represent, maybe they might fall for your propaganda.

Do you think there will be a time when NWA will reward AMFA (because of course they laid down dead and presented this last T/A and amazing as it was, it passed), and they will in fact start recalling people, and AMFA's response will be "...you should have just placed yourself on RECALL status..." But of course it'll be too late for those of us who decided to resign.

Happy Thanksgiving, ya right. I hope you choke.

 

[1withIntegrity]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA WE WON,YOU LOSER,

Are you still here? Exactly what did you win?

And if it sounds like I've forgotten all you SCABS, I haven't. Someday when you think it's safe to emerge from your hybernation of SCAB denial, you'll be at the grocery store buying Tampax and cat food for your wife (who by the way can't stand you either), and I'll be there asking "...who said you could come out?"

You'll forever walk with your head lowered as if looking for lost change or discarded butts. However in all actuality you're searching for your dignity and integrity that you sold to Northwest.

(...all of course cured with a self inflicted .38 caliber hollow point).

Sure you still have a job, but at what cost?

I don't know who deserves each other more, the SCABS now being represented by AMFA or AMFA working for and representing SCABS??? We, the honorable ones, were screwed by both...

 

[groundcontrol]

Do you suppose someone will come up with a name for a "honorable" dues objector?

 

[UAL_TECH]

...just a letter I wrote to the National prior to the T/A being passed, we'll see if in fact they do the honorable thing.

Dear AMFA,

You should be ashamed of yourselves, the tentative agreement brought forward by Local 33 in the Northwest Airlines strike is without a doubt the largest sham ever in the organized labor movement.

It is apparent AMFA wants the strike to be over, I believe it's totally hypocritical that last week we the striking mechanics were "honorable" for holding out as long as we have, however in a month when this horrible contract is passed AMFA will be back on the property representing the needs of the SCABS who stabbed us in the back, meanwhile us honorable strikers are still left on the outside of the fence looking in.

There is absolutely no way we should even be voting for this tentative agreement, where is Dell telling us that this is the worst contract in the history of unionized labor like he did for the last tentative agreement (to which they're both almost identical)? And to think you're presenting a T/A for the strikers to vote on that guarantees a 1.5% pay raise for the SCABS is totally beyond my belief.

The options striking mechanics have if this T/A passes is also an abomination. A recall list for any "future openings" at Northwest or resignation, wow now that's some union representation! And to top it off, AMFA hasn't even determined what the potential job prospects are. So I guess the only option is to get the flight benefits, 10 weeks severance pay for a 17 year career, and resign.

If this T/A is in fact passed, AMFA has to do the honorable thing and de-certify itself at Northwest Airlines or it will fail as a viable airline mechanics union. I for one will do whatever it takes, write as many letters as I can, to inform present and future union workers about how this union has FAILED the very people it was voted in to represent.

If the T/A does not pass, suggestion, do not bring back anything that doesn't guarantee striking mechanics their jobs back. I know it'll be impossible to rid the property of SCABS, however, to have an effective seniority list to bump the "one year wonders" out would be a start. And nothing less than 26 weeks of severance for all those who won't be able to return.

Again, this tentative agreement that AMFA is proposing is an abomination, it sickens me to think I destroyed my career by putting my faith in a union that would rather end a strike and represent the SCABS than stick it out and represent those "honorable" individuals, or yet to even consider de-certifying itself. I hope this tentative agreement fails, it received a overwhelming NO vote from me. Please, do the honorable thing.

AMFA did not sell you out. The lack of Unionism sold "US" out. Unions have become a corporation competing with other unions and will gladly lie, steal and deceive to attract business (our dues). Had the 'other' unions held to the concept of 'unionism' then this would be a moot point. Unions have/are committed suicide and are too stupid to understand it.

UT

 

[1withIntegrity]

AMFA did not sell you out. The lack of Unionism sold "US" out. Unions have become a corporation competing with other unions and will gladly lie, steal and deceive to attract business (our dues). Had the 'other' unions held to the concept of 'unionism' then this would be a moot point. Unions have/are committed suicide and are too stupid to understand it.

UT

I would much rather have been a constant pain in Northwest's side than to have rolled over and died like they did. Think about it, AMFA did not save a single job, they had "honorable" strikers voting in a pay raise for the scabs, and they will remain on the property to represent the needs of the scabs and NOT decertify themselves (...I know, I know, Railway Labor Act bla, bla, bla...).

You want to talk about unionism, AMFA is a JOKE! "...Buddy you are the union", give me a break.

 

[ThirdSeatHero]

I would much rather have been a constant pain in Northwest's side than to have rolled over and died like they did. Think about it, AMFA did not save a single job, they had "honorable" strikers voting in a pay raise for the scabs, and they will remain on the property to represent the needs of the scabs and NOT decertify themselves (...I know, I know, Railway Labor Act bla, bla, bla...).

You want to talk about unionism, AMFA is a JOKE! "...Buddy you are the union", give me a break.

You're part of a union where democracy rules the day, a majority voted to end the strike, thats it.

Grow up.

 

[1withIntegrity]

You're part of a union where democracy rules the day, a majority voted to end the strike, thats it.

Grow up.

...now I'm part of a democracy, you're an idiot. When will the euphemisms in defense of AMFA stop?

 

[ThirdSeatHero]

...now I'm part of a democracy, you're an idiot. When will the euphemisms in defense of AMFA stop?

Probably about the same time that idiots like you and others start to exhibit some personal responsibility.

 

[UAL_TECH]

I would much rather have been a constant pain in Northwest's side than to have rolled over and died like they did. Think about it, AMFA did not save a single job, they had "honorable" strikers voting in a pay raise for the scabs, and they will remain on the property to represent the needs of the scabs and NOT decertify themselves (...I know, I know, Railway Labor Act bla, bla, bla...).

You want to talk about unionism, AMFA is a JOKE! "...Buddy you are the union", give me a break.

And I am a 41%er from the last UAL vote.
What is your point?
That the rest of your peers decided to accept the last contract?
Was there a contract that 'saved' jobs from NWA?

I certainly have angst regarding our (UAL) vote and bring it up every time someone whines about 'Our Contract' but becomes subdued when I ask them how they voted.

Like it or not, your peers voted and this is the outcome.

Take Care,
B) UT

 

[1withIntegrity]

...do you really think it should have been brought up for a vote? And (showing the conspiracy theory in me) do you really think it passed???

Last December AMFA brought forward a T/A almost identical to this last one, however it guarenteed over 2,500 jobs. We received overwhelming condemnation from AMFA leaders as well as a letter sent to our homes from Delle himself blasting that contract as the worst settlement in the history of the organized labor movement.

Where was Delle and the AMFA leaders this time??? ZERO JOBS SAVED!!! Little or no hope of ever getting back. And to top it off we actually were voting on a pay increase for the SCABS, WHAT'S UP WITH THAT??? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING???

SCABS representing SCABS, you deserve each other.