AMR Files 1133 motion

[Frank Szabo]

After reading and comparing the different work groups so called fair concessions, once again it looks as if Mechanics and related are taking an unfair portion of the pain. I have to laugh at how AA is trying to be fair with the smaller groups like dispatch and sim techs. Once again, many of these groups are already among the highest paid in the industry. Yet, there is AA aircraft maintenance once again relegated to the suck - next to the bottom (US Airways) in pay. BTW, soon to be surpassed by US Airways as their aircraft mechanics are towards the end of their negotiations.

Then I read this:

During the negotiation of its 2003 CBAs with TWU, American proposed the total dollar
amount of labor cost reductions that were necessary for the Company to avoid filing for Chapter
11, but allowed TWU to decide how to take the necessary labor cost reductions. TWU decided
to make changes in areas such as pay, holidays, vacation, sick time, and overtime, where the
Union presumably, and understandably, assumed it would later be able to negotiate a restoration
of these concessions when the airline industry returned to “normalcy.” Now, however, it has
become clear that day will never come. Weel Decl. ¶ 9.

That was a classic TWU failed tactic.

That wasn't it at all - by giving up all those "costly" items, the TWU was able to maintain a larger number of "members" thereby keeping their dues take at the "appropriate" level, with the company's blessing. Our dues also pay union people to do what normally would be considered company functions such as insurance issues, retirements, etc.

How do you think they could afford all those cars? Can anyone imagine "a large man" crawling into a Ford Fiesta if the union take had been much less?

"That was a classic TWU failed tactic."​

Stop and think for a minute about what you're saying - failed tactic? Sounds like the union got exactly what it wanted (no significant loss of dues income) at the expense of its membership's income and other benefits but all that happened, when all was said and swung, was a few people got mad and said a few mean and nasty things about the TWU. All then returned to normal, everyday business as usual.

You are still under the mistaken impression the TWU exists to benefit the workers. You should be drug tested.

The TWU screwed over its membership and the membership paid for it while lapping up every word - how exactly is that a failed tactic?

What's going on now is simply an extension of 2003's unfinished business - AMR saw bankruptcies on the horizon for other airlines and waited for the dust to settle from the UA/DL/NW/CO dance party before continuing the airline version of leapfrog. By being the last to join the party, it's more evident re: how to bypass their rivals. That DOES look good and impressive on a chalkboard and graphs but those boardroom antics and niceties never seem to quantify the effect on any business that comes about by very angry workgroups left in the wake - union or non-union.

The bottom line is that people don't care to be treated as dirt - a lesson lacking in today's busness schools and environment.

 

[AA-MRO.COM]

Just got a heads up on the last offer from the four billion dollar bankrupt company
ten year deal 4 years of nothinh plus another six after the vote
OT after 40 hours
4 sick days a year
5 weeks vacation max
eliminate Avionics
outsource most line checks and overnight work
Increase the use of OSM
etc etc etc

VOTE NO


or cut your own throat and vote yes.
They want to be competitive then give us a contract that mirrors Delta or United this last offer is suicide

 

[Buck]

And some of us have to pay Medicare premiums.. ($1200/yr)

 

[amt66]

That wasn't it at all - by giving up all those "costly" items, the TWU was able to maintain a larger number of "members" thereby keeping their dues take at the "appropriate" level, with the company's blessing. Our dues also pay union people to do what normally would be considered company functions such as insurance issues, retirements, etc.

How do you think they could afford all those cars? Can anyone imagine "a large man" crawling into a Ford Fiesta if the union take had been much less?



Stop and think for a minute about what you're saying - failed tactic? Sounds like the union got exactly what it wanted (no significant loss of dues income) at the expense of its membership's income and other benefits but all that happened, when all was said and swung, was a few people got mad and said a few mean and nasty things about the TWU. All then returned to normal, everyday business as usual.

You are still under the mistaken impression the TWU exists to benefit the workers. You should be drug tested.

The TWU screwed over its membership and the membership paid for it while lapping up every word - how exactly is that a failed tactic?

What's going on now is simply an extension of 2003's unfinished business - AMR saw bankruptcies on the horizon for other airlines and waited for the dust to settle from the UA/DL/NW/CO dance party before continuing the airline version of leapfrog. By being the last to join the party, it's more evident re: how to bypass their rivals. That DOES look good and impressive on a chalkboard and graphs but those boardroom antics and niceties never seem to quantify the effect on any business that comes about by very angry workgroups left in the wake - union or non-union.

The bottom line is that people don't care to be treated as dirt - a lesson lacking in today's busness schools and environment.

This is why once this is over we need to get Rid of the twu period!!!!!!!

 

[TWU informer]

This is why once this is over we need to get Rid of the twu period!!!!!!!

This week have I heard this more than ever in the past. And mostly from old TWU/anti change diehards.

In fact, my gut and my heart now tells me to begin the opening foundations of an AMFA card drive and re-form the old organizing committee and to be prepared for the emotional sting that is coming our way.

I have not one interest in the AMP movement, but the AMFA idea of ALL MECHANICS in one Union still appeals to me as a solution to this decimation of our jobs and profession. If I can muster the enthusiasm to put up with ignorant knuckleheads one more time, I think the time has come to call out the TWU on all of their lies, blames, manipulations, and false hopes of political arena unionism.

I actually believe that if organized right, this next card drive and election will happen in short order soon.

How many of you would be willing to donate 2% of your prefund medical refund to an organizing campaign in Tulsa Oklahoma? Without funds, this cannot happen!

"So let it be written, So let it be done!"

 

[KILOFINAL]

Thats the reality of employment in the airline business going forward. Expect more sacrifice in the future.

Just got a heads up on the last offer from the four billion dollar bankrupt company
ten year deal 4 years of nothinh plus another six after the vote
OT after 40 hours
4 sick days a year
5 weeks vacation max
eliminate Avionics
outsource most line checks and overnight work
Increase the use of OSM
etc etc etc

 

[Buck]

"Earlier today, I spoke with AMR Senior Vice President Jeff Brundage and told him privately the very same thing we’ve been saying publicly. TWU is committed to doing all we can to reach a consensual agreement regarding our labor contracts at American Airlines.

"I also explained to Mr. Brundage that due to the thousands of pages of documents filed by his attorneys in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in an effort to tear up our labor contracts, we need to move our bargaining and legal team from Dallas to New York so we can respond in a timely and factual manner.

"Our cell phones still work in New York, so does our email, and there is no shortage of meeting space available. Even as we prepare to vigorously defend our contracts in court, we will stay in communication with the company and we’re ready to meet for as long as necessary. A consensual agreement at American Airlines is still the first choice for TWU members, because it’s the best way to position the company for future success "

 

[KILOFINAL]

Excellent......some common sense forward thinking for a change.

"Earlier today, I spoke with AMR Senior Vice President Jeff Brundage and told him privately the very same thing we’ve been saying publicly. TWU is committed to doing all we can to reach a consensual agreement regarding our labor contracts at American Airlines.

"I also explained to Mr. Brundage that due to the thousands of pages of documents filed by his attorneys in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in an effort to tear up our labor contracts, we need to move our bargaining and legal team from Dallas to New York so we can respond in a timely and factual manner.

"Our cell phones still work in New York, so does our email, and there is no shortage of meeting space available. Even as we prepare to vigorously defend our contracts in court, we will stay in communication with the company and we’re ready to meet for as long as necessary. A consensual agreement at American Airlines is still the first choice for TWU members, because it’s the best way to position the company for future success "

 

[Buck]

http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2012/03/twu-wants-to-talk-to-a-bunch-o.

http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2012/03/amr-consultants-lawyers-and-th.html

 

[BoeingBoy]

buck,

The first link doesn't work, but the second should come as no surprise. Expect that number to grow considerably before AA emerges from bankruptcy.

Jim

 

[Buck]

buck,

The first link doesn't work, but the second should come as no surprise. Expect that number to grow considerably before AA emerges from bankruptcy.

Jim

All of them.


http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/

 

[BoeingBoy]

Thanks.

Jim

 

[TWU informer]

The Transport Workers Union filed notices late Friday afternoon that it wants to take the depositions next week of at least eight people at American Airlines or work as major consultants for the airline.

The depositions are being sought as the TWU fights American's efforts to reject the union's contracts with the carrier. All the named individuals made declarations in American's motions to throw out the labor contracts.

This is an excellent idea if granted and time is available.

Like I said earlier, just because someone in the company makes a declaration does not mean it is fact when it comes to AA and legal matters.

WE found during that AMFA vs AA Lawsuit that sometimes the person making the declaration was just stating whatever they had been told to be fact, and that once investigated the facts were quite different than the declaration stated.

I will give the TWU attorneys some credit on this one. Hopefully we don't end up with a consensual sellout before they prove what the real facts and cost outs are.

What would be even better is for the APA and APFA would join in combine legal resources and the three unions all depose management and in the end showing the real reason why consulting firms are needed to operate this airline.

The 1113c motion reads like a bean counters fantasy island book than a fact based legal document. And I still think once it was filed, that whoever delivered it left the court house exclaiming...."Da Plane, Da Plane"

These depositions will be priceless.

Note: The one part I never understood about these legal filings is that once it is discovered that the declaraion was not factual, that a perjury charge would never be filed or investigated. Almost as if finding falsehoods in declaraions is an everyday occurrence. Yet the legal definition is that a declaration is an alternative term for a sworn affidavit. And an affidavit is like under oath testimony and that after signing such a declaration, the information is found to be deliberately untrue with the intent to deceive, the applicant may face perjury charges.

 

[AA-MRO.COM]

We must start a depositions thread or will they be confidential? ??

 

[FWAAA]

This is an excellent idea if granted and time is available.

Like I said earlier, just because someone in the company makes a declaration does not mean it is fact when it comes to AA and legal matters.

WE found during that AMFA vs AA Lawsuit that sometimes the person making the declaration was just stating whatever they had been told to be fact, and that once investigated the facts were quite different than the declaration stated.

I will give the TWU attorneys some credit on this one. Hopefully we don't end up with a consensual sellout before they prove what the real facts and cost outs are.

The same TWU attorneys (the brilliant Sharon Levine) who filed the objection to the employment of various expensive professionals and included no citation to any legal authority but did include a quote from a Wash Post opinion ranting about Mitt Romney? Those TWU attorneys? Perry Mason she ain't.

http://www.amrcaseinfo.com/pdflib/687_15463.pdf

What would be even better is for the APA and APFA would join in combine legal resources and the three unions all depose management and in the end showing the real reason why consulting firms are needed to operate this airline.

The 1113c motion reads like a bean counters fantasy island book than a fact based legal document. And I still think once it was filed, that whoever delivered it left the court house exclaiming...."Da Plane, Da Plane"

These depositions will be priceless.

So Sharon Levine will ask them questions (that's all a deposition is, after all). What makes you think their answers will be any different than their declarations? Like I said, she's no Perry Mason. Doubt she'll make any of the witnesses break down and admit they made it all up.

Note: The one part I never understood about these legal filings is that once it is discovered that the declaraion was not factual, that a perjury charge would never be filed or investigated. Almost as if finding falsehoods in declaraions is an everyday occurrence. Yet the legal definition is that a declaration is an alternative term for a sworn affidavit. And an affidavit is like under oath testimony and that after signing such a declaration, the information is found to be deliberately untrue with the intent to deceive, the applicant may face perjury charges.

Sounds as though you've already found what you believe to be "falsehoods" in the various declarations. Hope you forwarded your findings to Sharon Levine, as I doubt she'd find them on her own.

File these depositions under "got to do something to show the worthless union and its members that I'm doing something on their behalf." Will these depositions result in any different 1113 terms? Nope.