YES on the agents, no on the skilled F/A's.
UPS Mechanics are not some of the highest paid in the industry, in addition to having a Demcoratic Union where by they ELECT not APPOINT their leaders. With their pay the way it is they are not subsidizing any unskilled like we do at AA. That being said and the fact there leaders are elected, there is surely not as much of need ot desire to oust the IBT at UPS.
You should look at the UPS/IBT facts and differences before making any comparison to our delima with the TWU at AA.
How can you claim to subsidize the AA agents when they are NON-UNION? AA can cut their pay to minimum wage and take away all benefits tomorrow if they so desired. I find it ironic that you claim to subsidize two groups but not a third. Do you know what starting pay for F/A's at Skybus are? Where is your proof that you subsidize other groups? My position is that you don't and here is my evidence to prove it:
Continental in 1982: Lorenzo used the bankruptcy code to rip up all contracts. When he destroyed the ramp, did the mechanics get a huge windfall? No. They got castrated along with ramp, pilots, and everyone else.
Delta: Ramp and AMTs are non-union; DL can pay either group what ever it wants, or even farm it out. Delta is paying both groups what they feel are MARKET RATES. Those DL AMTs still show up for work every day even though their compensation is inferior to AA AMTs.
Eastern: After the commencement of the EAL strike, Lorenzo farmed out ALL RAMP. However, he hired scab AMTs AS "REAL" EAL EMPLOYEES. Did the farm out of the ramp result in a windfall for the AMTS? NO, they worked for nickels and dimes when compared to the other majors.
USAIR and UNITED: Deep cuts in pay and benefits to ramp after which large numbers rampers left those two companies. They are finding it very difficult to hire new people for these positions. Did the mechanics benefit from this destruction? NO!
My favorite example, Northwest: Went bankrupt and imposed what it feels are market rates on the ramp, agents, F/As. Did it result in a windfall for the AMTs? No, they are the lowest paid. NW could cut ramp and agent pay to $1/hr and the AMTs would not be 1 penny better off.
The third party hack shops: Who do you blame for the piss poor pay there? There is not one ramp rat, not one agent, or F/A on the payroll. Why aren't those vaunted A and Ps making $60/hr there?
The historical evidence is crystal clear- NEVER HAVE THE AMTS BENEFITED FROM THE DESTRUCTION OF ANOTHER GROUP. The man pays you what he feels are market rates. What is keeping your wages from increasing exponentially are the AMTS at the hack shops, the non-union DL AMTs, and the NW, UA, and US AMTs who continue to show up every day for less than AA pay. That is the cause of your problem; not other work groups. Only in YOUR ( and many other's) reprobate mind does this ridiculous theory exist because you have to blame others for your own inadequacies. The fact is AA ramp is at market rates because not many people want to do the job. Of the ones that make it through the training and drug tests, many quit and walk right out after working a fully loaded 757 to South America; people can make more money working a non physical job indoors. I have presented my position and supported it with facts. Why don't you offer verifiable facts to support your position instead of the typical tired disproven rantings of an AMFA supporter. Just curious, how much do you think a ramper, agent should be paid?
