CWA Files for Representation Election

[700UW]

The CWA did not negotiate the AFA US agreement, The AFA is still automonous from the CWA.

And you forget that was a Chapter 11 CBA,

What is your issue with downing US Airways, it hasnt been US Air since 1995.

Give it a rest all ready.

 

[john john]

Exactly who is fighting hard?

http://apsa6001.org/?p=706

A group of American Airlines passenger service agents and supporters from the Communications Workers of America took their case directly to the National Mediation Board’s general counsel, calling on her to move forward on the union representation election for nearly 10,000 agents.
At the NMB May 15, the group delivered labels containing the names and mailing addresses of nearly all voting-eligible agents. The list coincides with the eligibility list submitted by American Airlines to the NMB on Dec. 7, 2011, when CWA filed for a representation election, and the NMB’s later determination of eligible voters.
“American Airlines employees must be afforded their right to choose union representation in a free election. The timing of the election is particularly critical in this situation, as American Airlines is in bankruptcy and is using that proceeding to make immediate, structural and life changing decisions about passenger service agents,” CWA President Larry Cohen said in a letter to NMB General Counsel Mary L. Johnson.

 

[BoeingBoy]

Sure, the PSA's are entitled to an election and I really don't think any Judge would deny them one. What is being argued, if I understand it correctly, is whether that prevents AA from imposing changes in pay/work rules on the agents before/during the election process. Two different questions with quite possibly two different answers.

Jim

 

[john john]

What can the CWA provide AA agents other than a paycut? They've coexisted without the CWA what will the CWA bring to the table? Look at the CWAs history at AT&T and Verizon, the awful USAir FA agreement.

Josh

Negotiate, bargain, have a voice like the rest of the front line workers. Do you negotiate bargain and have a voice in your work place. How are the fat cat big boys at CHASE doing by the way. AT&T and Verizon union employees have some of the best benefits and pay in American. Who are you trying to kid?

 

[700UW]

CWA and the Ad Hoc Failed:

American Airlines spokeswoman Missy Cousino issued this statement after U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane declined to bar American Airlines from imposing job and cost cuts on the passenger service agents that the CWA is trying to organize:

"We are pleased that Judge Lane denied the Ad Hoc Committee for Passenger Service Agents' motion that attempted to delay implementation of changes for American Airlines Agents, Reservations Representatives and Planners that are important to the company's restructuring efforts. While the changes required are difficult, all employee groups are being called on to share fairly and equitably in reaching American Airlines' cost-reduction targets on our path to be more competitive and successful in the future.​

"Judge Lane also denied the Ad Hoc Committee's attempt to use the bankruptcy court to advance the CWA unionization effort targeting American's agents and representatives. An appeal regarding whether a union election authorization was lawful and appropriate is now in federal district court. Judge Lane specifically recognized that the federal district court, not the bankruptcy court, is the appropriate legal venue for the matter, which involves an important question under federal labor law.​

"We believe the law is clear that a union election is not permissible or appropriate unless a union has demonstrated at least a 50 percent 'showing of interest' from the employees. Because the union itself has admitted that far less than 50 percent of our employees expressed support for a union election, we believe an election should not be held.​

"As to the CWA's efforts to force an election now despite the pending federal district court action, we believe it is important that the fundamental legal question - whether an election is permissible - be resolved in court prior to any election. To do otherwise would in our view be not only inappropriate under the law but also highly misleading and confusing for our employees."​

 

[john john]

"We believe the law is clear that a union election is not permissible or appropriate unless a union has demonstrated at least a 50 percent 'showing of interest' from the employees. Because the union itself has admitted that far less than 50 percent of our employees expressed support for a union election, we believe an election should not be held.​

Definitely an uphill battle

http://apsa6001.org/?p=716

Meanwhile, three U.S. senators sent a letter to AMR CEO Tom Horton disputing the company’s basis for filing the lawsuit, saying an amendment to the FAA authorization bill passed in February was not intended to be retroactive to cover elections already filed before the NMB, including our election.

In their letter to Horton, Sens. Tom Harkin, Jay Rockefeller and Majority Leader Harry Reid said that discussion on the Senate floor back in February made clear that they did not intend for a new NMB rule to be retroactive.
“Beyond the clearly established precedent that limits the retroactivity of changes in the law, in this case Congress included specific language in the amendments addressing this issue – the language specifies that the determination of the adequacy of a showing of interest is made ‘upon receipt of an application,’” the senators wrote.
Meanwhile, agents are circulating a petition urging Horton to stop the delaying tactics and allow the democratic process to proceed. You can download a copy of the petition here.

 

[john john]

http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/05/16/3965964/judge-amr-can-cut-wages-and-benefits.html?storylink=digger-topic
NEW YORK -- American Airlines can cut wages and benefits for passenger service agents even as they vote to join a union, a bankruptcy judge ruled Wednesday as the airline's pilots union finished laying out its case for preserving contracts.
The agents, including those who book reservations and work at ticket counters, were scheduled to begin voting today on being represented by the Communication Workers of America. Voting has been delayed as American refuses to turn over to the National Mediation Board names and addresses of employees who are eligible to vote, according to the union. American has about 10,000 passenger service agents.
"American Airlines should not be able to make the kind of drastic cuts it's proposing while agents' election process is under way," union spokeswoman Candice Johnson said in a statement. "American Airlines has been doing everything it can think of, both legal and not, to block agents from voting on union representation."

 

[frontline]

In general I'm pro-union, but this CWA thing has always been silly. They did not bother wanting to "represent" AA's agents until after the bankruptcy filing. So really they are just playing on fears, which I don't like.

And the judge has now let them know that they can't do jack about AA's cuts. No surprise there, as they have not been elected to represent anyone yet! It just seems like the CWA has been filling agents heads with dreams when really there is a nightmare ahead.

 

[Hopeful]

In general I'm pro-union, but this CWA thing has always been silly. They did not bother wanting to "represent" AA's agents until after the bankruptcy filing. So really they are just playing on fears, which I don't like.

And the judge has now let them know that they can't do jack about AA's cuts. No surprise there, as they have not been elected to represent anyone yet! It just seems like the CWA has been filling agents heads with dreams when really there is a nightmare ahead.

Thanks to the judge's ruling, they will most likely vote for a union.

 

[1AA]

They did not bother wanting to "represent" AA's agents until after the bankruptcy filing. So really they are just playing on fears, which I don't like.

No not true. I have friends that are Agents and the organizing attempt has been going for several years. The problem was the reservation people were not interested. Since AA shutdown several Reservation offices in the past couple of years the numbers tilted in favor of the agents. This is why they finally have enough interest for union organization.

 

[TWU informer]

No not true. I have friends that are Agents and the organizing attempt has been going for several years. The problem was the reservation people were not interested. Since AA shutdown several Reservation offices in the past couple of years the numbers tilted in favor of the agents. This is why they finally have enough interest for union organization.

I agree and this organizing effort has been going for years.

 

[eolesen]

It wasn't just the reservations offices which were against it. The activism has been at JFK, MIA, and DFW. AA has more agents in blue states than in red states, and yet they still couldn't get enough cards.

I do believe they got people to sign cards on the basis that APSA would be able to halt the cuts and closure of the SWRO. That ain't gonna happen now, so what's left for the APSA to accomplish?

Worse, when it becomes obvious that a CBA couldn't stop the axe from swinging with the union workgroups, is there still going to be support for bringing in a union?

Sure, it gives them a voice, but if what's happened so far is any indication, having a stronger voice at the table hasn't really paid off too well.

 

[737823]

The agents wearing CWA pins are by far the worst. There is one at BOS I can't stand that usually works the MIA flights in the AM and is terrible worker let alone dealing with customers. I can see why someone like that would want union representation. The good employees at the Admirals Club and good agents don't want the union. I think the Admirals Club agents are in a coveted work group and are afraid if the union comes onboard those positions are assigned based on seniority not merit/performance.

Josh

 

[john john]

so what's left for the APSA to accomplish?

Justice Department Backs NMB, Election
In a brief supporting the NMB’s decision that an election should proceed, the Justice Department argued, “the Board’s actions in representation disputes are generally unreviewable, and therefore outside of this Court’s jurisdiction, because of the necessity to resolve such disputes expeditiously.”
Both the Justice Department and the NMB’s general counsel asked that the case be dismissed and the election be allowed to proceed. Agents throughout the system couldn’t agree more, and we’re wearing our CWA pins and circulating a petition urging CEO Tom Horton to stop the delaying tactics. You can download and print out the petition here or you can sign an electronic petition here.
“We know that you are grappling with financial problems and are in the midst of corporate bankruptcy proceedings. For your workers, too, this is a time of great uncertainty. It is important that there be no barriers to their ability to exercise their legal rights to decide whether they want to collectively bargain and why we strongly encourage you to provide the information to the National Mediation Board.”
The NMB has given American Airlines until Tuesday, May 22, to respond to CWA’s request that the election be held using mailing labels submitted by a group of agents on Tuesday, May 15. In a letter to NMB General Counsel Mary L. Johnson, CWA President Larry Cohen argued that precedent established by the Board in 2004 allows elections to proceed without the cooperation of an employer.
http://apsa6001.org/?p=720

Worse, when it becomes obvious that a CBA couldn't stop the axe from swinging with the union workgroups, is there still going to be support for bringing in a union?

There you go. All union employees at AA should get rid of the unions

 

[737823]

john john,
Do you ever post your own thoughts/work? Seems you always copy and paste from CWA and other websites. Is CWA devoting the same resources and efforts to obtain a contract for the Verizon workers that they are at an (unsuccessful) campaign at AA?

Josh