CWA Labor Discussion 2/12---Labor Issues for CSRs ONLY

[wench1]

since when did the IAM change?
They represented our ramp guys and they bite big time..no more our ramp now contracted out.

 

[Dont call me Shirley]

since when did the IAM change?
They represented our ramp guys and they bite big time..no more our ramp now contracted out.

While many in the CSA group are unhappy with the CWA, I will concede that they did well by drawing the line at 50 seaters. (In a way, stronger scope that that of the pilots) Imagine the CWA job losses at US if all the ground work of all those E-170s and CRJ-700/900s were outsourced.

For the next contract, health insurance costs must be addressed. Many CWA members saw their premiums rise 20% this year.

A grievance process with actual teeth would be nice as well.

 

[Old PSA]

The airport CSAs have a little bit of a split personality. On one side they are (as a group) focused on helping the customers. On the other side they are working as part of a union represented group. Frequently, these sides clash and the agents usually will go with the customer side. It is hard to walk away from a customer because you are off or tell a manager he/she is helping too much when the customer line is exceptional long.

Another problem that exist in the airports is that the agents don't know their own contract and what limits are already in place. If the employee doesn't know what the contract says and doesn't speak up, the union leadership doesn't know anything either and management continues to operate the way they have always operated. So, while we can argue about who is going to represent the employees during the next negotiations, the employees have only themselves to blame when the contract is not enforce now. Their are a lot of things in there that don't need to be changed, only followed. It's about time that the airport staff realize that they are their own worst enemies, company management is quite pleased to let you continue not following the contract.

If you are really interested in what the union can do for you, you have to realize you are the part that makes it a union and you have to be active not passive. Passive employees are the company stooges.

 

[SparrowHawk]

Folks,

Be it Union President or US President you get the leadership you deserve.

Commander Scott didn't beam VH onto the Enterprise from RigelIV, she was elected AFAIK. just like Mr Obama. We (meaning the voting majority) elected him and in a little less than three years time we can render our verdict on his leadership.

The challenge as I see it is that union officials, like incumbent politicians get entrenched in these positions and given the by-laws it's damn near impossible to get them out.

I've no earthly idea of VH's competence or lack thereof, but I can tell you that kvetching about her on an internet board will do MOTHING to get her removed.

So you gotta sing this James Brown Song Get Up Offa That Thing

 

[wench1]

Understand what you are saying, however, when our bid came out- t/g had been added AFTER the fact...1 day per week ea agent has their turn, I dont mind, I trade days when I can, so I only work 3-4 day's per week and I do keep track of my swaps, when this had been addressed, middle mgmt said they could what ever they want ,and put agents wherever they need them.If we go to the union with this, our next bid will be s***T!
And we will be harrassed....

I just bide my time and leave, no extra hrs ..this kid's moral is lower then whale crap- and ask me if I care? Naw!!!!!!

They dont care and neither do I.

 

[tadjr]

you have to be active not passive. Passive employees are the company stooges.

You have to be careful though in some cities. Active employees advising management of contract issues are labeled troublemakers. Some managers go so far as to lie about things so the "troublemakers" get written up. Hopefully CWA will take these issues seriously when it gets to the hearing level. HR didnt seem to think there is an issue with management lying as long as it results in the outcome wanted. "Troublemaker" written up and on discipline level while others do the same thing and not a word is said. Just saying CYA!

 

[Dont call me Shirley]

You have to be careful though in some cities. Active employees advising management of contract issues are labeled troublemakers. Some managers go so far as to lie about things so the "troublemakers" get written up. Hopefully CWA will take these issues seriously when it gets to the hearing level. HR didnt seem to think there is an issue with management lying as long as it results in the outcome wanted. "Troublemaker" written up and on discipline level while others do the same thing and not a word is said. Just saying CYA!

Sad, but true. HR has an unfortunate habit of siding with management. But what do you expect?

 

[orioleman]

since when did the IAM change?
They represented our ramp guys and they bite big time..no more our ramp now contracted out.

about 2 years ago. Unfortunately the latest cuts were a by product of RC and the old regime
plus the membership VOTED for the last T/A which had outsourcing in it. But do agree
our scope does need a lot of work. But like I said earlier at least we as a member get to
vote on our contracts and leadership

 

[SparrowHawk]

Sad, but true. HR has an unfortunate habit of siding with management. But what do you expect?

This is why you pick your battles. Being a troublemaker to me is a badge of honor.

With just a little bit of off site planning and a complete review of the contract, the agents could work in concert with one another to drive the station manager right out of the station. There are many instances where the anonymous letter to HQ regarding conduct of their managers.

You get 2 or 3 people documenting every little thing the Station Manager does and keep turning it into Tempe anonymously and watch what happens. The witch hunt will be on for sure. however you have weeks and months of careful documentation and you are virtually untouchable.

The key is taking ownership of your life, your union and take action. Do that and frankly VH is rendered irrelevent.

 

[john john]

about 2 years ago. Unfortunately the latest cuts were a by product of RC and the old regime
plus the membership VOTED for the last T/A which had outsourcing in it. But do agree
our scope does need a lot of work. But like I said earlier at least we as a member get to
vote on our contracts and leadership

The iam outsourced 26 cites and the furlough agents only had 90 days of recall all this to kept catering in PHL

 

[tadjr]

Just to clarify, the Station Manager is not the only manager in station. US Airways never met a management position they didnt like, remember?

 

[orioleman]

The iam outsourced 26 cites and the furlough agents only had 90 days of recall all this to kept catering in PHL

john john you are absolutely correct that was done quite a few years ago and
can you guess what Local Ex-Pres Randy Canale is from .. You got it . PHL

 

[john john]

I don't know about that . Look at the SWA C/S contract best in the industry and they are represented by
the IAM. believe it or not the IAM has some pretty good C/S contracts at Alaska and UA also

http://www.iam141.org/docs/contract05UApce.pdf
I am not seeing any thing much better that CWA’s contract especially scope. When CWA snap backs come in 2012 things even look better. WN that is a different story all together for all unions involved

 

[orioleman]

John John,
check SWA contract they are in District 142 or the IAM
they ratified a new contract I believe last may or june. top out CSA 26.00 plus an hour
DT the first minute an agent is forced into Mandatory OT.

remember UA is also working off a Bankrupt contract.

Hey guys look if your happy with your current representation
thats great I just wanted to point out the difference between the
two and I guess the biggest I see is the Democracy of the IAM.
also I don't see any representation in the form of Shop Stewards
on the C/S floor . I'm in CLT and the agents I come in contact with
don't have any idea of who there Stewards are .

 

[SparrowHawk]

John John,
check SWA contract they are in District 142 or the IAM
they ratified a new contract I believe last may or june. top out CSA 26.00 plus an hour
DT the first minute an agent is forced into Mandatory OT.

remember UA is also working off a Bankrupt contract.

Hey guys look if your happy with your current representation
thats great I just wanted to point out the difference between the
two and I guess the biggest I see is the Democracy of the IAM.
also I don't see any representation in the form of Shop Stewards
on the C/S floor . I'm in CLT and the agents I come in contact with
don't have any idea of who there Stewards are .

Well in PHL as a customer I usually run into one or two of the union reps I know. So if the agents can't find them they aren't looking hard enough.