Here is why you should support AMFA...
The Concept of “Craft or Classâ€
This is Federal Legal concept “Craft or Classâ€
In accordance with the Railway Labor Act, the Federal Government has decided that certain work groups have a mutuality of interest at the bargaining table and in advancing worker related issues, and that groups outside of that particular craft or class should have no participation in how the union is run or at least in the initial decision as to who represents that work group. And so Pilots vote with Pilots, and Flight Attendants as matter of law are prohibited from voting with the Pilots. And in turn, the Pilots are prohibited by law from voting with the Flight Attendants because they are considered to be in different Craft or Classes by the National Mediation Board. And Mechanic and Related Workers within the Airline Industry are entitled by law to vote just amongst themselves.
Supporters of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) believe that it comprises our mission to remain associated within a union structure with other crafts or classes that according to Federal Government do NOT share our mutuality of interest. The mission is further compromised when we remain associated with other crafts or classes within the union structure of “majority rule†and our particular craft or class is the minority in size. The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) is the only union in this current debate at American Airlines that says “We will forbid ourselvesâ€, it will be unconstitutional for us to go and represent baggage handlers, flight attendants, or passenger service clerks, and we will not let ourselves do that because this would compromise our mission. We wish the baggage handlers and other crafts or classes on the property the very best, but they cannot pick our pockets, we wish them to get the very best on their own, but they should no longer be allowed to ride on our backs. In other words, it is time for the airline industry to decouple the mechanic vs. baggage handler pay and benefit structure. It is suffice to say that since deregulation of the airline industry which since enactment has created enormous competition and pressure on airline ticket pricing, and that has resulted in the craft or class of mechanic and related workers suffering in economic buying power, and especially when compared to the Pilots and Flight Attendants who at American belong to craft specific unions. In the mid 1970’s, the Flight Attendants of American Airlines were also represented by the Transport Workers Union of American (TWU), and just as the mechanics today seek a change to a craft specific union, they also left the TWU in favor of the independent Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) The craft or class of Mechanic and Related at American Airlines can no longer afford to remain in an organization that advocates a linking of different work groups that according to law do not share a mutuality of interest.
Regardless of good or bad economic times, and regardless of whether the union is negotiating concessions to prevent a bankruptcy filing or negotiating from economic growth with corporate profits, the formula by which the economic pie is divided amongst the union membership is a union decision. The recent concession are a clear case in point, because American Airlines was demanding $620 Million in concessions from the TWU, but how those give backs were divided up was a union decision, not a company decision. And the facts are clear, that the craft or class of Mechanic and Related at American took more than our fair share of that amount, and it is also clear this was a union decision.
AMFA IS THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR SKILLED TECHNICIANS
twuer,
It is not just the Aircraft Mechanics at American that are disgruntled and unsatisifed with the TWU Contistution. The Bus Drivers of New York Local 100 have been in a battle for democratic control of the TWU for over 15 Years. The "New Directions" group has had to file legal complaints against the leadership of the TWU to make any gains.
Why continue to fight a battle against dicatators opposed to change? We can stand firm on our skill with other mechanics in the industry and the AMFA Constitution places the member in complete democratic control of the organization.
The logo, the slogans, and number of members does not make a union strong. The Constitution and empowering the membership will, and that is why I believe this is the right choice. I no longer believe the fear mongering campaign that the TWU and the AFL-CIO use to control the membership. I do not need a lobbyist telling my Congressman what I think, because I have their phone numbers, and I vote!
What exactly is it that you oppose and fear? Is it simply change that you are against? Are you an industrial unionist that wishes to subsidize other workers pay and benefits on the back of your accountability and skill?
I find it very interesting that anyone I discuss this with in the community, thinks it is pretty straight forward that mechanics need to be in their own union. Why can someone not working in the profession see this fact so easy, and yet you are in the profession and all you have is fear that keeps you attached to your current situation.
Look dude, I am not attacking for your where you are because I too was exactly where you are at in this debate. Once the light comes on and you realize that you are attached and controlled by nothing more than fear, if you have an ounce of courage in your bones, you will be as passionate for change as I am.
There is nothing that you can say or do that will bring me back to a reliance on fear and slogans. We just need to vote and see who is right. I do NOT FEAR the vote, do you? Does AA fear the vote? Just look around you. Who is doing what activity to stop a simple democratic vote of the working people? and Why? This reminds me of the Right-to-Work for Less Law in Oklahoma. For Years the TWU lobbied the State Politicians to PREVENT a vote of the people. When they lost that battle, the people voted in favor of right-to-work. What was the TWU reaction? File lawsuits and attempt to overturn the will of the people. Tell me twuer, do you support that type of anti-American leadership? Or do you just fear change?
