Dennis Burchette is now head of negotiation

[eolesen]

Obviously I struck a nerve with you, Bubba Bill. You must fit the description pretty well.

I'm damn proud to be a redneck and a rebel, but I certainly ain't no bubba.

And since when did reciting the pledge of allegiance make you a "bubba" or inappropriate for that matter??????

It doesn't. I do it at least once a week, and usually in full BSA uniform.

But doing it for show is no better than simply going to someone's funeral simply to be seen.

 

[777 fixer]

One of my former housemates was a professional negotiator for CSEA Local 830, and his opinion was that allowing teachers, highway workers, and public safety workers to negotiate their own contracts was about as dumb as it is to serve as your own legal counsel.

Sure, it's cool to march in formation into the meeting room wearing "Team TWU" shirts, salute the flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance (no joke... TWU negotiators really did this in a past negotiation...) before sitting down at the table, but none of that really matters when it comes to practicing the art of negotiating.

Believe it or not, even with the dysfunctional non-election of international officers, if you had a hired gun who wasn't emotionally attached to the discussions, you might be able to get a decent contract out of the TWU. Instead, you're continually outclassed and outsmarted at the table.

Have to agree with you on that one. What we are good at is working on airplanes. Myself I'm not going to pretend that I would match up well against a company negotiator. Someone who crunches numbers for a living or negoitating with vendors on a daily basis. Or both for that matter.

 

[FWAAA]

Outclassed and Outsmarted???? Prior to 9/11 the TWU had the best contract in the industry.

Seriously?!? Maybe you're right, but I recall Mr Owens' comparison of mechanics' pay rates in 2003 during the concession discussions and again the next year during the AMFA drive and it appeared to me that the WN contract negotiated by the IBT offered the highest pay. I asked him "why AMFA and why not the Teamsters?"

Anyway, Mr Owens and others have posted repeatedly that the TWU brought concessions to the members since 1983 or 1984. Who's telling the truth and who is being less than forthright?

About the date: don't you mean prior to May 1, 2003? I don't recall the TWU contract changing between Sept 11, 2001 and May 1, 2003, but perhaps I'm forgetting something.

 

[AMFAMAN]

Outclassed and Outsmarted???? Prior to 9/11 the TWU had the best contract in the industry.

Thanks to AMFA at NWA...Lead negotiator Burchette stated just 4 months prior to the tentative agreement in June, 2001 that $28.50 would be a real good contract. AMFA raised the mark big time at NWA, AA handed over the cash to prevent what would have been a filing in 2001. TWU handed it all back and then some and forced the concession train on the other airlines because of low we took it. I know it's a hard concept to understand for a Bubba.

Seriously?!? Maybe you're right, but I recall Mr Owens' comparison of mechanics' pay rates in 2003 during the concession discussions and again the next year during the AMFA drive and it appeared to me that the WN contract negotiated by the IBT offered the highest pay. I asked him "why AMFA and why not the Teamsters?"

FWAAA,

Per the SWA mechanics at Love Field, the Teamsters were tossed out of negotiations after bringing back a turd of an agreement. The contract that passed and later extended was the work of a group of mechanics who negotiated with those at the top. 1 day after the passing of the agreement, the drive was started to boot the Teamsters and completed 2 weeks later. At the time AMFA didn't even know of a drive until they called AMFA National and informed them they had 75% of the cards signed and that a drive was started 2 weeks ago. Maybe a SWA mechanic will comment as to the accuracy of the story I've been told by several mechanics over there.

 

[Wretched Wrench]

Prior to 9/11 the TWU had the best contract in the industry.

Aye, 'twas a brief and shining moment.

Very brief. Before that, we got behinder and behinder every year from 84 on. The TWU gets credit for that, too. The Bubba raise did no more than bring us back up to 1984 parity, vis a vis the consumer price index. So don't take too big a bow.

 

[Bob Owens]

Sure, it's cool to march in formation into the meeting room wearing "Team TWU" shirts, salute the flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance (no joke... TWU negotiators really did this in a past negotiation...) before sitting down at the table, but none of that really matters when it comes to practicing the art of negotiating.

Believe it or not, even with the dysfunctional non-election of international officers, if you had a hired gun who wasn't emotionally attached to the discussions, you might be able to get a decent contract out of the TWU. Instead, you're continually outclassed and outsmarted at the table.

It also helps that the TWU is paid off by the company.

The negotiations are a sham, the company usually isnt even there. Even when they negotiated at AA HDQ the company was hardly ever across the table, they would come in, make a presentation and leave. Then the International would negotiate with the Locals to get them to support what the International brought back.

 

[FWAAA]

FWAAA,

Per the SWA mechanics at Love Field, the Teamsters were tossed out of negotiations after bringing back a turd of an agreement. The contract that passed and later extended was the work of a group of mechanics who negotiated with those at the top. 1 day after the passing of the agreement, the drive was started to boot the Teamsters and completed 2 weeks later. At the time AMFA didn't even know of a drive until they called AMFA National and informed them they had 75% of the cards signed and that a drive was started 2 weeks ago. Maybe a SWA mechanic will comment as to the accuracy of the story I've been told by several mechanics over there.

Didn't know that. So instead of the Teamsters (who may be due no credit at all if this is true), if I were you guys, I'd hire those WN mechanics as the negotiating team. Can't argue with results.

 

[AMFAMAN]

Didn't know that. So instead of the Teamsters (who may be due no credit at all if this is true), if I were you guys, I'd hire those WN mechanics as the negotiating team. Can't argue with results.

Not so sure it was their negotiating skills as much as dealing with a company, that I am told at the time were straight shooters. Hopefully a SWA mechanic can give some insight into the situation, I was shocked when I got the deatails, as I always wondered what went down when the scored the best contract in the industry and dumped the union 2 weeks later.

The following supports what they claim.
T/A on contract August 30, 2002
Raitifed on Oct 11, 2002

http://www.nmb.gov/publicinfo/pr090302c.html

Filed for election Nov 6, 2002...BTW..it takes about 2 weeks to put the case together before the filing.

http://www.nmb.gov/representation/deter2003/30n027.pdf

 

[AMFAMAN]

Dennis Burchette is now head of negotiation. I don’t have a link at this point but it’s true.

VIA FAX
February 28,2007
Dennis Burchette
President
TWU Local 514
1 1945 East Pine Street
Tulsa, OK 741 16

Re: International Staff Assignment

Dear Brother Burchette:

As you know, we have an array of challenges facing our entire Air Transport Division over the next few years however, priority must be given to our immediate needs within the American Airlines property with the pending
negotiations commencing later this year. We recently found out that Brother Yingst will require hip surgery and will be out of the ofice beginning mid-April for approximately three(3) months. He may also require a second hip
replacement in the near future.

Gary and I have had numerous discussions and looked at various scenarios regarding staffing and, based on your acceptance, I have concurred with Gary on assigning you as staff Vice President reporting to the Air Transport Division Acting Director beginning April 2,2007. The initial assignment will be negotiation preparations on the American Airlines system and other duties assigned by the Acting Director.

As you and I have discussed, these upcoming negotiations are extremely critical to our members in regaining the economic loss they have incurred since the 2003 restructuring which has especially hit hard on our high cost of living cities.

I am confident with the assembled team within the Presidents' Council and our International Staff assigned, we will be successful with the proper planning and fortitude in regaining our fair share of equity for our members.

On a personal note, I would like to say thank you for your acceptance of this staff assignment on such shorrt notice.

I would also like to extend that presidents appreciation to your Local 514 Officers, Executive Board and especially the members of Local 514 for their understanding and confidence.

We can discuss other pertinent details as you transition to the Texas office.

Fraternally,

James C. Little
International President




JCL:mo
opeiu-153
c: Harry Lombardo
John J. Keriigan
Michael Bakalo
Hubert Snead
Gary W. Yingst
ATD International Staff
All Other International Staff

So now we are told this story is BS and his travel benefits are suspended just adds to the rumor of a flight problem.

ALOHA

 

[TWU-GOTTA-GO]

So now we are told this story is BS and his travel benefits are suspended just adds to the rumor of a flight problem.

ALOHA

Heard about that one and the other one...Burp 😉

 

[ch53D]

Heard about that one and the other one...Burp 😉

I guess to be a TWU International Rep. you have to be a mile high wife beater. Burppp!

 

[AMFAMAN]

I guess to be a TWU International Rep. you have to be a mile high wife beater. Burppp!

Maybe she was kicking his ass just like the company does daily.

So "hip surgery" must be the new code word at the twu these days.

 

[ch53D]

Maybe she was kicking his ass just like the company does daily.

So "hip surgery" must be the new code word at the twu these days.

Just like Burchette, when going gets tough you beat up the wife. Burppp! Burppp! :down: :down: :down:

 

[proAMT]

At Tulsa we are days away from getting a turnover of union officers. I believe I speak for the majority of fed up TWU 514 members when I say we want Burchette to get the hell out of the way. He was never voted into the position in which he now holds and most are not proud of the Burchette years. This guy who acted rough and tuff rolled over for the company to rub his belly. Burchette you've interfered with our lives enough! Your nothing but a company doormat. Stay out of the way. We'd like to get a good contract this time.

 

[tech2101]

Aye, 'twas a brief and shining moment.

Very brief. Before that, we got behinder and behinder every year from 84 on. The TWU gets credit for that, too. The Bubba raise did no more than bring us back up to 1984 parity, vis a vis the consumer price index. So don't take too big a bow.

Was it not the TWU that sheparded the OSM or SRP or whatever that C scale person is called these days?