"fooled Again By Ward"

[jsn25911]

Actually, jsn, that sentiment was posted by me, as hard as that may be for you to comprehend or admit. Sorry to disappoint you.

I was responding to MiAAmi saying they wished 5 years would go by quickly. Sorry I didn't include the quote. I'll try to include quotes more in the future.

No, you didn't disappoint me!

That would be helpful, because you know how I like substantiation.

Oh NO Straight - you are making me giggle!

 

[silverbirdFLL]

My 2 cents worth (for those who really care),
First cent is that if it wasn't for STL/ISL TWA APFA represented flight attendants the piece of $H!t RPA would have passed by WIDE margin. Don Carty and John Ward knew how the voteing was going this is known to be true since Don Carty said they did know in "real time" thanks to Ann MacNemarra former General Coucil for AMR (who I might add had been on Forbes list as the highest ranking female in corp. America many years running).So,look at vote talley break down by base & it is very clear to ME atleaste our colouges(sp) @ STL/ISL knew that RPA was a looser from the get go.I sure as heck did. Why in the hell would I vote myself a 5 year base pay across the board cut that took effect in as little as 2 weeks. I don't know any of my f/a friends that had enough time to adjust 15.6% of there personal budgets in as little as 2 weeks.Bankruptcy was "aveted" for AMR Corp. but sad to say not many of it's employees,this one included.
Second pennie is that I will not vote for anyone of the "slates" as they are put together now. I will break up my vote this time and I have decided on only one of the four National Officer positions. This positon is for Secretary and it is a fmr TWA f/a that I have corrisponded (sp) mostly durring the APFA BB day's. As for the remaining positons I am leaning in the President's coloum and treasurer. Vice President I am looking at more closely now.
I am affraid however that breaking up the votes I will help instead of impead John Ward's reelection. In my 15 yrs all I have known are "slates".A "slate" meant that they were a team and had a single vision to lead the APFA by. John Ward's election was primarly based on low voter turn out and lack of a well put together opposing slate. Judy Laidislaw was a last minute throw in because Denise Hedges supporters told her NOT to run even though she had wanted to. 7000 give or take voted out of 21000. Sad.
OK I'm done. That's my 2 cents plus one or two more. I ask all American Airlines flight attendants who read this board to just educate yourself on the canadates who are running. Think outside the box instead of just completing the arrow on your ballot or not voting at all.
Don't be affraid of the future.The future is going to happen anyway so why not be apart of it.
Peace.
SB
ps. May ALL have a happy and safe New Year

 

[woztwa]

GE,

I am not sure MiAAmi is referring to the expiration recall rights of the furloughed flight attendants in five years (well, four and a half and counting for the latest group).

I believe that five years is the time frame for reopening contract negotiations for the CBA; the poster may hope that will bring an end to the concessionary agreement.

You are too kind and give them too much room--of course, they were talking about
the 5 yr recall, they spew hatred, for they do not know--but thank you. there is no one to blame for the illegal vote and this absurd "give away" of an RPA,except APFA= MiAAmi/Str8 would like nothing better than to get rid of us--if i am wrong,
than I am sure they will post.

Ironically, woztwa, I was a very vocal opponent to the RPA, and to its illegal imposition on the AA flight attendant group. Similarly, I believe that AA knew exactly what it was doing when it refused to extend unlimited recall rights to our furloughees. I have had arguments with members of management who continue to chant the mantra that carrying furloughees on the books somehow costs the company money. I counter them each time by asking them when is the last time they had to communicate with a furloughee...that unlimited recall rights are a no-cost item to the company.

I agree neither with the RPA, nor the voting process, nor the issue of recall rights being limited to 5 years.

Of course, I am sure that you, seemingly blinded in your hatred of all AA flight attendants, will find a way to venemously attack my position, even though it agrees with yours, in this specific instance. Please feel free. You are quite entertaining.

I am glad that we agree on something Str8 and was well said.
However, you might be interested to know that my "dearest" friend is
AA and running for office, my cousin is retired AA, another in rez.
We belong to a wonderful "club"-the airlines. You would be much better
served if you would dropped the "arrogance". That is my ONLY problem
with you and you only. As is with all groups, there are many more good people
and only a few bad apples. That applies to ALL.
I am sure that you will understand that when TWA F/A's are made to feel that they have nothing to contribute to AA, that some are glad we are on the streets-that is hateful. One of my dear friends committed suicide, leaving two children, over this.
And it breaks my heart with every insult to us. That lays firmly on APFA/AA shoulders-IMO

 

[stew4aa]

Well, those same fools are willing to vote for him take the fall for him & get fired for him.....................

Amazing.........

 

[MiAAmi]

GE,

I am not sure MiAAmi is referring to the expiration recall rights of the furloughed flight attendants in five years (well, four and a half and counting for the latest group).

I believe that five years is the time frame for reopening contract negotiations for the CBA; the poster may hope that will bring an end to the concessionary agreement.

Thank you TWAnr.

I have never said anything negative about the TWA'ers on Furlough. Quite the opposite. I have wished everyone well and a quick return. If my 5 year statement was taken the wrong way please know it was about the length of the contract. I don't normally wish time away, but with this contract the sooner we get back to the table the better.

 

[Veritas]

Jeff Bott's letter:

Dear Fellow Flight Attendants,

I am writing this as a JFK-based flight attendant, on my own time, with my own computer. In the past, in the interest of unity, I have been unable to speak fully and openly about the struggle and frustration I have experienced in the last four years working within the Ward administration. I am not seeking any office, so other than my concern for our collective future (my own included) at this airline, I have nothing to gain personally by telling you the following other than to finally remove the shroud that has been cloaked over so many issues and events during the last four years. I have been asked about these issues by many of you time and time again, so now it's time to share them with you, the membership to be sure you have the facts prior to making your choice for who will take us into the next four years.

I will say, first and foremost that I will NOT be voting for any of the candidates on the John Ward slate. Yes, I did run with John Ward, Linda Lanning and Juan Johnson four years ago. Naturally, I have been a personal witness to what has transpired in those four years and must set the record straight from the unique vantage point that I have had being involved and working with John Ward and friends and additionally, having an office directly across the hall from his at headquarters for the past nearly four years.

While I could probably write a book on the events that have occurred, I obviously can't write about all the specific events here. I offer an overview from my perspective of how things work from the inside and what you are in for if the Ward slate is re-elected.

Many of you have asked why and how the one person who was responsible for our industry-leading contract, could be a part of the abysmal failure of leadership during the restructuring process. It's actually very simple.

You will see as I write there are several common themes and behaviors that repeat over and over again. The play book and the plays called on each one of these events are very predictable. You might ask why I am making this sound like it's a game. Because to John and his very small circle, it is like a game where each issue and crisis is handled under several basic tenets. Delay everything as long as you can. Withhold information and communication. Deflect accountability. Redefine the facts so they work for you. Attack and crush any opposition by tying opponents to issues that incite fear and anger among the ranks, even if the information is made up. ALWAYS take the popular opinion that you think people want to hear regardless of the resulting facts or consequences. And finally, take credit for everything good even if it is someone else's work, and if you can't take the credit, then make sure the information never surfaces or put a spin on it that makes it sound less significant.

What has not been addressed adequately enough is that what we achieved in bargaining was the result of many people's efforts. John did not single handedly do anything. The evidence is quite clear from the handling of both the contract and the restructuring agreement. During the restructuring agreement many of those involved in our negotiations in 2001 - behind the scenes - were excluded or chose not to work with John again after going through negotiations. Ironically enough, when an agreement was reached in 2001 some of the team members along with John were angry at feeling forced to accept our contract back then, blaming the Board (sound familiar?) until they realized that the flight attendants were happy with what they saw. Then they took instant ownership. Several of the negotiators thought they would be better off in a Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) for Congress to decide our fate. Not that they had facts that would back that up, but it was a popular rally cry at the time. It was an evasive tactic to avoid responsibility. They would never admit it now, but they said it then. I was there. The PEB would have relieved them of all responsibility because a contract would have been something forced on us. How could it be their fault then? You will notice this theme throughout - that of finding some way to deflect responsibility over and over again.

During the restructuring agreement, lack of planning and delayed decision making was very apparent, as was communication until it was too late. We moved at a turtle's pace and, as a result, everything hit us in a very short time period.

Then we started hearing those ever-familiar words, " It's the Boards fault." "They forced me to do it." "I had no choice." Although the now- infamous unanimous resolution to begin addressing a restructuring agreement was worked on by John Ward himself, (and when it was voted on by the Board he was fine with the verbiage), how ironic that he maintains he was "forced to do it." Clearly, this gave him another out and someone else to point the finger at depending on the outcome. Take a look at the videotape of the Board meeting. It's on the record.

Speaking of blame, if it's not the Board or the Company's fault then its probably Patt Gibbs' or my fault. According to John Ward, Patt and I are attempting to "take control of APFA." The problem with that, however, is the only people that have power to take control of APFA are the Board of Directors and John himself, as President. You try to find somewhere in our APFA constitution where Patt Gibbs even has a vote aside from the same place that each of you do - at the ballot box. I fall fairly close in that respect as well. Although I have one vote on the Executive Committee as well as one in the ballot box, almost all actions that could be tied to "controlling the union," can only be accomplished by the Board of Directors.

Here is another smoke screen to divert your attention from what John and his small group are (not) doing. This has incited fear and mistrust probably more so than any other issue. The TWA seniority. How long have we been hearing about that hysteria? It works like a charm, though, and it creates an uproar among the ranks. It doesn't matter that this issue is in the hands of the courts. Who has the ability to change that course? The answer is simple: the courts or the APFA Board of Directors. Not me. Not Patt. Not even John! Period. End of story.

Anyone who opposes John on anything is always a "supporter of TWA seniority" even if they were never involved with the issue to begin with. Whenever there is controversy regarding John and his circle going on, (like an election, for example), pick an issue that causes lots of emotion like "the seniority issue" and then the focus will be changed to that. It's a great political maneuver and John has it mastered. Many get caught up in the fervor. Some of our members get so focused on that topic (interesting to note the timing this issue resurfaces) that you forget all about John and what he's up to. Your attention has been successfully refocused. Tie an opponent to an unpopular issue even if it is not true and then watch them chase their tail trying to disprove this allegation. I've seen and personally experienced this many times during the last four years.

As for Patt Gibbs, aside from the Special Advisory Committee to negotiations in 2001, which led to our industry leading contract,
(FYI: John voted to put her on that committee and he also voted to give her the union's highest honor - the Martha W. Griffith Award), Patt's involvement since has been limited to the SBA department. She has worked on the projects that I have asked her to work on. Just to put her involvement into perspective, on a single termination case where I used our current legal counsel, the bill for that case alone was in excess of $65,000. That's just for legal fees. Again - that was for just one case. Patt has presented many cases as the advocate for APFA and she was paid less than that by APFA for a full-year's work. I have saved hundreds of thousands of APFA dues dollars in legal fees by working in this manner.

Additionally, she does not put in for expenses like every other rep at APFA does. Do I use her on every case? No. I use her because I think she is the right person for the particular case that I review. Did she cast some magic spell on me? No. I agreed to use her in the beginning based on the request of some of those who are now chastising me for utilizing he services. The reason she and Susan French (another flight attendant/attorney/union advocate) are used is based solely on their abilities. They have proven themselves to me AND those they represent over and over. Come watch them in action at a hearing and see for yourself. Take a look at what John spends on legal counsel and then take a look at my legal expenses in the SBA department. If you think I don't have good counsel, take a look at my win record in the SBA Department. It is the best record in the history of APFA. I have been inclusive, not exclusive with whom I work and that allows for the best team possible. The results speak for themselves.

There are some who are vocal in their beliefs that former leaders like Patt Gibbs or Becky Kroll stay around to "gain" from APFA
(specifically in the SBA department). This is pure ignorance on their part regarding a lack of understanding of how the arbitration process works. In the SBA department, we depend on their assistance to testify in arbitrations as the people who were responsible for negotiating the various issues contained within the contract. They testify because they created or are most familiar with the history of that subject. If they didn't testify, we could have anyone say anything from the Company and we would have no one to rebut that testimony. Un-rebutted testimony could cause us to lose a case. Ask the Company. They have lost many a case because APFA has witnesses that can testify on bargaining issues all the way back to the `60s. Their people either do not work for AA anymore, have died, or will not testify. Whomever is the next Vice President, he or she will need these witnesses if they are going to win cases, whether they like them personally or not. If they choose not to testify or the union does not seek their assistance, it will be to the union's detriment. If you haven't had to put a case together, you just can't imagine how important your witnesses are. The attacks on Patt are a direct result of John and his team's need to discredit her up front because she has a differing opinions than he does and she is vocal about exposing his leadership flaws. Believe me - having a different opinion from John is a fatal sin. Everyone tows the party line or else. I know that from firsthand experience. It has to be his idea or you must convince him it was his idea or it's a no go.

If you wonder why withholding information and communication would make any sense, again, the motive is simple. It creates apprehension to challenge John on anything because he uses the information he has that anyone else wouldn't have access to, to rebut every issue you raise. It puts the person who has the information in a dominant role by maintaining control. Simply put - if you control what information others have you keep a level of ignorance that you can almost always outmaneuver and control.

There is an old saying that goes: "In any organization, myths are "built- in" job protection. If the organization keeps you "ignorant" of the process, you become more dependent upon the system."

This is John's mantra. It occurs often with issues that come before the board. Additionally, it has occurred throughout the four years I have been at headquarters - to me. I have learned I have to seek out my own information and double check everything. We promised you open communication. We can't even get a Skyword out in a timely fashion anymore. It has not been for lack of trying on the part of the communications coordinators. John never meets a Skyword deadline. In fact John has difficulty meeting any deadline unless it's one that he has imposed.

What about the others? Juan and Linda aid and abet John by accomplishing - or squashing - whatever is on his agenda. Most actions take a majority of the national officers to act on. There are automatically three approvals necessary to get everything John wants passed. Case closed. Try and find a vote or issue where the three of them have ever disagreed on anything, let alone had some type of debate. As for the Vice Presidential candidate, Ted has absolutely no experience in arbitration at all.

I also must comment on their campaign website regarding their "dealings with 9/11 and 587 tragedies." During 9/11 John was in his office at APFA, or at home, the entire time. I went to SOC and dealt with the myriad of issues that had to be resolved to get the operation back up, get crews home, handle pay issues (I have the letter). I was to relay information to him to keep the internal communication process going and guess what, that process broke down also. I communicated with him and the communication stopped there until I got the former communications coordinator involved. Without him in the middle keeping the information from flowing to the Board and the membership, everything went smoothly without delay.

As far as 587 goes I will never forget that day. In the midst of learning I had lost friends I had flown with for years in that crash, John was on a vacation day and never came into the office. The communications coordinator phoned him at home to discuss the hotline, and he instructed her to handle it herself – he was on a vacation day. We put together a hotline and recorded it with absolutely no help at all. I flew to New York the next day and never heard from him the entire time I was at the airport or the crash site. He never called either of the New York Base Chairs to offer his condolences or assistance, and did not return Kathy Lord-Jones' (former Safety Coordinators') calls. Debbie Roland (DCA) who was working with Kathy Lord-Jones and the NTSB on the witness group can also verify this to be true. Laura Glading, negotiator and JFK flight attendant, contacted him but never heard back. Not a call from him to say, "Do you need anything," "Can I help you?" nothing. So I have a difficult time stomaching his reference to his handling of 587. This was handled by others – not John, and now he attempts to imply it fell on his shoulders.

We will face some very difficult issues over the next few years. We need a group of leaders that can accept responsibility for the good and the bad. This requires open and forthright communication. Even if we don't like the message, at least we understand why. I can assure you, you will not get that in the John Ward slate, not if the past four years is any indication. We need to provide input into the decision making process to ensure that our large investment we've made in this Company from the restructuring agreement is handled appropriately. We need someone who will participate in discussions on our behalf and have the courage to tell us the truth, not just what he thinks we want to hear at the time, only to have the walls crumble in on us later because we didn't understand the consequences. We need someone who gives us all the information, not just bits and pieces of siphened information he wants us to know.

We are the only union group on the property whose Board has not met with our new CEO Gerard Arpey, despite his repeated offers. He assumed his position in April, it's January 2004 now. If we want to change the culture at AA we have to show up and give our opinions. Otherwise, we will have decisions made without us or by the groups that do show up and do give input. This is not being in bed with management as some imply. It's called paving the way to getting what you want. It can't happen by osmosis. I perpetually hear those
(Flight Attendants and Union Reps) who criticize anyone who works on solving a problem at AA. They would rather sit back and do nothing and just endure more of the same. They have the mentality "If I can't have everything exactly the way I want it right now, I don't want anything at all." If American is to change their way of thinking, then we must change ours. It's not a matter of choice anymore. It has to happen if we are to survive.

We are in a relationship with American much like a personal relationship with our significant other. We have three choices. First, leave the relationship completely. Most of us have invested too much time to just walk away and are simply not in a position to do this. Second, we can resort to our traditional way of dealing with each other, fighting with each other and tearing each other apart, accomplishing nothing, leaving all of us miserable, and securing our eventual demise. For many including some of my counterparts in the union this is the most comfortable place to be because it is what we know and have lived with for many years. Change will be hard work and it is easier just to leave things as they are. This line of thinking is exactly what we don't need. From what I have seen this is what another four years of the Ward slate will bring. We stay exactly where we are now. Stagnant. We maintain the same misery and unhappiness, but everything stays status quo. Change requires vision and the courage to stick your neck out and think outside the box.

The third and last option flows from this mindset. We can work through our relationship problems and change the relationship behavior pattern. All of the elements of the Company's turnaround plan depend on a collaborative relationship with the unions on the property. How many years have we been trying to achieve real input for change. We can seize this opportunity or we can let it just pass us by.

I believe the Back on the Right Track slate is the only viable slate with the experience necessary to lead us into the future. This is not because I have agreed with every action of each of the candidates. I have had disagreements with most of them on different issues over the years, yet they are inclusive, problem solving and productive leaders. I know from my experience in working with them, that despite our differences they will be able to forge ahead to unify even those who might not have the same perspective because they will provide honest information so at least we understand why some action is or is not being taken. I know they will keep our System Board department in the same successful path that is has been progressing. The department has earned the respect of Arbitrators and the Company, which has enabled us to return flight attendants to work without having to go through the process and expense of an arbitration due to the fact that the Company knows we know how to successfully present a case and have been so successful in the past. Respect forces changes in behavior, but it has to be earned. I would hate to see all of that lost for a "learning curve". We cannot afford to wait for inexperience to catch up.

Jeff Bott JFK Flight Attendant

 

[L1011Ret]

Speaking of Ward, Jeff Botts lengthy assessment of Ward's shortcomings makes for fascinating reading.

 

[flyingmywingsoff]

everyone should read jeff bott's above post, and anyone who is fooled by ward is an idiot.

 

[Veritas]

A letter from Rock Salomon:

Dear Colleagues:

Many of you were recently sent an email forwarding you to a website
called therecordstraight.com. If you were, you’ll remember that the
website depicted candidates running for APFA National Office and those that
support them with anti-Semitic slurs and derogatory remarks referencing
sexual preference—the words pasted onto or next to the persons’
photograph and name. And as if to add insult to injury, the site then taunted
those featured on it to try and figure out just who the anonymous
perpetrator was.

Talk about dumb and dumber. This anonymous artisan forgot that the
Internet is nothing more than numbers, numbers that are easily traceable.
Here are some startling coincidences that I’ve recently uncovered.

Both www.therecordstraight.com and www.reelectward.org have the same IP
Address, DNS Number and Registrant. Simply put, these two websites are
hosted on the same server and are owned by the same person. They are
unmistakable tied to one another with a unique number (207.44.210.8).

Similarly, this website also shares the same IP Address and Registrant,
www.josebatalla.com. This website boasts having done work for both
American Airlines and APFA. Coincidently, this name also appears in the
Flight Service Web Roster as well as on Ted Bedwell’s “Willingness To
Serve†notice. You may remember Mr. Bedwell from the Ward slate and the
APFA Executive Committee.

I do believe that I’ve solved the mystery surrounding
therecordstraight.com. I do not know who put the site up or took it down, nor do I know
how they obtained the photographs. But we are going to find out I’m
sure. Nobody wants to be left holding this bag of disaster alone. NOBODY.

Another example of why we need new union leadership. APFA simply can’t
afford another lawsuit. The days of musical chairs at APFA must end. If
you want your union back, truly back, don’t elect retreads.

Let’s try something different for a change.

In unity,
Rock Salomon
BOS

 

[L1011Ret]

Wonder which "slate" that web site is linked to? No matter who it is linked to, it is way out of bounds and would seem to border on hate crimes.

 

[AC AA LA FA]

Fear and anger has always fuled defeat in any cause-with those two issues in the equation-as history has proven-we will fail.....
My concern now is to raise conciousness amognst ALL AA employees-to see what REALLY is standing in our way-the fear and anger instilled in us by our "leaders"--round and round and round we will go-bitching and moaning..till we emplode-
I am over it-board of this sophmoric mentality-we will never all agree on all issues-BUT WE MUST ALL AGREE IN PRINCIPLE-lets get with it people-
I dont like the view from here-at all-AC

 

[stew4aa]

It is directly linked to the reelect Ward Slate. Thats who.

 

[StraaightTaalk]

Bott is no better. He advocated violating the APFA Constitution to force the Restructuring Agreement on the APFA membership, REGARDLESS of what the vote really turned out to be. He aggressively argued to shorten the balloting; argued to extend the balloting on 4/15; argued to implement the "disagreement" on 4/25. This Restructuring Agreement resulted in the furlough of all remaining TWA flight attendants.

He also helped draft the resolution, along with Patt Gibbs, which led to the same seniority integration agreement that the TWA flight attendants are now challenging.

Ward is no angel...but take everything you read from Bott with a grain of salt.

 

[jsn25911]

StrAAight - Who better that Jeff to tell the people exactly the kind of president Ward is! I think Jeff is the perfect person to tell us that Ward is a worthless piece of.....! What has ward done for this membership? Oh, gave away vacation, shortened duty days, work days that are difficult to eat, sleep, etc., destroyed the contract,................... Jeff is telling us the type of person Ward is and who better would know. I just hope people have the brains to know what Ward did and get him out of office so that someone can try to repair the mess he has made.

Ward just doesn't have the experience to work with flight attendants, company let alone the other officials such as Jeff.

However, I do agree with you that Jeff played a part in what happen - however, I admire that he is coming out and telling people exactly what Ward is like - which reinforces that we need new leadership. And if Jeff were running for office - I would not vote for him. I think we need new leadership.

 

[galleyguy4u2]

Send Ward BACK TO THE LINE AND EAT HIM ALIVE!! I am sure he will take a office job in AA or take some type of leave. I don't think he can handle his own work rules that he and his BOD's sold all of us out for.

I don't care who you vote for but please not his administration.