IAM Open House

[insp89]

I guarantee the union membership that voted in Frank in PIT was most likely under 150 voting.
The members from other airlines...well I remember voting for some dude from Hawaii who I knew jack about but he had a cool name.

Just like when you got to the polls here and some quack smack is on the ballot in some position you never heard or knew about....guess you pull the lever?

is it right? BTSOOM.....Thats the way they been going it for some time.

As far as what went on in PIT vs our good friends in CLT...was it right or wrong?? I see it as a reaction against a company violating the CBA and Frank and Bill meeting that wrong with wildcat threat that probably was doable.
CLT moaned about secret phone calls and such....maybe CLT shoulda been up and running too...don't know...don't really care anymore...its history .
After all CLT usually was very staunch in unionistic actions during contract neg's...why they seemed to cave against this affront...I don't know.its over....for me at least.

Dell,
This union needs to "pull their head out" and make elected officials accountable to the membership.
I can see why you don't care anymore, sounds like you were'nt laid off out of seniority for very long, [a few days ?]
Yeah, I know, "Thats the way they been doing it for some time"..
Do you at least agree that both locals should of got off their collective azzes and made a Joint decision ?

 

[700UW]

The problem is that it was NOT a local lodge decision, it was a district decision and Bill forgets there are more IAM Members outside of PIT.

Bill as an AGC at the time was obligated to the district, not just PIT.

 

[insp89]

This is not an appropriate way to vote on district folks. Some member needs to investigate how to present an agenda item to change the bylaws on the International level. You have to know who are the voting leaders who vote on these new agenda items.

The current way does not appear that it is very fair or democratic. ALPA and AFA do not vote in this manner. The respective airline representatives are elected by their members in their specific base, therefore, how well you serve your members has a direct impact on your reelection, or demise.

We also have withing our Constitution (both ALPA and AFA identical) to "RECALL" an officer from the local level all the way up to the International.

This type of "direct election" makes our leaders accountable for their representation.

Otherwise, I seen no incentive for the leaders at the IAM to represent their members fairlyl

Thank You Pitbull,
A voice of reason, and common sense, out of the wilderness..

I'm going to see what I can do to get the BYLAW changed.
Pitbull, Can anyone coax you out of retirement ?

The problem is that it was NOT a local lodge decision, it was a district decision and Bill forgets there are more IAM Members outside of PIT.

Bill as an AGC at the time was obligated to the district, not just PIT.

I agree with you 700, I just wonder why you don't see the need to have the BYLAW changed in order to make elected officials accountable to the membership they represent.

 

[smorzando]

insp89

I truly feel for you in the fact you're still there. I am sure out of necessity.

The IAM and Pit ran the show, everyone knows this. I could tell you stories that would make your hair stand up of how paying union members were treated because they were not part of the clique. Many of these heavy handed union bosses made AGC positions. They came from Pit with the mentality of it's my way and screw you. The younger members all wanted a change but as they got furloughed or were about to be furloughed other concerns like how they were going to feed their famines became their priorities and not IAM matters. One guy from CLT I got to know very well was very involved in the union, he now works at Timco. Anyway he told me one time how unbelievable was, as he called it: “the slanted horse power of Pitâ€￾ They ruled no matter how adversely it effected the members who didn’t agreed with them and the outer stations were even lower on their list of concerns. He saw it from a different perspective being from a different station which showed me just how bad it actually was. These same guys have you all by the balls by virtue of still being there and still pulling the power levers. I sincerely feel for you guys. If you don't get screwed by the company you can count on the union, that's taking your money, to pick up any slack covering what the company forgot about.

Like Dell says: I am so glad that is behind me. It has done nothing for my low opinion of unions and what their about.

Hang on Tight-- I am sure your ride will still be rough at times and best of luck to you.

 

[insp89]

insp89

I truly feel for you in the fact you're still there. I am sure out of necessity.

The IAM and Pit ran the show, everyone knows this. I could tell you stories that would make your hair stand up of how paying union members were treated because they were not part of the clique. Many of these heavy handed union bosses made AGC positions. They came from Pit with the mentality of it's my way and screw you. The younger members all wanted a change but as they got furloughed or were about to be furloughed other concerns like how they were going to feed their famines became their priorities and not IAM matters. One guy from CLT I got to know very well was very involved in the union, he now works at Timco. Anyway he told me one time how unbelievable was, as he called it: “the slanted horse power of Pitâ€￾ They ruled no matter how adversely it effected the members who didn’t agreed with them and the outer stations were even lower on their list of concerns. He saw it from a different perspective being from a different station which showed me just how bad it actually was. These same guys have you all by the balls by virtue of still being there and still pulling the power levers. I sincerely feel for you guys. If you don't get screwed by the company you can count on the union, that's taking your money, to pick up any slack covering what the company forgot about.

Like Dell says: I am so glad that is behind me. It has done nothing for my low opinion of unions and what their about.

Hang on Tight-- I am sure your ride will still be rough at times and best of luck to you.

smorzando, I sincerely thank you for taking the time to respond.

 

[700UW]

Pit,

The IAM structure is very differant then the AFA.

We are not just located at three bases there are around 20 maintenance stations, each one is assigned to a local and the District is responsible for all matters in regard to the contract.

The International has barely anything to do with it.

 

[pitguy]

A few goons forcing their ways on the masses. Although everyone must like it because they keep letting it go on.

~Lowest paid in the industry.

 

[delldude]

Like Dell says: I am so glad that is behind me. It has done nothing for my low opinion of unions and what their about.

Thats all I have to say about this...the rest is your opinion,please do not slot me in there.Do not get upset by my remark either.

 

[smorzando]

Thats all I have to say about this...the rest is your opinion,please do not slot me in there.Do not get upset by my remark either.

I was never part of the “in crowd†I was the out cast because I was an actual machinist, unlike the many in the “machinist†union. I worked my way up the A&P ladder but was always considered a fake A&P because I didn’t do it the old boys way. You had IAM leadership who were leads in the machine shop that ignored any and all legitimate grievances. There were a few big time trouble makers in the machine who made life miserable for everyone, so bad in fact that a friend I knew well and worked with outside of U in a previous job actually killed himself, the IAM did nothing because in their mind the machine shop was not really part of the real union, although our money was very real. They did this while asking you to contribute to the PAC and taking what they called dues money. The dues money was ransom money really because if you refused you were either black balled or simply fired, fired is what really happened because of the sweet heart deal the IAM had with the company. It was no different than belonging to the mob except the union hacks weren’t all Italian, except maybe the names ending with a vowel.


I am not only glad I am gone but overwhelmed with joy especially when I get on here and it jogs my memory of just how corrupt, screwed up it all was a package. If dealing with the IAM wasn’t bad enough you constantly wondered when the ax would fall and in the meantime getting to that point if you ran into any kind of trouble, well just consider your dues money a sewage pit you were throwing it in because it got you about the same results.

Ride Safe dude on that big ole Harley. 700, you can smother yourself up the IAM’s behind. I’ll watch and shake my head in sorrow knowing you are one of many lost and troubled souls that the IAM has molded into their drones, those drones get on venues such as these boards and spread their disease even further, like the terrorist cells they are, but very legal and accepted.

Wake up people, look at what’s going on and did go on, MILLIONS of job overseas, healthcare costs thru the roof making co-pays ridiculous and yet you pay dues! For What?? What really are you getting for your dues money? Do you feel more secure, wealthier, more at peace with yourself? I am just one man whose been there done that and I will never again be a union member because every time I was it was a very negative experience. I am not alone by any means just look union membership in this country versus a few decades ago. Down Down Down.... :down:

 

[PITbull]

Pit,

The IAM structure is very differant then the AFA.

We are not just located at three bases there are around 20 maintenance stations, each one is assigned to a local and the District is responsible for all matters in regard to the contract.

The International has barely anything to do with it.

Then you must admit, it is inappropriate and surely unjust by the mere structure makes representation ineffective.

My thinking when was when Frank and Bill F. won the elections, even though challenged by (Bill, the guy who ran against Frank) that the members must have really wanted Frank and Bill F again. I had no idea that many of their votes possibly came from other districts where they wre basically unknown. It would be very difficult to beat these guys on reelection...even if there is local disatisfaction on representation or even to encourage members to run for election that possibly have some real talent for the position.

Not good.

 

[delldude]

Pitbull:

(Bill, the guy who ran against Frank)

you're refering to the local lodge elections.

The Frank/Bill F was higher level/office election.

 

[700UW]

You are confusing local and district lodge elections.

When Bill H challenged Frank, that was at the local level and only 1976 lodge members can vote in a local election at 1976.

District Elections are system-wide for all members under DL 142.

Local and District elections are two totally separate functions.

And yes the way the District Elects is archaic.

 

[awausairtech]

GOD HELP US?

OTHER Districts?????????????????????????????????

o god help us :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry:

700 bite ME.................

WHO SOLD WHO OUT!!!!

SEE NORTHWEST..............BOY IAM TOY.

 

[awausairtech]

WHAT I HEAR IS THE LIMO DRIVERS OUT WEST ARE TWU OR IBT SO WERE THEY GOING TO RUN TOO......HA HA HA HA.
TIME TO EARN YOUR MONEY BOYS,,,,,,,,,,?

 

[diogenes]

PitBull,

You have nutshelled it well.

The membership controls the local lodge, otherwise non-mechs would have never sat on a local E-board!

OTOH, the membership nominally, but does not really, control the district. The AGC seats are staggered, and voted on by many airlines from across the country. What with rules the International is the final arbiter of, it is difficult to mount an insurgency. The IAM was not bashful about interfering when a member DID jump thru the hoops to get on the ballot.

The local decides who will attend what training and conferences, and the local committee handles grievances thru step II (regional director). Small fry, really.

The district and AGC handles step III (human resources) and arbitration, as well as negotiations. Now we're fishing for Moby!

I know for a fact that many fleet grievances the local committee AND E board (comprised of fleet and mechs)agreed were worthy, and comparable to settled cases mechs had arbitrated, did not go forward. As a matter of fact, in some locals (that were comprised mainly of stations eventually outsourced) no grievances were arbitrated from initial contract date to outsourced date - 5 years! Perhaps that's a coincidence, but my handle tells you what I think.

Lastly, the fine (that is not sarcasm; they are excellent) Placid Harbor instructors will tell you the 'Slate' and the election regulations are a disgrace.

With regards to changing by-laws, good luck. Unless they have blessing of the International before hand, you won't get it off the ground. They will find or manufacture an 'i' you didn't dot, and rule you out of order.