JCBA Negotiations and updates for AA AMTS

[D7571987]

So these guys are engineers huh? Not mechanics? .....do they fix hydraulic leaks with a calculator? 
 
 

 
 
No, it is legit:  http://hub.aa.com/en/nr/american-airlines-and-transport-workers-union-reach-tentative-agreement-for-flight-sim-engineers-9-9-2016

 

[Vortilon]

So these guys are engineers huh? Not mechanics? .....do they fix hydraulic leaks with a calculator? 
 
 

 
The US is the only country on the planet that doesn't refer to us as "Aircraft Maintenance Engineers".  This is more political than anything else.  There is no benefit in it for the union; in fact, they often just refer to us as maintenance workers.  It also helps their cause in keeping AMTs saddled up with all the "and related" types to water down any vote to get out of this wonderful union.

 

[La Li Lu Le Lo]

The US is the only country on the planet that doesn't refer to us as "Aircraft Maintenance Engineers".  This is more political than anything else.  There is no benefit in it for the union; in fact, they often just refer to us as maintenance workers.  It also helps their cause in keeping AMTs saddled up with all the "and related" types to water down any vote to get out of this wonderful union.

I would like you to define an engineer for me with your own words.

 

[Real tired]

 
The US is the only country on the planet that doesn't refer to us as "Aircraft Maintenance Engineers".  This is more political than anything else.  There is no benefit in it for the union; in fact, they often just refer to us as maintenance workers.  It also helps their cause in keeping AMTs saddled up with all the "and related" types to water down any vote to get out of this wonderful union.

 
That's about the size of it.
 
As long as we maintain that "blue collar" class distinction, it help the company keep from paying us what we are really worth.  And the publics image of us as nothing other that "greasy" Mechanics doesn't help either.
 
The old uniforms at LUS, a couple of uniform styles ago, used the have "Mechanic" on the sleeve.  I used to hate walking down the aisle and hearing the passengers moan and groan and say "oh, no".  And "what's wrong now?"  Like I was the Grim Reaper.
 
Until we band together, rise up and demand the recognition we deserve as professionals, we'll just be left in the basement chasing our tails.

 

[D7571987]

Im a mechanic just in case you didnt know, I was just poking a little fun that the sim mechanics decided they were better. 
 
But anyway, yes all of us need to stick together and vote no until we get what we deserve. Maybe if the mech unions at UAL where im at,  AA and WN all stand together. How about a picket with all 3 unions at a major airport with 1500 mechanics? 
 
 

 
That's about the size of it.
 
As long as we maintain that "blue collar" class distinction, it help the company keep from paying us what we are really worth.  And the publics image of us as nothing other that "greasy" Mechanics doesn't help either.
 
The old uniforms at LUS, a couple of uniform styles ago, used the have "Mechanic" on the sleeve.  I used to hate walking down the aisle and hearing the passengers moan and groan and say "oh, no".  And "what's wrong now?"  Like I was the Grim Reaper.
 
Until we band together, rise up and demand the recognition we deserve as professionals, we'll just be left in the basement chasing our tails.

 

[swamt]

Im a mechanic just in case you didnt know, I was just poking a little fun that the sim mechanics decided they were better. 
 
But anyway, yes all of us need to stick together and vote no until we get what we deserve. Maybe if the mech unions at UAL where im at,  AA and WN all stand together. How about a picket with all 3 unions at a major airport with 1500 mechanics? 
 
 

Sign me up. I would be there. And BTW; I would like to extend an invite to any of you guys from other airlines to reach out to AMFA local 11 to see if how you guys could attend our up coming Informational Picket in Dallas at Love Field Sep 23rd (Fri). At the Pilots last picket (which got the co. to finally get to an AIP the following weekend) they had numerous of Pilots from AA, UAL and other airlines showing their support for the SWA Pilots.  Maybe contact our pres. of loc 11 and offer to come and support.  I am positive AMFA would welcome the support from you guys.  
I agree with you, we need to do an "all out mechanics industry IP" not just certain carriers, all mechanics from all airlines coming together with thousands showing up. All unions involved would split the cost equally.  Huge advertising on how we keep them flying, and how the outsourcing both in United States and overseas is just getting out of control. We must push the outsourcing out of the country issues big time.  Everyone would where their union shirts, be professional and look good, no yelling, no chanting, just holding signs does the job. All that yelling and chanting some other unions do is just a turn off to the general public and they ignore.  Here's the web site on the IP coming soon Read the entire front page and listen to the radio ad then contact local 11 to see how you guys could help support, would love to have you guys there...
 
 
Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association Local 11...

 

[matt]

Union representative came in and told us talks were moving but slow. Questions were asked about our 4% or signing bonus. We were told that a signing bonus could be discussed. He did not say if the 4% has been discussed.

 

[La Li Lu Le Lo]

As long as we maintain that "blue collar" class distinction, it help the company keep from paying us what we are really worth.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue-collar_worker
In English-speaking countries, a blue-collar worker is a working class person who performs manual labour.
 
I hate to break it to you but you ARE blue collar.
 
When did that become a bad or shameful thing?
 
There is a big different between a skilled, educated tradesman and a burger flipper.
 
The fact is your pay has nothing to do with what your job is worth, it is a reflection of market demand and available resources. How much do they need you and how many people can do what you do or are willing to do what you do?
 
If you feel you are not making what you are worth you are free to "shop around". 
 
However I know most mechanics won't shop around because one simple thing is keeping them right where they are at...... UNION seniority...... and they thought it was there to serve them.
 
Maybe one of these days mechanics will get it through their thick skulls that seniority is nothing but a tool UNIONs use to create dependency.
 

The old uniforms at LUS, a couple of uniform styles ago, used the have "Mechanic" on the sleeve.  I used to hate walking down the aisle and hearing the passengers moan and groan and say "oh, no".  And "what's wrong now?"  Like I was the Grim Reaper.

They are not reacting that way because you insulted them with your mere "mechanic" presence. They are reacting that way because if they see a mechanic on the aircraft they assume there is a problem. That is a scary prospect when your thousands of feet in the air going hundreds of miles per hour in an aluminum pipe with wings that you have no control over.
 
I don' think they see you as the Grim Reaper but in a state of fear they may see you as a harbinger.
 

Until we band together, rise up and demand the recognition we deserve as professionals, we'll just be left in the basement chasing our tails.

That is a losing prospect for one and only one reason.
 
You do not have a public facing job. How can someone recognize something they never see? Recognition after all is a battle fought in the public eye.
 
All the public cares about is cheap airline tickets and all the company cares about is the bottom dollar and brand recognition.
 
The company (and the passengers) could care less about your "happiness" level when your behind the scenes.

 

[D7571987]

I can drive up to Dallas for that.
 
 

Sign me up. I would be there. And BTW; I would like to extend an invite to any of you guys from other airlines to reach out to AMFA local 11 to see if how you guys could attend our up coming Informational Picket in Dallas at Love Field Sep 23rd (Fri). At the Pilots last picket (which got the co. to finally get to an AIP the following weekend) they had numerous of Pilots from AA, UAL and other airlines showing their support for the SWA Pilots.  Maybe contact our pres. of loc 11 and offer to come and support.  I am positive AMFA would welcome the support from you guys.  
I agree with you, we need to do an "all out mechanics industry IP" not just certain carriers, all mechanics from all airlines coming together with thousands showing up. All unions involved would split the cost equally.  Huge advertising on how we keep them flying, and how the outsourcing both in United States and overseas is just getting out of control. We must push the outsourcing out of the country issues big time.  Everyone would where their union shirts, be professional and look good, no yelling, no chanting, just holding signs does the job. All that yelling and chanting some other unions do is just a turn off to the general public and they ignore.  Here's the web site on the IP coming soon Read the entire front page and listen to the radio ad then contact local 11 to see how you guys could help support, would love to have you guys there...
 
 
Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association Local 11...

 

[Vortilon]

I would like you to define an engineer for me with your own words.

 
Not my words; however, even Merriam Webster agrees.  Take note of the second variation as to how the term can be applied.  Hope this helps clear up any questions.
noun en·gi·neer \ˌen-jə-ˈnir\

Popularity: Top 30% of words


Simple Definition of engineer

• 
  : a person who has scientific training and who designs and builds complicated products, machines, systems, or structures : a person who specializes in a branch of engineering
  
• 
  : a person who runs or is in charge of an engine in an airplane, a ship, etc.
  
• 
  : a person who runs a train
  

Source: Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary

 

[Worldport]

 
The US is the only country on the planet that doesn't refer to us as "Aircraft Maintenance Engineers".  This is more political than anything else.  There is no benefit in it for the union; in fact, they often just refer to us as maintenance workers.  It also helps their cause in keeping AMTs saddled up with all the "and related" types to water down any vote to get out of this wonderful union.

Out of curiosity you easily make over $100.000 now how much do you think you should earn? If you did get the $$ you wanted how many AMTS do you think an airline would be able to afford to employ. Unfortunately while your job is highly skilled they could get people to do the work for much less.Yeah I know the work is inferior. I find it funny that the guy with the pom poms  airline does the most outsourcing

 

[D7571987]

Cost of living goes up so pay needs to go up. How many decades do you think it would be ok to have zero pay increase? So you think mechs make too much I guess. 
 
 
 

Out of curiosity you easily make over $100.000 now how much do you think you should earn? If you did get the $$ you wanted how many AMTS do you think an airline would be able to afford to employ. Unfortunately while your job is highly skilled they could get people to do the work for much less.Yeah I know the work is inferior. I find it funny that the guy with the pom poms  airline does the most outsourcing

 

[Worldport]

Cost of living goes up so pay needs to go up. How many decades do you think it would be ok to have zero pay increase? So you think mechs make too much I guess. 
 
 
 

No I don't think you make too much just curious what some of you honestly think you should be paid. 

 

[D7571987]

Our companies are very profitable just like fedex and ups are so we should make the same wage as the mechanics over there doing the exact same work as we are. Fedex currently at 53 and hour. UPS at 50 and in negotiations for a new contract. 

 

[La Li Lu Le Lo]

Our companies are very profitable just like fedex and ups are so we should make the same wage as the mechanics over there doing the exact same work as we are. Fedex currently at 53 and hour. UPS at 50 and in negotiations for a new contract. 

Then why don't you put your application in at FedEx or UPS?
 

However I know most mechanics won't shop around because one simple thing is keeping them right where they are at...... UNION seniority...... and they thought it was there to serve them.
 
Maybe one of these days mechanics will get it through their thick skulls that seniority is nothing but a tool UNIONs use to create dependency.

Could it have something to do with UNION seniority?
 
 
 
There is also the fact that FedEx and UPS are NOT airlines. It may be the same work from your perspective but the businesses are very different and have different cost models.