Decision 2004
Veteran
- Mar 12, 2004
- 1,618
- 0
I thought it would be appropiate to post this letter as a reminder as we enter the challenges ahead.
Talk is tough, "Without Further Ratification" is obviously easy and legal within the TWU. :down:
General Update - Friday, October 08, 2004 at 15:43
October 8, 2004
VIA FACSIMILE
TO: All AA Locals and Members
Dear Sisters and Brothers at American Airlines:
On September 21, 2004, after a lengthy and highly detailed investigation of every objection filed by all parties, the National Mediation Board dismissed an application by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association to represent the Mechanic and Related employees of American Airlines. We thank those of you who supported the TWU during this dispute and hope those of you who did not will now work with us in dealing with the multiple perils faced by all working people in commercial aviation.
As we move forward in facing these challenges, it is clear those so-called “legacy†carriers and their employees are in jeopardy. At carriers such as Alaska, United, and Northwest, heavy checks are being outsourced, bases are being closed, and basic functions such as plant maintenance and aircraft cleaning have been completely given over to third parties. Throughout the industry, defined benefit pension plans are under attack and retiree medical coverage is being eliminated or radically changed. These developments are no secret -- they are reported almost daily in every national newspaper or industry journal.
To many observers, preservation of our work and long-term investments in our workforce and the communities our members live in are "legacy" costs, which must be shed. However, such commitments are not only crucial to the long-term well being of our members, they are the legacy of the labor movement in our industry. Accordingly, the TWU will resist, with all lawful resources at our disposal, any attempts to modify commitments relating to retirees or retirement, move work now being performed by our members into the hands of others or impose the laundry list of other wage and benefit concessions being sought throughout the industry.
In facing these issues, we must also address our members' legitimate concerns over "shared sacrifice" by management. In this respect, the analysis performed by our consultants (Eclat) fully validates the concerns of members and Local officers that there are still untouched layers of supervisors and managers in operations which have been significantly drawn down, and that, in some cases, supervision has even been added to such operations. Our investigation of this matter is nearing completion, although the Company must still provide additional data. However, regardless of whatever further numbers crunching needs to be accomplished, it is clear to me that our members cannot compete, or help the Company compete, if they are burdened by an overlay of bureaucracy that is totally unnecessary to efficient completion of their work.
As you are aware, we have instituted membership surveys and focus groups in order to identify areas our membership would like to see changed, or improved. We will hopefully have the tabulations completed over the next few weeks. In the interim, we will still be moving forward with our expanded membership communications efforts and initiatives that I previously identified last month. In closing, I would like to personally thank all of our members who have taken the time to respond and share your suggestions for the future.
Sincerely and fraternally,
James C. Little
Director Air Transport Division
International Executive Vice President
Talk is tough, "Without Further Ratification" is obviously easy and legal within the TWU. :down:
General Update - Friday, October 08, 2004 at 15:43
October 8, 2004
VIA FACSIMILE
TO: All AA Locals and Members
Dear Sisters and Brothers at American Airlines:
On September 21, 2004, after a lengthy and highly detailed investigation of every objection filed by all parties, the National Mediation Board dismissed an application by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association to represent the Mechanic and Related employees of American Airlines. We thank those of you who supported the TWU during this dispute and hope those of you who did not will now work with us in dealing with the multiple perils faced by all working people in commercial aviation.
As we move forward in facing these challenges, it is clear those so-called “legacy†carriers and their employees are in jeopardy. At carriers such as Alaska, United, and Northwest, heavy checks are being outsourced, bases are being closed, and basic functions such as plant maintenance and aircraft cleaning have been completely given over to third parties. Throughout the industry, defined benefit pension plans are under attack and retiree medical coverage is being eliminated or radically changed. These developments are no secret -- they are reported almost daily in every national newspaper or industry journal.
To many observers, preservation of our work and long-term investments in our workforce and the communities our members live in are "legacy" costs, which must be shed. However, such commitments are not only crucial to the long-term well being of our members, they are the legacy of the labor movement in our industry. Accordingly, the TWU will resist, with all lawful resources at our disposal, any attempts to modify commitments relating to retirees or retirement, move work now being performed by our members into the hands of others or impose the laundry list of other wage and benefit concessions being sought throughout the industry.
In facing these issues, we must also address our members' legitimate concerns over "shared sacrifice" by management. In this respect, the analysis performed by our consultants (Eclat) fully validates the concerns of members and Local officers that there are still untouched layers of supervisors and managers in operations which have been significantly drawn down, and that, in some cases, supervision has even been added to such operations. Our investigation of this matter is nearing completion, although the Company must still provide additional data. However, regardless of whatever further numbers crunching needs to be accomplished, it is clear to me that our members cannot compete, or help the Company compete, if they are burdened by an overlay of bureaucracy that is totally unnecessary to efficient completion of their work.
As you are aware, we have instituted membership surveys and focus groups in order to identify areas our membership would like to see changed, or improved. We will hopefully have the tabulations completed over the next few weeks. In the interim, we will still be moving forward with our expanded membership communications efforts and initiatives that I previously identified last month. In closing, I would like to personally thank all of our members who have taken the time to respond and share your suggestions for the future.
Sincerely and fraternally,
James C. Little
Director Air Transport Division
International Executive Vice President
