As a disillusioned mechanic for AA forced to pay dues to the TWU, I would like to know if someone could describe the working conditions for the Mechanic and Related group at Delta. Are many held accountable and fired for poor work ethic, poor attendance, and insubordination? Is management harsh and tyrannical? Are you satisfied with your pay and benefits compared to your union counterparts at other airlines? Do you feel the are benefits to not having a union on the property?
Life Without A Union
- Thread starter Birdman
- Start date
You missed your calling in August/2005 at NWA. Now you will have to wait for the TWU to strike to get your wish. You will be waiting a long time with that group "representing" you...
Do you know why Delta pays union scale wages?
Yeah there are benefits to riding the coattails of unions. I am doing it now at FX. I get paid the wage I do without question because of the 2001 AMFA contract and the precedent it set. I deserve more then most at FX to make this wage since I actually was in the battle for that contract that raised the bar and lost my almost 20 year career because of it. DL and FX enjoy the fruits of the poor saps that pay dues to unions except that there are really no more unions in the airline biz that set bars anymore. But most non union carriers still pay above or at union scale to keep the unions any union out. They do not want any restrictive work rules and the baggage that comes with a union. At FX the mechanics just threaten to start a card drive and the company throws money at them.I told them you guys need to keep that up you do NOT want a union as long as the threat is good enough. If there was a union out there that was worth a s#### I would not have said that but the fact is I had high hopes for AMFA and they made mistakes no doubt and was a conspiracy to bust them wasn't all their fault but they have lost any and all steam they once had. In your case at AA the twu is the worst of the worst for mechanics even the IAm which I despise is better than them. I don't know what to tell you I was forced to start over at 42 years old in 2005 went to FX and make 100k a yr and have only been there 5 and 1/2 years I make more than I did in my whole time at NW. Might be worth it to leave AA to go to a superior company even if you have a lot of seniority sucks to start over but I had to do it and am better off for it.
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In regard to NW in 05, I respect the decision of the majority of the AMFA members as there were no winners regardless of which way they chose to go. That's ancient history and many, like lineguy43, have moved on to greener pastures.
I'm under no illusion that in the relatively short time I have left in my working career that any major changes will take place at AA. I'm just tired of hearing how much worse it would be at AA without the TWU, and comparing a non union environment might present a compelling argument to the contrary. As no Delta mechanics have taken the time to respond, I can only assume they have no major complaints to air and furthermore feel no need to contribute 2 base pay hours a month in order for their representatives to enrich themselves with a lavish lifestyle at their expense.
Well as much as I cant speak for DL mechanics I can tell you a lot of DL guys left there to come to FX and most had around 20 years so. I figure if you are really willing to give up that kind of seniority and start over it can't be peaches and cream there either. As messed up as NW was I would not willingly have given up that much time and vacation to start over. My decision was made for me I had no job to go back to unless I wanted to scab and that was never an option. But you should not have to endure low pay and bennies AND have to pay union dues that is a crime.
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If I were even 10 yrs younger I would be more than willing to give up 21 yrs seniority at AA to start over at an airline or shipper that valued it's employees. Even now at 55, If I were at Delta and had to work around a bunch of NW scabs I would be very tempted to retire and begin anew. My hats off to you and the thousands of others that did not join the scab ranks.
RDU Jetblast
Veteran
Birdman said:
That about nails it.
I am overworked ( by choice, we are busy as can be ), well compensated and very satisfied with my job and how Im being treated.
A good part of this forum is bashing Delta employees against the rocks for not wanting to be represented by a union, no need to have yet another discussion on the subject.
Same here Lineguy. The pasture is sure greener here. I have far surpassed the top paid NWA/Delta Tech after 5 short years with my employer.
I have considered jumping ship, solely for the money, but Memphis is not someplace Id like to live.
Kev3188
Veteran
Your instincts have not failed you, trust me! I couldn't get out of MEM fast enough...
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My intent was not to give union miscreants another thread to debate the pitfalls of being non union, as one can get their fill of that on the AA threads. I'm all about free choice and respect the Delta mechanics for their commitment to make it work without union interference. I can only surmise that your typical among many of your coworkers that are pleased with their work environment. Years ago many at AA were also well adjusted and content with their jobs but have become very bitter and malcontent of late. Thanks for your input.
Kev3188
Veteran
@DAL Mech, DALMD88, Whipmaster, or any other DL AMT's:
Probably worthy of it's own thread, but what's your take on this announcement involving AeroMexico?
Probably worthy of it's own thread, but what's your take on this announcement involving AeroMexico?
RDU Jetblast
Veteran
It looks like work will be outsourced but i doubt there are any unions strong enough to prevent it. It is the way of the world. It will eat you up if you let it.
There are many companies that are multi national and they create as many jobs overseas as they do in the U.S. And it stinks because the overall experience that has been reported from different industries is that it is hard to control quality from the US. However, you can't ignore the lower labor costs.
Management 1; Skilled Labor- Zip
My pasture is not FEDEX, nor is it in MEM.
