Steve Luis Kicked Upstairs

[The Goose]

Even though it's not been officially announced, Steve Luis has made it to his original goal of International Vice President -

http://www.twu.org/international/IECandB/international_vice_presidents

This URL is to the TWU International's website's roster of International VPs.

Ah, the rewards of selling out your own people. It's an unfortunate truth, but the amount of money/unearned status available from both AMR and TWU far exceed anything we mere mortals are able to provide to those who are elected to "serve" the membership - they are far too easily bought - gives a lot of credence to anyone running for any office, doesn't it?

There aren't many solutions as anything that might replace what we now have union-wise would eventually turn out the same - it's a lot like trying to find the creatures of fairytales - the honest politician and the Easter Bunny.

Does anyone have any thoughts?

What's the procedure for only paying the "agency fee" instead of full price dues to a representaive that doesn't do anything but collect dues? If enough show their disgust in this manner there's a better chance of being "heard" as money is what it's all about.

 

[JFK Fleet Service]

Does anyone have any thoughts?

The pilots and flight attendants went their own way in terms of representation, why can't the ground bound do the same?

Not for nothing, Luis needs a code red.

 

[TIME FOR CHANGE]

What about yes man Todd here in MIA did he get the tap on the shoulder?
I fail to see his name on the ever growing VIP list. Or is it only one "yes boy" per sellout contract...

 

[proAMT]

What about yes man Todd here in MIA did he get the tap on the shoulder?
I fail to see his name on the ever growing VIP list. Or is it only one "yes boy" per sellout contract...

They're used and then tossed to the side when they have no more clout. They become nothing but another expense and who needs that.
We got a couple former International Officers back on the box here in Tulsa.

 

[Birdman]

What's the procedure for only paying the "agency fee" instead of full price dues to a representaive that doesn't do anything but collect dues? If enough show their disgust in this manner there's a better chance of being "heard" as money is what it's all about.

I agree and have stated many times it would send a clear message to the union if even several hundred more went on a/f. They hate dealing with the eleven or so of us here in Tulsa. I've grown tired of telling anyone else how its done due to the fact few, if any, have followed through. It's not that difficult so I encourage you to go for it.

 

[TWU informer]

We go through this same process time and time again. The TWU goes to negotiations, contract fails to meet expectations so we complain the union needs to be replaced, we will go to agency fee, or we will vote against everyone in office.

And the outcome is always the same. The new officers sellout just like the last ones did. Agency Fee might be a burr under their ass but is that going to change the outcome next negotiations?

Or someone claims the elected officers in a new union would be te same as we have now so no need to try. Why not try and know the truth first hand rather than shoot the effort down before it even starts? Such claims are made by people that know this is the correct path but are unwilling to take on the challenge so they spew the negative comments to remove their own guilt about being unwilling take a real stand for change. Everyone needs to man up and be the willing agent for change in a single direction or else be relegated to a C.A.V.E. man that needs to shut your pie-hole by the incumbent leader who has just sold you down the river. Although Steve Luis apologized for calling you names and telling you to shut your pie-hole, we all know his true feelings were placed before us and the retraction does nothing but demonstrate his disdain for us based on the fact that he has his now and we really don't matter to hiim.

The fact is the majority like to complain a little and/or and be involved in easy burr under the ass activities, but nobody wants to take on the challenge of organizing the masses into a single direction to effect change. There is no need to fear failure, there is no shame in trying and failing, there is only shame in not attempting the correct path and allowing unorganized discontent to suffice as an adequate response to your profession being shredded.

Those of us that have spent huge amounts of time and money to attempt real change only to be shafted by the Fedreal Government are burned out but we should stand up again. To succeed there has to be such overwhelming support in a single direction that there is no room for political manipulation. Who wants to stand and lead the next attempt at real change?

Until the masses are angry enough and a leader steps up with a single viable direction, the pissing and moaning gets us nowhere and can only be defined as venting of frustrations and a waste of time and energy.

The TWU is so experienced at this that they even time the inadequate labor agreement to coincide with local elections at the Tulsa Base so that the frustration venting members can vote against the incumbent leader. Meanwhile the incumbent leader responsible has been appointed to the International and really couldn't care less if re-elected to local office or not. Why? Because he's got his brother.

The ONLY way to effect real change is replace the inadequate, unethical, unaccountable organization.

The best option is to copy the path of both the Flight Attendants and Pilots on AA property. Form and independent union and when emotions are the highest launch a card drive. If it takes longer the 8 months to gain 70% cards signed then the task will be difficult and probably fail.

Currently we know the line stations will sign the cards to oust the TWU without much effort. And currently the Tulsa and AFW bases would sign and remove this union with ease. Once the local elections allow frustrations to be vented and the sell out leader is replaced with a new one, the emotions begin to fade and the effort required to succeed becomes more difficult if not impossible.

What we currently have is no direction and no leadership to effect change. Just read this forum and look at both the anger being vented, but ideas and direction to do something are scattered like the pellets from a 12 gauge shotgun blast. To succeed we must focus all efforts and ideas to correct the problem into a single path.

 

[The Goose]

They're used and then tossed to the side when they have no more clout. They become nothing but another expense and who needs that.
We got a couple former International Officers back on the box here in Tulsa.

Did either Yingst or Burchette ever fess up to why they're back in Tulsa? I can't imagine either deciding to have a backbone or begin acting honorably re: those they represent.

Anything other than rumors?

 

[Large Grey]

We go through this same process time and time again. The TWU goes to negotiations, contract fails to meet expectations so we complain the union needs to be replaced, we will go to agency fee, or we will vote against everyone in office.

And the outcome is always the same. The new officers sellout just like the last ones did. Agency Fee might be a burr under their ass but is that going to change the outcome next negotiations?

Or someone claims the elected officers in a new union would be te same as we have now so no need to try. Why not try and know the truth first hand rather than shoot the effort down before it even starts? Such claims are made by people that know this is the correct path but are unwilling to take on the challenge so they spew the negative comments to remove their own guilt about being unwilling take a real stand for change. Everyone needs to man up and be the willing agent for change in a single direction or else be relegated to a C.A.V.E. man that needs to shut your pie-hole by the incumbent leader who has just sold you down the river. Although Steve Luis apologized for calling you names and telling you to shut your pie-hole, we all know his true feelings were placed before us and the retraction does nothing but demonstrate his disdain for us based on the fact that he has his now and we really don't matter to hiim.

The fact is the majority like to complain a little and/or and be involved in easy burr under the ass activities, but nobody wants to take on the challenge of organizing the masses into a single direction to effect change. There is no need to fear failure, there is no shame in trying and failing, there is only shame in not attempting the correct path and allowing unorganized discontent to suffice as an adequate response to your profession being shredded.

Those of us that have spent huge amounts of time and money to attempt real change only to be shafted by the Fedreal Government are burned out but we should stand up again. To succeed there has to be such overwhelming support in a single direction that there is no room for political manipulation. Who wants to stand and lead the next attempt at real change?

Until the masses are angry enough and a leader steps up with a single viable direction, the pissing and moaning gets us nowhere and can only be defined as venting of frustrations and a waste of time and energy.

The TWU is so experienced at this that they even time the inadequate labor agreement to coincide with local elections at the Tulsa Base so that the frustration venting members can vote against the incumbent leader. Meanwhile the incumbent leader responsible has been appointed to the International and really couldn't care less if re-elected to local office or not. Why? Because he's got his brother.

The ONLY way to effect real change is replace the inadequate, unethical, unaccountable organization.

The best option is to copy the path of both the Flight Attendants and Pilots on AA property. Form and independent union and when emotions are the highest launch a card drive. If it takes longer the 8 months to gain 70% cards signed then the task will be difficult and probably fail.

Currently we know the line stations will sign the cards to oust the TWU without much effort. And currently the Tulsa and AFW bases would sign and remove this union with ease. Once the local elections allow frustrations to be vented and the sell out leader is replaced with a new one, the emotions begin to fade and the effort required to succeed becomes more difficult if not impossible.

What we currently have is no direction and no leadership to effect change. Just read this forum and look at both the anger being vented, but ideas and direction to do something are scattered like the pellets from a 12 gauge shotgun blast. To succeed we must focus all efforts and ideas to correct the problem into a single path.

Going on agency fee status takes away your vote. Not the best idea.

 

[Birdman]

Going on agency fee status takes away your vote. Not the best idea.

What is the best idea? Everything that's been tried, while noble, has failed to bring about change. Another card drive, another candidate preaching change from within, another call for the membership to get involved. Unless you have a better idea, I'll just stay on agency fee and wonder what would happen if 1000+ joined in.

 

[TWU informer]

What is the best idea? Everything that's been tried, while noble, has failed to bring about change. Another card drive, another candidate preaching change from within, another call for the membership to get involved. Unless you have a better idea, I'll just stay on agency fee and wonder what would happen if 1000+ joined in.

Agency Fee plus a challenge of their calculations would do some major damage. Once the true calculations are exposed the _-_-_-_ would hit the fan.

See Miller vs ALPA

Agency Fee using their current calculations is fine with them. They may make it appear you're a thorn in the rear, but that is just to keep you thinking you are winning so you do not challenge. An organized challenge to TWU agency fee calculations would be precedent setting without a doubt. This union lies upwards with the best of them when it comes to non-germane expenditures.

 

[Birdman]

Agency Fee plus a challenge of their calculations would do some major damage. Once the true calculations are exposed the _-_-_-_ would hit the fan.

See Miller vs ALPA

Agency Fee using their current calculations is fine with them. They may make it appear you're a thorn in the rear, but that is just to keep you thinking you are winning so you do not challenge. An organized challenge to TWU agency fee calculations would be precedent setting without a doubt. This union lies upwards with the best of them when it comes to non-germane expenditures.

Having to send registered letters to a plethora of hand pay dues objectors would be a major expense not to mention the time involved. Jenny doesn't even seem to have time to file the locals lm-2 much less be bothered with all those requests for payment. I agree, a challenge to their n/g expenses would create a major ripple in the force, especially if there happened to be "secret" sets of books kept. It's sad to even have to ponder taking these kinds of drastic measures to get a union to be more accountable to its members.